Need Advice On Reloading Equipment

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bk1

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I am looking to get everything I need to start reloading .45ACP and .308. I currently have NOTHING and need to start from square 1.

I am thinking of going with a Dillon 650 or a Hornady LNL. Please make your case for what you would go with along with a list of everything I would need to load both, and where you would purchase from.

Thanks for pointing a rookie in the right direction!!
 
Besides reading the thread mentioned by MtnCreek, read "ABCs of Reloading" and/or Lyman #49. Either or both may be available at your local library but they are good to have on your book shelf for reference.

I agree with MtnCreek, start with a single stage press. It is easier to learn all the processes one at a time than struggling with a progressive and its multiple simultaneous operations. Others will disagree though.

Once reloading is learned, move on to a progressive. It is great for pistol cartridges. But, it is handy to have a good single stage press around. There are tasks that just work better on a single stage than trying to cobble them on a progressive.

In my case, I prefer to load bottle neck cartridges on a single stage anyway.

Most of what you buy for a single stage press will be usable when you transition to a progressive so it won't be as if you have to replace everything to move to a progressive.

Hope this helps. Reloading is a great hobby.
 
Thanks for the info, I will definitely check out that link etc.

I guess I'm not really looking at reloading as a hobby. I want to reload so I can enjoy more of what I really want to do...go shooting. So, I was thinking a progessive would help me get more done in a quicker fashion.
 
You need to really do some reading and get an understanding before you go buy an expensive progressive press. Making essentially little bombs quickly with no idea of the process can make you a great candidate for the Darwin Award - not something you want to achieve
 
I guess I'm not really looking at reloading as a hobby.
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I'm not sure the "hobby mindset" is necessary to be a safe reloader, but it is probably more conducive to quality than one that is based solely on production.

When you reload, you are running a production line and you are responsible for all aspects of it. This includes "sampling" to verify that the powder measure is throwing the correct charge, pre-production inspection of cases for ones with split necks or signs of head separation, cleaning cases, correcting case length by trimming, use of gauges to set up the resizing die for correct "headspace", and post-production inspection of loaded rounds for high primers.

As others have cautioned, a progressive press is a little complicated for some to start with. The advice to start with a single stage and learn the process first is valid.

If you are able to study and understand the reloading process completely, and work slowly at first, checking and re-checking your results, you might have success with starting with a progressive press.

From what I've read, many find out that with a progressive press it is very easy to create 500 rounds which have to be pulled down due to mistakes. Then they order a bullet puller. :)

An example I can think of is doing your own brake job on your car. You do it to save money, not because it is a hobby. And you make sure you do it correctly, because a vehicle with no brakes may not offer you a second chance to do the job correctly.

So, don't let the fancy brake bleed pump (progressive press) lull you into thinking you don't have to understand brakes (reloading process). It's just a tool that will let you do the job faster, if you know what you're doing.

Good luck.
 
Beginning Reloading Correctly for More Shooting

You need to read and learn basic theories and practices before you make "those little bombs".

1. You can do it by reading and starting on your own with simple equipment.

2. You can read, get a mentor, and proceed much faster.

3. Since you have already figured out a progressive will provide much more ammo to shoot, You can go to the brianenos.com website and read all the beginning reloading info and threads, so you don't blow your ass off before you get enough information accumulated to protect yourself. You are correct that the Progressive is the way to go for maximum ammo production but all the advise in this thread is also correct.

4. Did I mention to go to the brianenos.com website for reloading information for beginners and non beginners. It is the best on the web for potential progressive press use. It favors Dillon but 4-5 hours on that site can save you 100-200 hours of frustration - and you can find info on Dillon's, Hornady's, Lee's etc.

5. If you then decide to go the budget route with Lee's there are websites for the Loadmaster and You Tube videos for the pro 1000.

Regards,

:):):)
 
I would suggest that you buy a single stage and a progressive press but start out using the single stage to assemble a few hundred .45 ACP rounds. Then make up a few hundred .308 Win rounds. By that time you will have a good feel for what's involved. Then start using the progressive for .45 ACP and continue to use the single stage for .308 Win. As for which single stage press ... I like/use the Redding Big Boss II but there are number of good ones available. For progressives, I've been using an RCBS for the past 15 years or so, but just bought an L-N-L AP with case feeder. I could just have easily bought a 650 since both have proven to be excellent progressives. The L-N-L was the best choice for me based on how, what and when I reload.
 
I have been reloading for the past thirty years, and currently load for .45ACP & .308, and a few others. I started out with a single stage press, and have used several models of Dillon products over the years. I would not bother with a single stage press for most handgun calibers, too much labor and time. While I agree that a single stage is good to learn from, I think it shines best when crafting very precise long range target ammo, and small lots of custom hunting ammo. I use a Dillon 650 to load both .308 & .223, but those rifle rounds crafted on that machine are for use in semi-autos not used for longer ranges. The Dillon machines in my experience do best with "ball" powders. For match target stuff, a RCBS Rockchucker and "stick" powders work for me. For .45ACP & .38, I use a Square Deal. However, if I had to do it again, I would load for the .45, .38, .357, .44, etc. on the 650 machine. Reason being that the Square Deal was out long before the 650. BTW, my Dillon tools have given very good service with minimal issues. If you can find someone to coach you a few times, it helps. Ask around your gun club, if you are part of one. Most folks are willing to take the time to help.
 
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I'd definitely get a single stage press to start. If and when you do go progressive, you will still find the single stage press handy for all sorts of stuff, from working up loads, special loads, pulling, and priming.

But the single stage press is really great for learning. Helps you focus on the fundamentals because you have to do one thing at a time. It is easy to make reloading mistakes, and mistakes can be dangerous here.

I got a RCBS single stage kit, and I still use it to this day. I never got the progressive. An interesting fact: the Marine Corps marksmanship unit uses the same equipment, a single stage RCBS press, to load with. They use a bench primer and the digital scale for powder weight, all RCBS, nice but not necessary. Saw it on a documentary. Anyway, the single stage kit (by whichever manufacturer) that comes with as much stuff as you can get is the best to get started with. The 5-0-5 scale is actually pretty good, it is made by Ohaus. You'll need a good caliper though, I like Mitutoyo, and I'd get a powder trickler for sure. The measures aren't 100% accurate, the trickler makes it easy to get the weight perfect. The kit plus those two things and your calibre specific stuff like dies, shellholders, etc., and you are in business to make super accurate and consistent ammo.

Read the book that comes with it, read it again, and keep it open and follow along for awhile. Be safe, have fun!
 
Welcome and thanks for asking our advice

bk1 said:
I am looking to get everything I need to start reloading .45ACP and .308. I currently have NOTHING and need to start from square 1.

I am thinking of going with a Dillon 650 or a Hornady LNL. Please make your case for what you would go with along with a list of everything I would need to load both, and where you would purchase from.

Thanks for pointing a rookie in the right direction!!
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You will get better answers and advice the more you tell us about yourself.

How much do you want to shoot?
How much do you shoot now?
How much time will you devote to loading?
What is your interest in loading? (Accuracy, economy, learning ballistics, getting just exactly the ammunition you want, not available in stores, etc.)
How much room do you have to devote to your loading area?
Will you leave your gear set up all the time or put it away after use?
What's your budget?

The list of ABSOLUTE essentials consists of three things.

A press (any kind) because fingers are just not strong enough to form metal.
Dies, because fingers are just not precise enough to form metal properly.
A way to mete powder because eyeballs are just not precise enough.

Without those three things, you cannot load, period.

You would be unwise to load without safety glasses and a reliable source of good load recipes as well as a good instruction manual or two or three.

Everything else just makes things more convenient, more accurate, faster, etc.

A scale allows you to verify your powder charges. A micrometer allows you to check the size of your bullets. A bullet puller allows you to disassemble cartridges that you suspect may be inappropriate or otherwise undesirable to shoot. They add convenience, but you CAN load without them.

(Some will argue that it is insane to load without a scale, but there is valid argument over that point, so please don't debate over it. Just accept that there are other opinions. Add a scale to your list, don't force me to add one to mine.)

Progressive presses, Turret Presses and Single-Stage presses are the three major types of presses. Your quantitative needs will steer you towards one type or another and your temperament and budget will make the final selection.

So, tell us about yourself, please.

Lost Sheep
 
Start with a single-stage press, or, if you have the money, get a CH4D '444' press. It has 4-stations but is operated like a single-stage. Mine is real handy and will load any normal sized cartridge, rifle or pistol. It is much faster than a single-stage, allowing you to load > 100-rounds of pistol ammo an hour.

IMG_0200.jpg
 
I'm going to go against the grain just a bit. I've been reloading for the better part of 40 years. Most of that on an old RCBS Rockchucker Jr. Several years back I decided to up my production and bought a Lee Classic Cast Turret press. While many reloaders like to bash Lee presses, this press seems to be the gem in their line-up. The ram is massive, the cast base is rigid and their handling of the spent primers is a joy. The beauty of the thing is that simply removing the indexing rod allows you to use it as a single stage and process your ammo in batches. Then, when you've reached a level of knowledge and confidence, you can insert the indexing rod and go to town. Many people on these forums claim 175 to 200 rounds per hour or more. I personally claim about 150, but then I'm kind of old and slow. Moneywise your talking about $100 for the press. Less than a number of single-stage units. Extra turrets are available for a reasonable price. I've got turrets set-up for 9mm, 45 ACP, 38 Spec. and 357 Mag. Dies never need to be re-adjusted, just drop in the new turret and transfer the powder measure and adjust for charge. If I were to start all over, this is the route I'd take.
 
I just got into reloading about 8 months ago after reading a lot and making the decision to jump in. I also studied under a local gunsmith, watching him reload on several Dillons and then him letting me do a lot of rounds on his machines. That helped make my decision to purchase both a 550 and 650 and get busy.

I do not regret making that decision and it's enabled me to stockpile a LOT of ammo.

However, not everyone will have someone close by who will teach them what my gunsmith taught me.
 
Although I disagree with natgas' execution, I agree w/ how he got there. Learning to reload from someone who has years or decades of experience, along with reading everything available is the right way to go about learning how to reload.

The problem is that too few experienced reloaders are willing to help others beyond giving conflicting and sometimes wrong advice on these forums. I learned the basic procedures of how to reload on a single-stage press and used one for a long time. Only when I was aware of the possibilities and pitfalls of loading bad ammo did I add a progressive press to my bench.

Loading fast isn't nearly as important as loading safe. Too many people want to run before they can walk, and that is a recipe for disaster. Using a true progressive makes it way too easy to make a mistake that won't be caught until it is too late.

Using a single-stage prevents that from happening. Using a semi-progressive like the PW P200 or Metallic 2 speeds up the loading process while still allowing the reloader to visually inspect each round during the loading process. Both are much safer to use than a true progressive, especially for a 'cherry'.
 
If you are somewhat mechanically inclined, and have a hankering for a Dillon, I think the 550b is your best bet. You can learn on it in single stage mode, and progress to 1 round per pull of the handle. You will need to do some processing of the rifle brass, and that is very easy to do on the 550.
 
Using a true progressive makes it way too easy to make a mistake that won't be caught until it is too late.

Using a single-stage prevents that from happening.
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I don't quite agree with this. I firmly believe that no style of press will prevent a beginner from making a serious mistake, if he doesn't understand what he is doing.

I will agree that a single stage will make it less likely, for the obvious reason that everything is done one step at a time and is therefore slower.

However, I have read (recently) about someone that got in a hurry while reloading with a single stage press and got a squib load as a result. In that example, single-stage lead to impatience.

Most of the safety in reloading is located between the reloader's ears, not in his equipment. :)
 
I've only been reloading for a few weeks now, and I absolutely LOVE my results so far. I picked up ABCs of Reloading last winter, and then three of the major loading manuals. I went with a Dillon 650 because a relative has one and had me load some during my last hometown visit.

I ordered the press, dies, scale, case cleaner, case feeder and media separator from the Dillon website. I went with the default shipping and it was here in less than a week.

I'm taking lots of notes, and measuring frequently. So far I do not regret starting on a progressive rather than single stage. But then, I've only loaded 700 rounds so far, and I'm only loading .45 ACP because I'm a 1911 fangirl.

I'm not sure that single vs. progressive is such a big deal. The more important matter is probably reading up and learning as much as possible before beginning. And it definitely helps being able to try someone else's press first.
 
Loading fast isn't nearly as important as loading safe. Too many people want to run before they can walk, and that is a recipe for disaster.
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I think that says it pretty well. Whether you load as a hobby or for the monetary savings, the same safety should be applied to both. If you're starting from square one, I don't think that it's a horribly bad idea to start slow.

Lost Sheep's post addresses issues that should be taken into consideration as well.

However, if I had to choose between a Dillon and a Hornady, I'd likely go with the Dillon. Mostly because I'd have more support getting it started as several friends use them already... and... the Hornady wouldn't match the drapes :uhoh: Both make a good product.
 
I have a 550B and used to own a 650 after having moved from a 550B to the 650, then back to the 550B for safety and loading convenience sake. I can think of at least 12-things to consider and/or pay attention to for each round of ammunition that is to loaded on a progressive. Then add in life's distractions (TV, kids, dogs, phone, radio, nagging wife, someone at the door, etc), and you have way too much going on for a newbie not to get mixed up and make a mistake that either goes 'pop' or 'BANG'.

Now compare that to a single-stage where for each press stroke you have no more than 2-considerations; and backing up only requires dealing w/ one casing, not 4-5 (how many stations does a 1050 have--6?) in different stages of being reloaded.

People new to reloading need to check their egos at the door and replace it with reason and patience.
 
I'm leaning towards getting the 550b. Especially because it sounds like you can operate it more as a single stage if you choose while you are starting.

If I was to go with a single stage, which setup would you guys recommend?
 
If I was to go with a single stage, which setup would you guys recommend?
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I started w/ the Lee single stage kit and have had many years of great use out of it. Over the years, I've replaced everything that came w/ the kit with other products (maybe better, maybe just easier to use). When I started, I didn't have excess cash, so the Lee was the right choice for me. Had money not been the barrier that it was, I would have been better off (IMO) purchasing a RCBS rockchucker kit.

Almost everything that comes w/ a single stage kit will be required equipment when loading on a progressive, so you haven't wasted any money.

Some here may view it differently, but I feel that I learned 'reloading' on the single stage; if I had started w/ a progressive, I feel that I would have missed a lot of the fundimentals, and learned more how to operate the equipment.

Good Luck
 
If money is an issue... and if it isn't? can I borrow $50?-lol - I have been more than satisfied with my Lee Classic 4-hole turret. VERY affordable, churns out 150-175 safe, relaible and accurate rounds per hour at a super-relaxed pace and it auto-indexes if you wish which does slightly help prevent double charges. It can also be used as a single stage. Caliber changes with a separate turret are also low cost.

And you can have everything you need to reload including dies, a scale and a digital caliper for less the cost of the base blue machine.
 
I agree with most here, start with a good single stage or turret press and LEARN the basics of each stage of the process..

read, read, and reread everything you can get your hands on about reloading.. old books and old information are not to be discounted... this started a long time ago, and there is a lot of good information in both old and new books... Get catalogs from Dillon, Sinclair, Redding, Lee, RCBS, call them, they will send them to you.. You Tube may also be a source of info on different brands and they way to, and often how NOT to use many of the products.. But you may get good ideas on set up, and procedures from a great number of sources..

When you DO move up to a progressive press, DILLON... it is the only way to go.. great products, great customer service.. the person that answers the phone at Dillon, no matter who it is... will KNOW his stuff and will be more that willing to walk you through any issues you may have..

550 vs 650... I have both.. the 650 is a much more complex machine with a lot going on at once.. it is not that easy for a beginner to set up and understand.. the 550 is a much simpler machine to master.. the production rates, not that far apart.. I have far fewer stoppages with the 550, the lack of auto indexing just saves me one extra move with my thumb.. and I can feel problems with my thumb that is not felt with the handle on the 650... Trust me, it is just as fast... there are tons of accessories, both from Dillon and aftermarket for either machine... Every manufacture in the world could and should learn from Dillon on how to manufacture, market, and provide customer service.. They are hands down the best you will ever experiance... and they stand 100% behind their products, no matter how bad you screw up, or how old the machine is....

But start with something slow and simple... a good single stage, or turret press with a heavy compound lever system... I will continue to serve you well for as long as you reload... really small stuff, in small lots, odd ball calibers, short runs... precision stuff... you will need it and you will use it...

Don't scrimp on equipment, spend good money on good scales and dies... you will never regret it... go too cheap, and you may regret it right away...

At first,Baby steps.. you will be up an running in no time...


Good Luck....
 
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