Getting started reloading

[chansen49]

After hearing NOTHING but good things about dillon,

I think Ive decided on the 650. My friends and I shoot almost weekly either long range in the mountains, to a round of trap, to shooting steel with the pistols. Its getting ridiculous for me NOT to reload.
So I have some newbie questions on initial setup.

Does anybody have a place they recommend to buy from?, there is nobody close to me.
Is the 650 gonna take from newbie to expert reloader?
Im looking at maybe 5 pistol calibers and 4 rifle loads.

Are there doodads that make life easier that I should buy right off the bat or they are luxury items that are not really needed.???

Is a grand enough to get me started? for a few calibers? and some materials?

Any books better than others?

Thanks so much guys,

Chris

 

[cva54]

I am thinking the same hand loading. What is a must need I am not going for speed here going for accuracy

 

[AJ Peacock]

I have a 650 for all my high capacity needs. I can easily load 800-1000 rounds/hour with it when I have my wife or kids pre-loading the primer tubes. 357mag, 41mag etc.

I would however, NEVER use it for my long range rifles (or any big bottle neck cartridges). I use single stage presses for all my 'accuracy' loads (7mmRM, 30-06, 270, 300WSM, 243 Win, 338 Edge etc etc). The need for serious and repeatable leverage for these type's of cartridges, necessitates the need for a high leverage press (at least higher leverage than the 650).

I have zero complaints about Dillon, or the 650 press. It is a GREAT reloading system, and Dillon sets the standard for customer support.

I'd recommend a single stage press to get started.

Here are some links that discuss this in a little more detail.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/my-reloading-process-33936/?highlight=RCBS

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/priming-tool-27166/?highlight=RCBS

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/check-my-list-26486/?highlight=RCBS

http://www.longrangehunting.com/for...lease-loading-equipment-20524/?highlight=RCBS

Hope this helps.

AJ

 

[chansen49]

I have a 650 for all my high capacity needs. I can easily load 800-1000 rounds/hour with it when I have my wife or kids pre-loading the primer tubes. 357mag, 41mag etc.

I would however, NEVER use it for my long range rifles (or any big bottle neck cartridges). I use single stage presses for all my 'accuracy' loads (7mmRM, 30-06, 270, 300WSM, 243 Win, 338 Edge etc etc). The need for serious and repeatable leverage for these type's of cartridges, necessitates the need for a high leverage press (at least higher leverage than the 650).

I have zero complaints about Dillon, or the 650 press. It is a GREAT reloading system, and Dillon sets the standard for customer support.

I'd recommend a single stage press to get started.

Here are some links that discuss this in a little more detail.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/my-reloading-process-33936/?highlight=RCBS

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/priming-tool-27166/?highlight=RCBS

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/check-my-list-26486/?highlight=RCBS

http://www.longrangehunting.com/for...lease-loading-equipment-20524/?highlight=RCBS

Hope this helps.

AJ

Thats great info.. My friend has a couple single stage presses.. Rifles would be my fewest rounds to load anyway. So any special goodies that I should get with the 650?


Chris

 

[AJ Peacock]

For each caliber you are loading, I'd get a powder measure and toolhead. I'd also get the Dillon dies, as they work better than other dies because they have a bit more taper on the bottom so they don't hang up when you are really crankin.

I have the cartridge case bin and bracket, as well as the bullet tray.

I have the strong mount, because my workbench is a bit low (around 30"), and the strong mount lifts it up and also lets it sit back a little (away from the edge of the bench).

I'd get extra primer tubes, as well as the Dillon flip tray and the bench wrench (makes reaching/adjusting the dies really easy).

The toolhead stands are nice for keeping things organized if you have the room, you can leave everything setup and just set the toolhead/powder measure on the stand.

I'd definitely get the auto brass feed and a case feed plate for each caliber (unless they need the same one).

I'd get the RCBS Chargemaster kit (powder measure/scale combo), if you don't have a scale and if $$'s aren't very tight.

Also, I use the spray on lubricant, which makes the sizing easier. I just dump 300-400 brass into a small rubbermade (10"x15") and just spray a little, stir a little, spray a little, stir a little. Then I dump some into the hopper on the auto brass feeder and start loading.

Hope this helps,
AJ

 

[cva54]

I was looking at that lee bench lock kit yes it is cheep but it would get me up and going. then I can see what I like and get it. Got a firend of mine going through all his old reloading stuff I seen 2 rock chuckers under the bench on the floor coverd in dust. he runs a pair of dillons now. kinda hoping there

 

[Clark]

Real Guns

Part of what I love about my Forster Co-ax press is how fast I can change set ups.

The Lee Beech lock system makes a big inroad into that territory, at rock bottom prices.

 

[cva54]

I know ever time I look at press kits it is alway the lowest price that scars me to. Think iam going to buy the dies first I got access to vary nice press set up with ALL the fixens think it goen to be redding or rcbs (help here)

 

[Winchester 69]

I know every time I look at press kits, it is alway the lowest price that scares me to. Think I am going to buy the dies first. I have access to a very nice press set up with ALL the fixin's. I think it's going to be Redding or RCBS (help here).

You're wise to be wary of prices that look too good.

Compare (physically) the RCBS press to a Redding. You should be able to see that Redding makes a better product.