Need advice on reloading equipment

[50 Freak]

Hey guys, am thinking of getting into reloading.

Mostly I want to reload 308, 303, 223 and maybe 50bmg.

I'm more interested in reloading for plinking. So mass production is more important than accuracy. So a multistage press is ideal. However, I wouldn't mind being able to reload some accurate match ammo every now and then.

What kind of presses and bare bones equipment would you recommend.

And how much would set up initially cost.

Thanks guys.

[1911whore]

reloading

I have a great progressive setup in all calibers you want minus .50bmg. i believe that is going to take its own press as standard presses are too small for the dies. My stuff is on the non for sale section

[Omega13device]

Dillon for quality and no-BS warranty. Their customer service is fantastic.

[50BMGBOB]

For 50BMG you can only get a single stage press. Most 50BMG dies are 1.5 inch threads, Lee uses 1.375 fo their 50BMG so if you get theirs you have to use their dies. I use the RCBS Ammomaster press for my 50. I have a Rockchucker for smaller calibers (I could due them on the Ammomaster but I already had the Rockchucker). I'm still looking to get a progressive press but I'm leaning towards the Hornady Loc-N-Load.

[PLINK]

I just started reloading. I bought a used Dillon 550B off of ebay. It is very easy to use and set up. I have since loaded 700 trouble free rounds of .45 ACP. I am very happy with it and do not see a reason to by another press anytime soon.

[Wulf]

I'm not sure about the 303, but I know historically, you cant reload plinking quality 223 or 308 for a cost less than surplus unless you have some really spectacularly cheep access to components (particularly brass). Now, surplus prices have been going up, so I'm not sure if that calculation is as true as it once was but its definitely something to consider. I reload mass quantities of pistol ammo on my 550b, but for rifle I use it to remanufacture surplus to improve its accuracy; pulling bullets, uniforming powder charges, etc.

[ryang]

I bought a used Dillon 550B off of ebay. I am very happy with it and do not see a reason to by another press anytime soon.

Until you get the itch for faster production, and then the 650 starts looking might tempting.

I had a SDB and could reload ~300 rounds per hour moving at a fast pace. I now have a 650 and make twice that going at a moderate pace. It makes "justifying" the cost savings a lot better.

[ryang]

I know historically, you cant reload plinking quality 223 or 308 for a cost less than surplus unless you have some really spectacularly cheep access to components (particularly brass).

Are you factoring in multiple reuses of brass when you calculate reloading cost? Get a primer pocket swager to convert boxer to berdan and brass is practically free since you already bought it as part of that surplus cost.

[ocabj]

I'm not sure about the 303, but I know historically, you cant reload plinking quality 223 or 308 for a cost less than surplus unless you have some really spectacularly cheep access to components (particularly brass). Now, surplus prices have been going up, so I'm not sure if that calculation is as true as it once was but its definitely something to consider. I reload mass quantities of pistol ammo on my 550b, but for rifle I use it to remanufacture surplus to improve its accuracy; pulling bullets, uniforming powder charges, etc.

Considering the cost of XM193 is $6 per 20 before shipping (30 cents a round before shipping / tax), it is cost effective to reload .223 (and has always been).

The only round that I shoot that I don't reload 'plinking' ammo for is .30-06, because Greek HXP through the CMP is still under 25 cents a round. My reloads would probably be equal in price to that after calculating the cost of powder and bullets. Granted, I have a few thousand M2 pulls on hand. But I still buy HXP and whenever I shoot it, I save the brass. I've got about 2k HXP brass and another 2k LC .30-06 brass sitting in buckets -- once fired.

[Wulf]

Are you factoring in multiple reuses of brass when you calculate reloading cost? Get a primer pocket swager to convert boxer to berdan and brass is practically free since you already bought it as part of that surplus cost.

I wasnt aware that a primer swager would reform berdan brass to reloadable boxer.....does it reduce the diameter of the pocket and poke the centerline hole through?

[ocabj]

I wasnt aware that a primer swager would reform berdan brass to reloadable boxer.....does it reduce the diameter of the pocket and poke the centerline hole through?

It doesn't. Nothing converts berdan to boxer. Pure misinformation.

[50 Freak]

What's the difference between boxer and berdan?

Which is easy to reload? more readily available? etc

[ocabj]

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/berdanreloading/index.asp

Boxer is the American standard and accounts for 99.99% of reloaded ammo. Very very few people reload Berdan. It can be done, but Berdan primers are harder to come by. You typically have to order them. The only Berdan primers that I have seen being sold online are PMC.

The one cartridge that I would see people reloading for in Berdan cases is 7.5x55 Swiss since the GP11 brass is Berdan and is very good brass.

[ryang]

It doesn't. Nothing converts berdan to boxer. Pure misinformation.

Sorry, my bad. I was thinking of the Dillon super swage which allows you to easily reload military brass with crimped primer pockets.

[thmpr]

50,
550B or the XL650 will do just fine. The 650 will do up to 338 Lapua Magnum cartridges. But for the 308 and 223, the XL650 is the way to go.