Which Dillon would be best

[codefour]

Newbie chimes in...

Well, I have been reloading now for about a year. And, yes, I learned on single stage. I'm not mechanicially declined either (I used to be a machinist). But, I am glad I learned on a single stage. You will get the feel of reloading alot quicker on a single versus a progressive.

I started loading pistold rounds, then revolver rounds, and finally match grade .308, all on a single stage. I know others learn on a progressive but you will learn more on a single stage and have a much more intimate knowledge of the process when you upgrade. For instance, learning the feel of a proper primer seat is easier on a single than a progressive. Learning the nuances of the cases resizing etc.

A lot of my friends reload. Most have a Dillon 550 or 650. But all of them have a couple of single stages or a single and turret. You will need them. I will always deprime prior to any reloading. I prefer to deprime, then tumble twice in both walnut and corncob (I like clean brass).

I do not believe a progressive will make as accurate ammo as a single, especially when you trickle to exact charge weight.

After I learned on the single, I graduated to using my friend's Dillons. Yes, they are conveniant, but I can not imagine a bench without a good single. Besides, once you have a nice single stage bench set up, you should have case trimmers, scales, powder measures and all the other necessities.

And no, I am not going to buy a Dillon. I like the Pro 2000. On Tuesday, I am going to order one. I used one the other day. The lack of guide wires to activate the powder measure (requiring adjustment), the slide bar measure, and extra long time primer conversion make the Dillon less appealing. Plus, they are aluminum.. You think they could use iron (less flex and stronger). Yes, Dillon aluminum linkages break, I have seen it. Plus, the caliber conversions are too expensive. I would rather buy more guns with the money saved from Dillon conversions.

There is no need to drink the blue cool aid....

Let the flames begin....

 

[Bayou1535]

Well I ended up ordering a 550 and decided to wait until I see if I need the volume of the 650. I didn't get the strongmount and bullet tray, I will try it out first then order the mount, tray and cartidge case bin if I need the height.

 

[dc.fireman]

Everyone needs a single stage for short batches of something, so learn on it. Make mistakes one at a time without the added frustration of 5 things happening all at once.

Then buy the 650, the case feeder, low powder sensor, and whatever options you would like to have. Cheap for a tool that will last a lifetime.

As a 1050 owner, that's some really solid advice you've just been given there. I'm not partial to the "paint color" wars which pop up here on occasion, and own tools made by nearly all of the reloading companies. I 'learned' on a 1050. I bought a single stage press after awhile, to learn how to do small batches, and other calibers. I'd start on a SS, and move to a PS later on. And I like nearly all of the SS presses - Good Luck to you.