Lots of Quest. from New Guy
Quote from Reloader on August 1, 2011, 3:27 pmGentlemen, I know what I want to reload and think I know what reloader I want (need), but with my non-existant knowledge of reloading and no friends that reload, I am totally lost. Please help.
I want to reload Handgun & Rifle ammo (.223, .38/.357, .380 acp, 9, .45, etc). I don't want to reload more than 200-300 in a sitting......this leads me to believe I should get the 550B (correct?).
I have ordered the 550B DVD before I buy anything else (hoping this will at least dial me in for the purchase).
I understand I'll also need to buy a reloading manual (I guess for proper loads) but also need to find a really good reloading how to book or dvd.
Also, my main problem is knowing what all I need to buy.......dies, conversions, shell plates, powder bars.........it's got me dizzy and I'm just not sure what all I need.........
Is the best thing to do: order a 550B set up for 1 caliber? then just buy the other stuff as I go and need it?
(I do also understand there is other stuff to buy: scale, tumbler, media, etc). Please let me know if I'm headed down the right path or if I need to just call Dillon and get setup that way.
Thx,
Grant in Lake Havasu
Gentlemen, I know what I want to reload and think I know what reloader I want (need), but with my non-existant knowledge of reloading and no friends that reload, I am totally lost. Please help.
I want to reload Handgun & Rifle ammo (.223, .38/.357, .380 acp, 9, .45, etc). I don't want to reload more than 200-300 in a sitting......this leads me to believe I should get the 550B (correct?).
I have ordered the 550B DVD before I buy anything else (hoping this will at least dial me in for the purchase).
I understand I'll also need to buy a reloading manual (I guess for proper loads) but also need to find a really good reloading how to book or dvd.
Also, my main problem is knowing what all I need to buy.......dies, conversions, shell plates, powder bars.........it's got me dizzy and I'm just not sure what all I need.........
Is the best thing to do: order a 550B set up for 1 caliber? then just buy the other stuff as I go and need it?
(I do also understand there is other stuff to buy: scale, tumbler, media, etc). Please let me know if I'm headed down the right path or if I need to just call Dillon and get setup that way.
Thx,
Grant in Lake Havasu
Quote from Reloader on August 1, 2011, 5:46 pmEmail us and include the calibers you wish to load, and your shipping address. we can work up a quote for you of what you must have, and what you'll eventually need. For your stated volume needs the 550B is ideal. I suggest starting out loading for one handgun caliber first. Handgun calibers are easier to learn, and require fewer steps than loading rifle calibers. Once you are comfortable, then add rifle.
Email us and include the calibers you wish to load, and your shipping address. we can work up a quote for you of what you must have, and what you'll eventually need. For your stated volume needs the 550B is ideal. I suggest starting out loading for one handgun caliber first. Handgun calibers are easier to learn, and require fewer steps than loading rifle calibers. Once you are comfortable, then add rifle.
Quote from Reloader on August 2, 2011, 2:31 amVisit your local range. There will be someone from a IPCS group or NRA group or other club. You can get the contact for a board member. Contact them and most often they know someone that reloads and loves to teach people how to reload. They will either invite you over or come to your place and help you setup the reloader and get you started. I have done both for many people.
I also recommend looking on youtube.com for reloading. There are many videos on reloading on all sorts of reloaders. You can get the basics from watching them. You will find Dillon is well represented. Youtube is free advise. Not always correct but free. It will help you get started.
The Speer, Hornaday and accurate arms volume 2 reloading books have good sections on reloading, good cautions, etc. The dillon owners manual give great step by step setup and what happens at every stage. The dillon manuals are free to download.
If you have a question, stop call Dillon and go over it with them. Load a few rounds, then go test fire before loading up a whole bunch. Start with powder loads at or near start weights, never start with max. The paper cannot tell if you have a max load or a start load of powder. Make sure you reference the latest version of the manual, compare several for powder and bullet types. Start with jacketed bullets and work into lead (if that is what you want). It is cleaner that way.
Best of luck. Load safe.
Visit your local range. There will be someone from a IPCS group or NRA group or other club. You can get the contact for a board member. Contact them and most often they know someone that reloads and loves to teach people how to reload. They will either invite you over or come to your place and help you setup the reloader and get you started. I have done both for many people.
I also recommend looking on youtube.com for reloading. There are many videos on reloading on all sorts of reloaders. You can get the basics from watching them. You will find Dillon is well represented. Youtube is free advise. Not always correct but free. It will help you get started.
The Speer, Hornaday and accurate arms volume 2 reloading books have good sections on reloading, good cautions, etc. The dillon owners manual give great step by step setup and what happens at every stage. The dillon manuals are free to download.
If you have a question, stop call Dillon and go over it with them. Load a few rounds, then go test fire before loading up a whole bunch. Start with powder loads at or near start weights, never start with max. The paper cannot tell if you have a max load or a start load of powder. Make sure you reference the latest version of the manual, compare several for powder and bullet types. Start with jacketed bullets and work into lead (if that is what you want). It is cleaner that way.
Best of luck. Load safe.
Quote from Reloader on August 2, 2011, 3:36 amVisit your local range. There will be someone from a IPCS group or NRA group or other club. You can get the contact for a board member. Contact them and most often they know someone that reloads and loves to teach people how to reload. They will either invite you over or come to your place and help you setup the reloader and get you started. I have done both for many people.
I also recommend looking on youtube.com for reloading. There are many videos on reloading on all sorts of reloaders. You can get the basics from watching them. You will find Dillon is well represented. Youtube is free advise. Not always correct but free. It will help you get started.
The Speer, Hornaday and accurate arms volume 2 reloading books have good sections on reloading, good cautions, etc. The dillon owners manual give great step by step setup and what happens at every stage. The dillon manuals are free to download.
If you have a question, stop call Dillon and go over it with them. Load a few rounds, then go test fire before loading up a whole bunch. Start with powder loads at or near start weights, never start with max. The paper cannot tell if you have a max load or a start load of powder. Make sure you reference the latest version of the manual, compare several for powder and bullet types. Start with jacketed bullets and work into lead (if that is what you want). It is cleaner that way.
Best of luck. Load safe.
Visit your local range. There will be someone from a IPCS group or NRA group or other club. You can get the contact for a board member. Contact them and most often they know someone that reloads and loves to teach people how to reload. They will either invite you over or come to your place and help you setup the reloader and get you started. I have done both for many people.
I also recommend looking on youtube.com for reloading. There are many videos on reloading on all sorts of reloaders. You can get the basics from watching them. You will find Dillon is well represented. Youtube is free advise. Not always correct but free. It will help you get started.
The Speer, Hornaday and accurate arms volume 2 reloading books have good sections on reloading, good cautions, etc. The dillon owners manual give great step by step setup and what happens at every stage. The dillon manuals are free to download.
If you have a question, stop call Dillon and go over it with them. Load a few rounds, then go test fire before loading up a whole bunch. Start with powder loads at or near start weights, never start with max. The paper cannot tell if you have a max load or a start load of powder. Make sure you reference the latest version of the manual, compare several for powder and bullet types. Start with jacketed bullets and work into lead (if that is what you want). It is cleaner that way.
Best of luck. Load safe.
Quote from Reloader on August 4, 2011, 4:08 pmI think the Rl550B would be the way to go, I suggest you buy some manuals 1st and atleast 4 manuals to and idea of what you will need and also it is good to have many books so that you can cross reference between loads amd other data.. Call Dillon they will set you up and you wont be disappointed. You can also check with http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.ez.550.html the EZ Buy Plan Brian sells on his store is a great way to go along with the free shipping for orders over $400.00 & he is in cohoonts with Dillon Progressive. So that means we all are happy! Good luck on your quest..
I think the Rl550B would be the way to go, I suggest you buy some manuals 1st and atleast 4 manuals to and idea of what you will need and also it is good to have many books so that you can cross reference between loads amd other data.. Call Dillon they will set you up and you wont be disappointed. You can also check with http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.ez.550.html the EZ Buy Plan Brian sells on his store is a great way to go along with the free shipping for orders over $400.00 & he is in cohoonts with Dillon Progressive. So that means we all are happy! Good luck on your quest..
Quote from Reloader on August 5, 2011, 3:49 pmget a reloading manual first. My hornady manual goes through the reloading steps and talks about ballistics and a bunch of other good info. The reloader you choose should come with a dvd with comprehensive instructions. You Tube is also a great resource for reloading videos.
get a reloading manual first. My hornady manual goes through the reloading steps and talks about ballistics and a bunch of other good info. The reloader you choose should come with a dvd with comprehensive instructions. You Tube is also a great resource for reloading videos.
Quote from Reloader on January 14, 2012, 10:12 pmI recently bought a older RL 550 B from a co-worker that needed some clean- up and a few small parts - I love it. Like you, I don't do more than a few hundred rounds at a time. Unlike my Lee press, I've found it better to stand while operating my Dillon, even without the Strong Mount. It doesn't take extra effort to operate, it's just easier to monitor the stations while standing (and under a good light)
As far as reference materials go, the other replies have given you a good idea of what to do. I've found that powder manufacturers post limited loading info on their sites, but it is far from being all inclusive. Plated bullets are also an option that cost less than jacketed and slightly more than lead, but are cleaner and, if you own a Glock, can fired through the factory barrel.
I recently purchased a book by Patrick Sweeny called Reloading for Handgunners ($27.99) that gives good basic information of not only what to do, but what not to try, that has some reloading recipes. The NRA also sells the NRA Guide to Reloading ($19.99). It is a companion book for their hands- on course and can be helpful by itself.
I don't mean to sound like a Dillon commercial, but not only do they make a great press, the customer service has been outstanding. If you take care of you press, keep it clean and properly lubricated, it will reward you with consistent, reliable ammunition.
Be safe!
I recently bought a older RL 550 B from a co-worker that needed some clean- up and a few small parts - I love it. Like you, I don't do more than a few hundred rounds at a time. Unlike my Lee press, I've found it better to stand while operating my Dillon, even without the Strong Mount. It doesn't take extra effort to operate, it's just easier to monitor the stations while standing (and under a good light)
As far as reference materials go, the other replies have given you a good idea of what to do. I've found that powder manufacturers post limited loading info on their sites, but it is far from being all inclusive. Plated bullets are also an option that cost less than jacketed and slightly more than lead, but are cleaner and, if you own a Glock, can fired through the factory barrel.
I recently purchased a book by Patrick Sweeny called Reloading for Handgunners ($27.99) that gives good basic information of not only what to do, but what not to try, that has some reloading recipes. The NRA also sells the NRA Guide to Reloading ($19.99). It is a companion book for their hands- on course and can be helpful by itself.
I don't mean to sound like a Dillon commercial, but not only do they make a great press, the customer service has been outstanding. If you take care of you press, keep it clean and properly lubricated, it will reward you with consistent, reliable ammunition.
Be safe!