Just got a press, now what?

[drummerdude1188]

Ok so I just bought a used dillon 550b off ebay. Its set up with dies for 9mm, which is what I will be loading. This will be range/target ammo so low cost practice ammo is the objective. But I would still like consistency. I have experience loading rifle ammo on a friends 550, but never pistol. So here are my questions. (the following questions relate to loading 9mm ONLY)

Besides components,primer bar, primer flip tray, what else do i need besides a powder scale thingy? (to measure grains, idk what its called)

Do I need a tumbler? (how often do you tumble brass thats been fired at an indoor or outdoor range?)

Do I need case lube?

How many times can you load 9mm brass (with low end to medium end charges, i wont be loading hot)

Is there some brass that last longer than others?

Thats all I'v got right now, if you can think of anything else that I need or would be useful getting started up, post it!


Thanks

[muritku]

you should purchase a Lyman 49th reloading handbook. It will be really handy. Alot of Load data.

[problemchild]

Use a powder that fills the case up so if you double charge it will spill out. Never use a low volume powder in a 550 as it is dangerous. I am sure some will disagree but thats my opinion.

Even while watching a low volume powder on a 45 acp I was able to accidentally double charge a round and blow my gun in half. Took me 20 years to make that mistake but it was still a dang big problem.

[XDRoX]

As long as you have carbide dies you do not need to use lube. You tumble after every firing, so yes get a tumbler.

Your questions are very basic, you really need to get a book or have someone show you how to load hands on.

Good luck and take it slow.

[XDRoX]

Use a powder that fills the case up so if you double charge it will spill out. Never use a low volume powder in a 550 as it is dangerous. I am sure some will disagree but thats my opinion.

Even while watching a low volume powder on a 45 acp I was able to accidentally double charge a round and blow my gun in half. Took me 20 years to make that mistake but it was still a dang big problem.

Good advice. I really like WST in 9mm.

[jwest]

Get some nice calipers to check how the dies are set. You can't expect the dies to be set 'correctly'.

I picked up a nice pair of electronic calipers at Anchor Electronics here in San Jose:

http://www.anchor-electronics.com/

[mif_slim]

Next step:

Send it to me.

I think you should wait until you receive your press. Then you'll know what you really need.

[rkt88edmo]

Get one or two reloading manuals. Read them, if you understand what you have read you will know what you need.

[swerv512]

Get one or two reloading manuals. Read them, if you understand what you have read you will know what you need.

this is good advice. i read two manuals over and over beofre i started reloading and i still had questions....

[ivanimal]

Where are you at some of us could give you a free lesson.

[drummerdude1188]

Guys like I said, I've loaded on a 550 before, and know how to use the press, I will have my buddy who has one show me the ins-and-outs and how to set it up. Im just asking about equipment.

[Dubious_Beans]

Besides components,primer bar, primer flip tray, what else do i need besides a powder scale thingy? (to measure grains, idk what its called)

Powder scale thingy
Powder trickler
Loading trays
Calipers to measure cartridge length
Boxes to store finished ammo

Do I need a tumbler? (how often do you tumble brass thats been fired at an indoor or outdoor range?)

Yeah, a tumbler is good so you can clean your brass each time. Dirty brass is rough on the dies.

Do I need case lube?

If your dies are carbide and you're reloading straight walled cases, then no lube needed.

How many times can you load 9mm brass (with low end to medium end charges, i wont be loading hot)

Until you lose them. I've got 9mm brass that's been loaded over 10 times.

Is there some brass that last longer than others?

Maybe. If you figure out which ones, let me know too.

[mrlonewolf]

Get one or two reloading manuals. Read them, if you understand what you have read you will know what you need.

^^^^^^ THIS.^^^^^^

Where are you at some of us could give you a free lesson.

^^^^ This ....

[CSACANNONEER]

Guys like I said, I've loaded on a 550 before, and know how to use the press, I will have my buddy who has one show me the ins-and-outs and how to set it up. Im just asking about equipment.

If you know how to reload, I'm sure that you know what equipment you need. But, if you really don't know what you are doing and, if you want some hands on advise/lessons where you will learn what tools you need, just ask.

[ireload]

[QUOTE=k-101;5263026]Ok so I just bought a used dillon 550b off ebay. Its set up with dies for 9mm, which is what I will be loading. This will be range/target ammo so low cost practice ammo is the objective. But I would still like consistency. I have experience loading rifle ammo on a friends 550, but never pistol. So here are my questions. (the following questions relate to loading 9mm ONLY)

Besides components,primer bar, primer flip tray, what else do i need besides a powder scale thingy? (to measure grains, idk what its called)

A case gauge to check your loaded round that it chambers and a caliper so you can set your over all lenght of the ammo after you seat your bullet

Do I need a tumbler? (how often do you tumble brass thats been fired at an indoor or outdoor range?)

Not necessarily a rag can suffice but it does make it more convinient to clean hundreds of brass at a time. You can purchase a small tumbler for now if cost is a factor.

Do I need case lube?

Yes if you use regular "steel" resize die without a carbide sizer. With a carbide sizer no need to lube.

How many times can you load 9mm brass (with low end to medium end charges, i wont be loading hot)

You can load it many times. Over a dozen times "at least". Keep in mind if you use your own "once fired" brass then you have control on how your "process" your brass. But still check the condition. Now if you pick up other brass from a indoor or outdoor range then check them even more. In the years I've been reloading and picking up other people's brass I have found "over trimmed", bulged, oversized primer pocket, etc. on certain brass.

Is there some brass that last longer than others?

Yes and no. There are some brass like the Chinese 9mm back in the early 90's that have thin wall that does not take well to repeated reloading. A friend of mine found that one out.