Reloading Press Questions

[Donny1]

I reload shotshells for trap on a MEC Steelmaster but I have never done anything else.

I am interested in reloading all the brass I've been collecting over the years and based on what I've been reading I have come to some conclusions I think are the right decision for me.

I am 56 and although I would like to think I would go out and shoot thousands of rounds every month that is just not a reality. However, I do like to stay active and practice a 2-3 times a month with mostly 9mm compact and full size pistols. I also take out my .38 snub on at least one trip for a few rounds. Mixed in with that is a 1911 45acp and an AR.

So the reality is more like 200-300 rounds of 9mm with the others mixed in. I generally don't take the AR out a lot maybe I would shoot 500-1000 rounds a year. I am also interested in a 22-250.

Based on all that I think the Dillon 550 would suit me well. I don't think the 650 is warranted for my needs and I really like being a bit more meticulous and careful and a true progressive just seems like things are moving a bit too fast for my comfort.

I noticed the 550 models went from 500B to 550C, supposedly stronger and I'm wondering if the newer model is worth buying new vs a used setup which might comes with extras and save me some money.

I have thousands of 38spl, 9mm and 223 cases.

The purchase of the 1911 and cost of 45ACP is really pushing me toward this because I would really like to shoot it more and I would appreciate any input and thoughts on what machine will work with all these calibers in this volume.

Thanks for reading

[Exdc]

I would actually recommend getting the lee hand press at least as a gateway into reloading. It's nice because you can do everything away from a bench. It's also $35 and the bushings aren't expensive. You can get a Dillon or another press if you decide the hand press isn't your cup of tea. I'm actually thinking of designing a mount for it though in case I want to use it on a bench occasionally.

Just a thought.


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[Divernhunter]

1st buy the Lyman #50 reloading manual and read it. That will answer 90% of the questions you have and are asked here time and time again.
A single stage press will be fine and you can get a kit to start with.
You will want Carbide type pistol dies.
The Dillon press is great and it will not matter which of the 550 ones you get.
I believe in buying once so I stay away from the lee stuff. You buy cheap and often you will decide to up-grade later. My 1st press/kit was a RCBS Rock Chucker in 1969 and it still is making ammo along with 2 other single stage presses and a Dillon 650. Lee did not even make a press back then. The RCBS warranty is so much better than lee from personal experience. Dillon has a great warranty. Hornady has been good to me also. No experience with Redding/Lyman. Lee has NEVER stood behind their products including "lifetime warranty" items I got from them. RCBS or Dillon will not care if you bay new or used as to Warranty. Hornady replaced dies for me after I told them I got them off E-Bay.

If you start reloading you will not save any money at the end of each year. BUT you will shoot more eating up any "savings" you get. It is all good and it is a hobby in itself that most enjoy.

[czshooter]

I agree with divernhunter. The 550 is a great do all press. I have recently upgraded to the 650 but I find that I like loading on the 550 better. I shoot about as much as you do and I also load similar calibers. The 650 when it is running right is fantastic but if something happens in the middle of your loading cycle it can get complicated. I do not have those issues with the 550. If you are going to have one press I say the 550 all the way. Good Luck.

[Donny1]

Yes, I've kind of decided on the Dillon from all the info I have read. I enjoy loading shotshells and although it has "stations" it's basically a singe stage in that you have to re position it each stage by hand. I have reloading manuals and a few thousand shotshells loaded so I think I will bypass the single stage and buy the 550. I will likely find a used single stage to have along side down the road as I can see it would be good for specialty operations.

Thanks for the input.

[trackcage]

I have a 550b as my first and only press. You are very much on the right track.

If I could do it over again I would have bought a 650 BUT, I shoot over 1k per month consistently. I still keep up on the 550 just fine.

I wouldn't bother with a single stage for pistol. If you are uncomfortable at first run just one case at a time through the 550. Boom... single stage. For rifle, a single stage makes more sense, but only for match ammo not plinking stuff.

I like the 550 over a 650 for the cost and ease of caliber conversions. I have the full deluxe quick change kit for many of my calibers which means it legitimately takes less than 5 min to be up and loading another caliber. I suggest having this for any calibers you plan to load frequently.

550B vs 550C... I'm not sure exactly all the things they changed but dillon has a lifetime warranty on this press. If you want to buy used go for it

[bruce381]

start with he basic 550 you will not NEED the strong mount, roller handle, case feeder etc till latter.

Also I use only 1 powder measure and move it to pre set heads for other calibers just set the powder "die" and then just swap measure as needed.

I also found the UNITEK powder measure micrometer knob a good deal .

[tonyjr]

Watch the reloading sales forum . You CAN save money there .
Bad thing is there is seldom any Lee presses - ask any Dillon person
and they will tell you Lee sucks - but very few are sold 2nd hand .

[Donny1]

Can someone please clear up a question for me.

For every caliber setup there is a caliber conversion set plus a set of dies?

I'm seeing them on ebay (550B) selling for $300-$400 Some with a specific caliber setup and some without.

[M1NM]

Single stage press is fine for that volume. I have sold everything but my RCBS Rockchucker. Yes not many Lee on the used market - why? because they are cheap and not worth reselling. Dillon are a lot of money and it will take you forever to save enough to zero out your investment vs buying new ammo. 9mm almost isn't worth reloading as you can buy reloads for very little more than your price for components.

[bigbossman]

For the low volume you are talking about, a Dillon is overkill and way more money than you need to spend. All the calibers you mentioned are easy to load for, just get a Lee turret press and start with that. If you decide reloading is not for you, you're not out much money and you'll get most of it back in the marketplace.

[Full Clip]

For the low volume you are talking about, a Dillon is overkill and way more money than you need to spend. All the calibers you mentioned are easy to load for, just get a Lee turret press and start with that. If you decide reloading is not for you, you're not out much money and you'll get most of it back in the marketplace.

Agreed.
I got a 6-hole RCBS turret. You can leave the 9mm dies (3) in place and then just swap out the others when you need to.

[Donny1]

1 I like reloading

2 9mm will not save much but 45ACP and others will

3 Ammo will not be freely available all the time, Trump will likely not be re elected and there will be shortages again, ammo will double, triple in cost, again

4 I like reloading

Right now I have thousands of 12ga, new, reloaded and hulls, and enough supplies to last for years. I plan to do the same for this. Not a prepper but the uncertainty in the coming years makes me not want to be left unarmed.

[Red9]

Imho.
I got back into reloading a few years back. I'm in my 50s as well. As a kid I helped my dad and uncle, using a single stage. I bought a used 550 set up in .40. Machine is a dream. Great leverage too. Yes there was a learning curve. Ran it as a single stage until I felt comfy with the progressive.
Now 2 x 550s, lee single, pacific single, and a hornady single.
Mec, too many [emoji2] add a few pacifics too.
So? 550?
Pros:
Used stuff is cheap. Scored powder drops as cheap as 60 plus ship. Tool heads 12 to 15 plus ship. Shell plate conversion about 30 to 40 shipped.
I love my 550s. One is set up with a case feeder. The other is for rifle. Conversion kits all are ready, on Tool heads with powder drops. All I have to do is swap the shell plate, swap toolhead and good to go.
650 is pricey on caliber changes. I also see folks fiddling to get the 650 running up to speed. The 550 is just a set it and forget it press.
Primer changes are easy too, 2 Allen's and thats it.
Imho 550 is the best. I know someone selling a stripped one pretty cheap. Norcal tho.

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[JagerDog]

I'm a fan of the Redding T7. Keeps 2-3 calibers ready to go. Even more with an extra tool head. Turret really speeds up single-staging and you can backtrack with ease. Will be useful even if you feel the need down the road to go progressive on a caliber or two. For bottleneck cases you'll spend about as much time processing brass as refilling them.