Getting a press.. How does this list look *Update*: Order placed!

[Frozenguy]

Ok so I've decided to do just the one progressive for right now.
I'm going to sleep on it over the weekend because I usually do but this is what I feel is right.

You'll notice that I dropped the trimmer. I figure I'll attack that in a couple months because all my rifle brass is well within spec.

I would love to attend a club but I'm just not sure I'll have the time. This is a very busy year for me.

$1750.05 shipped from Brian
-- XL 650 - $566.95
-- Case feeder -$219.95
-- (2) quick change caliber conversions - $215.98
-- (2) Caliber conversion kit - $155.90
-- 45 ACP dies, carbide - $63.95
-- .30-06 dies, steel - $66.95
-- .223 dies, steel - $66.95
-- (6) large primer pick up tubes - $35.95
-- (6) small primer pick up tubes - $35.95
-- Case feeder plate for small rifle - $38.95
-- Case feeder plate for large rifle - $38.95
-- Powder check alarm - $68.95
-- Primer flip tray - $20.95
-- Aluminum roller handle - $45.95
-- Super Swage 600 - $100.95

I really appreciate all the advice and words of wisdom. I can tell it's good stuff. I took it all in and will consider it all as I start this adventure.

[Frozenguy]

OP, one thing to think about as well: most of this equipment will out-live you. I have dies, presses, equipment, and powder that my father-in-law passed down to me and he inherited them from his dad.

That's what I'd like to do one day..

[orangeusa]

Man, you can buy a buttload of ammo for $2k.

I started maybe 6 months ago (?) and I've made 2.5k rounds of 45C/44mag on my little Lee Classic Turret.

My limit is not the press, I have not shot 1/2 of them yet...

Maybe if I was shooting 9mm like I was a couple of years ago...

You might want to spend maybe $300 on a used single stage setup and make sure it's your cup of tea.
The resale on used reloaing equipment is about what you paid for them (if you bought used).
They are kinda like guns in that they don't really wear out, and most folks don't use them that much...

Good luck with your selection, though.

EDIT: Buy a Lyman and Lee reloading book. They are cheap and VERY helpful. Lee is very self promoting, but has some very interesting stuff on bullet hardness and pressures wrt % reduction in powder...

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[Frozenguy]

Man, you can buy a buttload of ammo for $2k.

I started maybe 6 months ago (?) and I've made 2.5k rounds of 45C/44mag on my little Lee Classic Turret.

My limit is not the press, I have not shot 1/2 of them yet...

Maybe if I was shooting 9mm like I was a couple of years ago...

You might want to spend maybe $300 on a used single stage setup and make sure it's your cup of tea.
The resale on used reloaing equipment is about what you paid for them (if you bought used).
They are kinda like guns in that they don't really wear out, and most folks don't use them that much...

Good luck with your selection, though.

.

Thank you
I'm going to sleep on it all, always do. ( not actually sleep on the ammo.. although... )
I have too much ammo. You can never have enough ammo.

[Frozenguy]

EDIT: Buy a Lyman and Lee reloading book. They are cheap and VERY helpful. Lee is very self promoting, but has some very interesting stuff on bullet hardness and pressures wrt % reduction in powder...

.

I have Lyman's 49th edition and Hornady's 9th. Was looking for a third and I like what you say about Lee. I'll have to pick that up, thanks.

[orangeusa]

Also - wait for Bumslie's diatribe about Dillon. It'll be worth the price of admission.

[Bumslie]

Also - wait for Bumslie's diatribe about Dillon. It'll be worth the price of admission.

Hahahaha. I wasn't even going to sway him away from dillon.

My main concern is that he's never pulled the handle on a machine and he's going all out. Buy once, cry once mantra right?

I have no idea of the OP's shooting habits, or reloading wishes, but I can tell he sure does make a lot more than my meager earnings. Time is money, and he is certainly going to pump out a lot or anmo once he becomes familiar with the process. His time is more valuable than mine.


He has a nice list, it isn't nearly complete. He couldn't easily add another grand if he wanted to.

In the end, it's his money and he will do what makes him happy.

OP, all I ask is you don't become another nose in the air "I load on a dillon" snob here on the forums. You have a pretty machine. Welcome to the world of reloading, and a new addiction.

[knucklehead0202]

Hahahaha. I wasn't even going to sway him away from dillon.

My main concern is that he's never pulled the handle on a machine and he's going all out. Buy once, cry once mantra right?

I have no idea of the OP's shooting habits, or reloading wishes, but I can tell he sure does make a lot more than my meager earnings. Time is money, and he is certainly going to pump out a lot or anmo once he becomes familiar with the process. His time is more valuable than mine.


He has a nice list, it isn't nearly complete. He couldn't easily add another grand if he wanted to.

In the end, it's his money and he will do what makes him happy.

OP, all I ask is you don't become another nose in the air "I load on a dillon" snob here on the forums. You have a pretty machine. Welcome to the world of reloading, and a new addiction.

^^^exactly, and don't blow up your gun or yourself with a double-charge, this happens more often than I care to hear.

[RacerX7]

I own a Dillon 650. Unlike you it was a gift from someone with deeper pockets than I. It was the basic model with one caliber 45ACP(no case feeder). You know the saying free beer is good beer. That was about 2 years ago. Now I reload 3 additional calibers (9, 40, 223). I bought the other accessories as I went along and funds became available.. If you can afford to get it all at once, go for it. Dillon holds its value very well.

[gunboat]

I realize I am from another age, but 2grand to start reloading is mind boggling -
My first press was, and still is, a herters #3 for $12.95 ---
The 30/06 dies were a whopping $4.95 -- They still work well also.
ole granda -

[Multra]

I would love to attend a club but I'm just not sure I'll have the time. This is a very busy year for me.

If you don't have time to attend a class how do you figure you will have time to reload?

I don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but reloading wont save you money or time, it's a hobby. If you don't want to put a bit of time in to learn a hobby I don't think reloading is going to be for you.

[sr71brd]

Regardless of what you reload or what you use to reload it, before you start cranking out ammo, assemble a few rounds w/o powder or primers & check to make sure it feeds & chambers in YOUR firearms. Better to change settings after a few rounds than after a few hundred rounds.

[Frozenguy]

If you don't have time to attend a class how do you figure you will have time to reload?

I don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but reloading wont save you money or time, it's a hobby. If you don't want to put a bit of time in to learn a hobby I don't think reloading is going to be for you.

Well I get home at about 8 pm and can reload a few hours and go to sleep.

I don't have to go to a clinic to learn, although I'm sure it's extremely helpful.

Reloading does save money over the long run, unless you keep replacing equipment.

[bigdrunk92037]

throw in a couple RCBS lockout dies while your at it. As a new reloader jumping in with a progressive you will be glad you did. I would ditch the alarms and the Super Swage 600 if you don't want your shopping cart to get any more expensive.

I used to use a Super Swage 600 but after a while dreaded using it when I had thousands of pieces of brass that needed the crimp removed.

This little guy in a drill press of drill is sweet!

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/804809/hornady-primer-pocket-reamer-package

[stilly]

Fair enough. Your money, do what you want.

+1

We are not the police of reloading. We only try to help.

Can we make this a sticky for when SHTF and there is a crater left where a house once stood and blue shrapnel is lodged into all of the surrounding houses?



OP:
I honestly hope you did not buy all that stuff yet. Seriously, you really should attend a reloading clinic and get an idea as to what else there is and learn to walk before you run a marathon...