bigedp51
I happen to like and use the Lee Dippers. My complaint to them was that I wanted 0.4 and 0.6cc dippers for more pistol loads. Lee said they saw no need.
Nice thing about dippers is that it is hard to get an over-charge. Also, the Lee recommended loads are so far on the safe side that a balance is NOT needed if you stay with just the loads they show.
I have recommended that in terms of things "needed" to reload, you need at least the little Lee Reloading Press, a set of Lee dies (with the shell holder and the dipper), and the proper bullet weights and powder for the dipper (as found in the die instructions or Richard Lee's book). Also, for bottleneck cartridges, the appropriate Lee Case trimmer and the special shell holder.
This will get you into reloading for little money and you can work out what you want from there.
I don't even mind fossils that love beam balances--I just don't think that they are "the best."
Likewise, I find the Dillon SDB and 550 to be unsuitable for my reloading needs and could never recommend them--just as I could never recommend the Lee Pro1000, with only 3 stations.
I also dislike those who recommend what ever they have bought as though it is the best, without knowing anything about the competition.
You know the posts: "as a newbie, what press should I buy?" and the one word answer is: "Dillon (SDB, 550, or 650)"
I can say that I have always been quite content with the Hornady progressive presses I have had (I went through several upgrades with them (to stay up to date) and then got the L-N-L a few years ago. Is it the best press? No, that is a personal choice. However, I have used the 550 and a 650 and know that I like my Hornady better.
I also prefer my 1050s over any other press I have used.
I have owned a beam balance and got the Ainsworth digital as soon as I could afford it.
Likewise, I argue about what are "required" reloading steps when people start to discuss the convoluted steps they take (cleaning primer pockets, "uniforming" primer pockets, weighing individual charges to +/- 0.02 gn, etc.) and tell beginners that these are steps they also must take and then draw up a list of "required" items that call for over $500 to be spent.
As above, I can get you into reloading for less than $60.