noob question: whether I should get a new reloading equipment

[bellwilliam]

I used to reload for handgun. I own 2 Dillon: Square B (not for rifle) and 650XL (can be setup for rifle). started shooting rifles past few years. decided that I should start reloading for 6.5 Creedmoore ($$$) and 7.5x55mm Swiss GP11 (can't get them anywhere) and may be 30.06 (for my Garand).

question is:

1. should I buy new setup for rifle ? it seems I don't need to make 500 rounds per hour per 650XL. so that might be an overkill ? plus it is huge !! it is packed up right now, as handgun ammo are so cheap, I stopped reloading for handgun a while now.

2. if I get a new reloader. any recommendation.

3. where do people now a day go for reloading supplies ? local to avoid hazmat fee ? or online is much cheaper ?

sorry for all the noob questions. but thought I would get some great advice instead of searching for hours.....thanks !!

[OpenSightsOnly]

Comparing the brass processing for pistol vs rifle, rifle brass has extra steps like case trimming and primer pocket swaging if you use milspec brass for the M1 as an example.

I use a single stage press, Chargemaster, and a Giraud Trimmer for 223, 30-06, 7.5 Swiss. Brass processing is a PITA!

Priming, charging, and seating aspect is the easier part.

[MrElectric03]

I use my xl650 for processing rifle brass, then load everything but .223 on the rockchucker. You e got one of the best presses made, I'd say use it.

[bellwilliam]

I use my xl650 for processing rifle brass, then load everything but .223 on the rockchucker. You e got one of the best presses made, I'd say use it.

For de-priming, add primer, add powder.. All on xl650 ?
And add bullet on rock chucker ?

[waveslayer]

Are you making precision ammo or bulk ammo for your Creedmoor. Not sure why you stopped reloading if Handgun ammo is so cheap, Creedmoor is easy to find too.

Basically reloading saves you money. If you are going Creedmoor , then do all the brass prep on the 650. Then dispense the powder by hand and then use the 650 after that to seat the bullets

My wife thinks I have only 3 guns

[waveslayer]

Go buy the bullet feeder for your 650 and you will be money! It's amazing how much ammonia can do in an hour. Saves me time and fighting with the wife because I'm in the garage so much

My wife thinks I have only 3 guns

[Divernhunter]

I have a 650 but use a RCBS Rockchucker and RCBS JR for rifle loads and some pistol loads.

[MrElectric03]

For de-priming, add primer, add powder.. All on xl650 ?
And add bullet on rock chucker ?

For prep I deprime, fl size, and trim. Then brass gets tumbled.

For .223 I have a separate loading head and it will get a primer, powder, and bullet.

For .308, 30-06, and 35 Remington I use a hand primer, powder measure to charge the cases, and rockchucker to seat.

[stilly]

I used to reload for handgun. I own 2 Dillon: Square B (not for rifle) and 650XL (can be setup for rifle). started shooting rifles past few years. decided that I should start reloading for 6.5 Creedmoore ($$$) and 7.5x55mm Swiss GP11 (can't get them anywhere) and may be 30.06 (for my Garand).

question is:

1. should I buy new setup for rifle ? it seems I don't need to make 500 rounds per hour per 650XL. so that might be an overkill ? plus it is huge !! it is packed up right now, as handgun ammo are so cheap, I stopped reloading for handgun a while now.

2. if I get a new reloader. any recommendation.

3. where do people now a day go for reloading supplies ? local to avoid hazmat fee ? or online is much cheaper ?

sorry for all the noob questions. but thought I would get some great advice instead of searching for hours.....thanks !!

I would strongly consider a Lee Classic Turret for your next setup. I believe those can do 30.06 and just about all rifle calibers up to ALMOST 50 cal (gotta buy a different press for those I think) and it sounds like you will only be making a handful of them so an expensive press might not be worth it, but a Lee costing $115 might fit the bill well.

You can buy the caliber changeover kits but I am not familiar with Dillon, I was under the impression that they were best with pistol rounds and smaller rifle rounds, I do not know if they also do 30.06 or taller rifle rds. I would hope that they would do .308 at least.

Philips wholesale in Covina actually does have a LOT of stuff and Reload OC has a good deal of stuff as well. I have not been to the Bullet Barn yet but DAMn I wanna go there. I will have to look them up and figure out something, maybe this Monday or Tuesday when I am off...

Else if you are not in socal, then online is your BEST bet. Actually, Online IS your best bet period, just order in BULK and that hazmat comes out to a few pennies per item... (and by a few pennies I mean 80 pennies...)


Oh damn! you are in Pomona? Well then Philips Wholesale is about 15 minutes away. Head over there and look through his brass too. He has brass bins in the back (he did anyways) and they had a lot of weird pieces and odd calibers. They might have some of your brass cases there. But for you- Philips is your best bet for local powder. Then hit up Cabelas for primers that are on sale. Just order like 10k+ and you are good.

[ARog]

What Stilly said. I also rock a Lee Classic Turret for all my rifle loads...

[Eljay]

I would strongly consider a Lee Classic Turret for your next setup. I believe those can do 30.06 [...]

They can but you need to keep the OAL under some number for them to clear the dies as they index around. I want to say it's 3.3".

Personally I'd use the 650 for brass prep and get a turret press or similar to load for best quality. If you're just cranking out plinking rounds use the 650 for everything.

[jameshenry]

I would use the 650 for everything. Go to the Dillon web site and price the parts you will need for the new cartridges, just to compare with starting with a different machine.

[Eljay]

I would use the 650 for everything. Go to the Dillon web site and price the parts you will need for the new cartridges, just to compare with starting with a different machine.

The thing is he's going to have trouble replicating GP-11 grade ammo on any progressive.

[OpenSightsOnly]

Match grade ammo can be made using a progressive especially if a chrono is used to fine tune a load.

I load for 7.5 Swiss but I don't replicate GP11 since I don't plan to progressively erode that throat especially if there are no commercial replacements for those barrels.

[Chewy65]

Get rid of that antiquated Dillon

I won't even charge you for hauling it off