New reloader recommendations

[osis32]

I've also dabbled with the thought of getting 2 650s. One for pistols and the other for 556 and 308. Perhaps I should do that and get the single stage conversation for my magnum calibers. Thank you so much everyone for all your input so far.

[JMP]

I've also dabbled with the thought of getting 2 650s. One for pistols and the other for 556 and 308. Perhaps I should do that and get the single stage conversation for my magnum calibers. Thank you so much everyone for all your input so far.

The folks that have two 650s generally have them set up to load large primer on one and small primer on the other. Changing from small to large primers is the only part that requires a small amount of effort when changing cartridges. Otherwise, you just swap the tool head and shell plate.

With that said, I'd recommend a single stage since you want the ability to load good ammo. You can basically load anything up to 338 Lapua on a standard sized press since you will be using 7/8" dies. If you plan on shooting something larger than the 338 Lapua, you may want to get a larger press.

For quality rifle ammunition, there is no way around a single stage press. For autoloading pistol like 9mm, etc. you want the progressive to save tons of time.

[huckberry668]

The folks that have two 650s generally have them set up to load large primer on one and small primer on the other. Changing from small to large primers is the only part that requires a small amount of effort when changing cartridges. Otherwise, you just swap the tool head and shell plate.

I'd agree with saving time/headache from priming change. I was frustrated for years before buying a 2nd 550B. The reason I stay with 550B is lack of auto indexing in case a mistake was made and I can index the plate slowly to avoid powder spill.

I don't agree that a single stage is needed for precision ammo or would produce more precise ammo. I started on a single stage and now I used nothing but progressive. I tested the same ammo loaded from CoAx and 550Bs side by side and they make no difference all the way to 1,000 yards.

Look up David Tubb and John Whidden and see how they load their championship winning ammo on progressives. Set it up correctly will save you time, space and money.

[rdtompki]

I've loaded >80K 9mm rounds on my Hornady LNL AP press. The press works extremely well and my Mr. Bullet Feeder BF is a very nice piece of gear. The only downside to the Hornady is the case feeder. There are "tweaks" to tune the case feeder if one is interested in a bit of trial and error, but I can't understand why Hornady hasn't upgraded the unit. In any event a bullet feeder is much more critical to reloading speed; While I haven't done an experiment I'd be willing to bet that I could load just as fast without the case feeder, but I would have to take some of my attention away from the shell plate.

[osis32]

I'll look those guys up. I'm totally ok with getting two 650s. I figure if I'm gonna reload I'm gonna reload everything I shoot.

[ar15robert]

Do you shoot enough to need a progressive? It's nice to crank out 1000 in an evening but I can do a couple hundred on a single stage which is enough for my needs. I started with a RCBS JR then added a Rockchucker when I started doing a lot of belted magnum loads and kept the Jr for handgun loads. I added a progressive setup to the Rockchucker when I shot a lot of .45 9mm and .223. Bought another Rockchucker so I didn't have to remove/reset the progressive. Since I don't do mag dumps I figured I no longer needed a progressive and sold it and the Jr. The Rockchucker meets all my current needs and I don't need 8' of bench space.

I also use a rockchucker for rifle calibers and its a great press i like to inspect at every stage and every piece of brass needs to get trimmed anyways for .223.I defintiely dont shoot like i did 18 years ago but a few times a year during the winter.I load up ammo here and ther or atleast do brass prep and prime so when i have time again i add powder and bullet.

I only had one cailber for handgun so i ended up gettin a dillion SDB for the .45

[tonyjr]

I have looked . No body makes a press that will feed 50 AE cases , 270 , , the only rifle caliber [ carbine ] is the M-1 30 cal . But seldom get 50 out without having a problem .
Right now I am still using the Lee load master [ all 5 stations ] and I deprime clean primer hole , tumble and then reprime .
I don't like single stage reloaders . I don't like having the powder just setting in cases waiting for me to put powder in the rest of them . The biggest I rifle reload is the 308 .
Pistol wise , the50 AE . I have found that I can only fill the tubes about 1/2 way on / for the 45 ACP I hand place the bullets and cases for the 44 and 50 [ some times the 357 ]
Good luck finding something that is both fast and good - forget cheap and fits in a small place .

[osis32]

I'm willing to spend a reasonable amount of money. I was just curious if there was a do it all option I was not able to find in my exhaustive search. I think I may start with a 650 then see if it is worth getting the single stage conversation and another for large primers.

[tonyjr]

Depending on your method / style / type no press does in all .
If you don't care about cleaning primer pocket / flash hole - any turret or progressive will work . I deprime , clean reprime and tumble before I even set up press .
Depends on who / what you believe .
You can buy a 2 die set - up to a 4 die set . To me it is like buying a pair of pliers and a crescent wrench .
I end up buying at least 2 sets of dies because I want each die to only do one thing .
My next press will have at least 6 die holders and right now I am leaning towards 7 .
Next , I would look at the price of adding extra tool / die holders , shell plates , if they sell bullet and case feeders or if you have to go off brand .
Next is if the next caliber tool / die holders and shell plates are available .
Next it how does it mount , take the name of press and model number and do a search here . If there are more than 3 X as mine sucks as there are mine is great . Look for a different one .
Used , you could be buying someone else's problems , but you could get a deal . If you get new , try to get locally so you can go in and say - I am having this problem - WHY ?
When you go to range , watch for someone shooting your caliber and picking up their brass . Talk to them about what they use to reload with .

[mjmagee67]

Just get a Dillon 550 you can use it as a progressive (400-500 Rounds/hr) or a single stage. I was quite shocked at the consistency of the machine when i used it as a single stage.

And by single stage i don't mean buying one of those goofy single stage converter thingys. I just mean using the first station only. I will set the resizer/deprimer in the first station and leave the other stations empty. I resize and use an normal. Letting the auto case ejector kick the case out into the bin at the fourth station. Hand prime, (only hand prime LRP I will seat SRP on the 550) then I fill with powder and set the bullet seater up in the first station and seat all the bullets. I get plus/minus .002-.003 in seating depth. Which is fine for anything but serious bench rest ammo. If I'm going to crimp I just place the crime die in the second station. I still get very consistent seating death.

For the shooting I do, I haven't used a single stage in years, I finally took it off the bench to make more room. Now I have a 1050 for 9mm only, a 550 for most everything else, and a Lee classic Turret for large pistol primer 45ACP.

[uechikid]

I've also dabbled with the thought of getting 2 650s. One for pistols and the other for 556 and 308. Perhaps I should do that and get the single stage conversation for my magnum calibers. Thank you so much everyone for all your input so far.

If you are going to have a press for rifle and another for handgun, you might consider a Square Deal B for handgun. The initial cost is less and it comes with a set of dies and, additional caliber conversions are way less expensive the the caliber conversions for the XL650.

[tonyjr]

mjmagee67
I wish people would say I can do 400-500 rounds a hour , but only after everything is set up - Ie - powder is in thrower and has been checked for correct weight , Bullet tubes are full [ mine will not hold 400 cases or bullets ] case feeder and bullet feeder have been checked - OAL has been checked and or adjusted . Cases have been checked for bent spots or cracks .

[osis32]

I think I'm gonna start of with a 650xl and concentrate on pistol stuff for now. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I have a lot of money yet I need to save to get set up properly anyway. I don't go up to sac valley that often so NATO stuff that gets shot more takes precedence.

[tonyjr]

Go to their web site and see who is closest . Print out a cost list from ebay . Go in and say - how close can you get to this . Ask for manager / owner .
Make sure you add at least the 3 die sets / hopefully the carbide one for each caliber . [ I prefer the 4 die sets ] and extra tool heads , powder , bullets , primers and the Lee mounting kit / bracket .
For rifles [ like 223 , get a Lee long rifle powder die .
Googles / or face shield , latex gloves and at least one loading block for each caliber .

[Pardini]

Get the 650. It will do a decent job on the rifle cals that conversions are available for. If you want match ammo for a rifle get a single stage "O" press, not a turret. I have a Redding turret and its a great press, but turrets are expensive. They index with a ball detent and have almost the same potential inaccuracies as the 650 if you are looking to have zero run out on rifle rounds.