Setting up 550b..Accessories?
Quote from Reloader on February 3, 2014, 3:19 pmI'm new to reloading and would appreciate some help choosing which accessories I need to get started.
I was thinking of getting the following;
Powder scales with dispenser hopper
Camlock case trimmer
Digital calipers
Brass Tumbler
Case Prep Multi ToolThat adds up to a lot of money and not sure of how accurate the powder hopper/dispenser that comes with the 550b is.
I know one of the stations is a case resizer...does that do the same job as the case trimmer?any thing else apart from powder,primers and bullet tips I'm forgetting about. Thanks
I'm new to reloading and would appreciate some help choosing which accessories I need to get started.
I was thinking of getting the following;
Powder scales with dispenser hopper
Camlock case trimmer
Digital calipers
Brass Tumbler
Case Prep Multi Tool
That adds up to a lot of money and not sure of how accurate the powder hopper/dispenser that comes with the 550b is.
I know one of the stations is a case resizer...does that do the same job as the case trimmer?
any thing else apart from powder,primers and bullet tips I'm forgetting about. Thanks
Quote from Reloader on February 3, 2014, 11:09 pmCase trimming is a separate operation and you will need to buy a case trimmer for that.
I have been using 2 Dillon RL550B presses for 20+ years. I have one set up for large primers and one for small primers. I have about 20 tool heads all set up in different calibers with a powder dispenser on each one so i have lots of experience with Dillon powder dispensers. I have found them to be very accurate. The variation will be a little more if you use stick powders like IMR 4895 , IMR 4350, etc., but if you stick with flake, ball or short cut stick powders the Dillon dispensers are very accurate.
Case trimming is a separate operation and you will need to buy a case trimmer for that.
I have been using 2 Dillon RL550B presses for 20+ years. I have one set up for large primers and one for small primers. I have about 20 tool heads all set up in different calibers with a powder dispenser on each one so i have lots of experience with Dillon powder dispensers. I have found them to be very accurate. The variation will be a little more if you use stick powders like IMR 4895 , IMR 4350, etc., but if you stick with flake, ball or short cut stick powders the Dillon dispensers are very accurate.
Quote from Reloader on February 4, 2014, 11:45 pmYou didn't mention what caliber you are handloading. If it's pistol cases then you probably don't need a case trimmer. (I load ~50K a year and never trim cases on 9mm).
You will need a scale to adjust your powder drop but not necessarily a separate powder drop.
Digital calipers are a almost a must.
Brass tumbler depends on how you want to prepare brass, there are many schools of thought, I tumble using stainless steel pins.
Case prep multi tool, again, depends on caliber. Unless you're loading benchrest rifle ammo, save your money. (or if you must have one, I'll make you a deal).
HTH
You didn't mention what caliber you are handloading. If it's pistol cases then you probably don't need a case trimmer. (I load ~50K a year and never trim cases on 9mm).
You will need a scale to adjust your powder drop but not necessarily a separate powder drop.
Digital calipers are a almost a must.
Brass tumbler depends on how you want to prepare brass, there are many schools of thought, I tumble using stainless steel pins.
Case prep multi tool, again, depends on caliber. Unless you're loading benchrest rifle ammo, save your money. (or if you must have one, I'll make you a deal).
HTH
Quote from Reloader on February 7, 2014, 6:55 amI would highly recommend "Lyman's Reloading Manual," 49th addition. About $27.00. I found an earlier addition (47th edition) to be very useful when I was first starting out. The beginning chapter covers the must have tools and equipment to safely reload. It is loaded with lots of useful information.
I would highly recommend "Lyman's Reloading Manual," 49th addition. About $27.00. I found an earlier addition (47th edition) to be very useful when I was first starting out. The beginning chapter covers the must have tools and equipment to safely reload. It is loaded with lots of useful information.