I shoot a lot of .223 through my Bushmaster Varminter and with prices of ammo ever increasing I've decided to start reloading and wanted to know what your recommendations would be as far as a press is concerned plus any additional items I should purchase to make the process smoother.  A shopping list would be a plus

I also own firearms in .22lr (not likely to reload this though as ammo is cheap and I usually only use it to clear the property of squirrels and crows), 40 S&W, and 45 ACP so the press should have a method of easily changing setups when necessary as well.  I don't necessarily have to get the cheapest stuff out there, but I don't need something that is capable of supplying the US Military for the next five years either, although I'm sure they would appreciate it if I did.

Thanks for any help you can give.

or the $65 lee kit until you're ready to invest in a progressive. I often turn back to my Lee even though I have a Hornady LNL Progressive. A single state a great to learn on an a progressive can be frustrating to get set up when your learning.

A single stage is great for getting started and learning the nuances of reloading, I still use one for when building precision rifle loads. With that said, a progressive is the way to go for cranking out the quantities you'd want for plinking.
Depending on what powder you use, you can use the progressive for outstanding precision rifle loads-I'm using my Dillon 650 for making my .223 Mk262 loads which I've used with excellent results out to 700yds.

If you buy this reloader from Dillon, what else do you need to get up and running?

Quoted: If you buy this reloader from Dillon, what else do you need to get up and running?

I've got the 650 and it is an impressive piece of equipment. Going slow, without the casefeeder, I loaded 400rnds of precision .223 ammo in less than 45min. The powder throw works very well when using ball type powders. I threw 20, 24.5grn charges of Ramshot Tac for my .223 load and didn't have a variance of more than a 1/10th of a grain. The problems you often encounter with the Dillon powder throw is when you use stick powders.
The Dillon presses aren't really that expensive if you look at what you get for the price. Where Dillon gets you though is with the extra's. You might as well buy an extra casehead assembly with powder throw for every caliber because readjusting the powder throw and constantly installing and removing dies are a pain in the ass-that's $90 for each assembly. Extra shellplates-you'll need those for additional calibers-that's $35-$50 for each shellplate. The casefeeder-which is the way to go with the 650, that's $200. Addition casefeeder plates for different sized cartridges-that's $35ea.


The Dillon pretty much comes setup ready to go. Besides the obvious like Dies, brass, bullets, primers and lube-you'll need or want the following.

-Press Stand-it sets the press higher above the bench and at a better working height.
-Primer flip tray-to get your primers flipped into the right position. You'll need/want the tray so that you can get the primer feed tubes loaded on the Dillon.

Will you people please stop drinking the "blue" Kool-aid.


If you are just starting out. Do take a look at the Lee anniversary reloading kit.

It gives you all of the basic bench tools to get started.  All you wil need from there is a set of dies and two to three load data books or sources.

I basicly have the same set up right now and for less than 150.00 it is not a bad deal.

Start slow, and really get to know the basics of reloading,

I've been using my single stage for almost a year now. I now feel that I am ready for a progressive.

When you start relading, be warned.  You are starting another hobby to feed the other.

enjoy.

Buzz.

Quoted: Will you people please stop drinking the "blue" Kool-aid. If you are just starting out. Do take a look at the Lee anniversary reloading kit. It gives you all of the basic bench tools to get started.  All you wil need from there is a set of dies and two to three load data books or sources. I basicly have the same set up right now and for less than 150.00 it is not a bad deal. Start slow, and really get to know the basics of reloading, I've been using my single stage for almost a year now. I now feel that I am ready for a progressive. When you start relading, be warned.  You are starting another hobby to feed the other. enjoy. Buzz.

Who's drinking it? Mike is the only one that recommended it, I said I have one and what I said is true-for the quantities most want for plinking, the progressive is the way to go, be it from Dillon, Hornady, Lee or anything else.
My very first press 15yrs ago was a Dillon 550, because I knew that I'd want something to crank out a lot of plinking ammo. You can still learn the intracasies of reloading just fine on a Dillon.
As far as money spent, yes the Dillon is expensive. If you want cheap, the Lee kit will work fine. I personally prefer the RCBS presses because they are stronger.

I'd just like to point out I was the first in with the cheap ass way into the hobby. Also I mentioned that I drink the Red "sugar free" Kool-aid at my house.

Appreciate all the feedback.  I ordered a few books to start with and, once I get done with those, I think I'll start slowly on either one of the single stage presses from Lee or RCBS (probably RCBS as they do look al little sturdier) and once I get the idea I think I'll step up into a progressive.  The stuff from Dillion looks good but I may have to save a bit longer for all the stuff to set up the additional calibres I would reload for as changing everything out doesn't sound too appealing.  I'd stick to the two I shoot most often, the .45 (I love my Kimber and Sprigfield 1911's) and the Bushy.

Thanks again all.

Single stage presses are a pain in the butt and way to slow to be useful for much but loading a box of magnum rifle rounds.

Lee presses are pot metal crap. There is a reason they are cheap

RCBS and Hornady progressive presses are ok

Dillon 650 and 1050 are great presses

The Dillon 550 is a pain in the butt to load on

The Dillon square deal is even a bigger pain in the butt than the 550

I have been reloading for 30 years and have used about every press available. My bench has a Dillon 650 and Dillon 1050 and a RCBS Rock Chucker on it these days-

If you want to try reloading you can come over and load a box of ammo on my Rock Chucker (about 1 hour) single stage and then try my 650 (about +_10 mins.) or 1050 (3-5 mins)

Don't worry about a press right now, just go to the store and buy a couple of  reloading books. Read them and then go buy a press. My vote, Lee. They may not be the best out there but for the price I don't see how you can go wrong. Plus they have been in the market long enough they can't be all crap.

Given that I'm shooting about 200 - 300 rounds of pistol and 200 - 300 rounds of rifle per session now, I'll go with the progressive.  I'll only be reloading .45 ACP and 5.56.  

Like I said, I ordered several books and will be going through those first before I make a final decision on the press.  My current thought process is that I would use a single stage to load my rifle rounds (30-06 and soon to add .308) as I wont go through near as many of those as I will the .223, but I'm a little torn on what to do for the .223, which is why I'll wait until I've got some reading under my belt.  My dilema is really for the .223, as I want lots of plinking rounds but I will want some accurate rounds for when I go varmint hunting, which as I understand from my limited research, lends itself to a single stage for the accuracy and the progressive for the plinking rounds.  All that said, waiting for the books then I'll be in purchase mode

If I had to start over again, I'd either buy a Lee Classic Cast or a Lee Classic Turret (My review of this press here: Lee Classic Turret Review )   for my first press. I'd use the money saved over something different to buy components.

I can load 4 rounds of .223 a minute on my Classic Turret press, with the primer feed and Auto disk. I can then use it as a single stage if need be.

I started on a RCBS Rockchucker. a great single stage, but pricey compared to Lee.

Since your main emphasis seems to be on loading .223 for your AR, I'd say go with the Dillon 550.  You won't need a single-stage press for accuracy;  most match competitors shoot Dillon reloads.  

If you do want a single-stage press, then the RCBS Rockchucker is hard to beat.  

I just can't imagine loading in bulk for either handguns or .223 on a single-stage press again.    The only reason I went with a single-stage to begin with was that I didn't know for sure that I wanted to reload.  Wish I'd bought that 650 a few years before I did.

I'm going to jump in because i have a question as well

Would i be able to load super accurate rifle rounds with a dillion ?
I would like to do some precise 308 for my 700 yard shooting but also be capable of making cheap rounds for my beltfed?

is that possible or do I need something like teh RCBS Rockchucker to do precise rounds?

The dies are more responsible then the press. I think you can load hyper accurate with the Progressive.

I bought the Dillion 550B as my first press and I have NO regrets. You can learn all the processes just as easily on it and then get the speed you desire once you are comfortable without putting out even more cash.

hijack on
a quick question on the 550 or 650 press.  It deprimes and resizes, does it also trim and deburr or is that a separate operation?  I've been thinking of upgrading from my spar-t thanks.
hijack off

Quoted: hijack on a quick question on the 550 or 650 press.  It deprimes and resizes, does it also trim and deburr or is that a separate operation?  I've been thinking of upgrading from my spar-t thanks. hijack off

Separate operation.

My decision is to get the 650 + casefeeder.  Everyone says that the blue koolaide tastes the best.

I wish I could afford the 1050

If this is a hijack, can we break out the weapons and have a full blown hostage situation?

Have gun, will travel

Quoted: The dies are more responsible then the press. I think you can load hyper accurate with the Progressive.

I'd say that it's more of a combination of the dies and the powder used when it comes to the Dillon.
If you use cheap dies that give you a lot of runout it will equal poor groups down range. I use the Redding full length bushing dies and competition seating die (Micrometer) as well as the Forster Micrometer Seating Die. I like the Forster seating die better, but the Redding bushing dies can't be beat.
The other issue is the powder used in the Dillon powder throw. Unfortunately the most stable and consistant (temp wise) powders are of the stick variety, such as Hodgden Varget or Alliant Reloader 15-which doesn't throw nearly as consistant as ball powder. Remember, for long range use-the more consistant you are with everything, the better things work out for you down range.

If you're looking to make precision ammo with the Dillon's, it can be done but several factors come into play such as the 2 mentioned above as well as consistancy in working the press. I'll load precision .223 ammo on the Dillon and it does a good job, but when it comes to the bolt rifles-I stick with the single stage.

I have reloaded for years with a Rock Chucker, yeah, it's slow as hell. I just ordered a Hornady LNL AP progressive. Reasons were, it's cheaper, lifetime waranty, does the same thing, and right now Hornady is giving you a 1000 bullets free with the purchase, which brings down the price of the press even more. Also, the LNL got good reviews, same as the Dillon. Ordered mine from MidwayUSA.

since I hijacked once....I have a speer reloading manual #9 (hard cover) It has the best pictures of what to look for in reloading operations...and reloading data, its kind of old but still applies.  Yours free if you want, I live near athens work in lawrenceville for pick up or I can mail it!

Quoted: since I hijacked once....I have a speer reloading manual #9 (hard cover) It has the best pictures of what to look for in reloading operations...and reloading data, its kind of old but still applies.  Yours free if you want, I live near athens work in lawrenceville for pick up or I can mail it!

IM sent

I use a Hornady powder drop on my Dillon 650 for loading rifle ammo.  All you need is the Hornady case-actuated kit and you can use the Hornady, RCBS, and probably a few other powder measures.