Newbee to reloading. Where do I start?

[1stLineGear]

I have up to $2500.00 to spend on reloading equipment. I just don't know where to start.

I own calibers in 223, 7.62 x 39, 308, 40 and 9mm. I have read of machines (dillon) that can produce up to 1000 rounds per hour, but can I switch out the dies for other calibers?

I would appreciate some advice.

[ivanimal]

Where are you located? I would first do a search on this subject and find someone close by to show you the ropes. I would suggest you buy Lymans reloading manual and read it from cover to cover. Not just what interests you. That will help you understand the mindset of reloading. It is a safe hobby and nowadays a necessary one. It can be dangerous if you are the careless type.

If you are in the bay area I would love to show you how it is done and what you would need.

Ivan

[1stLineGear]

Unfortunately I live in Southern California but I appreciate the advice. I have been looking at Dillon and Lee reloaders. I would like to hear from others what kind of reloaders they are using. I am leaning toward progressive reloaders.

I appreciate all the advice I can get. I will also purchase the book you suggested.

[50ae]

I highly recommend Dillon products and ditto the above but I would say read that manual at least twice before even ordering equipment. Their are plenty of threads on here telling you what you'll need to buy but I'd stick with the basics and then figure out what you need after doing with that for a while.

[rksimple]

With your budget I'd definitly go with a Dillon. There are so many possibilities from there. Get a manual and read all you can. There are also plenty of guys in socal that are willing to help and have many Dillon presses for you to check out.

[PistolPete75]

2.5k is an awesome budget. another one on dillon products. i recommend a dl550 if you want versatility or a dl650 if you want pure speed. dl550 can be used a progressive and single stage, and there are tons of used parts for them.

you should check out my post. i have some reloading stuff for sale that you might want.

i also have the same reloading manual. great versatile reloading handbook.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=79733

[1stLineGear]

Thanks for the advice please keep it coming. From the research that I have done Dillon seems to be the better choice. I like the Dillon XL 650 and the Dillon S 1050 but can the Dillon S 1050 be run w/out electricity?

Does anyone in this forum own either of these products?
If anyone here lives in the Alpine, Ca area feel free to IM me.

I hope my wife knows what she is getting into by agreeing to let me spend up to 2500 for reloading equipment. He he he.

[PistolPete75]

Thanks for the advice please keep it coming. From the research that I have done Dillon seems to be the better choice. I like the Dillon XL 650 and the Dillon S 1050 but can the Dillon S 1050 be run w/out electricity?

Does anyone in this forum own either of these products?
If anyone here lives in the Alpine, Ca area feel free to IM me.

I hope my wife knows what she is getting into by agreeing to let me spend up to 2500 for reloading equipment. He he he.

forget the 1050, i rather get the 650 with the full upgrades like automatic case feeder, automatic primer, etc. plus used parts are more readily available for the 650, and has the lifetime warrenty.

and if your intending to load match grade rifle loads, you want the 550.

[1stLineGear]

Lets say I want to do both. So are you saying from your experience that the Dillon XL 650 does not have the ability to make match grade cartridges? Can't I have it both ways? LOL I do like the speed ability of the XL 650 but I would give up on match grade quality.

Mmmm....

[50ae]

Yes, the 650 can load just as precision as the 550 but the 550 is easier to go slow with. Their is no reason you can't have both and if I was buying another press to go beside my 650 right now it would be a 550.

[CSACANNONEER]

Dillon press(es)
A single stage Rockchucker is a must
I like Dillon dies for the most part, just get good ones
Denver Instrument scale but, always have a manual scale too
Giraud trimmer as well as a good hand crank trimmer
Redding or other manual high end powder thrower

[jonrx7]

I believe the speed difference between the 550 and the 650 is the auto indexing and auto case feeder on the 650.
Other than that both use the same mechanism as in decaping-depriming, powder charge and crimping.

On a side note, for rifle cartridges, you will need to resize trim and debur before it can be loaded - just another operation.

John

[1911jerry]

I have a XL650 and a Super 1050. If I was just starting out, I woul get the 650. The Super 1050 primer system can be touchy. Once you get the basics down on a 650, the 1050 will be a shorter learning curve.

Keep in mind, the press/dies/conversion units are the cheap part of reloading. Keep in mind that bullets, powder and primes will costs many times the price of the press over the years.

My advice.... cry only once and get the Dillon 650. Later on if you decide to upgrade to a 1050, you will get about 75% of your XL650 back when you sell it.



Jerry

[PistolPete75]

reason why i say use a 550 for precision loads is cause i don't use the dillon powder dispensor for my match loads. my powder charges are done using a lyman electronic powder dispensor for consistant, accurate loads.

i end up using the 550 as a single stage press, and don't like the 650 for precision loads because of the auto indexing. however auto indexing is great to slam out a couple of hundred rounds in an hour.

also i have a slight issue with the priming system on the dillon. if it's not perfectly aligned, primers might be well seated.

i actually perfer using a forestor single stage press for priming, seats primers perfectly. slower, but more precise. my forestor is my go to press for match loads on my .308

[MustangO4]

And on the cheap end....

I have and use Lee. It is okay, but good if you are more budget minded. I got into reloading for about $200 and have turned many friends onto it slowly in the same way. My suggestion is a simple single stage or turret and a lot of reading.

Oh yea, I live in North San Diego County if you want to come by and check out how I do it. I do about 400 an hour on my progressive for straight wall cartriges and about 2-300 in 5.56. Mostly though I end up liking my turret press for precision stuff.

If you wanted to tiptoe into it you could be reloading all of those for well under a grand and still have the $ to buy a lot of ammo If you decide it is not what you want to do.