New reloaders starting with a Dillon ?
Quote from Reloader on February 12, 2014, 4:38 am.
Do you get many new reloaders who start their first reloading experience with a Dillon ?
Do you have any idea on what the number of neophytes starting with Dillons is ?
There are still folks who recommend that newbies start with a single-station press and use that for a few years before considering a Dillon.
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Do you get many new reloaders who start their first reloading experience with a Dillon ?
Do you have any idea on what the number of neophytes starting with Dillons is ?
There are still folks who recommend that newbies start with a single-station press and use that for a few years before considering a Dillon.
.
Quote from Reloader on February 12, 2014, 5:14 pmWe do get a large number of entry level customers starting directly with a progressive machine. The learning curve is identical for either a single-stage or a progressive machine, so no reason to buy a single stage first, only to abandon its use in a short period of time.
You start by setting up the machine, which does exactly what a single stage does, but all the steps are next to each other. Then run just one piece of brass through all the steps, until it is a reloaded cartridge. Continue doing this, studying what each step is, and how the machine functions, until you are comfortable enough to add more brass, and load in a progressive manner.
We do get a large number of entry level customers starting directly with a progressive machine. The learning curve is identical for either a single-stage or a progressive machine, so no reason to buy a single stage first, only to abandon its use in a short period of time.
You start by setting up the machine, which does exactly what a single stage does, but all the steps are next to each other. Then run just one piece of brass through all the steps, until it is a reloaded cartridge. Continue doing this, studying what each step is, and how the machine functions, until you are comfortable enough to add more brass, and load in a progressive manner.
Quote from Reloader on February 16, 2014, 5:10 amI have just started with the 550b and that is what I am doing . Just running one cartridge thru at a time until I get the hang of it. You still put out a good number of shells by doing it that way.
I have just started with the 550b and that is what I am doing . Just running one cartridge thru at a time until I get the hang of it. You still put out a good number of shells by doing it that way.
Quote from Reloader on February 17, 2014, 3:59 amI stared on a 550B about 10 years ago and i easily produced over 10k rounds.... that's with taking 7 years off. This was my very first press. In that time I have only had one squib, that's because I wasn't paying close enough attention to the process... but that hasn't happened since the first 1k rounds. I might have gone with a 650, but I didn't know then that I wanted a casing feeder. That being said, I haven't thought once about getting rid of it.
I stared on a 550B about 10 years ago and i easily produced over 10k rounds.... that's with taking 7 years off. This was my very first press. In that time I have only had one squib, that's because I wasn't paying close enough attention to the process... but that hasn't happened since the first 1k rounds. I might have gone with a 650, but I didn't know then that I wanted a casing feeder. That being said, I haven't thought once about getting rid of it.
Quote from Reloader on February 17, 2014, 4:12 pmI don't know why people keep suggesting this. I was told the same thing and I kind of ignored the advice and I'm glad I did. I started on my xl 650 last year and after diving in head first feel like it was a good choice for me. I did a lot of reading before doing anything but it isn't that tough. you will have some hicups but dillon did a great job of idiot proofing the 650. i find less of a chance for double powder charges because if you buy the powder checker it yells at you. that being said I havent had a double charge yet just a couple of low charges that the powder checker caught. weather you go single stage or progressive there is going to be some heavy cost involved. why spend a little less money on a single stage press that you are going to want to upgrade in a year then spend more. watch some youtube videos (XOBO solwind and socal preppers helped me a lot), do your homework and you will be fine.
I don't know why people keep suggesting this. I was told the same thing and I kind of ignored the advice and I'm glad I did. I started on my xl 650 last year and after diving in head first feel like it was a good choice for me. I did a lot of reading before doing anything but it isn't that tough. you will have some hicups but dillon did a great job of idiot proofing the 650. i find less of a chance for double powder charges because if you buy the powder checker it yells at you. that being said I havent had a double charge yet just a couple of low charges that the powder checker caught. weather you go single stage or progressive there is going to be some heavy cost involved. why spend a little less money on a single stage press that you are going to want to upgrade in a year then spend more. watch some youtube videos (XOBO solwind and socal preppers helped me a lot), do your homework and you will be fine.
Quote from Reloader on February 19, 2014, 11:11 pmI started with my 550b about 14 years ago. I have since loaded somewhere between 80-100k rounds. I never owned a single stage press before I got the Dillon but I did have some reloading experience with my old Mec shotshell loader. That said, I don't see any reason why people continually say to start with a single stage press when the Dillon is so user friendly and the customer service is, well, NO BS still to this day.
I started with my 550b about 14 years ago. I have since loaded somewhere between 80-100k rounds. I never owned a single stage press before I got the Dillon but I did have some reloading experience with my old Mec shotshell loader. That said, I don't see any reason why people continually say to start with a single stage press when the Dillon is so user friendly and the customer service is, well, NO BS still to this day.
Quote from Reloader on February 22, 2014, 1:56 amI started with a 550B 7 years ago and doing 5 pistol and 2 rifle and never looked back.The only advice I have is to start out with Unique, it's hard to overload.
I started with a 550B 7 years ago and doing 5 pistol and 2 rifle and never looked back.The only advice I have is to start out with Unique, it's hard to overload.
Quote from Reloader on March 11, 2014, 8:05 amI also started with a Dillon Press 16 years ago. The AT 500; throughout the years I've loaded, there were periods I loaded and shot often and there were also periods I left everything packed up (USA Ret). I have just recently put things back together and into full production again.
I had the option to make several upgrades to my press as my skills progressed. I believe the AT 500 is essentially what is being called the BL 550 today and affords the reloader those options.. Anyhow, I feel I made a great decision with going with the Dillon Press. I have never had an issue that was due to equipment. On the flip side, I have had several user error issues but was able to figure things out one way or another. There is a wealth of information at your fingertips these days through forums, reviews, information sharing....
Starting out with the AT 500 was and excellent choice for me and has worked out ideally.
It's been a great and continuing journey for me.
Be safe,
FishAK
I also started with a Dillon Press 16 years ago. The AT 500; throughout the years I've loaded, there were periods I loaded and shot often and there were also periods I left everything packed up (USA Ret). I have just recently put things back together and into full production again.
I had the option to make several upgrades to my press as my skills progressed. I believe the AT 500 is essentially what is being called the BL 550 today and affords the reloader those options.. Anyhow, I feel I made a great decision with going with the Dillon Press. I have never had an issue that was due to equipment. On the flip side, I have had several user error issues but was able to figure things out one way or another. There is a wealth of information at your fingertips these days through forums, reviews, information sharing....
Starting out with the AT 500 was and excellent choice for me and has worked out ideally.
It's been a great and continuing journey for me.
Be safe,
FishAK