Getting back into reloading after 20 + years

[GarySTL]

Many years ago I used to reload .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and .243 Win with my single stage RCBS Jr. press. I also had a Foster case trimmer and RCBS powder measure and Ohaus mechanical scale. Sold it all and now want to get back in the game and maybe save some money.

I shoot IDPA with a .40 S&W and that's primarily what I want to reload. Maybe 9MM later on. Not interested in rifle at this point, but do shoot some 5.56, so maybe.

Considering a Dillon 550B machine. Assuming I'd also need a scale to set it up. Case cleaner too.

Are there other loaders I should be looking at? Hornady? Lee? Any downside to the Dillon?

Looking for some advice.

Thanks.

 

[BattleChimp Potemkin]

Dillon is expensive, but wonderfully built (built by handloaders, for handloaders). I use Lee, but thats me (hey it rhymes).

Case tumbler: I just use the Frankfort one. Its loud, but never gave me any issues after 2 years of HARD usage.

Scale? So many out there. RCBS.

Bummer you dont load .243 anymore. That was a fun cartridge to load. Soooo many weekends spent in the basement with dad loading .243 for a Sunday shoot. God I miss that...

 

[Doug b]

Gary Dillon is the bestest/ fastest,can't help you beyond that.But the reason I replyed is hot damn man wait till you start studying the components we have available now.Welcome back.

 

[GarySTL]

Kind of anxious to get started again. I'm 62 and over weight, so maybe I'll lose a few pounds picking up brass!

We didn't have mechanical brass cleaners when I did this last, and I'm guessing I want to clean the brass before reloading, so maybe I'll get a cleaner and collect some brass and play with that for a while. If the wife sees several hundred clean cases sitting around she's bound to ask what I plan on doing with them.

 

[Doug b]

Vibratory cleaners are in now,the thing to look for here is a good aggressive media separator (again Dillon in my opinion) , as wax is the current resize lube of choice be it Lee or Imperial and I highly recommend it over that goo we used to use.Clean it, lube it, size it,back in the cleaner for a few min. and aggressively separate the media from the flash hole.I'm 58 and tonight is my last night to work.WOO WHOOOO retired.

 

[Griz44]

For small pistol cases the Lee progressives are nice. Not a lot of investment and will produce a nice stream of pistol ammo. I use the Lee Loadmaster and really like it. If I had the need for thousands of reloads at a time, the Dilon machines look really nice, but the investment is large. For a fully setup Lee Loadmaster including dies and case feeder, around 240.00-260.00. All you need to add is cases, powder, primers and bullets. I bought a tumbler package at Cabelas for 42.00 that included tumbler, polish and media. It works nice and will clean 300+ of the 45 cases at a time. (docs say 600 but not recommended.) I bought a small beam scale for 20.00 at Cabelas, and started loading. It can save a lot of money at todays ammo prices, plus the ammo you make is better than almost anything you can buy. But then from your long history, you alreeady know that!
Welcome back!

 

[SASS#23149]

Caliber changes on a 550b take a few minutes more than some machines,but other than that I love mine,and have for over a dozen years.
If you build a tall bench and bolt it on tightly the Strong Mounts are not needed,spend that money on bullets.
I also don't think I'd spend the extra money on the roller handle again...I have it but prolly would not buy it if there were a 'next time.
It's a great machine backed up by great customer service.You'll like it.

 

[Idano]

GarySTL,

The 550B has a large following but from an economic viewpoint I think you're getting more press for the money with the Hornady AP. The free 1,000 bullets Hornady is offering definitely makes it more attractive. Dillon makes good products, in fact I would love to own a 1050, but I have found nothing wrong with the quality of my Hornady press. However, if you can pick up a used 550B reasonably I wouldn't pass it up by no means.

 

[GarySTL]

I'll take a look at Hornady on line. I believe my local Cabelas carries Lee, but not sure. Does the Hornady have a power measure? Back in the "old days" and I started with a Lyman Tong Tool.

 

[Idano]

Gary,

Yes it does but it does and I found that adding a RCBS powder baffle makes it very consistent. I use the Hornady for rifle and my RCBS Uniflow for pistol just so I don't have to adjust them so much, I am lazy. Here is my setup with a case feeder, digital case counter, low primer alarm, and a Dillon aluminum roller handle. Its' got some red, green and blue:

I have run about 10K-15k rounds through it in the last two years without any problems. I will say I did have about a year learning curve switching from single stage to progressive but that was just me. By the way this is my second progressive press I started with a Lee Load Master and in its own right was a good pres. My Lee cost me about $250 and my Hornady was about $700 setup as you see it for four calibers; three pistol and one rifle.

 

[GarySTL]

Nice setup, about what I need. I'm guessing that the Hornady doesn't come with dies. Are all the straight wall dies carbide now? Or did that fall out of favor?

Guess I'll stop by the local tonight and pick up a reloading manual. Always a good place to start. I can't remember what powders I used to use, but do remember that ball powders were just getting popular.

 

[Furncliff]

I recently bought a dillon press at a gun show. Square Deal B ... it's pistol cal. only and the dies are specific to this machine. The 550B might be a better choice if you thought you'd ever load rifle. I'll probably go with a single stage for rifle. Anyway, the rig was as new in the box and came with die sets for four calibers and an extra powder measure. $400.00... It works good for me, but I have nothing to compare it to.

The variety of powders and bullets is amazing. To start off I have restricted myself to using Unique. The new formula is supposed to be cleaner than what you probably used in the past.

 

[dwarven1]

DougB,

you say to use wax for resizing lube - when I last reloaded (over 20 years ago, also!), I used carbide sizing dies so I didn't have to lubricate the cases. Has that changed? Are carbide dies not recommended any more?

 

[Z-Michigan]

Carbide dies are the standard for pistol caliber (straight-wall) reloading and some straight-wall rifle cartridges. Most bottleneck cartridges (including pistol like 357 sig) still leave you only steel dies as an option, which do require case lubrication. I think Dillon makes carbide dies for .223 and perhaps a few others, but I think they still recommend "some" lubrication on those.

There are also a few other hardened systems like Titanium Nitride that are equivalent to carbide in not requiring case lubrication.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Most people say if your going the 550 Dillon you should consider the 650!

 

[ScottyT]

A very good family friend ditched his 550b for a Hornady Lock n Load AP and says it was the best decision he ever made. I never used his 550b, but I have used the LnL. I will be picking up an LnL before the year is out!

 

[GarySTL]

Just an update for those who responded.

I ordered the Hornady LnL, a set of their dies, and a shell plate from Midway this morning. After speaking to someone at Hornady this morning, I also ordered the Pistol Rotor Insert for the powder measure. Of course it's all back ordered but for the dies and the powder measure insert.

I have a digital scale and will pick up a case cleaner locally. Of course as was mentioned in another thread, there's always something else to buy.

Thanks for the advice fellows!

 

[Dumpster Baby]

If the wife sees several hundred clean cases sitting around she's bound to ask what I plan on doing with them.

You've become greatly concerned about her safety in the face of our cultural decline, and are determined to enhance her survival prospects at any cost in mere material things.

 

[GarySTL]

You've become greatly concerned about her safety in the face of our cultural decline, and are determined to enhance her survival prospects at any cost in mere material things.

And Zombies! I always forget about the Zombies!

 

[Dumpster Baby]

And Zombies! I always forget about the Zombies!

Here's what I use: