Looking for recommendations regarding reloading equipment (mfg & model). I think I want a multi-stage press with an easily removable setup that won't require a lot of effort to change calibers (once everything for a caliber has been initially setup). Current plan is to accomodate several different pistol & rifle calibers. Also could use recommendations for value of automated and/or optional equipment & manuals.
i think asking a question like this is the kind of thing that gets you put on government watch lists..
Do you want a full on progressive or just a turret press? A lot of people say that they started with a turret like the dillon 550, and wish they'd gone full progressive with the 650 from the start. Depends on how much reloading you want to be doing and what calibers. Some rifle calibers require more steps than the 550 has, so you end up having to do an additional run.
What strizzo said.......although if you've never reloaded before and just want to learn at first......get a single stage. Its a lot harder with them to royally berkeley something up
novaderrik wrote: i think asking a question like this is the kind of thing that gets you put on government watch lists..
There are a lot of people that load their own ammo. Personally, I'd be more worried about the guy buying organic solvents, cleaning solutions, fertilizer, and other such fun stuff.
It's common practice in Wisconsin to reload ammo. But my dad does all the reloading as his winter hobby, so I can't add anything to this! 
My only suggestion is to use reloads for hunting and target practice, but not in guns you carry for self defense.
I have an old Lyman T-Mag turret setup bought somewhere in the 80's when I used to have the free time to load up a ton of rounds of ammo and then go waste it.
It wasn't much trouble to swap calibers, but it's still pretty tedious to bang out a lot of rounds. You are trading money for a LOT of time (and learning curve) so unless you plan to make specific rounds for match shooting... and can find cheap brass... not exactly as cost-effective as you might think for the time/money invested.
From the googles it does not look like it has changed much over the years except that it comes with a digital scale instead of a "justice" balance scale so used is the way to go. If I can find mine in the storage containers in the attic I would sell it.
Dillon 650. It's the Miata of reloaders.
Plus, it looks pretty on your bench doing nothing while you scour the earth for primers.
jg
Slightly OT, but I have checked out the Ammo section of a few stores recently just out of curiosity. They are barren. So are the gun racks. I wonder if they will severely ramp up production, then the craze will pass, then guns will be seriously discounted? I hope that happens before the Zombies show up!
Bad news. The Zombies are already here and they are running the show in WDC.
EastCoastMojo wrote: My only suggestion is to use reloads for hunting and target practice, but not in guns you carry for self defense.
I have a line of thinking for why you would say this but would like your reasoning. I imagine it it because if you had to defend yourself the extent of resulting injuries could be argued to be in some way influenced by your chosen load out.
JG Pasterjak wrote: Dillon 650. It's the Miata of reloaders. Plus, it looks pretty on your bench doing nothing while you scour the earth for primers. jg
Also, they have excellent catalogs.
I used to reload (mostly .357), but gave it up a few years ago. I would get up early on a Sunday morning and whip up a few hundred rounds while everyone else was still asleep. I miss it, but I don't shoot as much as I used to.
I used single stage RCBS stuff. I would dream about the volume that I could produce with a Dillon progressive, but I think that a single stage is good for someone who is just getting started. You really need to get a feel for what is going on and a single stage press is better for that. Also, you can multiply your mistakes much more quickly with a progressive.
I think that a turret press is the best choice, as it minimizes setup and changeover time, yet it's still very simple and you can develop that feel that you need to learn.
Shop used, as there is a lot of good stuff out there, though you won't find too much Dillon stuff on the used market.
Don't hate on the Dillon 550. I own two, and only wish I'd started with a 650 every once in a while. It all comes down to the quantity you want to load versus the number of different calibers you want to handle. The 550 is a bit easier/faster/cheaper to swap calibers in, but gives up a little bit in production. Either machine will make WAY more ammo that most people need. Shooting competitively, I'd load a thousand a week, which was no big deal on a 550.
Reloading is a TOTALLY separate hobby from shooting. I enjoy the methodical nature and precision. Some people just do it to get the ammo, but most reloaders I know enjoy it for what it is.
Welcome to the club! 
nocones wrote:EastCoastMojo wrote: My only suggestion is to use reloads for hunting and target practice, but not in guns you carry for self defense.I have a line of thinking for why you would say this but would like your reasoning. I imagine it it because if you had to defend yourself the extent of resulting injuries could be argued to be in some way influenced by your chosen load out.
Not wanting to stuff words in ECM's mouth, but my CWP instructor says the same thing. Reloads are for fun, hunting, practice and target. Only use commercially available stuff for defense. Don't give them anything to point at.
In reply to tuna55:
I can tell you one thing, DNR gets pissy if you're loading primers into the openings of your hollowpoints for hunting 
Exactly. In your defense your lawyer will have a much better go of it if you are using commercially available ammo, preferably what the local po-po uses. Also, commercially available ammo can have better reliability rates, although I don't want to argue that point.
Mezzanine wrote: Don't hate on the Dillon 550. I own two, and only wish I'd started with a 650 every once in a while. It all comes down to the quantity you want to load versus the number of different calibers you want to handle. The 550 is a bit easier/faster/cheaper to swap calibers in, but gives up a little bit in production. Either machine will make WAY more ammo that most people need. Shooting competitively, I'd load a thousand a week, which was no big deal on a 550. Reloading is a TOTALLY separate hobby from shooting. I enjoy the methodical nature and precision. Some people just do it to get the ammo, but most reloaders I know enjoy it for what it is. Welcome to the club!
I got no problem with the 550. In fact, I just sold mine that had served me well for years. Starting from scratch, though, I'd still probably recommend the extra few bucks for a 650. It gives you WAY more expandability (case feeder, etc.) for not much more money. If a good used 550 shows up locally, though, I'd pounce on it.
The trouble right now is used stuff is selling for a premium. I sold my 550 for near retail.
jg
Mezzanine wrote: Reloading is a TOTALLY separate hobby from shooting. I enjoy the methodical nature and precision. Some people just do it to get the ammo, but most reloaders I know enjoy it for what it is.
Indeed it is, I enjoy the precision, the structure, and the simple fun of it. He needs to be prepared to get good measuring equipment and such as well. I've mainly been loading Hornady lever rev ammunition for 45 colt and 357mag, but have also loaded a metric E36 M3load of .30 carbine sabot rounds. You know, for that time when you don't want rifling on your .223 bullets. 
They're very effective against coyotes though.
Right now primers are nearly unobtainium.
to clarify, i was half asleep and typing on my phone last night, there is nothing wrong with the 550, and a lot of people say that you always want a single stage around for doing match loads or trying out different stuff. the 550 is versatile in that you can use it like a single stage by simply not rotating the turret between presses, so its a nice to have, and a good beginner press and could be all you ever need.
however, like has been said, it depends on what your goals are. do you want to shoot long distance or for accuracy and feel like commercially available match rounds are holding you back, or do you just want to make a ton of cheap blasting ammo for when you go out to the range and have fun? the answer to this will depend on the direction you want to go.
EastCoastMojo wrote: Exactly. In your defense your lawyer will have a much better go of it if you are using commercially available ammo, preferably what the local po-po uses. Also, commercially available ammo can have better reliability rates, although I don't want to argue that point.
are you implying that the prosecutor will say you loaded your ammo to be more deadly? because once you're at the point of firing at an intruder or attacker, you're already using deadly force, it makes no difference if you're shooting rubber bullets or incendiary.
Dillon 550B. I can do 3-400/hr without breaking a sweat, versus 60/hr with a single stage. I have done everything possible to a handload and not beat the accuracy of that coming off the 550B just chucking stuff through. Like ~1moa from a 223 handgun with the cheapest FMJ I could find at the time and mixed mil surp and comercial brass.
I have also had many more failures to go boom with commercial (store bought) ammo than my hand loads.
And good luck finding any primers.
Strizzo wrote:EastCoastMojo wrote: Exactly. In your defense your lawyer will have a much better go of it if you are using commercially available ammo, preferably what the local po-po uses. Also, commercially available ammo can have better reliability rates, although I don't want to argue that point.are you implying that the prosecutor will say you loaded your ammo to be more deadly? because once you're at the point of firing at an intruder or attacker, you're already using deadly force, it makes no difference if you're shooting rubber bullets or incendiary.
They can then paint you as a 'gun obsessed lunatic' and say you had an itchy trigger finger. So says my instructor, who has heard this while testifying as an expert witness.
tuna55 wrote:Strizzo wrote:They can then paint you as a 'gun obsessed lunatic' and say you had an itchy trigger finger. So says my instructor, who has heard this while testifying as an expert witness.EastCoastMojo wrote: Exactly. In your defense your lawyer will have a much better go of it if you are using commercially available ammo, preferably what the local po-po uses. Also, commercially available ammo can have better reliability rates, although I don't want to argue that point.are you implying that the prosecutor will say you loaded your ammo to be more deadly? because once you're at the point of firing at an intruder or attacker, you're already using deadly force, it makes no difference if you're shooting rubber bullets or incendiary.
they can say whatever they want, my point is that a good shoot is a good shoot, and a bad shoot is a bad shoot. the prosecutor doesn't care if you used rock salt, or rubber buckshot, or friggin fleschettes, deadly force is deadly force and if you use it without cause you're going to jail. of course, in different states there are different rules for justifying use of deadly force.
Strizzo wrote:tuna55 wrote:they can say whatever they want, my point is that a good shoot is a good shoot, and a bad shoot is a bad shoot. the prosecutor doesn't care if you used rock salt, or rubber buckshot, or friggin fleschettes, deadly force is deadly force and if you use it without cause you're going to jail. of course, in different states there are different rules for justifying use of deadly force.Strizzo wrote:They can then paint you as a 'gun obsessed lunatic' and say you had an itchy trigger finger. So says my instructor, who has heard this while testifying as an expert witness.EastCoastMojo wrote: Exactly. In your defense your lawyer will have a much better go of it if you are using commercially available ammo, preferably what the local po-po uses. Also, commercially available ammo can have better reliability rates, although I don't want to argue that point.are you implying that the prosecutor will say you loaded your ammo to be more deadly? because once you're at the point of firing at an intruder or attacker, you're already using deadly force, it makes no difference if you're shooting rubber bullets or incendiary.
missing the point, I promise
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