New to reloading and completely lost
Quote from Reloader on March 1, 2011, 2:36 pmI have been thinking of taking up reloading as a hobby recently and I realize that i know absolutely nothing in terms of what do i need to purchase to get up and running. I currently would only need 9mm and .380, I'm also looking into the xl650 and was wondering if any other users felt this would be a good first machine. I want to reload for the sense of accomplishment and not so much trying to save on cost of ammo.
I'm a complete virgin, no idea what I need. Help me make a shopping list!
I have been thinking of taking up reloading as a hobby recently and I realize that i know absolutely nothing in terms of what do i need to purchase to get up and running. I currently would only need 9mm and .380, I'm also looking into the xl650 and was wondering if any other users felt this would be a good first machine. I want to reload for the sense of accomplishment and not so much trying to save on cost of ammo.
I'm a complete virgin, no idea what I need. Help me make a shopping list!
Quote from Reloader on March 1, 2011, 7:10 pmWelcome to Reloading. I have purchased in the past other progressive reloaders and have thrown them in the trash. I am waiting on a new XL650 i just ordered. I have seen these in action and I am truly impressed. I think this would be a great machine. I would not waste my time trying the lower cost units as I think you will end up getting a Dillon in the end. When you get a machine get to know every detail on how it works up front, practice with it for a few rounds before you start packing in the components.
I just ordered the following:
XL650 WITH A CASE FEEDER
9MM DIES
STRONG MOUNT
2 EXTRA PRIMER FEED TUBES
SPARE PARTS KIT
CALIPERS TO MEASURE OVERALL BULLET LENGTHIF YOU TAKE THE DILLON WEB PAGE USE THE INTERACTIVE PURCHASING GUIDE AND IT WILL WALK YOU RIGHT THROUGH IT.
Welcome to Reloading. I have purchased in the past other progressive reloaders and have thrown them in the trash. I am waiting on a new XL650 i just ordered. I have seen these in action and I am truly impressed. I think this would be a great machine. I would not waste my time trying the lower cost units as I think you will end up getting a Dillon in the end. When you get a machine get to know every detail on how it works up front, practice with it for a few rounds before you start packing in the components.
I just ordered the following:
XL650 WITH A CASE FEEDER
9MM DIES
STRONG MOUNT
2 EXTRA PRIMER FEED TUBES
SPARE PARTS KIT
CALIPERS TO MEASURE OVERALL BULLET LENGTH
IF YOU TAKE THE DILLON WEB PAGE USE THE INTERACTIVE PURCHASING GUIDE AND IT WILL WALK YOU RIGHT THROUGH IT.
Quote from Reloader on March 3, 2011, 3:03 amI think you are the on the right track talking to Dillon Precision. I would find someone at a local range that reloads and ask for help. Everyone that reloads in my area would be more than willing to help a new Person. The interactive page is easy to use.
I think you are the on the right track talking to Dillon Precision. I would find someone at a local range that reloads and ask for help. Everyone that reloads in my area would be more than willing to help a new Person. The interactive page is easy to use.
Quote from Reloader on March 7, 2011, 2:41 pmBillshoemake just about summed it up. As for your shopping list all you really need is the press, dies, calipers, and scale. The strong mount, spare parts kit, and extra tubes are more of a luxury (and a nice one) I would STRONGLY recommend a quick change kit if you're going to reload multiple calibers. It will save you hours in the long run and just make life easier. Prepare to spend hours getting the machine set up and the dies set. Especially being a newbie. Once you get the dies set correctly it's a piece of cake. Good luck!
Billshoemake just about summed it up. As for your shopping list all you really need is the press, dies, calipers, and scale. The strong mount, spare parts kit, and extra tubes are more of a luxury (and a nice one) I would STRONGLY recommend a quick change kit if you're going to reload multiple calibers. It will save you hours in the long run and just make life easier. Prepare to spend hours getting the machine set up and the dies set. Especially being a newbie. Once you get the dies set correctly it's a piece of cake. Good luck!
Quote from Reloader on March 12, 2011, 6:49 pmI was in your position a few years ago, so I can appreciate your nervousness. I agree with the posts made so far. I would also encourage you to talk to someone who actually reloads - we are more than happy to share our "best practices" as well as the mistakes we made while learning. Most of us will also give you a demo with our machines, so you can see how it works.
Call Dillon, explain what you want to do, and they will be extremely helpful (and patient!) explaining what you need. I also recommend getting the Quickchange tool package - it makes caliber swaps a LOT faster and easier! You also must have a powder scale - balance beam or electronic - to confirm your powder charge. A primer flip tray, and a couple extra primer pickup tubes are also well worth getting.
Full disclosure - I freely admit my favorable bias towards Dillon equipment, but it's based on real-world experience with their equipment and their excellent service. I have a Dillon XL650, strong mount, case feeder, Dillon dies in both handgun and rifle. I have Quickchange setups for my calibers. I had used some non-Dillon dies when I first started, that worked okay, but not up to the consistent standards achieved with the Dillon dies. I strongly encourage you to get Dillon equipment - it may cost a bit more up front, but it is well worth it. And their "No BS" guarantee is just that - I had a part break, called Dillon, explained what happened, and they immediately shipped me a new part, no cost.
I was in your position a few years ago, so I can appreciate your nervousness. I agree with the posts made so far. I would also encourage you to talk to someone who actually reloads - we are more than happy to share our "best practices" as well as the mistakes we made while learning. Most of us will also give you a demo with our machines, so you can see how it works.
Call Dillon, explain what you want to do, and they will be extremely helpful (and patient!) explaining what you need. I also recommend getting the Quickchange tool package - it makes caliber swaps a LOT faster and easier! You also must have a powder scale - balance beam or electronic - to confirm your powder charge. A primer flip tray, and a couple extra primer pickup tubes are also well worth getting.
Full disclosure - I freely admit my favorable bias towards Dillon equipment, but it's based on real-world experience with their equipment and their excellent service. I have a Dillon XL650, strong mount, case feeder, Dillon dies in both handgun and rifle. I have Quickchange setups for my calibers. I had used some non-Dillon dies when I first started, that worked okay, but not up to the consistent standards achieved with the Dillon dies. I strongly encourage you to get Dillon equipment - it may cost a bit more up front, but it is well worth it. And their "No BS" guarantee is just that - I had a part break, called Dillon, explained what happened, and they immediately shipped me a new part, no cost.
Quote from Reloader on March 17, 2011, 3:58 pmI was in a similar boat with only having reloaded rifle rounds using a single stage press. I was very hesitant to attempt a progressive press but found that my fingers and pistol case don't get along too well so I took the plunge. Two weeks ago I ordered a XL650 for doing pistol rounds and found that it took about 4 hours to get it all set-up. I used the manual to do this with-out any problems as it is well written. The first hundred rounds of 45 acp took me about 45 minutes to load. The following day I was familiar with the feel and function of the press and cranked out 200 rounds in 19 minutes. I have to say I am very pleased with my new press!!! The only suggestion I could possibly make to Dillion is to include a clearer picture of the top of the primer magazine with the low primer warning system installed.
I was in a similar boat with only having reloaded rifle rounds using a single stage press. I was very hesitant to attempt a progressive press but found that my fingers and pistol case don't get along too well so I took the plunge. Two weeks ago I ordered a XL650 for doing pistol rounds and found that it took about 4 hours to get it all set-up. I used the manual to do this with-out any problems as it is well written. The first hundred rounds of 45 acp took me about 45 minutes to load. The following day I was familiar with the feel and function of the press and cranked out 200 rounds in 19 minutes. I have to say I am very pleased with my new press!!! The only suggestion I could possibly make to Dillion is to include a clearer picture of the top of the primer magazine with the low primer warning system installed.
Quote from Reloader on April 1, 2011, 6:26 pmDillon is the way to go, I personally don't own a Dillon yet but I did just reload 500 44 magnums on my friend from works XL650 press. By the time we got done I was telling myself I could never go and start with a single stage press after that experience. I will deffinitely get a XL650 as my first reloader. When I do get one I will have the quick change setups because I have 9mm, 45acp, and a 44 mag I shoot on a regular basis.
Dillon is the way to go, I personally don't own a Dillon yet but I did just reload 500 44 magnums on my friend from works XL650 press. By the time we got done I was telling myself I could never go and start with a single stage press after that experience. I will deffinitely get a XL650 as my first reloader. When I do get one I will have the quick change setups because I have 9mm, 45acp, and a 44 mag I shoot on a regular basis.
Quote from Reloader on April 10, 2011, 10:13 pmFor the .380, I ended up buying the Dillon .380 dies and I think the shell plate for my XL650. All other dies seemed to make it finicky. It was worth my efforts to do that, because I started turning out quality ammo, much easier. Now when I go shooting all my friends seem to bring their .380's czu we can afford to shoot it. Around here it costs about 27.00 a box. I can reload it easily for about 11 c a shot with cast bullets.
For the .380, I ended up buying the Dillon .380 dies and I think the shell plate for my XL650. All other dies seemed to make it finicky. It was worth my efforts to do that, because I started turning out quality ammo, much easier. Now when I go shooting all my friends seem to bring their .380's czu we can afford to shoot it. Around here it costs about 27.00 a box. I can reload it easily for about 11 c a shot with cast bullets.