First press for new reloader

[Animal.]

Also your analogy with the swiss army knife and whatever else you are saying is stupid. In a lot of technical trades such as electricians, apprentices or brand new people in the field are not even allowed to use power tools such as an impact drill. This is not because they might not be able to handle it but certain devices or components you wiring up or putting together can be very sensitive and easily damaged if you do not know the tolerances by feel. Now do you have to be limited to using only hand tools forever? No but until you learn what you are doing there is a smart way to do things and a not so smart way.

[hambam105]

I hope you are right.

would say 80-90% of the serious 3-gun, USPSA, IDPA, ICORE, steel challenge shooters I've met reload.

I'd say the above sample group is accurate of the 1980s and 90s, but currently....Depends who you hang around with.

Reloading definitely complements NRA Action Pistol shooting events.
I see lots and lots of 9mm & 5.56 steel cases on the ground everywhere I shoot.

The spread between component prices and factory new cartridges has continued to narrow every year since the prehistoric pre-innerweb 70s.

I will keep this speculation in mind the next time I see a guy at Miwal cart away 1,000 round cardboard cases of ammo stacked taller than Rosie O'Donnel.

[Discogodfather]

Imagine all the championships we could have won with a Redding press, but tragically we chose other brands. The price to pay for being light years behind the times.

[mmlook]

I'd say the above sample group is accurate of the 1980s and 90s, but currently....Depends who you hang around with.

Reloading definitely complements NRA Action Pistol shooting events.
I see lots and lots of 9mm & 5.56 steel cases on the ground everywhere I shoot.

The spread between component prices and factory new cartridges has continued to narrow every year since the prehistoric pre-innerweb 70s.

I will keep this speculation in mind the next time I see a guy at Miwal cart away a stack of 1,000 rounds cases of ammo taller than Rosie O'Donnel.

I'm talking about seasoned shooters(C class and above)
you can reload steel, nothing stopping you.

See attached, and you can also search "USPSA equipment survey"

summary:
1. 60+% in any given division reloads
2. 20+% of people running "factory" are using competition rounds
i.e. Atlanta Arms, Freedom munitions, etc..
these cannot be bought at Walmart or your local FFL for that matter
3. 80+% use Dillon presses

it's not speculation, it's more or less the norm for practical shooting sports.
and has been the norm for some time.

the latest thing everyone wants is a mark7 1050 auto drive

[hambam105]

Well, Mr. Animal,

You apparently know more about reloading in college dorm rooms, closets in tiny apartments so the landlord won't see what you are up to, and underneath basement steps, better than I do.

Congratulations. Other Reloaders, some less stupid than I and have not read or contributed thus far, now know the personality they are dealing with. Good Luck to your future reloading endeavors.

For my detractors with a Dillion Progressive and any of the popular single stage Presses, I encourage you to measure the length alone on the blue plastic collection box just to the right of Dillion's 4th stage die. Then measure the base length on any currently popular single stage Press.

Unfortunately, a tape measure is incapable of measuring rationalizations.

With good lighting and a single scintilla of decency the finding should spell the word, apology.

J-Cat,
The Press, bench mounted priming units, anchored trimmers, powder dispenser base frame, can all be mounted, not all at once of course, on removable baseplates on a single location on your bench.


The practice of removable bench mounted reloading equipment is becoming quite popular for those that know the difference between,
" Hambam I said little space not no space"
and
"Hambam you need to shut it".

Don't worry, Gentlemen. I've considered the sources and I do not take offense, yet.

[hambam105]

mmlook

Great info not doubt. Thanks.
So lets take a look at your #1 & #2 findings in the summary.

Does not 60% and 20% of the respondents leave an additional 20% of shooters unaccounted for and possibly sneaking over to the Milwal line. And returning to #2 in the summary, aren't those Freedom Arm buyers buying cartridges and not reloading supplies, which would lead me to believe they are shooting something other than their own reloads. Or is this 20% buying reloading supplys from Freedom Arms?

Give me a chance to take a better look at your post. Maybe I can answer my own questions if I use both eyes. Dang! If I just wasn't so stupid.

Besides, we want to show some respect to our elders and to the others and not thread jack, any further.

[Animal.]

Well, Mr. Animal,

You apparently know more about reloading in college dorm rooms, closets in tiny apartments so the landlord won't see what you are up to, and underneath basement steps, better .

Once again all your doing is making assumptions. None of those are an issue to me but having a small garage where my S.O does not want what she sees as a ammo factory set up is an issue. And for whatever reason because my situation is not the same as yours meana you resort to sh*t talking? Nice dude thanks for all your insightful info... much appreciated

[J-cat]

not quite true.

primer seating on all Dillons, except for the 1050 happen on the top of the up stroke.
You have just as much feel

False. Sensitivity increases with a decrease in mass.

[SkiDevil]

Reloading .223

I have a close friend with a great amount of experience (decades) reloading both recreationally and commercially.

My interest in reloading and calibers is similar to yours except for the volume.

His recommendation to me for reloading the following calibers (.223, .45 ACP, 9mm, and .308) was a Dillon 550B.

That said, it was strongly suggested to start with a single-stage press. His rationale is to learn each step of the reloading process first. Secondly, the single stage will always serve a purpose and can be used for other tasks to complement the progressive.

Reading those reloading manuals is time well spent. I purchased several manuals and read them. However, the best way to learn in my experience is to actually reload with an experienced and knowledgable reloader. If you don't know someone, then find a reloading class. There are many out there to take.

It took a while, but I read through this whole thread. There are definitely some knowledgable folks here. However, as in everthing in life, we all have preferences.

Regarding budget, I thought that I would try to keep things simple but it didn't last. Just to reload .223 including dies, powder, primers, scales (mechanical and electronic), presses, bullets, manuals, brass prep tools, calipers, tumbler, and other associated equipment I have spent close to $2,000 so far.

I have bought and used both LEE, Lyman, and RCBS equipment and dies.

In my experience as an amatuer reloader, buy a simple press first. I bought a LEE hand press to start, it provided an economical way to begin and loaded some very accurate rounds. After the single-stage then progress from there once you get the basics down. You don't need much force or leverage for .223 or 9mm cases.

Good luck.

P.S. I was surprised to find that I enjoy reloading almost as much as shooting. Lastly, reloading pistol ammunition on a single stage is very time consuming and best left for a progressive.

[hambam105]

Spending 2 Grand upfront is a great start. Did that include component supplies as well or just equipment?

Someone described buying reloading equipment & supplies is like throwing money down a rabbit hole.
It is imperative that the beginners see the big picture otherwise the hobby seems to nickel & dime you to death.

Just for reference, in 1978, I spent $600 on a RockChucker, powder thrower & frame, beam scale, manual, 2 die sets with shell holders & swage die, lube & lube pad.
And plenty enough component supplies to load over a hundred 308s and about 70 or so 45acps.

Gasoline was fifty cents a gallon. Range fees went up to two dollars for the new guys.
And a new monthly payment on an old house in West San Jose was $600, not including insurance of course.

What was I doing throwing away all that money on Reloading?

[tanks]

I use a Forster Co-Ax single stage for hunting rounds, 550C for less used calibers (1050 and 650 sold/being sold due to automation). For the OP depending on volume a single stage and/or a progressive press might be advised.

As a USPSA competitor shooter I shoot a fair amount (~60K rounds a year) of .40 S&W, so as a result got tired of pulling the handle of my 1050 and went with full automation, a Mark 7 Revolution. Such a difference.

[kcstott]

Spending 2 Grand upfront is a great start. Did that include component supplies as well or just equipment?

Someone described buying reloading equipment & supplies is like throwing money down a rabbit hole.
It is imperative that the beginners see the big picture otherwise the hobby seems to nickel & dime you to death.

Just for reference, in 1978, I spent $600 on a RockChucker, powder thrower & frame, beam scale, manual, 2 die sets with shell holders & swage die, lube & lube pad.
And plenty enough component supplies to load over a hundred 308s and about 70 or so 45acps.

Gasoline was fifty cents a gallon. Range fees went up to two dollars for the new guys.
And a new monthly payment on an old house in West San Jose was $600, not including insurance of course.

What was I doing throwing away all that money on Reloading?

go back and edit the rest of your posts will you.

You ain't old enough to know when gasoline was $1.50 let alone $0.50.

Shut the pie hole and and go eat some tide pods

[tanks]

go back and edit the rest of your posts will you.

You ain't old enough to know when gasoline was $1.50 let alone $0.50.

Shut the pie hole and and go eat some tide pods

That escalated quickly.

[hambam105]

60 thousand rounds per year, Dang!

If I was smart I could do the math...365....52 Saturdays-one year...Minus match days...
Does Christmas fall on a practice day...Birthdays count...carry the one...heck.

Judging from the speed of that Mk 7 on YT, you're darn near shooting in one afternoon of practice what the machine takes 24 hours to crank out. Ha Ha.
I know, just teasing...It's only half a day.

If you're shooting 60 thousands rounds a year that means two things:
1) New Math calculations says that's 164.383 rounds fired per day including Birthdays and Holidays.
I don't know how you get point 383 out of ammunition figures so maybe the calculator is trying to count squib loads. Joke...
2) And your are dern near shooting as much as I am. Are you getting any good yet? Joke, joke, joke.
I know you are getting better.

I don't shoot that much.

So, Tanks, you are just the Reloader I wanted to ask this question to:

With the advent of machines like the MK 7, are the clubs making their own ammo?
Or are groups of competitors getting together and assembling a months worth of practice ammo in an hour or two?

I ask because I'm finding more and more competitive shooters who are not reloading.
I guess these guys are making more money working per hour than they do cranking out 550B ammo in the garage.

Anyhow, great post. Look forward to reading your response.

[Bumslie]

I reload in room a townhome. Come down to HB and I'll help you out.

I have a rockchucker, big boss 2, a 550b and a lock n load

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