[Kodiak AK]

I am going to reload again . I sold all of my stuff to do it years ago so I need to buy new stuff.
Right now I want to reload 9mm,.45ACP,7.62x39mm, ans 5.56 mm.


Is this set up going to be worth the time ?

Does anyone know what the parts and cost is to go to the 550 later?


Thanx for anyhelp.

[8ring]

I bought the Dillon AT 500 starter kit last year as a complete newbie reloader. I started w/.38 spl with this arrangement. I decapped and resized on station 1. I then handprimed with a Lee Auto Prime.

With one case in the shell plate at a time, I belled and charnged with a RCBS Uniflow on Station 2, seated the bullet on Station 3, and crimped on Station 4. I liked the one-step-at-a-time approach that would still give me a completed round at the end of four steps.

Tranistioning to .357 required a small adjustment in the dies.

If you stand while reloading, get the Strong Mount.

I then bought another toolhead, 9mm dies, and an Auto-Eject System.

I bought a Dillon Auto Prime System but have never used it for four reasons. One, it seems overly complicated, which may lead to some fiddling and cursing. Second, I want to handle, inspect, and sort each case after decapping and resizing. I like to know if the primer pocket is dirty and the Lee Autoprime lets me know if the pockets are tight. I measure for length if necessary. That option isn't available if you use the AT500 or RL550 B as a pure progressive. Third, I seat the bullets at Station 3 with my right hand. No having a case in Station 1 or a primer gizmo in the way makes that a little easier. Fourth, I can prepare cases when I have only 20 or 30 minutes to spare, am tired, or might be interrupted. (Wouldn't want to reload under those conditions.)

Don't get the bullet tray if you want to seat the bullets using your right hand.

Now I can easily load 4- 5 9mm preprimed cases every minute once I get five correct charges in a row from the Uniflow. The .357 loads at about 4 per minute preprimed cases.


I don't know how the AT500 would work with rifle cases - no experience and others I know use single stage for all rifles.

All in all, a good investment and an uncomplicated way to get back to this interesting hobby.

Good luck

Chris

[Kodiak AK]

Wow . Thanx for the detailed information .:cool:

[Archie]

I use it for limited runs of ammo, and the ultra accurate stuff I shoot from my varmint rifles.

I prime separately, with a Lee hand primer. I use Lee collet dies for neck sizing.

As far as I'm concerned, the AT 500 is a single stage press, or maybe a turret press.

My main press is an XL 650.

[caz223]

I have a 550b, and still de-prime my cases with my RCBS press, tumble them, inspect them, then run them through the 550.
I always do that, so I can inspect the pockets on brass I haven't loaded yet.
If I've already loaded the brass once I don't decap it first, I still tumble and inspect them, but I don't bother checking the pockets 100% of the time.

Good ammo for rifles can be loaded on progressive presses, no matter what the gun store commandos say.

If you get to the point where you're weighing every charge, and neck turning, yeah, stick with single stage, etc.

I didn't happen to see 7.62X39 on the 500s out of box caliber accomidation, but that doesn't mean much, since the press can be converted to a 550 piecemeal.