Armory Sponsor
Posted: 2/9/2010 1:14:08 PM EDT
So a friend of mine has a father that has just about everything a man could ever want. Because of his job he is rarely in town which means little shooting and no reloading. Thus, his Dillon 550 and 1050 are in the basement on a shelf getting no love  . Good news is that he is a good guy and he will let us use these so long as we promise to bring them back when he decides it is time for him to reload (I anticipate this to never happen but the good news is that even if he wants to use the one I have I will steal the other one  ). So, the question is where to start. I haven't reloaded anything since I was a kid and I reloaded 20 guage Winchester AAs. So, I don't know if the 1050 is too much to learn at once or not. The other thing is that I rather like the 550's warrantly vs. potentially having to personally replace expensive parts on the 1050. I don't personally shoot thousands of rounds a year but I will definately increase my shooting once this is set up because I plan to start shooting a little competition. I will be reloading for myself, probably a couple of friends and probably charity rounds for the dad. I shoot .45 ACP and my friends shoot .40 so being able to switch on occassion will be important. What is the recommendation of those in the know? I am guessing 550 but I would like your opinions. Also, what should I make sure that I have in terms of optional equipment for whatever setup you recommend? I almost forgot the best part....my buddy lives in an apartment so the reloader will be in MY basement  .
Thanks in advance. |
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...I don't personally shoot thousands of rounds a year .... ............. If you get that 550 you will....  Is that the recommendation or just a statement of the obvious   Yes.
I've got one, I've had several 10,000+ round years with it when I was heavy into USPSA, IDPA, 3-Gun and High-Power. 
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...I don't personally shoot thousands of rounds a year .... ............. If you get that 550 you will.... Is that the recommendation or just a statement of the obvious Yes.
I've got one, I've had several 10,000+ round years with it when I was heavy into USPSA, IDPA, 3-Gun and High-Power. Good to know. Any tips or tricks having loaded that kind of volume? |
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+1 on the 550.
Tips and tricks...follow the rules and pay attention to what you're doing. Not because you are using a 550 but because that's what you should do when reloading. Tip #1, before you crank out 1,000 rds that end up not working. Put together a load (10,20,30 rds, etc) then TEST them. Tip #2, during the loading spree stop once in awhile and double check everything (powder checks are regular hygiene anyway but also check the crimp dimension,COL,etc), just to be sure all is well. JMHO Tip #3, BUY COMPONENTS. |
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+1 on the 550. Tips and tricks...follow the rules and pay attention to what you're doing. Not because you are using a 550 but because that's what you should do when reloading. Tip #1, before you crank out 1,000 rds that end up not working. Put together a load (10,20,30 rds, etc) then TEST them. Tip #2, during the loading spree stop once in awhile and double check everything (powder checks are regular hygiene anyway but also check the crimp dimension,COL,etc), just to be sure all is well. JMHO Tip #3, BUY COMPONENTS. Thanks. I am assuming that test means test fire but correct me if I am wrong. For tip 2, what is recommended for every once in a while. Should I start with every 50 rounds or so and then move out from there or will my test fire rounds confirm that and check every couple hundred rounds? |
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...I don't personally shoot thousands of rounds a year .... ............. If you get that 550 you will.... Is that the recommendation or just a statement of the obvious Yes.
I've got one, I've had several 10,000+ round years with it when I was heavy into USPSA, IDPA, 3-Gun and High-Power. Good to know. Any tips or tricks having loaded that kind of volume? Buy in bulk, cast your own handgun bullets, limit your reloading sessions to 2hr max at a time, plan your reloading sessions, try to be organized and above all be retired so you have the time to do it all.
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...I don't personally shoot thousands of rounds a year .... ............. If you get that 550 you will.... Is that the recommendation or just a statement of the obvious Yes.
I've got one, I've had several 10,000+ round years with it when I was heavy into USPSA, IDPA, 3-Gun and High-Power. Good to know. Any tips or tricks having loaded that kind of volume? Buy in bulk, cast your own handgun bullets, limit your reloading sessions to 2hr max at a time, plan your reloading sessions, try to be organized and above all be retired so you have the time to do it all.
I like the retired piece but I have about 30-40 years left before I retire. I guess I will have to increase redbull and coffee intake so I don't have to sleep
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