I love my Dillon gear... but the hostess made a very good case for Hornady gear!
If you had to do it all over again
- Thread starter MidRoad
- Start date
- Status
Idk man. I’ve seen comps and most of those guys had 650s.
And you’re right as far as fundamentals go, but in my experience, progressive presses allow for less error, especially when you use an audible powder check alarm like Dillon. It’s almost impossible to double charge anyway, but a no charge for some reason will alarm. I do advocate for a powder check, though. Hats why I didn’t go with a 550. The manual indexing demands attention. Not saying I don’t pay attention, but the 65o or the lnl with powder checks are insurance against 99.9999999999% of failures.
But you are not everyone. I bet there are 100 550s sold for every 650 and most have zero powder check capability.
Btw the competition shooters that I referred to are bench rest and other competition rifle shooters who almost never blow up a rifle...
Btw the competition shooters that I referred to are bench rest and other competition rifle shooters who almost never blow up a rifle...
They also consider a shooting more than a couple hundred rounds a hard weekend.
If I could afford a Camdex setup, I would buy one, because it isn't unheard of for me to shoot 3,000 to 5,000 rounds in a week.
Swap over time on the Dillon 650 depends on what you are swapping from/to. 45 acp, 6.5x55, 308, 30-06 and 8x57 all use the same shell plate. Swapping between any of these rifle calibers is a matter of pulling off the old head and putting on the new head... 30 seconds. Swapping to 45 acp is a head swap plus changing the case feed spacers/guides and making sure you didn't leave any rifle primers in the primer system... 3 minutes max if your gear is organized.
Swapping from any of the above to 9mm or .223 is more involved. Remove shell plate. Remove priming system. Replace large priming tube with small priming tube. Replace large priming wheel with small priming wheel. Replace large primer ram with small primer ram. Remount the priming system. Put on the 9mm shell plate. Replace the case feed spacers/guides. ... maybe about 10 minutes at a nice leisurely pace. I have considered getting a second 650 and having one for large primers and one for small primers... but the swap over really isn't that bad. I usually have enough components around that I load many thousands of a specific caliber at a time... and the 650 is really fast on handgun cartridges. It isn't like I load 100 x 9mm then swap to load 100 x 45 acp. I usually load a six month supply of any caliber at a time.
I do always throw a few cases of powder and weigh them when swapping calibers just to make sure I am throwing the amount of powder I think I am but I would do this even if I had separate presses for each caliber.
The above swap over procedures assume that you have a powder measure for each caliber/head. If you have one powder measure for multiple calibers then the swap over time will be longer because you have to swap, adjust and dial in the powder measure. I do only have one powder level check that I swap between my 9mm and 45 acp heads... that does add an extra minute or two.
Last edited:
Sure you do if you have a machine gun.
If I could afford it I would buy a modern ammo plant and mount 4 mini guns on an Airtractor so I could say I shot up 5000 rounds in one hour.
There is a first person account on the net of a man that shot up 45 cans of .30-06 GI ammo a day. That is about 11,000 rounds. And he did it for everyday for about 6 weeks.
So you have been officially been one upped.
If I could afford it I would buy a modern ammo plant and mount 4 mini guns on an Airtractor so I could say I shot up 5000 rounds in one hour.
There is a first person account on the net of a man that shot up 45 cans of .30-06 GI ammo a day. That is about 11,000 rounds. And he did it for everyday for about 6 weeks.
So you have been officially been one upped.
Last edited:
No, I think he just shoots competitively. I have had a couple of friends that easily shoot that in just informal competitions. They practice during the week and compete on the weekend. Practicing times, over and over again. From what they say it is pretty common for anyone that shoots much competition, and a reason why you want a sponsor some day that buys it all for you. Until then a progressive that spits out one recipe in the thousands per week is a necessity.
Serious doubter!
You can ignore actual experience if you like. Hilarious point of view. And I don't just mean shooting for competition. Some guys actually enjoy shooting and burn through quite a bit of ammo regularly. This is not to imply that it happens every week of the year. But when they are working hard on it and shooting a lot of competitions they need ammo now, not later this month. The couple of guys I know who do shoot a lot compete in multiple categories with different calibers. While they are serious about it is is mostly for fun for them as a hobby/recreation.
Last edited:
I am a competitive pistol shooting. In the past I was even sponsored by one of the major gun manufacturers.
And yes, it isn't every week, typically it is only during the run up to a major match, which is about 6-8 weeks a year. My non-train up period ranges from 100-200 rounds week if I just want to screw around playing 5 stand, to 500-1,000 of pistol rounds a week for a normal practice session. I've legitimately broken guns due to shooting and dry firing them too much.
ETA: And I didn't mention the 3k-5k a week as a competition to see who shoots the most. Simply as an example that different people have different needs. And mostly because I am no where near the most, I know people that make me look like a teetotaler.
And yes, it isn't every week, typically it is only during the run up to a major match, which is about 6-8 weeks a year. My non-train up period ranges from 100-200 rounds week if I just want to screw around playing 5 stand, to 500-1,000 of pistol rounds a week for a normal practice session. I've legitimately broken guns due to shooting and dry firing them too much.
ETA: And I didn't mention the 3k-5k a week as a competition to see who shoots the most. Simply as an example that different people have different needs. And mostly because I am no where near the most, I know people that make me look like a teetotaler.
Last edited:
I started out with this one
https://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press.html
I only have loaded 9mm so far but can do so at about 1/2 the cost of factory and don't get to shoot often so it took a couple years to break even but it did break even on cost.
I've since bought an LCT so yeah, long run not saving any because you always want newer better stuff
So the press wars have been hashed out plenty already I'll focus on other areas.
A lot of people say to buy multiple books, but then post about how this book has a different load than that book. So I started with one book (Lee) and bought a variety of powder and made up loads for each. Then once I was confident in my abilities I started buying other books and was able to better compare and understand the differences.
Also since your starting from scratch as I did recently, study everyone else's loading logs and development templates and training logs then take some time to use one or make your own. Record everything, you might think now you don't need that detail but years from now you might and its better to have it and not need it than to need/want it and not have it.
https://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press.html
I only have loaded 9mm so far but can do so at about 1/2 the cost of factory and don't get to shoot often so it took a couple years to break even but it did break even on cost.
I've since bought an LCT so yeah, long run not saving any because you always want newer better stuff
So the press wars have been hashed out plenty already I'll focus on other areas.
A lot of people say to buy multiple books, but then post about how this book has a different load than that book. So I started with one book (Lee) and bought a variety of powder and made up loads for each. Then once I was confident in my abilities I started buying other books and was able to better compare and understand the differences.
Also since your starting from scratch as I did recently, study everyone else's loading logs and development templates and training logs then take some time to use one or make your own. Record everything, you might think now you don't need that detail but years from now you might and its better to have it and not need it than to need/want it and not have it.
Toprudder
Member
If simply talking about load data, keep in mind that ALL of the load data in the Lee manual is simply a collection of the load data from the powder manufacturers, which are all available online. In addition, the online data will list additional information, like the specific bullet (not just a generic JHP of FMJ) as well as other pertinent info like barrel length, etc. If you have a different book, such as Lyman, then you can also access the powder manufacturer's website and have free and independent data to compare.
Elkins45
Member
I would always advise new reloaders to start with a single stage even if they know they are going to buy a progressive soon. It only adds $100 to the cost, and if you shoot enough to use a progressive then $100 isn’t much money. You learn the process intimately and you can use the dues with your progressive. And there’s always some reason to use a single stage: push-thru sizing, primer pocket swaging, decapping, collet bullet pulling, ...
rfwobbly
Member
I would have thought long and hard about what machine I'd want to have ten years down the road (which for me included retirement and thus more shooting), and spent the money up front. Changing one progressive for another was time consuming and expensive. Having to reconfigure my loading bench for the taller machine was a PIA. The change over just took way more time and trouble than ever anticipated.
Yes, there are several specialized tasks that just work better on a single stage than any other press design.
A single stage press is good to have around.
I've changed presses (actually added) several times since I started reloading. Even a single stage to single change requires re-adjusting dies. Progressives have lots of additional press specific stuff that need to be purchased for each different cartridge loaded. These days, I think long and hard before moving loading of a specific cartridge to a different press. (Side note, my presses are on free standing floor stands. I can move them aside, out of the way when not in use.)
While thinking ahead on what to buy is a worth while endeavor, being successful is akin to a shot under low light conditions.
That said, for a beginner, start simple and economical and once he has experience, go for the package that he will use until the cows come.
Bat Rastard
Member
I have been browsing here for a bit. Great forum.
I started with a Lee 1000 and did not like the powder system.
I upgraded to a 550 thirty years ago.
I recently added a RockChucker for pass through sizing.
We're I starting over I would get a 650. I would occasionally like the 5th station.
The Dillon customer service is beyond reproach.
I started with a Lee 1000 and did not like the powder system.
I upgraded to a 550 thirty years ago.
I recently added a RockChucker for pass through sizing.
We're I starting over I would get a 650. I would occasionally like the 5th station.
The Dillon customer service is beyond reproach.
marchboom
Member
With what I know now I would definitely get the Forster Co-Ax press for my single stage. That is if you plan on reloading for rifle. A chronograph opens your eyes as to what your rounds are really doing. Dillon progressive press if your doing any decent amount of pistol rounds OR if you do a lot of rounds for varmint hunting. I have the 550, which works great, but would get the 650 now.
Don't buy cheap stuff. It will be nothing but frustration and you'll wind up buying the quality equipment sooner or later. If it means waiting a few months to save the money, so be it. Some equipment is cheap for a reason. Note: Don't confuse cheap with inexpensive. Read a lot of reviews of equipment before buying. It's free advice.
If you can get out to a benchrest match look at the equipment they are using. Benchrest shooters, for the most part, only use equipment that works well. They want to win the match and usually will not settle for inferior equipment or components. Ask questions.
Find a mentor. Someone who has been at this for 10+ years. Learn from their experience. And be very careful about what you read on the internet. It can be very dangerous.
Get at least 3 reloading manuals. Don't even start reloading until you understand what the book is saying.
Don't buy cheap stuff. It will be nothing but frustration and you'll wind up buying the quality equipment sooner or later. If it means waiting a few months to save the money, so be it. Some equipment is cheap for a reason. Note: Don't confuse cheap with inexpensive. Read a lot of reviews of equipment before buying. It's free advice.
If you can get out to a benchrest match look at the equipment they are using. Benchrest shooters, for the most part, only use equipment that works well. They want to win the match and usually will not settle for inferior equipment or components. Ask questions.
Find a mentor. Someone who has been at this for 10+ years. Learn from their experience. And be very careful about what you read on the internet. It can be very dangerous.
Get at least 3 reloading manuals. Don't even start reloading until you understand what the book is saying.
Bat Rastard
Member
I wish I had kept better records. I have forgot things I learned.
Hokie_PhD
Member
So true
I’d add do some research.
For instance most inexpensive calipers made in China are the same but prices can vary quite a bit. Harbor Freight charges about $20 before discounts. The same ones with the name of a gun related company on the packaging can run two or three times as much. The same goes for scales.
In the case of inexpensive calipers they’re usually good enough. If I was competing in bench rest or other competitions I’d probably spend the good money on a set of Japanese or older American ones that have been verified for accuracy and consistency.
Most Inertia bullet pullers also seem to be made all the same with only color and packaging being the difference. Well that and price.
There are some great values out there like the Lee Classic Turret press. It’s priced low and does a great job for a low to medium press. Again it’s probably a poor choice for bench rest or other applications but for most use it’ll do what it’s intended.
Because it has gun company logos on it, so one has to beware.
I’d also add some junk is out there and some is very expensive so let the buyer beware
Nature Boy
Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2015
- Messages
- 8,256
Boy, thats the truth.
- Status
