Loading machines

[6132expert]

I will be using the press for

556, 308, 300blk, 30-06, 270, 30-30, 40s&w , 38 S&W, 380 acp, 9mm, and whatever else I may wind up with in the future.

[bgc]

A progressive is an excellent choice for your pistol loads. It takes way too long to load pistol in an O press and you will never notice the variances in the performance.

[weaponizer]

6132expert, let me throw something else in the mix...As i said earlier, i have a Dillon RL450, and being that you're new to reloading you probably don't know that its a giant solid press, it doesn't have the removable die holder that the RL550 has, and to me its a good thing, because i sometimes use it as a single stage press, and man i get tons of leverage from it...One more thing about progressives, (especially if you're a litte ocd) you can't clean the primer pockets the way its set up, i don't know about everyone else but  after a few loadings i have to clean them but that just me.. :)

[6132expert]

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=646599&cm_mmc=Froogle-_-Reloading%20-%20Metallic%20Reloading%20Presses-_-PriceCompListing-_-646599

http://www.cabelas.com/ensemble/Shooting/Reloading/Presses-Dies%7C/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/104516280/RCBS-Turret-Press-and-Deluxe-Kit/5599.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3D733680%26WT.tsrc%3DCSE%26WT.mc_id%3Dpricegrabber%26WT.z_mc_id1%3D733680%26rid%3D40%26mr%3AreferralID%3D1a4b14db-ca77-11e0-9e9c-001b2166c62d&WTz_l=CSE%3Bprd733680

I have narrowed things down to these twp set ups. I really like the turet press!!

[Dusty44]

Sometimes my reloading is more fun and more relaxing than shooting.  Also,  I can reload on cold or rainy days or in the middle of the night.  It just don't get no better!

Now:  I started with a Lee Loader.  My first couple of thousand rounds of reloaded ammo were 357 Mag done with a Lee Loader.  I used the measure cup and a 'moderate' powder.  I was always nervous about that ammo,  but the revolver was gracious enough to hold together.  Know the weight of your powder charges!!  Currently I have a Lee Loader for each caliber I shoot if only because they are cheap.  I do not have a place to set up a real loading press nor do I shoot enough rounds in any given caliber/loading to justify the expense  (I am continually experimenting with powders and bullets).  All my priming is done with the Lee Loader.  It is slow and I am thinking about buying a priming tool,  but I like the satisfaction of the full involvement with seating the primers properly and the associated 100% inspection of each primer and case as I go through the process.  I use a Lee hand press with Lee and other dies and the loaders in an uneven mix depending on the caliber and sometimes on the bullet being loaded.  I have two beam scales but prefer the little Lee and weigh every powder charge to a hundredth of a grain.  I load  308 Win (for a DPMS and two bolt guns),  7MM RM,  44 RM (for a lever gun and a revolver),  357 Mag (for two revolvers).  I have the capability for 45 ACP and 9 MM Luger  but do not shoot enough of those to be worth the trouble and lose most of the cases in the gun range environment anyway.  I will add 223/5.56 NATO if and when I buy (a?) rifle(s) that use that cartridge (an AR style rifle and the Mossberg that uses the NATO mags?).  I am wondering about 416 Rigby or else 416 Ruger and will load that ammo if and when.  (I found an article/commentary that said the Ruger 416 cartridge works very well with Reloder 15!  How can anybody possibly resist trying it?).  The equipment I use for reloading is  simple and basic but the ammo is as good as it gets for the majority of us.

Somewhere in this forum is extensive coverage of the equipment that members have used and/or prefer for reloading,  techniques,  problems solved, and almost everything else.  Enjoy the time reading!

The real problem,  after a while,  is figuring out if you are shooting so you can reload the empties or if you are reloading the fired cases so you can shoot?  And then you find yourself buying new guns in other calibers just so you can try shooting that caliber/kind of ammo/kind of gun so you can reload that ammo. .  .    .

[weaponizer]

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=646599&cm_mmc=Froogle-_-Reloading%20-%20Metallic%20Reloading%20Presses-_-PriceCompListing-_-646599

http://www.cabelas.com/ensemble/Shooting/Reloading/Presses-Dies%7C/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/104516280/RCBS-Turret-Press-and-Deluxe-Kit/5599.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3D733680%26WT.tsrc%3DCSE%26WT.mc_id%3Dpricegrabber%26WT.z_mc_id1%3D733680%26rid%3D40%26mr%3AreferralID%3D1a4b14db-ca77-11e0-9e9c-001b2166c62d&WTz_l=CSE%3Bprd733680

I have narrowed things down to these twp set ups. I really like the turet press!!

If i have to pick one of those i would pick the Rock Chucker, over the turrent...Remember once your dies are set you can change them back and forth...

[imschur]

Hey guys dont forget to support those that support this site. Sinclair International over on the right side bar is part of the Brownells family of sites. Their specialty is reloading.

[6132expert]

I will be ordering from Sinclairs when I get ready, I just had a look and looks good to me.

[6132expert]

What I like about the turret press is that I would be able to use it as a single stage or progressive press. I also like the fact that once I do get my dies set they are there. If I want to change calibers then all I have to do is change the turret head.

Also I know a guy that does a lot of reloading, would it be worth the time to get him to show me how t do it, or would it be best for me to learn on my own( always has been the best way for me).

[imschur]

I will be ordering from Sinclairs when I get ready, I just had a look and looks good to me.

All things being equal. Dont spend a bunch more just to use them. I just like to remind folks that Brownells is not the cheapest but that is due in part for helping sites like this one even in these crappy economic times.

[imschur]

What I like about the turret press is that I would be able to use it as a single stage or progressive press. I also like the fact that once I do get my dies set they are there. If I want to change calibers then all I have to do is change the turret head.

Also I know a guy that does a lot of reloading, would it be worth the time to get him to show me how t do it, or would it be best for me to learn on my own( always has been the best way for me).

Anytime you could spend time with somebody it's a good thing. You get their experience and learn from their mistakes.

[6132expert]

All things being equal. Dont spend a bunch more just to use them. I just like to remind folks that Brownells is not the cheapest but that is due in part for helping sites like this one even in these crappy economic times.

10 bucks difference and if it helps the site I am glad to hand out 10 more bucks.

[hobbesgunner]

I started out with Lee anniversary kit years ago..it was an inexpensive intro to reloading...having replaced most pieces with green and the other red press components I don't want to disparage Lee products...they sell on a lower price point and. I think you get a great deal for the $$$$....some things they make I prefer over others...have RCBS and digital scales but still use Lee scale..just as accurate and balances faster...same with their hand primer and carbide pistol. dies..prefer over the others

[hobbesgunner]

Afterthought.....when and if you replace components with bigger and better, pass your old equipment on to someone else to get them started...I did and now my brother has a new hobby and saves a couple bucks ....and shoots more

[fr3db3ar]

<laughs> Let's face it.....if you reload you don't save money.....you just shoot more for the same money.  <laughs>

[imschur]

<laughs> Let's face it.....if you reload you don't save money.....you just shoot more for the same money.  <laughs>

I bacame OCD with reloading. It cost me a fortune to shoot. i became obssessed with auotmating, simplifying and improving quality. If my life didnt explode I was days away from adding motion control hardware and a touchscreen to a reloading press "Just Cuz".

Hey 6132expert have you considered trading shooting stuff you dont use for reloading equipment?

[weaponizer]

Here's what you have to look forward to, and i'm not even showing the bullet casting or the real precision stuff..

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[imschur]

I got wood  ;D

[weaponizer]

<lmao>

[imschur]

Actually "It Moved" but I didn't want to commit that to print  <laughs>

[survivalshop]

You can use the Dillon 550B as a single stage or progressive.

I do it a lot ,because I size & deprime my brass before I clean it .

I also hand prime all my ammo . Nothing against the priming systems of loaders , I like to feel my primers seat.

I also taper crimp in a separate operation ,mostly on my single stage press.I like to feel it also.

Just the way I do things . The Dillon makes quick work of the sizing operation .

The single stage is a good idea ,but as said you can set the Dillon up & use it as a single stage .

[ponchoG8]

I am setting up my dillon 550b now. Im reloading. 223 first and just got my caliber conversion kit.  Still need dies and case prep stuff as well. Just putting parts together.

[ponchoG8]

I have a dillon rl550b and am just about ready to start using it. I primed my brass and I like the machine because I can use it single or progressive.