Thinking about getting into reloading

FrontSight · January 20th, 2006, 04:33 PM

I usually use 200-300 rds. of WWB .45 ACP FMJ during practice every month. @ $20 per 100, that's over $500 per year. For $370.00 I can purchase a Dillon RL 550B. Please advise as to the best system under $600.00. I will be reloading .45 ACP, 38 Spl., 8mm Mauser, and .308.

Bud White · January 20th, 2006, 04:47 PM

I use a Hornady LNL press Dillons are good to each there own ive looked at dillion a few time but liked the hornady set up better
The powder measure better

Changing calibers is easyer on the hornady and also resetting the timing of the press is too

David III · January 20th, 2006, 04:58 PM

I'd go with either one depending on what you like, as Bud said.
The Dillon 550 doesn't have timing, it's manual indexing. Hornady is the one for changing calibers, given everything equal. IF (I want to shout this) you want to really spend some money, you can get spare toolheads for the Dillon where each has its own powder measure. Then, provided you're staying with the same primer size (not type, just size, like large pistol and large rifle), you can change calibers by pulling out two pins, exchanging the toolhead, exchanging the shellplate, and loading up with whatever primer. To change from large to small primers takes a few minutes.
Hornady's powder measure is a "real" one - it has something to turn to carefully adjust powder. The Dillon measure is a pain for me to get set, since it's turn a bolt head a little, check, turn a little, check, etc... however, once a Dillon is set, they are amazingly stable. I haven't had to change my 44 Magnum setting in over 10,000 rounds.
Best bet is try to find people with both and take a look. I run a 550 and really like it - a great friend of mine runs the Hornady and he really likes it.
Oh, I have found that reloading doesn't really save money since you'll just shoot more!!!

rocky · January 20th, 2006, 06:27 PM

I like my 550 , but have not tried any other loaders either.

P95Carry · January 20th, 2006, 10:16 PM

I am ''stuck'' with mostly Lee stuff - it always did me OK and I reload less now in quantity. I'd like better but it does OK. It is a fairly cheap way for folks to start off - at least for step one, after which Dillon etc could be a way to go.

Some gear is from other sources tho - Hornady powder measure, Lyman moulds, scales etc.

Remember if starting - the press is not everything - and that's why Lee can save pennies initially. You'll want dies, scales, numerous accessories.

Do also - go get some reload books - Lyman #48, Speer #13 - and the 2nd Edition Lee book perhaps. Try not to start until familiar with the whole process and if poss' - find someone else who already does it - and watch and pick their brains.

Bud White · January 20th, 2006, 10:20 PM

Actually if you can find the lyman #47 instead buy it i dont like #48 as well

P95Carry · January 20th, 2006, 10:40 PM

Agreed Bud - mine is #47 - just mentioned the other as latest but I am well happy with the #47.

Hard to have too many reload ref' books IMO - sometimes you have to check in several, particularly with hot loads - try and evaluate and sometimes extrapolate from all to find what can be regarded as a safe load.

Bud White · January 20th, 2006, 10:44 PM

Your right there plus dont forget the free load books you can get t from the powder makers..

I find for Hot loads the Powder makers stuff is usually the best like Hodgdon h-110 there loads seem to be the best and what weird is there hotter than the loading manuals say

Where my lyman says is max with h-110 in 500 smith Hodgdon Starts and donts lock the gun up with unburnt powder as do the lyman loads...

If you do decide to get into loading feel free to ask Me or Chirs or some of the others everyone will usually be happy to give you a hand.

P95Carry · January 20th, 2006, 10:57 PM

Quote:

dont forget the free load books

I near forget - yeah - some free stuff is out there and - do a search for each powder manufacturer and if you get to a suitable site - sometimes the maker's own - you can often download a darned useful PDF file for reference.

Free = good

oregonshooter · January 20th, 2006, 11:10 PM

Buy the best Dillon you can for the money.
There is no substitute for a Dillon.

I went with a Lee Pro1000 first and regretted it from day one. Sold it after 30days and bought a Dillon XL-650. That was over 12 years ago and it's been the best investment I've made short of the guns it feeds. :)

January 20th, 2006, 10:16 PM	#5
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,339	I am ''stuck'' with mostly Lee stuff - it always did me OK and I reload less now in quantity. I'd like better but it does OK. It is a fairly cheap way for folks to start off - at least for step one, after which Dillon etc could be a way to go. Some gear is from other sources tho - Hornady powder measure, Lyman moulds, scales etc. Remember if starting - the press is not everything - and that's why Lee can save pennies initially. You'll want dies, scales, numerous accessories. Do also - go get some reload books - Lyman #48, Speer #13 - and the 2nd Edition Lee book perhaps. Try not to start until familiar with the whole process and if poss' - find someone else who already does it - and watch and pick their brains. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

January 20th, 2006, 10:40 PM	#7
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,339	Agreed Bud - mine is #47 - just mentioned the other as latest but I am well happy with the #47. Hard to have too many reload ref' books IMO - sometimes you have to check in several, particularly with hot loads - try and evaluate and sometimes extrapolate from all to find what can be regarded as a safe load. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

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January 20th, 2006, 04:33 PM	#1
FrontSight Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: albany, ga Posts: 132	Thinking about getting into reloading I usually use 200-300 rds. of WWB .45 ACP FMJ during practice every month. @ $20 per 100, that's over $500 per year. For $370.00 I can purchase a Dillon RL 550B. Please advise as to the best system under $600.00. I will be reloading .45 ACP, 38 Spl., 8mm Mauser, and .308. __________________ Pershing SIR!!

January 20th, 2006, 04:47 PM	#2
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	I use a Hornady LNL press Dillons are good to each there own ive looked at dillion a few time but liked the hornady set up better The powder measure better Changing calibers is easyer on the hornady and also resetting the timing of the press is too

January 20th, 2006, 04:58 PM	#3
David III Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sturgeon, MO Posts: 740	I'd go with either one depending on what you like, as Bud said. The Dillon 550 doesn't have timing, it's manual indexing. Hornady is the one for changing calibers, given everything equal. IF (I want to shout this) you want to really spend some money, you can get spare toolheads for the Dillon where each has its own powder measure. Then, provided you're staying with the same primer size (not type, just size, like large pistol and large rifle), you can change calibers by pulling out two pins, exchanging the toolhead, exchanging the shellplate, and loading up with whatever primer. To change from large to small primers takes a few minutes. Hornady's powder measure is a "real" one - it has something to turn to carefully adjust powder. The Dillon measure is a pain for me to get set, since it's turn a bolt head a little, check, turn a little, check, etc... however, once a Dillon is set, they are amazingly stable. I haven't had to change my 44 Magnum setting in over 10,000 rounds. Best bet is try to find people with both and take a look. I run a 550 and really like it - a great friend of mine runs the Hornady and he really likes it. Oh, I have found that reloading doesn't really save money since you'll just shoot more!!!

January 20th, 2006, 06:27 PM	#4
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 11,138	I like my 550 , but have not tried any other loaders either.

January 20th, 2006, 10:20 PM	#6
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	Actually if you can find the lyman #47 instead buy it i dont like #48 as well

January 20th, 2006, 10:44 PM	#8
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	Your right there plus dont forget the free load books you can get t from the powder makers.. I find for Hot loads the Powder makers stuff is usually the best like Hodgdon h-110 there loads seem to be the best and what weird is there hotter than the loading manuals say Where my lyman says is max with h-110 in 500 smith Hodgdon Starts and donts lock the gun up with unburnt powder as do the lyman loads... If you do decide to get into loading feel free to ask Me or Chirs or some of the others everyone will usually be happy to give you a hand.

January 20th, 2006, 11:10 PM	#10
oregonshooter Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Medford, OR. Posts: 270	Buy the best Dillon you can for the money. There is no substitute for a Dillon. I went with a Lee Pro1000 first and regretted it from day one. Sold it after 30days and bought a Dillon XL-650. That was over 12 years ago and it's been the best investment I've made short of the guns it feeds. :)