I have a couple of friends that are recommending Dillon. But I'm also looking at Hornady. I want to get one system set up and keep it for decades. I will want to load hundreds of rounds of 9mm, .308, 7.62x39, plus .380, 30-06 and possibly several others. So my current interests are the Hornady "Lock-n-Load" progressive and the Dillon 550. I haven't seen any "starter kits" that include either of those. I don't have a mental problem with starting with an "advanced" system. Which should I choose?
need opinions on a reloading kit before i buy it
- Thread starter gpwelding1
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Tim the student
Member
Fred -
Brian Enos has a "kit" made up for people that have never reloaded before for the Dillon. He calls it an "EZ Buy Package".
People do start out with progressives, but there must be a reason you very seldom see them recommended as a first press. Read a book or three yet?
Brian Enos has a "kit" made up for people that have never reloaded before for the Dillon. He calls it an "EZ Buy Package".
People do start out with progressives, but there must be a reason you very seldom see them recommended as a first press. Read a book or three yet?
Landric
Member
I bought the same kit in 1994. At the time it came with a case trimmer, but my understanding is that the current kit does not. I still use everything that came in the kit, except the press. I replaced the Rock Chucker II that came with my kit with a Lee Classic Cast. Its just as tough as the RC in my experience and it has both a better primer catcher and on press priming system.
I load the huge majority of my ammunition (mostly handgun + .223) on a Lee Classic Turret, I load smaller volume rifle on the Lee Classic Cast, smaller volume handgun on the Lee Breech Lock Challenger, and .45 ACP on a Dillon Square Deal B. Current Lee press designs are just as good as the more expensive offerings, I just wish they would offer a progressive based on the Classic Turret. For a progressive setup one can't go wrong with either the Lock N Load or one of the Dillons. If I were going to get a progressive for more than just one handgun cartridge, I would probably buy the Lock N Load.
I load the huge majority of my ammunition (mostly handgun + .223) on a Lee Classic Turret, I load smaller volume rifle on the Lee Classic Cast, smaller volume handgun on the Lee Breech Lock Challenger, and .45 ACP on a Dillon Square Deal B. Current Lee press designs are just as good as the more expensive offerings, I just wish they would offer a progressive based on the Classic Turret. For a progressive setup one can't go wrong with either the Lock N Load or one of the Dillons. If I were going to get a progressive for more than just one handgun cartridge, I would probably buy the Lock N Load.
ranger335v
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I've been reloading since '65. Started with, and still have, a Lyman 5 station turret, got a Herter's #3 in early 70s, a Rock Chucker in '87, two of Lee's very small "Reloader" and one of their "Hand" presses about '90. They all work just fine, I've also used/helped several other people load on a variety of other presses. Bottom line, I know of NO press that won't last "forever" if it's taken care of and used properly, but mechanical klutzes are less likely to damage massive cast iron types. (I've seen a couple of photos of the top strap on RCs that were broken, so even they aren't fool-proof!) All said, that kit is as good as any kit.
Toss that "case lube pad" tho, pads soon get grungy and are then prone to leave grit on your lubed cases and that leads to scratched dies. Use either Redding's "Imperial" Case lube or Hornady's excellant "Unique". Both are soft waxes that should be lightly applied with clean finger tips as you pick each case up for sizing.
You will need to add both dies and shell holders for each cartridge you load for. May as well get a "stuck case remover" and an impact type bullet puller too. They are sorta like a reloader's erasure and everyone eventually needs them both.
Toss that "case lube pad" tho, pads soon get grungy and are then prone to leave grit on your lubed cases and that leads to scratched dies. Use either Redding's "Imperial" Case lube or Hornady's excellant "Unique". Both are soft waxes that should be lightly applied with clean finger tips as you pick each case up for sizing.
You will need to add both dies and shell holders for each cartridge you load for. May as well get a "stuck case remover" and an impact type bullet puller too. They are sorta like a reloader's erasure and everyone eventually needs them both.
Except how would you know which tools you will like over others without trying them?
dc.fireman
Member
Thats pretty good advice right there. I don't have anything against any of the online retailers whatsoever - evidenced by the small fortune my wife is sure I send them every year; but helping to support the local mom & pop shops, will help you out later on - like when you need one pound of some oddball powder for a certain load, and you don't feel like paying the hazmat fee... or shipping. Get that kit, and some calipers, and you'll be fairly happy with it.
I use the 10% rule. If I can get it within 10% of what I would pay online with shipping. Then I will buy it from a locally owned store. Same rule with buying stuff from locally owned stores over the big box stores.
Clark
Member
Do a search for 918V posts on the internet.
My shpeal:
My shpeal:
Hey_Allen
Member
Heh, the list of stuff/brands used could get amusing for some of us...
Two RCBS Rock Chucker presses (one retrofitted with a Hornady LnL adapter)
Hornady LnL AP
assorted Lee, RCBS, and Redding dies, as well as a few inherited unknown brands.
Redding powder measure
RCBS 505 scale, Lyman #2 scale (old oil-dampened one!)
Wilson case gauges and case trimmers
Frankford Arsenal (Midway USA) vibe tumbler and digital caliper
Harbor Freight digital caliper, apparently identical in all but color to the FA one, just cheaper and raided from my car tool box...
RCBS kinetic bullet puller
Hornady collet bullet puller
As both of these lists show, you'll collect stuff over time as you play with the hobby, play with new things that you stumble across or deals that fall into your lap.
The various brands all have their good points, and even if you don't like something in the long run, there's always the used market to possibly send it down the line to another owner.
My personal take, buy a book like the ABC's, read lots here and in the book. Buy a kit for the nice package, and round it out with an item or two, such as the calipers, and load lots to find out what you like, what tools you use, and never quit reading to learn more from others who have even more time on their hands to be finding neat tricks, or proving that yes, you can put too much powder in that there case... (It's far cheaper to let someone else prove it for you, than to do it yourself!
)
Two RCBS Rock Chucker presses (one retrofitted with a Hornady LnL adapter)
Hornady LnL AP
assorted Lee, RCBS, and Redding dies, as well as a few inherited unknown brands.
Redding powder measure
RCBS 505 scale, Lyman #2 scale (old oil-dampened one!)
Wilson case gauges and case trimmers
Frankford Arsenal (Midway USA) vibe tumbler and digital caliper
Harbor Freight digital caliper, apparently identical in all but color to the FA one, just cheaper and raided from my car tool box...
RCBS kinetic bullet puller
Hornady collet bullet puller
As both of these lists show, you'll collect stuff over time as you play with the hobby, play with new things that you stumble across or deals that fall into your lap.
The various brands all have their good points, and even if you don't like something in the long run, there's always the used market to possibly send it down the line to another owner.
My personal take, buy a book like the ABC's, read lots here and in the book. Buy a kit for the nice package, and round it out with an item or two, such as the calipers, and load lots to find out what you like, what tools you use, and never quit reading to learn more from others who have even more time on their hands to be finding neat tricks, or proving that yes, you can put too much powder in that there case... (It's far cheaper to let someone else prove it for you, than to do it yourself!
)A few years ago I deceided to reload. I read a few books, went online and then bought a Dillon 550 as my first press. I was a little unsure at first but after taking my time and watching every station perform it's function it's not a big deal, we're not cracking the atom here. I will say that i put a light next to the bullet seating station to make sure that there is powder in there before the bullet is placed on the case.
I'm sure all the name brand presses will give you years of service and thousands of quality rounds. Enjoy your new addiction.....
I'm sure all the name brand presses will give you years of service and thousands of quality rounds. Enjoy your new addiction.....
MANY THANK YOUs to all who have responded! Especially dc.fireman, Clark, Hey Allen, 262 runner, and I'm sure I missed someone. The listings of what y'all used were very enlightening! I think I will probably start with a Hornady LnL press with a few of the extras (like the harbour freight digital caliper). If I find a truly "local" mentor that uses Dillon, I may follow. I'm looking at this as something I will be doing for the rest of my life; a slightly longer "learning curve" is not a problem. I "buy local" every chance I get, even with a "wally-world" in town. The local, home town service way more than makes up for any cost savings. Unfortunately, since I live in N CA, "local" could probably mean Reno. Anyone that knows of a knowledgeable dealer that has equipment in stock and training available in the "greater Sacramento area", please let me know! There are also a few gun ranges around that may know of reloader(s). I'll try that, too. Thanks again to all y'all!!!
Hey_Allen
Member
I'm glad to have been of some small assistance, and hope you enjoy the new hobby.
As to finding a mentor, as you said, asking at the range masters is a likely route to find some local reloaders. The local ranges here all vary in how they regard reloading, but the one that frowns on it I just don't bother using. The others all either just accept it, or actively support it, and seem happy to talk loading with newcomers or old timers.
As to finding a mentor, as you said, asking at the range masters is a likely route to find some local reloaders. The local ranges here all vary in how they regard reloading, but the one that frowns on it I just don't bother using. The others all either just accept it, or actively support it, and seem happy to talk loading with newcomers or old timers.
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