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Posted: 5/7/2012 7:13:22 AM EDT
| I shoot 7.62x39, 9mm, .22, and 5.56. (Also 12g if that is possible with the same press). I have never owned a press or reloaded, but I would like a nice press that will suit me the rest of my days. I have read I need to learn the process with a single stage first, is this strongly recommended? Or could I step up to a quicker press right off the bat. I'm leaning towards Dillon currently, but I really don't know enough to qualify that. Could you guys recommend a press for me? |
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You have asked a common question in this forum. You are about to be swamped with opinions.
For what it's worth, I started loading last year on a Dillon RL550B. The first round that I learned to reload was the 5.56. By following the Lyman 49th manual and the bullet manufacturer's data it was pretty simple to get started. I am very glad that a friend talked me into going with the 550 progressive. Bottom line: whether you get a single stage, turret, or progressive, and whether you go with Dillon, Hornady, RCBS, Redding, or Lee, you will have a press that functions well and reloads quality ammo. Good Luck and welcome to reloading. EDIT: Also, you can change a few parts to do either pistol or rifle on a press, but the shotgun needs it's own special press. |
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Quoted:
You have asked a common question in this forum. You are about to be swamped with opinions. For what it's worth, I started loading last year on a Dillon RL550B. The first round that I learned to reload was the 5.56. By following the Lyman 49th manual and the bullet manufacturer's data it was pretty simple to get started. I am very glad that a friend talked me into going with the 550 progressive. Bottom line: whether you get a single stage, turret, or progressive, and whether you go with Dillon, Hornady, RCBS, Redding, or Lee, you will have a press that functions well and reloads quality ammo. Good Luck and welcome to reloading. EDIT: Also, you can change a few parts to do either pistol or rifle on a press, but the shotgun needs it's own special press. Thanks for the info. After skimming a few other threads I was already leaning towards the same press you use. It seems a lot of people use that press and recommend to others. Means it was your first press, how difficult is it to get used to and do you feel comfortable recommending it to other beginners? |
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I started with an RCBS kit this december. I've loaded about 1000 rounds each of 45 and .40 on the single stage.
That being said, I got a 550 last week. I think it's great to learn, but I wish I would have gotten the 550 first. There are a lot more things happening with each pull, but it's not overly complicated. read, read, read. then read some more. |
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You're going to be facing a very steep learning curve getting a progressive and not knowing anything about reloading yet. Each die and component is going to be finicky and you will have to learn how each one works. I started with a lee classic turret press and I'm happy with it. It's not nearly as fast as a progressive but it's fast enough for my purposes. I make batches of 50 or 100 high precision .223 at a time and smaller quantities of numerous obsolete calibers to shoot my old relics. The nice thing about a turret is you can set up a .223 turret and just pop it out dies and all and swap in a .303 turret in seconds.
On the other hand, if you're planning on reloading bucketloads of 9mm maybe it's worth the initial aggravation to just start with a progressive. My 2 cents. |
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i started with a rcbs junior II, now use rcbs rockchucker, been reloading since 1962.
reloaded: .380hd, 9mmhd, 38sp 3-gun, 45acp 3gun, .ar15 223plinking, .243deer, .308benchrest, 30-06garand. most weighed by balance scale if i was starting out now and could afford it, i would go with some sort of dillon. dillion - more options, more versitile.  dillon probably/maybe has as good a customer service as rcbs.
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I actually wish I could have started out on a 650. If you can read and follow instructions and are patient person I wouldn't see a problem starting with a 650. You just can't rush, force things and be willing to check and recheck your work. In other words, being safe. I started out with a turret press at 13 for metallic cartridges. My grandfather started me reloading shotgun shells at 11. It was too time consuming for a kid like me with school, sports and working (yeah as a 13 year old!) As soon as I saved enough money up I got a Dillon Square Deal. I loved that press! Great press for someone starting out and just shoots handguns. I didn't start messing around with 650s until I was in my mid 20s. When I did, there was an initial learning curve, but it was overcome. You'd just have a bigger learning curve starting out with a 650 due to everything being new. I think I could have handled it at 13 or 14. Should some people start out on a 650? No. Edit to fix punctuation |
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If you go the single stage route I suggest the Lee Classic Cast as it features many characteristcs that the more expensive presses possess or even lack:
1. Larger opening (50 bmg size) 2. Larger ram 3. Oil points on the leverage arms 4. Adjustable handle 5. Able to accomodate larger dies with removal of bushing 6. Three hole mounting plate for maximum stability on bench 7. The BEST feature is...spent primers are all captured and easily disposed of. 8. Over cam protection I own RCBS, Redding, Lee, and Dillon 550b reloading equipment and I am still impressed by the cheaper Lee products. You will hear it many times but the single stage press AND Dillon 550b is probably the best way to go (especially for rifles). Karl |
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I learned on a Dillon 550B, starting with ZERO experience. I'd never even seen it done (pre-internet days).
I am sitting here staring at that same Dillon 550B and the Redding T-7. I recently added the T-7 to hold all my odd ball dies - universal decapper, neck expander, Instant Indicator, some additional FL sizers,... Get the Dillon first. Go as slowly as you have to (press can be used in single stage mode). Learn that system. If you feel you still need a single stage, get one. |
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I can't speak for metallic cartridges just yet, but I can on shotshell! I purchased the Lee Load All 2 and it was perfect for learning how to reload shotshells. You can load anything from target all the way to slugs with it, but the best part is that the thing only costs a few bucks! When I purchased mine, they only cost about $25 and it was as simple as could be!
The positives are that its cheap, it works great, and with a manual you will be able to load anything you want to! The only problem is that is a little slower than most would like, but just as you would do with metallic, I resize and prime on one day then load on another. As for quality, I have about 3,000 shells loaded with it! If you do your part, it will do its part. Also, to do a conversion, the cost is about $15-$20. |
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Quoted:
Ok, after reading about the Dillon 650 for only $100 more than the RL500 I am leaning to that model. Can anyone recommend for or against either model for a beginner? Thanks in advance. To answer your first question, yes I would recommend the 550 for a beginner. As long as you start slow and follow the manuals, you should be fine. To answer this question, the biggest difference between the 550 and 650 is that the 650 is auto-indexing. This means that each time you pull the lever the shell plate automatically rotates the cases to the next station. The 550 is manual indexing, which means that you have to rotate the shell plate each time. A friend of mine bought the 650 for his first press, and he doesn't have any complaints. I bought the 550 for my first press and don't have any complaints. My recommendation is to go with the 550, mostly because it IS a manual indexing machine. It is much easier to put one case in, pull the lever, and see what happened. The first stage is usually used to deprime/resize and also to seat the new primer. The second stage holds the powder measure (and for pistol it also bells the case mouth). The third stage seats the bullet, and the fourth stage can be used to taper (if you want). A lot of people will tell you to start reloading pistol cases, then move up to rifle. The reason is because rifle cases need a LOT more prep work to get them ready to load. If you are set on buying a 650, this may be a good way to start. The pistol cases will be easier to prep and are short enough that you can see what is going on better. You can also see how much powder dropped in them easier. Once you understand what happens at each station when you pull the lever, the 650 will not seem as difficult when you move to rifle cases. Another thing to think about is changing calibers. The Dillon presses make changing very easy, but the auto-indexing presses will obviously take more time and the kits are a bit more expensive. If you get the caliber conversion kit and the quick change kit, you can pull the pins, swap the tool heads, switch the shellplate, and start loading. (You may have to change out the powder bar and or primer bar, depending on if the caliber is small or large). Without seeing what I am describing or knowing about reloading, this can seem overwhelming. It really isn't when you actually do it. Many people are timid about getting into a progressive because it seems complicated. If you get the 550 (that has manual indexing) you can load one round at a time if you want. Put the case in station one to size/deprime, then take it out to clean the lube off and clean the primer pocket (if you want to). Put it back in station one to prime, then rotate to station two for powder drop. If you want, you can buy a powder trickler and get exact weights, then dump them into the case with a funnel. You don't HAVE to use each station in the press, it's just there if you want to. Then you can rotate the case to the third stage and seat the bullet. If you did the trickler/funnel method, you can just place the case in the third position. Once you seat the bullet, you can either apply a slight taper crimp in the fourth station or just put the new round in the ammo can. You can also do that with the 650, you just need to pay more attention to the status of each case at each station. The 550 will save you money in the front, be cheaper to swap calibers, and be faster to swap calibers. The 650 will not be THAT much more expensive on those points, and will be faster with the auto-indexing (once you are used to it). If I had it to do over again, I would still go with the RL550B. Great press. |
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Quoted:
MUtiger, Ate you located around Columbia, Mo ? Unfortunately I moved from COMO about 2 years ago. I live 30 minutes south of STL now. Thanks for all the input everyone. I pay close attention to detail and like to know more about things then I ever need to. So, from what I have gathered from a bunch of you I, will be fine to go with the 650. I have learned so much from this forum in the past month, I'm hooked! I feel like I should buy a lot of you a beer for the help 
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There's two posts currently by 650 users with issues presented by learning curves. I load on a 650, and 550. 650 isn't a good press to learn on.
You should keep in mind your soliciting advice from guys in every level. From beginner to old timers. Then you should keep in mind us old timers operate on different levels. From hand gun, plinker grade, action grade, bullseye, match to precision. Anyway, I used to get real serious in these debates. Anymore I could care less. Your dime, your experience. If you lived close I could show you firsthand the differences, logic and style of loading thats used by individuals you've sought advice from. The very first question should be asked from yourself. What performance do I expect from my reloads ?? There's also reloading and handloading. One yields perfection in rifle loads, the other fine for most pistol and AR loads. |
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All of the above are good suggestions, but here's one that is not there. Try to find a local reloading friend at the range etc, have that person available in case you have any questions. Reloading is quite safe, but sometimes you just want to be double sure about something.
I own an older Lee 1000 progressive, and a Hornday progressive(it is so old, that I forget the model number,366(?) it is the predecessor to their current Lock & Load.). I load most common pistol calibers, and 5.56NATO/223Rem & 7.62NATO/308Win, 30-30Win, 7mmRm Mag. The only "odd" pistol caliber I load is the 10mm Auto. |
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Quoted:
Ok, after reading about the Dillon 650 for only $100 more than the RL500 I am leaning to that model. Can anyone recommend for or against either model for a beginner? Thanks in advance. I just bought 2 Dillon 650s as my first presses. I love them. I had your exact same thoughts––the 650 is only $100 more, but it has a lot more capabilities. I did not get the case feeders because I want to understand the whole process first and I am very happy with my choice. ETA: I have a great mentor to learn from and that has helped me a lot. |
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