Reloading nOOb needs your help!

[smogcity]

Reloading nOOb needs your help!

Here’s the situation.. I was offered a too good to turn down deal on a Dillon 650 a while ago and grabbed it even though I didn’t need it at the time. I just cleared out some space in my garage and I’m gearing up to build a reloading bench and try to get this thing running after gathering dust in a corner for the last year. I’ve got about 4000-5000 223 casings to start on kicking around.

I don’t know jack all about reloading and I’m not even sure what I have. I know it’s currently set up for 40, but I want to set it up for 55 grain 223

Here’s what I’ve got:


Here’s the space I’m going to build the bench:

The questions are:

1)What accessories are on this already?
2)I’m 5’ 9”, what height should the bench be? (The Dillon has the black "strong mount" on the bottom raising its height up aprox 8-10 inches)
3)Money is beyond tight these days: Anyone who can list out what I really need to set this up for 223/ have everything I need to have a have finished rounds pop out of this thing (with advice of buying used/good deals) would be appreciated greatly. I'd rather buy "the good stuff" used than than crap I will have to replace new.
4)Are the reloading classes at angeles range worth it?
5)Any reloaders in the Altadena/Pasadena area that have time to tutor a nOOb?
6)Is it possible/equitable to trade the 40 dies for 223?
7)Any other advice on how to get this project up and running right the first time would be great!

Thanks in advance!!

[Fjold]

First of all, buy a reloading manual. Go online do a search on reloading instructions and read everything.

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGkmmh9gFJYhIBfb5XNyoA?fr2=sg-gac&sado=1&p=ammunition%20reloading%20instructions&fr=yfp-t-305&ei=UTF-8

I reload 223 on my Dillo 450B and it works fine. To convert it from 45 ACP to 223 I bought:

The 22 caliber powder through bushing for the powder measure.
The 223 shell plate
223 dies.

Some people might be glad to trade the dies. If you're not in a big hurry let me get some boxes unpacked from moving and I'll see what I have for extra dies, I actually need a set of 40 caliber dies.


Find the chair that you want to use while reloading. Get a low table and set the press on it using a C clamp to hold it in place. Add boards or books under he mount until you feel the most comfortable and can see into the cases as they go around the shell plate. Mark that height and build your bench to fit.

[USN CHIEF]

Best advice I can give you is to try to meet with someone that is reloading already so that you can learn the machine first, it will save you lots of headaches. Go to the dillon website or call Dillon and you will find lots of useful information. They will tell you what exactly you need to start cranking out rounds from your 650. Here is a 650 caliber convertion chart that tells you what parts you need for each caliber.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/docs/13524_-_XL650_32-60.pdf

[ar15barrels]

First, you need a manual and a powder scale before you could even think about setting up a press.

You need a 223 caliber 650 conversion kit, 223 dies and a casefeeder.
The conversion kit and casefeeder are dillon products.
These can sometimes be found on eBay for 10% off or maybe a little more.
There are many makers of dies and I recommend Redding, Forester or RCBS.
eBay is a good place to buy dies too.

I would re-consider starting with 223.
I always recommend that a new reloader starts with a pistol cartridge.
Pistol cartridges don't need all the case prep or lube when sizing.
It's easier to learn the basics that way.