Which Reloader to buy???

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which Reloader to buy???

Posted: 12/23/2003 8:35:12 PM EDT

I'm wanting to get into reloading, but I just know the basics right now. My father reloaded in 76-80, but it's been a long time for him. I Do need a good reloader that will reload pistol and rifle ammo. Which is the best manufacture to go with? Also what other accessories do I need?

Thanks jerad

Posted: 12/23/2003 8:48:54 PM EDT

[#1]

Get a Dillon, they send out nice catalogs every month. I don't reload but I always have wanted to reload .45 acp for my 1911's

Posted: 12/23/2003 8:49:30 PM EDT

[#2]

You might get a better response in the [url=http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=1&f=9]Reloading Forum[/url]

Posted: 12/23/2003 8:52:37 PM EDT

[#3]

either a dillon 550b or 650 and you will be set

Posted: 12/23/2003 9:09:41 PM EDT

[#4]

I load my ammo on a Lee 1000, but everyone I know recommends a Dillon 550 or 650.

The 550 is manual indexing, ie you must advance the turret to the next stage manually with your hand, and will load the most different types of cases, and it is cheaper than the more complex auto-advancing 650.

The 650 is auto-advance/indexing which adds to the complexity, has 5 die stations and costs a bit more.

I have 2 friends that use the 550, and 2 that uses the 650. Each of them is happy with their loaders.

Posted: 12/23/2003 9:13:24 PM EDT

[#5]

I like my 550 but I want a single stage to reload my Match .300WM ammo. I have heard that the 550 does not do really well with the big mags.... Not sure though...

Posted: 12/23/2003 9:15:07 PM EDT

[#6]

dpmmn: You should learn, it is not that hard. I get my children to help me. It is another aspect of shooting that is very enjoyable. This is true especially if you shoot a lot to pistol ammo. For all the money you lay out in equipment, it will take only a short-time for you end up in the plus category on your rate of return. You just have to be careful and use a little common sense and you're all set.

Posted: 12/23/2003 9:17:09 PM EDT

[#7]

If a Dillon doesn't absolutely delight you,
and satisfy all you needs, nothing else will
either. I've tried a few brands of reloading
equipment. Still keep a RockChucker around
for various tasks. Go Dillon and rest assured
that you have bought the best there is.
Just one opinion...
DanM

Posted: 12/23/2003 9:21:50 PM EDT

[#8]

Definetely a Dillon!!

Posted: 12/23/2003 9:37:25 PM EDT

[#9]

re the magnum cartridges on the Dillons, I reload .338 win. on my 550 with good results, and this was with no previous rifle loading exp.

BUT, I essentially used the press as a turret press, b/c my powder bar would not handle 75 gr. of cylindrical RL 19. Simply used a funnel with a bloop tube with scale-weighed charges.

You will need a "magnum" powder bar if you want to reload 7 mags, 300 mags, etc. progressive style. Not that big a deal though.

Maybe I am stupid or inept, but I *have* spilled ball powder all over the place a few times when reloading .223, b/c the powder die seated on the mouth of the case rather than the shoulder.

Lee, Hornaday, and RCBS and Forster make good presses I am sure. I will never know, though b/c I have have ZERO complaints about the 500.

Posted: 12/23/2003 9:46:06 PM EDT

[#10]

Medic08: reloading match ammo is not a problem on a progressive, just that you finish a whole lot sooner. Loading rifle ammo on a progressive is only a little more work than pistol ammo. You could realistically load 200 rounds of 308win in hour at a very leisurely pace. I set up all of my rifle cases in a loading block, spray on a coating of Hornady Spray reloading lube wait 2 minutes to dry, and load like pistol ammo. And lastly you have to wipe off lube, and you're done.

Posted: 12/23/2003 10:18:40 PM EDT

[#11]

I load my hunting and match ammo "single stage " on my Dillon 550b. It takes a little longer but I am very happy with the results.
First I deprime, size and prime all cases.
Next I trim brass to proper length.
Next I hand weigh each powder charge on an electronic scale. (PACT)
Last I seat the bullets.

I get very uniform results and very high quality rounds.

Posted: 12/23/2003 10:27:57 PM EDT

[#12]

Yeah instead of wastin money on a new press I guess I could load em without using the powder measure. Prolly worth a try.

Posted: 12/23/2003 10:34:33 PM EDT

[#13]

Another satisfied Dillon customer here.

Posted: 12/23/2003 10:52:32 PM EDT

[#14]

Dillon 550b

Posted: 12/23/2003 10:53:17 PM EDT

[#15]

Yeah what Medic-08 says. Oughta be fun while it lasts. Can I have the rest of your collection?

I currently use an RCBS single pumper but will be getting an RCBS 2000. Has one more station than the 550 allowing the use of a lock-out die (checks the powder and locks you up if too little or too much.) I also like the priming and de-priming systems better. Changing calibers is a breeze. The powder measure works off the cartridge and not a linkage so if no cartridge, no powder.

Posted: 12/24/2003 5:45:20 AM EDT

[#16]

[size=5][blue][b]DILLON 550b[/size=5][/blue][/b]

[img]http://www3.mailordercentral.com/shootingstore/images/DLNRL550B.JPG[/img]

Posted: 12/24/2003 5:56:21 AM EDT

[#17]

Dillon

Posted: 12/24/2003 6:21:45 AM EDT

[#18]

another vote for dillon. They are without a doubt the best company to deal with i have ever seen. They know what customer service is and try to go WAY beyond your expectations to make things right if there are problems.

mike

Posted: 12/24/2003 6:39:49 AM EDT

[#19]

Gotta add my .02$ DILLON. Got an old 450 that I just love and still use regularly. This thing is a tank. Have used their customer service and must say they are top notch, professional, and very helpful. If you can't afford it just yet, save your money for it. Call them up and start getting the "Blue Press" for free just to decide which model.
Did I mention Dillon.

Posted: 12/24/2003 6:44:16 AM EDT

[#20]

I have a Dillon and am very satisfied with it.

However, for just loading up 50 or so rounds, I usually use my RCBS Rockchucker. The Dillon is great, but it takes a lot of time to set it up for a particular load or caliber. It is only worth it if you are going to turn out several hundred rounds.

For small batches, the RCBS is the way to go.

Posted: 12/24/2003 7:09:58 AM EDT

[#21]

do RCBS dies work in the Dillion 650 ?

Posted: 12/24/2003 7:17:17 AM EDT

[#22]

Good thread!

I have been using a single-stage Lee Challenger press for several years to reload .44 mag and .30-06. It's cool, but I takes me quite a while to reload a batch of 50. That's why I have not bought dies for .223 and .45 ACP yet. It would just be not worth it for me to reload for my Bushy and 1911's on that single stage press. But I have hundreds of brass cases for those calibers saved for when I do go progessive.

Which brings me to my question -- which would you recommend buying, the 550B or the 650? I want to reload both .223 and .45 ACP on it, starting with the pistol caliber first and adding-on the .223 dies & such later on. I plan on doing this next month, after I get my tax return. Also, any recommendations for someone going from a basic single-stage to a progressive? Thanks guys.

Posted: 12/24/2003 7:26:47 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
do RCBS dies work in the Dillion 650 ?

View Quote

I have a Dillon 550B. It will take any standard dies.

However, after using standard dies, I bought a set of Dillon dies and they work much better. I now have them for each caliber I load. The biggest difference is that they are more "flared" at the mouth and the cases feed into them much easier.

I've also found that having a die block for each caliber speeds up recaliberation for changing calibers.

Posted: 12/24/2003 7:31:04 AM EDT

[#24]

Love my Dillon 550b......

I load the following:
.38
.40
.45
.308 match grade ammo.

They all work well.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which Reloader to buy???

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