Posted: 11/21/2002 11:21:33 AM EDT
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I'm thinking of buying a new Dillion loader, but want to know if its actually worth the $750-$1000 I'm thinking of spending. I shoot on a regular basis and want to know how much expense it runs you to make 1000 rounds of the following (say you already have the brass.) **I know it all depends on the materials you use for these prices, but lets just say you're using basic materials powder, primers, lead etc.** Ballpark est. .45 per 1000 9mm per 1000 .357 Sig 1000 40SW per 1000 .223 per 1000 .308 per 1000 I think it might be fun to reload my own ammo, but would also like too save some money while doing something fun! [:)] |
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Speaking only of .308/7.62 NATO, what with the prices of milsurp ammo nowadays, I doubt that you will save money at all in reloading. Probably that also applies to any other common milsurp caliber, such as .223/5.56, 9mm, and so forth. However, for calibers such as .30-'06, for which boxer-primed brass is easily and cheaply available, savings can be had. For pistol shooters, the equation is different. Savings are substantial, as inexpensive cast lead bullets are used in lieu of costly FMJ bullets. Also, pistol shooters go through a LOT of rounds, so a savings of a few cents per round add up more quickly than the (possible) savings for rifle shooters, most of whom use some variant of the FMJ bullet. The main advantage to reloading is that you can reload uncommon ammo more cheaply than you can buy it, you can fine-tune your rounds to your individual rifle, and, in general, the quality of your reloads will be better than run-of-the-mill milsurp. While reloading is a worthwhile skill in itself, IMHO most shooters would benefit more by spending the money and time in practicing. FWIW, while the Dillon is a fine press, RCBS makes a VERY similar press with some features that may actually make it superior to the Dillon. You might want to look into it before you make the final decision.[url]http://www.rcbs.com/equipmentframe.html[/url] |
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I do: 1. .45ACP Hollow Points about $100 per 1,000 2. 9mm 115 FMJs less than $70 per 1,000. 3. 9mm 147 FMJ subsonics less than $80 per 1,000. 4. .223 Plinking Rounds a little less than $100 per 1,000. I have a Dillon 550 and love it. I don't use any all lead bullets. Edited to add: Not including the cost of the reloading equipment. |
| A Dillon is a progressive press which requires setup and some knowledge of reloading. Do you have that or are you just starting?? How much ammo do you shoot per year?? 1000's of each?? A single stage is cheaper and easier to offset the cost. I shoot hundreds of rounds per year, but only load 20's-50's at a time. |
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Quoted: A Dillon is a progressive press which requires setup and some knowledge of reloading. Do you have that or are you just starting?? How much ammo do you shoot per year?? 1000's of each?? A single stage is cheaper and easier to offset the cost. I shoot hundreds of rounds per year, but only load 20's-50's at a time. My Dillion was my first and only reloader. I don't see a need to start with a single stage. As long as you go slow and understand each and every step, you should be ok. It would always be better to get some training and/or instruction. |
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I use the Dillon 550 to load 9 supercomp (close to the 38 super) 40 SW and 45. It really depends on the components you use. For the 9SC it's about $90.00 per 1000 Using 124 FMJ and Vihtavuori Oy 3N37 For 40 SW it's about $100.00 per 1000 Using 180 FMJ and Winchester WSF For 45 it's about $110.00 per 1000 Using 230 FMJ and Winchester 231 As you can see I [b]do not like cleaning lead out of my barrels[/b] If you use lead bullets you can cut the cost about in half. |
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The cheapest I can make without large bulk purchase for .45 is Cast lead bullet,primer,power $.07 a round. If you go with a FMJ the cost jumps to about $.10 a round No cost for the brass, I am lucky I haven't paid for brass in ten years. Machine is paid for also. I have a dillion Square deal it has paid for itself 5 times over . The no bullshit warr. is just that. Dont get one unless it auto indexes. The sqaure deal will only reload pistol cartrige. Sometime I wish I could work up some rifle round. Dillion has a press that will do both Dont even think about a single stage press if you want to make over 50 round at atime. It is not fun for me but it is way cheaper. So if you are looking for fun look elsewhere. It you want to tailor your loads it is well worth it. |
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i started with a lee single stage. After 6 months i bought a dillon. Wish i had bought it first. Costs will vary. If you look around you can find VERY good deals on powder and bullets. I usually stockup and keep LOTS of components on hand. That will lower the costs a good bit as well. i figured with 45acp i'd break even at about 2500 rnds. after that you begin saving money. If you shoot more than 500 rnds a year of any of your above calibers you will come out on top reloading. mike |
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Here is my breakdown for 1000rds 40 S&W. 1000, Precision 180 gr coated bullets - $48 1000 Primers Winchester small pistol - $16 about 2/3 lb Winchester 231 powder - $18/lb ----------- TOTAL $ 82 It works out to a little less since I don't use the whole pound of powder. Hope that this helps. Chris |
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Dang, that is a big savings! 9supercomp I use the Dillon 550 to load 9 supercomp (close to the 38 super) 40 SW and 45. It really depends on the components you use. For the 9SC it's about $90.00 per 1000 Using 124 FMJ and Vihtavuori Oy 3N37 For 40 SW it's about $100.00 per 1000 Using 180 FMJ and Winchester WSF For 45 it's about $110.00 per 1000 Using 230 FMJ and Winchester 231 As you can see I do not like cleaning lead out of my barrels If you use lead bullets you can cut the cost about in half. going by your #'s you can save almost $100 a 1000 on .45. Which model would you look to buy? I want someting that is good enough too last me for several years, but don't really want to give over $1000. |
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the 550 is what i bought and i REALLY like it. around 300.00 or so. don't forget you will need dies and caliber conversions for each caliber you want to load. extra powder measures are nice so you can "set and forget" your powder loads. Same will tool heads for each set of dies. Other than that i recommend a chamber guage for each caliber and a GOOD scale. |
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I have a 550B.I love it.Never reloaded before I bought this.In about 15,000 rds ive had 2 squibs. Im not exactly sure of what I have saved, if anything.I like the convenience of it vs. heading to the fun store and paying 15 bks for a box of 50.Oy Vey! It usually breaks down like this for me: .45acp 1000 winchester large pistol primers-12.00 1000 west coast 230 gr jacketed-55-65.00 1lb of winchester 231-15-19.00 I like to keep a small inventory of powder and supplies so I can go out before a shooting session and reload 500-600 rds in the span of a couple hours. Always keep you eye on the press and dont have any distractions! |
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reload 500-600 rds in the span of a couple hours I figured you could reload quicker than that. On their website they claim 1200 rounds an hour *I'm sure this # was based on someone who has been relaoding for sometime.* What is the average amount you can crank out in an hour after some practice? This is based on their medium grade unit. |
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Quoted: reload 500-600 rds in the span of a couple hours I figured you could reload quicker than that. On their website they claim 1200 rounds an hour *I'm sure this # was based on someone who has been relaoding for sometime.* What is the average amount you can crank out in an hour after some practice? This is based on their medium grade unit. I probably could when I was 100% I have some serious health issues, but damn if theyre gonna keep me from what I love to do. |
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I called Dillon to get a 650 and they asked several questions and recommended the 550 to me. The 550 is relatively quick and inexpensive to change calibers in. I like the 550 so much that I now own 5 complete tool heads and mostly only have used the .45 ACP. I can change from .45 ACP to .308 Win in a couple of minutes (same shell holder and large primer setup) different tool head and be plugging away. Look at the cost and time required to make caliber changes to the rest of the Dillon presses and the 550 should stand out. I've never timed how many in an hour, but they say around 400 I think. Their customer care is super also. Good luck with whichever you get. MM419 |
| My experience was similar to MM419--I called Dillon and put myself at their mercy. They asked a bunch of questions and recommended the 550B. I have since bought another as I'm too lazy to switch the primer feed, as well as a couple Rock Chuckers for rifle brass sizing and other chores that lend themselves to a single stage. I am one of the freaks that began on a progressive and had no problems whatsoever. The Dillon's simply cannot be beat. Most who begin love reloading, but a few quit after a short time. The main thing is to have someone to get you started. We can help in many ways. I suggest checking out the reloading forum. You can get most questions answered in a few minutes. It's a friendly bunch here. Let us know! [:)] |
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I've got a 550b and reload .38 super and .40. I use Rainier jacketed (plated) bullets for both and AA5 or W231 or WST for both. Currently, I'm trying to exhaust a 8# keg of AA5. I can do: .38 super 1000 124gr JHP Rainiers from Natchez $43 1000 CCI Small Pistol Primers $15 from funshow ~2/3 lb of AA5 $11 so that's ~$70 per thousand of super and .40 S&W 1000 180gr JHP Rainiers from Natchez $62 1000 CCI Small Pistol Primers $15 from funshow ~2/3 lb of AA5 $11 ~$88 per thousand I couldn't afford to shoot as much as I do if I didn't reload. I just started this past winter/spring on the Dillon and have found it a breeze. 1 squib and no overcharges and I started with two of the harder rounds to load. I don't waste my time with 9mm's, I just get the white box Winchester from Wally world. Reloading is almost as much fun as shooting when you really get into it. toast |
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158 grain lead .357's. Bullets are from a local commercial caster, powder is old Blue Dot I've had for a few years. Blue Dot is about $16 a pound these days. That would bump the cost to $63.26/M. I load 200 grain cast bullet WST softball .45 ACP for $58.35/M. The secret to inexpensive reloads is good local caster. Shipping lead is expensive. For you guys in the Philly area here's the guy I buy from: [url]http://www.betterbullets.com/[/url] Roger makes really nice product. You'll find him at all the local shows. |
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The easiest, fastest, most expensive way to get turned off to reloading is to take the "standard" advice and buy a single stage press first. This is moronic. There is no advantage to having a single stage over a progressive other than cost. My first reloader was a single stage and only due to the efforts of my girl friend at the time, did I finally buy a Dillon 550 progressive. Anything you can learn with a single, you can learn with a Dillon, except Dillon will always be there for you. If anybody tells you different, they're either lying or they don't know what they're talking about. As far as thinking of getting any reloader other than Dillon, one word: DON'T. Don't believe me? Fine, go to the AR15.com reloading section and do a search on Dillon, RCBS, Lee etc. Read the comments from the owners themselves. The comments from the non-Dillon owners will be all over the map. The Dillon owners: fanatical love for their machines and the Dillon company. The no BS warranty is real, as I've used it several times. To answer the original question: Do you save money reloading and if so, how much? The answer is typically no, not in absolute dollars, because: - Cost of equipment, which can ammortized somewhat, so ends up being a smaller than expected factor, especially since we're talking essentially about having the equipment the rest of your life. I've long since forgotten the price I paid for my Dillon 550, but it would have cost a lot more if I had made the mistake of buying something else first. Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten. - You end up shooting more; while cost per round goes down, some significantly, some not, you also end up shooting more. - Once you start, reloading can become more fun in and of itself. Then you start reloading more just for the fun of it. - Having the ability to reload starts you thinking about having more guns, which means you shoot more and you need more equipment (dies, etc.), and, of course, you end up buying more guns. None of which is bad, of course. Reloading can really save you money, however, if you participate in a shooting sport. I started when I was shooting IPSC and the price difference between several thousand rounds of 9mm and 40 S&W between reloaded vs. store bought is significant. I hope this helps. Merlin |
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Quoted: 158 grain lead .357's. Bullets are from a local commercial caster, powder is old Blue Dot I've had for a few years. Blue Dot is about $16 a pound these days. That would bump the cost to $63.26/M. I load 200 grain cast bullet WST softball .45 ACP for $58.35/M. [u]The secret to inexpensive reloads is good local caster. Shipping lead is expensive.[/u] (edit to add: any components) For you guys in the Philly area here's the guy I buy from: [url]http://www.betterbullets.com/[/url] Roger makes really nice product. You'll find him at all the local shows. [b]bigdb1[/b] Hit it dead on! Also, for me, I never buy powder in less than keg sizes (5-8lbs) always by primers in bulk and if possible form a group purchase and find a supplier within driving distance. The money saved on the Hazmat charges alone will pay for the gas. - I once scored a few 100lb kegs of 2230S powder for under $400 each. - My powder cost on 1K 223 was less than $14. I now cast my own 9mm & 45 bullets. I can do 1K 9mm for under $30 I could never afford to feed my subguns if I didn't "roll my own." |