Reloaders a dying bread

[thmpr]

Thanks! I meant progressive. I heard the XL650 Dillon reloader is a great buy. I plan to reload the following cals: 6.8, .223, .308, and 6.5. I plan to read up on it and see if I can find someone in the San Jose area to help me set it up.

[TMC]

Dillon is THE progressive loader, the machines are fantastic and the warranty is increadiable. I bought a used 650 and needed a small plastic part, I called Dillon and I had the part in 2 days at no charge.

I have 2 650's and they are great machines. I can load 9mm or 40 at about 800-900 per hour if I can keep the primer tube and case feeder full.

The 1050's are expensive but it is the best machine for rifle calibers because it swedges (selling?) the primer pockets and has extra stations for a case trimmer, power charge checker or whatever.

On the 650 the cases are pushed over to the shell plate and the shell plate moves up and down, this can cause problem with rifle brass becaue they are tall the like to tip over. On the 1050 the dies move up and down making for steadier cases and trouble free. My advice to you since you plan of loading lots of rifle, save up and get the 1050, you won't be sorry.

[Turbinator]

BUT, start with a single stage press if you have never reloaded before. Learn the basics. Reloading can be dangerous.

I must respectfully disagree with the advice to start with a single stage press.

I started on a progressive, and am glad that I did. I still went slowly and learned all of the basics first. The key is to pay attention to what you are doing and double check everything.

If a beginner is nervous about starting out for the first time, I'd suggest only putting one case through at a time on a progressive, to get the feel for the process. You could actually load a whole box of ammo this way as a safeguard of sorts to ensure some level of quality control (you can inspect every single round at every stage of the reloading process).

However, once you get the hang of it, you're really going to find the single stage press to be too restrictive, I believe. So, my advice would be to put up the cash outlay for a progressive, but just take it easy and double check everything before you try cranking out hundreds of rounds per hour.

Turby

[Matt-man]

Thanks! I meant progressive. I heard the XL650 Dillon reloader is a great buy. I plan to reload the following cals: 6.8, .223, .308, and 6.5. I plan to read up on it and see if I can find someone in the San Jose area to help me set it up.

Don't overlook the Hornady Lock-n-Load AP. It has 5 stations, auto-index, and case feeder option like the XL650, but costs quite a bit less. I bought the Hornady over the Dillon based on price alone, and I'm quite happy with it.

[uglygun]

Let's see, I've loaded 600 rounds of 50BMG in the past year. Over 2500 rounds of 5.56x45mm/223Rem. Around 1k of 7.62Nato/308Win. 500+ of 45ACP, 200+ of 357/38, along with 44Mag and other chamberings.


I reload because the level of inflation that is being seen with loaded ammo hasn't quite caught up with the reloading supplies yet. Can do around 3000 rounds of 5.56x45mm plinking loads for 550 bucks, as opposed to around 2k rounds of XM193 stuff for a similar price. It's a no brainer to me.


Bout time I order some more surplus powder, primers, and pulled bullets now that I think of it.

[thmpr]

Don't overlook the Hornady Lock-n-Load AP. It has 5 stations, auto-index, and case feeder option like the XL650, but costs quite a bit less. I bought the Hornady over the Dillon based on price alone, and I'm quite happy with it.

I was debating between the Hornady and Dillon. The Dillon would be the better choice due to the lifetime warranty. I will do my research before jumping right in. Thanks to everyone who gave sound advice.

[Matt-man]

For what it's worth, Hornady presses also have a lifetime warranty.

[thmpr]

For what it's worth, Hornady presses also have a lifetime warranty.

Hmmm. I will look into it. Thanks!!!