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Clinton

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Jan 1, 2013
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Hello everyone!
I am Clinton and just bought my first SA XD 40 and pick it up tomorrow. Have a few other long rifles and shotguns but nothing to write home to dad about. ALSO! Been talking with a buddy who does some gunsmith work and informed me about reloading etc and so I buy once and cry less later. Picked up the Dillon RL550b. Here is the list: Is there anything else I need before they open tomorrow and I can possibly change my order over the phone.

Dillon Carbide Pistol Dies (Three-Die Sets)
Die Type: 10mm/.40 S&W - $63.95

Dillon Handgun Case Gages: .40 S&W Case Gage - $0.00

Dillon's 'Eliminator' Scale

RL 550B
Caliber Conversion Kit to be Included: 40 S&W/10MM - $0.00
Option Stock #: 20179
 
You will need a primer flip tray. The Dillon one is pricey, I use the $5 RCBS flip tray from WalMart. Also a set of calipers and a bullet puller.
 
Bullet puller im getting from cabelas, have a digital caliper, cleaner and media also going to get locally.
Lymans handbook locally too if i can find one.
 
Sounds like you are ready to go. Congratulations and welcome to reloading. Take your time learning the press and don't be afraid to ask questions.
 
Congratulations and welcome to reloading, and as mentioned before, don't be afraid to ask questions. Lots of knowledge to draw from here.
 
Ok, are the primers for a 40 sw small or large? Was going to order extra tubes but not sure which ones to get.
 
Small pistol. Small primer tubes will fit small pistol, small rifle, small pistol mag, etc. Personally, I wouldn't put money into extra tubes just yet as the startup cost is high enough.

Put that money you had for extra tubes towards another manual. Hornady 7th ed. is not the most current issue and could be had for a good price.
 
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Welcome to the forum and reloading. Thanks for asking our advice.

I have no advice for the 550 (progressive press just does not fit my style or needs), but feel compelled to ask, is your friend going to mentor you?

There is no substitute for a good teacher, especially when it comes to handloading. This is not rocket science, but it does involve smoke and flame and things that go very fast, so care is warranted. Having someone watch you load and show you the steps is invaluable.

The above is especially true with a progressive press. Since you have expressed the desire to go first class from the get-go, and also mentioned that you will be loading for rifles, too, a single stage press would be useful. Not only to learn on, but for those tasks easier to do on a single stage.

A single stage is easier to learn on for the same reason that it is easier to learn to walk in shoes than in roller skates. You can do it, though. The typical advice is to put use the progressive as a single stage until you completely understand and have 100% confidence that everything happens as you intend and 100% correctly. For that, you have to understand the process inside and out (literally) and that understanding is easier to come by on a single stage. There are simply fewer things happening simultaneously.

Get Manuals. The ABC's of Reloading describes the process. The early chapters of almost every manual published describe the process. Reading from several different sources gives you different "voices" to hear, different writing styles and different areas of emphasis. What one writer covers lightly or not at all, another will emphasize.

You are beginning a wonderful pastime and rewarding hobby. Good luck to you.

Lost Sheep

p.s. The customer service staff at Dillon have a stellar reputation. If you discuss your setup with them, I would bet they would not steer you wrong. Put another way, I doubt if they would try to sell you anything you don't need. The Dillon reputation is one of their prime assets and they would not have it if they put sales ahead of service.
 
You might as well get the 2013 calendar;) I didn't on my last order, now I don't want to pay shipping for just the calender .
 
550B owner here. CONGRATS!!!! Very nice press and will serve you well for years!

There are some tricks to learn with a progressive press. What if you see something you don't like in the process. You may need to pull the handle again but this will cause things to happen (again) at all four stages that you may not want to happen.

Example:
Station two bells the case mouth and installs the powder into the case. Lets assume you notice too much or not enough powder in the case. Dump it back into the hopper and pull the handle again to deliver fresh powder? You may end up trying (inadvertantly) to push a second primer into the case in station 1. You may end up de-priming station one and having the live primer that's already in that case POP on you. It does/can happen and will leave you wishing you had adult "kimbies" on.

There are tricks to acquire/learn with any press that you will pick up through just really learning your press. Having a coach or mentor will REALLY help here. They can show you which spring to take off to not "double prime" a round. (You can't really insert a second primer but the machine coud try and that would make your heart race!)

Youtube videos can be of great help but can also get you in trouble... not all youtubers know as much as they would like to think.

Bottom line, ask questions. If you don't have a mentor to walk you through setup, show you how to re-calibrate when changing calibers, etc, STOP. Come here and ask questions and don't continue until you have/understand answers to the issue at hand.

Reloading can be safe, is fun, and is more economical. Can also be frustrating and dangerous. Be safe! Reloading will make your Buddha belly happy!!!
 
The 550 is a great press (I have one two).
But be careful! It's way too easy to make a mistake.
Then you have a small bomb on your hands.

Not trying to scare you, just trying to make you aware.

Welcome & feel free to ask questions.
The only dumb question is one NOT asked that gets you or others injured (or worse).
 
Bought some berry hp jacketed 180 grain bullets some cases. Small generic priners as guy said they all work dont be brand picky. Like um ok! And unique powder. Waiting on press lol...

Clinton
 
I think the Unique powder is a good place to start! Works well in many calibers, has a pretty good range, and is more forgiving the many other powders.

Start your loads in the bottom third of the recommened load and work up. Look in EVERY case and become familiar with what "the right ammount" looks like.

Even now, whenever I change calibers or settings, I weigh Each of the first 10 rounds, then one in 5, then one in 15 or so.

I'm anxious for you bud!!!

Let us know when you get it!
 
Well she came in the mail today. Have it settup and I think dies are adjusted correctly. I did not do any powder measuring or anything at this time.

Clinton
 

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