Starting to reload

[garand4life]

I've really come to the conclusion that I want to start reloading on a limited basis. Mainly only 9mm and later .45ACP but I'm not sure where to start. I know you can by kits from Hornady and the like that supposedly have all the hardware you need but how true is that. Also, does any brand of reloader tend to be easier to operate than another? When it comes to availability and cost of dies is there any advantage of one versus another? Empart some wisdom... If you were advising a good place to start and making a shopping list of needed items what would it include? Trying to keep the cost down and I don't need high volume. Thanks

[Majer]

Call Dillon, They will set you up with everything you need, Buy quality once and it will pay for itself 100 times over.I would recommend their 550 model.

[Solus]

You can always use your starter press should you want to move up.

I went the Dillon 650 route after using a 550 for several years...but sold the 550 and any accessories that wouldn't take to the 650 to a friend for his entry...gave  him a deal.

If I were going to replace the 650 today, I would have to give very strong consideration to the Hornady Lock And Load.  Alf has dong a very good series of posts on his experience with it and it does appear to have several advantages over Dillon's approach to the die setup and the functioning of the powder measure.

If you want to get in at that level, check it out.

I am glad I started with a single stage press (there were no non-commercial progressives available at the time)
 (a RCBS Rock Chucker Combo, it was called   http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=646599)
 because it allowed me to really learn each step in the progress, check each case between steps and see the results and understand the process.

Lyman still offers their 310 had press
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/dies/lyman-310-tool.php

Here is a video of using that press and it will show you everything you need to reload...this will be only for the gun the cases came from.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_9-1oEbr9Q

That is the most basic...not a whistle or bell in the whole set up.
If you want the very lowest entry level you can get,  here it is

If you want to skip the manual learning experience of a single stage press, Mayer's recommendation of the Dillon 550 is a good press.  If you do go progressive, and feel like jumping in at the Dillon 650/Hornady LnL level, you can't go wrong there either

There is a good book you can get to start you on your learning.    ABCs of Rreloading

Amazon offers several versions of this book...one being a new copy of the one that got away from me selling on Amazon for $999.

They have a cheaper edition here.   I'd guess it has all the information you need.  

http://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Reloading-Definitive-Novice-Expert/dp/1440213968/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314475805&sr=8-1

Think about getting the book and reading up on reloading before you decide what you want for your setup.  If the new version is as good as the one I cut my teeth upon, it will give you a good look at the benefits to be gained with the "extras".

If you do decide to go Dillon, Brian Enos has a site and he is very willing to work with you to be sure you get exactly what you need/want in your setup.  I purchased my 650 through  him and he saved me buying things Dillon would have included in a "cover all bases" setup.  I did buy some of the stuff later when I expanded my reloading scope.  I believe Alf may have contacted him when he was deciding between the Dillon and the Hornady

Good luck and I'm sure you will enjoy the endeavor.

Take care.

[Majer]

I have a Hornady Pro-jector (pre LocknLoad) If  were to replace it I would buy a Dillon 650. The Hornady has some issues with the primer feed going out of adjustment.I've been loading ammo on it for over 20 years and have had to readjust the primer feed at least 10 times.The nice thing about the Dillon 550 is you can use it as a single stage (if I remember correctly) so You can learn proper loading technique.

[fullautovalmet76]

I have been reloading for the past two years, so I'm not as experienced as some on this board. But here's my recommendation based on my own experiences:

I would start with a Lee Classic Turret press. It gives you the simplicity of a single stage press and some of the benefits of a progressive press. It is very well made and I have never had a problem with it. It allows you to see exactly what is happening every pull of the handle.

I have a Hornady LNL AP, like Alf, but I have had a very different experience with the press than Alf, unfortunately. I'll save those comments for that thread.

To me if you are starting out and you are not trying to load for volume, I would get my feet wet with a Lee Classic Turret and go from there. Here's the link to it on Midway:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=814175

Best of luck!
-FA

[Sponsor]

[bjtraz]

I have been reloading for the past two years, so I'm not as experienced as some on this board. But here's my recommendation based on my own experiences:

I would start with a Lee Classic Turret press. It gives you the simplicity of a single stage press and some of the benefits of a progressive press. It is very well made and I have never had a problem with it. It allows you to see exactly what is happening every pull of the handle.

I couldn't agree more. Dillion and Hornady are great products, or so I've heard.  I plan on upgrading to one or the other soon, but for an economical basic system, you can't go wrong with Lee. For around a hundred dollars, you can buy a single stage kit that includes everything you need, except dies and expendables, to reload. Granted, you'll soon begin adding "stuff", that'll make the job easier, or quicker, but that will happen with any brand.

I don't regret for a minute starting with an inexpensive Lee setup. But like others have said, read/research all you can, pay attention to detail, and have fun!

Brian

[alfsauve]

I started reloading with a hand tool, anvil, and hammer.    That was 40+ years ago.  I was a poor E4 at the time and reloading 50 rounds of .38spl was......special.    I worked up gradually over the years.  Single stage, turret, and finally a progressive.  The cost of getting into reloading with a progressive I think has come down significantly over they years (adjusted for inflation).  In my early days, it was out of the question (out of the budget) to even think about a progressive, if they even made them back then.

All that to say, I'm not sure what's the best way to start to learn reloading.    There is one way that I think would be ideal.  To have a buddy (a good and knowledgeable buddy) who can let you use their setup and step you through it.   But short of that, I'm not sure the best way to start.

If you have any doubts, or just want to start slow, get a good single stage press.   Learn the step.  Make the mistakes.  When you upgrade you can keep that press for those one-off tasks that seem to happen a lot. 

I've had a good experience with my Hornady LnL progressive.  If you are committed to reloading, then that's what I'd start with.  The LnL system make it easy to use it as a single stage press today and a full progressive 1 minute later.   The ability to pop dies in and out individually is invaluable.   At least to me. 

I'll also say that if you're going to set up a press, for one caliber, one routine, then the Dillon would be  a good choice.

I've had a Lee Classic Turret.   I won't say I regret it, but I could have saved myself some time and money by just going directly to the progressive.   The Lee is somewhat light weight and the plastic parts will not hold up with lots of use.    I thought when I went progressive I'd keep it as a backup for one-off stuff, but I found almost immediately I didn't need it.

I did a lot of reading at the Brian Enos site.  Very instructive.  Recommend spending time there while you ponder you decision.

Alf  <-- who can't seem to keep bullets and primers in stock.   I just reload until I run out.

[ellis4538]

I've been reloading for 35+ years (and still have all my fingers and etc.) and I have a Dillon 550.  The only reason I don't have a 650 is ceiling height in my upstairs (finished 1/2 story).  I bought a 450 yeaaaaars ago when they first came out and converted it to a 550 when the kit came available.  I load a number of pistol cals. and would load rifle cals. except I don't own any (no place close to shoot rifle!).  Bought the Dillon and have never found it necessary to try anything else.

FWIW

Richard

[TAB]

The square deal B is also a good choice if you are on a tight buget and are only reloading hand gun.  does have diffrent dies, but other wise its a great little press.

[MikeBjerum]

My first reloading experience was shot shells with my uncle on his Mec Jr.  Years of working with him doing this taught me the attention to detail bordering on anal retentiveness that is important in reloading.  I then graduated to a Mec 9000 for myself, and learned how to integrate that attention to detail into mass production bordering on the Cone Heads' mass quantities.  Next a friend and I went into partnership with a Dillon 650 - the handgun and rifle version of the 9000.  And finally I recently went all the way back to a Hornady single stage.

Your shooting volume will dictate whether you are happy with a single stage or progressive press.  It doesn't matter which you go with when it comes to attention to detail, because regardless of the system you need to be just as careful with each and every step.

In my opinion it is your work station that is more important than the press itself.  As long as you are purchasing quality equipment each press will do the same thing.  It is all about how fast you want to crank 'em out that determines style of press, but quality will be determined by your research, application of knowledge, components utilized, how well you set up your work station to make your job easier.