Reloading a Lot

[kmca]

You don't get to "work up" with a 1050, here's the link:

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23877/catid/1/Super_1050

Here's a link for the MEC. I have the 9000H. I'd probably get the 9000 with the Automate, if I were buying today. Here's a link for the MEC:

http://www.mecreloaders.com/productline/9000.asp

The MEC is ready to go, except for primers, powder, wads, shot and hulls. The 1050 is just the starting price. You need dies, powder, bullets, primers and cases.

[ar15barrels]

For $505 you can get a Dillon 650 from Brian Enos for one caliber. Add in another $320 and get four caliber conversions and that would cover all your pistol calibers (one conversion could be for 223, since you shoot a lot of that). Spend the rest on dies, a scale and reloading manuals.

Don't forget the casefeeder and casefeed plates...

Handgun ammo is pretty easy to load in one pass.
Rifle ammo takes a lot more work though.
You will never be able to take cleaned rifle brass and end up with loaded ammo as fast as you can with handgun ammo.

[ar15barrels]

Any way to start at the 1500 price point and work up or do you NEED it all ?

I guess what I`m asking is do I Just need the 1050 (come with a lot of stuff?) or do I need the automated MEC for $900?

The 1050 is not a good choice to load multiple cartridges.
The switch-over between cartridges is a lot of work compared to a 650.
I recommend a 650 for all your metallic ammo needs.
If you have one specific cartridge that you use a LOT, get another 1050 and dedicate that machine to that cartridge.

I own 8 dillon presses right now, but I really only use 3 of them the most.
I use a 650 just for sizing and trimming 223 brass.
Then I have 1050's dedicated to 9mm and 223.

Left to right: 550 - 650 - 1050 - 1050


You will need a separate press for shotshells.
Neither the 650 or 1050 will load shotshells.

[ar15barrels]

Here's a really good thread on what it takes to get started like you want to do it:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=124539

Lots of discussion of specific parts and why you need them.
Read the thread carefully.

[Captain Evilstomper]

what about the dillon 550? $395 and includes one caliber set of dies and shellplate? and it's got a good priming system, you probably don't need to buy anything else but components.

[ar15barrels]

what about the dillon 550? $395 and includes one caliber set of dies and shellplate? and it's got a good priming system, you probably don't need to buy anything else but components.

550 is a great press.
I have 3 of them.

The OP wants the most automated and fastest setup possible though.
That would be the 650 and 1050 without stepping up to a Camdex.
The casefeed and auto index make the 650 considerably faster than the 550.
There is now a casefeeder for the 550, but it only works for pistol cartridges.
There's no comparison between 550 and 650, the 650 is just the superior machine of the two.

[kmca]

what about the dillon 550? $395 and includes one caliber set of dies and shellplate? and it's got a good priming system, you probably don't need to buy anything else but components.

For $395, I don't think that the dies are included. You can get a case feeder for it, but it isn't recommended. You also can't upgrade to a bullet feeder. Also, the 650 has an extra die station, useful for a powder check die.

[hotwls13]

Man I want a Dillon.

Looks to me the differences are price vs speed.

If you were reloading for "ONLY 2" calibers (9mm and .223) which would be better:

Buying both a Square deal B and a 550 = $340 + $396
or
Buying two 550's = $396 + $396
or
Buying one 550 and a 650 = $396 + $505
or
Buying a 650 then adding on the stuff to do both calibers = $505 + other expenses

Sorry to hijack, just got me thinking of the different options.

[kmca]

It depends on how much you reload. For only 4 or 500 per month, I'd get the 650 with quick change kits. I'd also leave room in my budget for a good single stage press.

[TMC]

It depends on how much you reload. For only 4 or 500 per month, I'd get the 650 with quick change kits. I'd also leave room in my budget for a good single stage press.

Good advise, 400-500 per month is not much volume at all.

[ar15barrels]

If you were reloading for "ONLY 2" calibers (9mm and .223) which would be better)

A 650.
Both 9mm and 223 use the same size primer so you don't need to swap the primer system when changing the toolhead.
That swap on a 650 is well under 10 minutes from your last loaded 9mm round to the first loaded 223 round off the press.

[sargenv]

I started reloading nearly 20 years ago using an RCBS Rock Chucker.. I loaded a LOT of rounds with it but it is really slow going.

About 11 years ago, my wife in all her wisdom saw that I needed something faster.. she BOUGHT me a 650 with the caveat that I pick up the cost of the case feeder.

I started with the 45 acp set up..

I expanded over the years to include 9mm, 10mm/40 S&W, 38/357 mag, 38 super, 223 Rem, and now 30-30 Winchester..

I came into some parts through an estate sale where I aquired a Dillon trimmer tool and a Dillon case swager which has proven invaluable for the 6k - 5.56 brass i processed last winter. I'm debating processing another 3k or so that I've accumulated since last winter.

Unlike Randall, I change out my 650 to the task at hand. I just don't have the room right now for multiple progressive presses. Last night I processed about 600 30-30 brass.. trimming and sizing them.. tonight I may spend some time chamfering them. For that I aquired an RCBS electric tool. The days of me hand chamfering are over.. my hands can't take it anymore. I hope to load that brass sometime later this week..

Then I'll make the switchover to 40 S&W production for the upcoming IPSC/ICORE season.. and the 650 will stay set up for that till I crank out a good number of those.. Then likely once I have enough 40 loaded I'll have to decide if I want to process that 223 brass.. decisions, decisions..

For shotshell I swap between a MEC Grabber (precursor to the 9000 series) in 12, a Sizemaster in 12, and a Sizemaster in 20. I use the grabber for 12 gauge target loads and the Sizemaster in 12 for small batch hunting loads. The Sizemaster 20 I use for whatever I want..

[hotwls13]

A 650.
Both 9mm and 223 use the same size primer so you don't need to swap the primer system when changing the toolhead.
That swap on a 650 is well under 10 minutes from your last loaded 9mm round to the first loaded 223 round off the press.

Cool, thanks for the input guys.

So, I would need:

650
Hopper
Change kit for additional .223 caliber
Dies, scale etc. (all the extranious stuff like scale, tumbler etc)

Any other Dillon stuff that helps to speed the process?

[kmca]

Check this website:

http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.650.html

He's got a suggested package that seems right.

[sh0t1]

So many choices, so many 'add-ons' required... my mind is SPINNING