A1C Lickey

What are the pros/cons to the different types of presses? I've been looking to start reloading myself but I dont really know where to start. Also, do you need a different machines to reload for rifles and pistols?

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SSgt. Lickey

It takes a college degree to break'em;
and a high school education to fix'em!

David III

Not much to add. I don't reload 9mm because it's about as cheap to just buy loaded ammo. 45 ACP, cheaper to reload. 44 Magnum, much cheaper -- but I now shoot so much of it, that it probably evens out (I get to shoot a lot more for the same cost). With odd or big calibers, I couldn't shoot them at all without reloading, like 416 Rem Mag.
I think one of the best things is after you get involved in reloading, ammo cost or availability won't be a factor when you look at some new gun you'd like to have -- because you'll know you can make relatively inexpensive ammo. I have that 416 and a 40-65 just for those reasons. The guy who had the 416 couldn't begin to afford shooting it, so I get it for a great price and then just load it down if I want to play with a big bore without it turning me in circles. I have a couple boxes of full house loads made up in case of an Elephant getting in the yard (no Elephants so far, so just having the gun must be working).
My 44 "Magnum" loads at the house are about 44 Special-power, so my wife likes shooting them. It's a neat hobby.

duckhunter

Lots of machines out there will load both rifle and pistol ammo. There are some good resources online to do research, or just buy a reloading book to get a feel for the basics. Best bet would be to find someone who reloads and have them walk you through the process to see if it's for you.

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"Speed is fine, but accuracy is final." - Bill Jordan

HotGuns

The real savings is when you buy in bulk quantities whether it be gunpowder,brass,bullets or primers.

You can buy once fired brass in 500 or 1000 peices for cheap or if you are inclined you can pick up the brass at ranges for nothing. Even Ebay had good prices on once fired brass.

For shooting on the cheap, lead bullets are hard to beat. Last time I bought some was 24 bucks for 500 230 grain LRN for .45, although I usaully mold my own these days from wheelweights.

If you value your time, go with the Dillon 550B press. It'll do just about all rifle and pistol loads. Even if you just do one caliber now, you can always grow into it...

Bud White

And then even though you have loaded over 10 years it happens...

Ya get a Caliber that gives ya problems and the old Standard H-110 isnt working in any grain form

Well im frustrated to say the least time for new powder for the big boomer

duckhunter

Say it ain't so.... H110 isn't working in your hand cannon?

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"Speed is fine, but accuracy is final." - Bill Jordan

Bud White

Nope MAx loads and the cases are still having powder blow by jamming cases in cylinder ... cylinder isnt out of whack tried another guys reloads and not prob with 4227 ..


he said he had same problems with h-110 seems the powder is almost too small..

Didnt have this problem in 454 with h-110

duckhunter

I love the H110 in heavy 45 Colt loads, after a little experimenting with the crimp and neck sizing. Unique is cost effective for light loads. Maybe something just a little faster than the H110, since you're not getting complete combustion.

Must be kind of fun "breaking trail" loading for a relatively new round!

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"Speed is fine, but accuracy is final." - Bill Jordan

Bud White

No its a pain in the but

unique works very well in the 500 lose about 412 feet per second though still a big boomer

ka0azs

I also recommend the Dillion. Mines a RL450 upgraded to a 550. Bought it as my first reloading press in the mid 80's and never regretted it. The press (including the upgrades) has paid for itself many times over. Wish all my investments had that kind of return!

9mm is cheap enough now that I don't bother loading for it these days, but I do load .30-06 for my Garand cheaper than anything but bulk suprlus, and some of that foreign Milsurp is of questionable quality.

It's also a good way to learn about ballistics, pressure, velocity etc.

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Randy
NRA Life Member