Noob to reloading

[SouthBayShot]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to reloading. A friend of mine was moving out of state and could not take a lot of stuff with him so I inherited a dillon xl650 and a lot of reloading supplies and I recently purchased my first bolt gun so I figured with the price of ammo, I would try reloading.

I have the the following, please let me know if I need anything else. Also, please look at the pictures of let me know if I have the right stuff to load 308 correctly. The press has the carbide dies for 556, so I will need to get dies for 308, which I have no problem with. Suggestions on dies? Should I just go with dillon?


Dillon xl 650
Powder
Primers
Brass
Scale

Any info for this noob is greatly appreciated. Anyone located in the Torrance area willing to teach, would also be greatly appreciated.

[scotty99]

[Kwikvette]

You have a great setup! I hope you not only packed your friends stuff up, but paid for his gas, food, and lodging along the way!

As posted above, I would also suggest learning on a single stage!

You can use the 650 as a single stage, but you need to learn what you're doing and why you're doing it.

Really though, before starting anything, buy a few manuals. Read, read, and read some more and feel free to ask whatever questions you may have.

[vorpar]

You'll need to set up the large primer feed, and the .308 plate, which can take 30min-1hr. It would be really helpful to have someone show you the ropes.

My only real problem with the learning curve was making sure the powder flowed correctly. Use a light (or a scale) to make sure you have the right amount of powder before the bullet gets seated.

Read a couple of guides, there are quite a few things you'll need:

Case lube and pad
brass tumbler, calipers, trimmer, and burr remover for used brass
Sturdy workbench/table to mount the press

[OpenSightsOnly]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to reloading. A friend of mine was moving out of state and could not take a lot of stuff with him so I inherited a dillon xl650 and a lot of reloading supplies and I recently purchased my first bolt gun so I figured with the price of ammo, I would try reloading.

I have the the following, please let me know if I need anything else. Also, please look at the pictures of let me know if I have the right stuff to load 308 correctly. The press has the carbide dies for 556, so I will need to get dies for 308, which I have no problem with. Suggestions on dies? Should I just go with dillon?


Dillon xl 650
Powder
Primers
Brass
Scale

Any info for this noob is greatly appreciated. Anyone located in the Torrance area willing to teach, would also be greatly appreciated.

Since you are in Torrance, do you shoot at ASR?

If so, go to the ASR reloading store and sign up for a reloading class.

Money well spent 8 yrs ago

[bruce381]

look up OC reloading in Anahiem go in and see Brian, he has all dillion stuff and can look over what you have and fill in what is needed. Also he can show you how to use all of it. Plus he has all the bullets and powers you will need.
Great guy go see him.

[SouthBayShot]

Thank you everyone for the awesome feedback.

I will look into the single stage press. I did load lots of 556 on the press when it was set up at his house, with very limited issues. I am more concerned about setting everythiny myself. I would load 1 round at a time on the 650 like I ised to with very limited issues. Just trying notnto invest in more equipment since I inherited the items mentioned.

I did forget the items you mentioned above. I also received the case lube, tumbler, primer tray. Brass. Everything I need minus the died and plates for 308, but I received them for 556, 9mm, 45, 44, 38.

I did pack up his whole house helping him move, thats why he gave the stuff to me. It was his way of thanking me for my help. Which I greatly appreciated.

I found a forum called dirty dozen bunker with lots of guides and manuels. Im just not sure what I need to switch from the 556 to the 308. I know I need the dies, primer tube, plates and large rifle power tray.

I have been to ASR and plan to go much more because I just picked up the remingtin 700 for a steal.

[El.Terrible_SoCal]

+1 on a single stage or Lee Classic 4 Turret Press for a 308 bolt gun. Fire form brass in your bolt gun’s chamber and all you need to do is neck size the Brass after that.

[17+1]

[Bigedski]

Do yourself a favor and buy a single stage press to start. Jumping into reloading by trying to load .308 on a progressive would be like learning to walk by joining the Boston Marathon. I’ve been reloading for over 30 years, and I still don’t reload large rifle rounds on a progressive press. It’s possible, but not advisable IMO.

Great score there though. You’ll be set for a long time.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I don't agree, I have put up a lot of .308 on a 650, Just take your time it's not a race.
I check powder weights every 10 to 15 rounds and make sure you use a powder check alarm I use mixed brass and 150grain bullets with IMR3031 powder

[SoCal1911]

You are lucky and made out like a bandit !
Get a couple of manuals. Try taking a reloading class, and starting on a single stage press would help you understand what each step does. Do not start out with max loads. Don't blow yourself up. Go slow, seek someone that knows reloading. You will be able to load ammo that shoots better then factory, once you get the hang of it. Good luck !

[ptmn]

YouTube is a pretty good source for setting up your press. If you find load data on a YouTube video, either disregard or vet the info off of reliable manuals or manufacturer data.

[baih777]

Go see the guy at OC Reloading and get the 308 conversion kit.
Or save the money and get a single stage press and 308 dies.
Brownells has has a lot of free shipping offers lately. Sometimes with additional 10% discount.

[kteas1]

Sounds like you had /have a great friend nice setup. The advice of getting a single stage press is good advice. It's not necessary, but a good idea. This is my bench, it's a mess, I'm reorganizing, have a super 1050 arriving today. I'm not a rifle reloading expert myself, but getting into that game now. That's why you see a single stage on the bench. I don't mass produce anything until I have decided on my load for a particular round. I do my work ups on the single stage, weighing each round. Get me a good safe load, then run it on the 650. Enjoy your new toy, sure you'll save money and have fun.

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[diveRN]

+ another for getting a single stage to start. Not only should you fully understand the reloading process first, but you also have to understand how that process applies on a progressive press. There is a lot going on with every pull of the handle.

I've reloaded for a good while now and the only rifle rounds I load on a progressive are .223 and that's because they're cookie cutter range rounds. Same recipe every time. Any changes to those rounds at all other than brass, even to these .223, always gets worked up on a single stage first to iron out any issues.