I know a guy who knows a guy thats getting out of reloading and I'm looking to get into reloading.  I hadn't been planning spending so much at first but this looks like a decent setup to me.  I will use all of the components (mostly .223) except the .40, but I have a friend who can use that.  I will load for a few other calibers eventually.  I've been assured everything has been stored properly and taken care of, I'm not sure if the brass is new or not, it sounds like it is.

Here are my questions: What is this worth? Is it a good setup for me? Is the Spartan Press any good?


The List

RELOADERS:
(1) Dillon 450 Progressive Reloading Press  (Upgraded to 550)
(1) Lyman Spartan Press

Caliber Conversion Kits:
(4) Caliber Conversion Kits  (38 special, 9mm, 40S&W, & 5.56mm)

DIE SETS:
RCBS 3-Die Carbide 9mm
RCBS 3-Die Carbide 40 S&W
Dillon 9mm Sizing Die
RCBS 2-Die .223/5.56
Lee Factory Crimp Die .223/5.56
Lyman .357/38 Special (Non-Carbide Set)
(1) Lee 9mm Sizing Die for Spartan Press
RCBS Universal Depriming Rifle Die
RCBS .223/5.56 Lube Die

SCALE:
Lyman Scale(Old Mechanical Style)

CASE TUMBLER:
Dillon Precision Large Case Tumbler
Dillon Magnum FL-2000


Case Cleaning Media:
(50 lb. Bag Treated Walnut Hulls)(approx. 35 lbs. Left)

POWDER:
Accurate .2230   (approx. 8 lbs.)
Green Dot  (approx. 7 lbs.)
Unique (small amount left)

BRASS:
223/5.56 $70/1000  (approx. 5-10K “Many”)
9mm  $35/1000  (approx. 7-15K “Many”)
40 S&W $29/1000  (approx. 5-10K “Many”)

BULLETS:
9mm $75/1000  (2,500 Plus)Hard-cast(Commercial Hard-Cast Bullets)
40 S&W $100/1000  (735)Hard-cast(Commercial Hard-Cast Bullets)
223/5.56 $75/1000  (750)Std. 55 gr. military(U.S. Military Winchester)

PRIMERS:
Small Rifle   (11,000)
Small Pistol  (7,000)

BULLET PULLER:
RCBS Kinetic Bullet Puller

CASE GAUGES:
Dillon .223 Case Gauge
Dillon 9mm Case Gauge
Midway 40 S&W Case Gauge

AMMO BOXES:
Military 5.56 Steel Ammo Can  (5 Boxes)

RELOADING MANUALS:
Nossler Bullets Reloading Manual .223/5.56
Nossler Bullets Reloading Manual 9mm
Lyman Reloading Manual
Hodgdon Reloading Manual
(2) Accurate Reloading Manuals
Hodgdon Basic Reloading Manual

Price?
'Borg

He was asking $2500 I believe.

Have you checked to see what you could buy the 550 press and dies for from DIllon or Brian Enos?

The 550 is about $400, I couldn't find all the dies but the ones I did added up to about $250.

I'd have to charge you an appraisal fee for all the research involved on this one.

Yeah, it is a pretty long list.

my rough guess of $1200, not counting the brass, bullets or powder



 

Lots of stuff.

I am a bargain hunter by nature, so this is my opinion.

I would only pay $ 1,000.00 for this lot.

Depending on how bad seller wanted to sell, he may be offended with that offer.

But that's my opinion. Worth what you paid for it.

Right off the bat, I wouldn't buy the powder, the brass, or the manuals(unless they are fairly recently published).  You don't know how many times the brass has been reloaded, and you don't know how old the powder is, how it has been stored, or if a powder happened to be poured back into the wrong container, and there is plenty of reloading data and information available for free on the internet.

Second.  Is the Dillon press completely converted to a 550?  You can upgrade a 450 to a 550 without the benefit of the quick change toolheads.  In other words, while it may have the primer and other components, the main frame may not have been converted.  Which leads to the next question.  Are all the conversion kits for the Dillon?

To be real honest with you, that sounds a bit steep for what you are getting.  Not to say with 100% certainty it isn't worth it.  But one would need quite a bit more information and spend a good hour or so determining if it is truly a deal.  

Is the scale accurate?
Are the presses worn out?
Are the dies scratched or otherwise worn out?
Do you REALLY need, and/or are you really capable of offloading the stuff you don't want?
Are the bullets really commercially made?