Reloading

[TEC]

Is there any reason not to start out with a Dillon RL550B if I can afford one and if my intent is to eventually reload multiple calibers? (pistol .380, 38special, .357 mag, 9mm parabellu, .40SW, .44mag and .45ACP, and rifle .223, .243, .308 and 7mm Rem Mag)? My immediate need/want is to reload light target rounds in .223 (55gr or less) and .380 handgun rounds. Is there a better source for Dillon presses than eguns?

http://www.eguns.com/sPearCat/1-4.woa/1/wa/ItemPage?i=DL16549

and where is the best source to lay in a supply of primers, powder, and bullets, perhaps even before ordering the press?

Thanks.

 

[Furncliff]

For Dillon presses: http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.550.html

For reloading supplies, you probably aware that primers are hard to find. I buy primers and powder locally to avoid the hazmat fee.

http://www.midwayusa.com/reloading

www.kempfgunshop.com

https://www.grafs.com/

I bought a used Square deal b. I'm happy with it, I only reload pistol calibers. Buying the 550b is a good move. Great support, they are well made and resell well if you decide to upgrade.

 

[edelbrock]

+1 on brianenos.com
You should read his info pages on the presses.
http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html
I think you will be ok with a 550 if you take your time and figure out how everything works. I usually advice to go with a single stage to begin with and I still will. Caliber changes can get expensive on the dillon presses. If you are only going to reload a limited amount on some of those calibers then I would recommend a single stage in addition to the 550. It will be cheaper than all of those caliber conversions.

 

[FROGO207]

Another source for Dillon is ED's Brass and Reloading. Sometimes he has stuff in stock no one else has. He has treated me well in the past.

 

[SASS#23149]

If you're just starting start with pisol rounds 1st,much easier than rifle.
Just be sure to load one round at a time for a while until you now what is going on as the round prgresses thru the press.

 

[loadedround]

I run two Dillon 550's(one for small primers and the other for large) and love these machines. You will eventually end up with a progressive so why not start out with one of the best. You can also using the Dillon as a single stage press by loading one round at a time until you get the hang of reloading. JMHO!

 

[243winxb]

No reason not to go progressive. Much more useful for pistol (faster) then rifle (slow).

 

[TEC]

Well, I have shopped around and think the Dillon is the way to go, except . . .

I am not going to order any reloading equipment until I can find a supply of primers and powder and there are no small rifle or small pistol primers to be had that I can find.

 

[rcmodel]

Caliber changes can get expensive on the dillon presses.

+1

Loading for 11 calibers like you stated is going to kick you in the shorts pretty hard for caliber changes.

rc

 

[BillCh]

I stared reloading just a few years ago. I went with Dillon 550b right out of the shoot. It was one of the best decisions I ever made, I think.
I purchased it from Brian Enos. Brian was very helpful in relieving my fears and anxieties.

(I'm not paranoid or anything, so stop looking at me.)​

Problem is, as far as advice giving goes, I have absolutely no idea about other presses. I have never regretted starting off with the 550b.
If I had to do it over again I would not change a thing.

 

[Landric]

I would second the advice that you will probably want a single stage for low volume loading and perhaps load development.

I don't see any reason not to start with a 550 if you are good at paying attention to detail. You need to pay attention no matter what kind of press you load on, but you need to pay more attention to a progressive.

The Lee Classic Cast is inexpensive and a great single stage for loading. It would go very well with a 550, I don't think you would ever need another press of any kind unless you decided to load for shotguns.

You will spend a fortune getting caliber conversions for the 550, and when it comes to rifle cartridges like the 7mm Rem Mag, I'm not sure there is really much to be gained loading on a progressive.

 

[jpwilly]

I like the Lee Classic Cast Turret Press for loading a bunch of different calibers. It's not as fast when working on Pistol loads as a Progressive but I can easilly keep up with my shooting needs with it. I load 9mm, 45acp, 223 Rem, 308 Win, 30-06, 303, 8x57mm, 7.5x55mm, 7.62x54R with it so far. The 4 hole turrets are only $10 and the Leed die sets are $20 to $30 bucks. It's been working great for two years you can load single stage or auto indexing with it.

 

[BillCh]

Oh, and BTW, got the thing just to reload 45 ACP.
SO, I now do .45 ACP, the 40 S&W/10mm, .357/38 and .223 Rem.
And, I don't even own a .357 (yet)! I do those for a buddy of mine.

I've got an old Model 1917 '06 around here somewhere, hmmm.....

 

[Zcarp2]

I started off that way and have no regrets. Great machine that 550. Wife got it for me after I started shooting. What a sweet heart!

Just go slow and you can load 1 at a time until you are comfortable. I do it that way to set up the dies. You can also use one powder measure at first and get more as you settle on loads. Build into it slowly.

Zcarp2

 

[joedapro]

components are more available every day. get yourself on a back order list. if you run the 550 find someone who uses it to walk you through it. it is not difficult once you know it. but you have to learn it to be safe.