Maxinquaye
Member
I dunno about Uncle Don, but 400 rounds an hour is a nice slow pace on my Loadmaster, visually checking each powder charge and taking my time.
progressive reloader ; lee or Dillon
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Mooster1223
Member
I can load between 550-600 on my Hornady LNL AP (if I have the primer tubes already loaded). It's easy to check for a powder charge on this press. You have to look at the case before you put the bullet on top and the powder level is plainly visable in the case. It's possible to double chare on the LNL (since the shell plate is rotated in the first and last 2" of travel). But since I have to actually look at the case to be sure that the bullet is being placed in the correct spot (on top of the case), a powder check die is too redundant.
Keith
Keith
MoNsTeR
Member
Yes, it is.*
I used a Lee 4-hole auto-index turret for a while before venturing into the land of progressive presses. The priming system on the Lee is a joke; to load with any rhythm, much less speed, it is necessary to begin with primed cases. Having to at least decap and prime in seperate operations already kills the speed, then of course you must pull the handle 2 or 3 more times on every round. Then after maybe 3000 rounds the index rod bushing wears out or breaks.
Now that I have a progressive, the turret sits in the corner rusting silently. I appreciate the service it gave, especially for the ~$60 it cost me, but compared to reasonable alternatives it's just junk.
*: IMHO, of course, all judgments of worth being inherently subjective.
I hadn't checked this thread in a little while - it's really grown. Since I only usually only load 50 rounds at a time, I use the LM like a 550 in that I add a case, a bullet and pull the handle with the case feeder removed. Since I don't have to manually index, it still puts out around 600 rounds an hour this way.
I had about 500 45s to do recently. I put the case feeder back on and timed myself for three minutes and averaged 22 rounds a minute without pushing it which comes to 1320 rounds an hour. Given that you have to replenish components, I can still easily do 1100 rounds per hour. I attribute part of the speed to the shorter handle stroke - it adds up after 500 rounds.
Last summer, a guy I met at the gun club was going on about his POS LM and saying the same things I'm hearing here. I offered to look at it and he took me up on it. He watched as I re-adjusted it to how it was supposed to be set up, replaced a $1.00 part he destroyed because of it and he's now happy and running like a banchi.
Not too long ago on Glock Talk, I heard someone who had the same sentiments and offered his old LM to someone for the shipping. I offered to not only pay the shipping but give him $50 for his packing trouble. He didn't take me up on it but I would make the same offer here. Any takers?
Sorry for the length but someone asked if I had used a Dillon - the answer is yes and no. I tried someones 550 and found it too slow and a bit dangerous in that if you lose your conentration just a little, a double charge could happen. I have not used a 650 but pulled the handle on one in the store. It looks like a quality press for sure, but over-engineered for what it needs to be to get the job done. That engineering and lifetime warrantly to cover ham handed people commands a price.
I had about 500 45s to do recently. I put the case feeder back on and timed myself for three minutes and averaged 22 rounds a minute without pushing it which comes to 1320 rounds an hour. Given that you have to replenish components, I can still easily do 1100 rounds per hour. I attribute part of the speed to the shorter handle stroke - it adds up after 500 rounds.
Last summer, a guy I met at the gun club was going on about his POS LM and saying the same things I'm hearing here. I offered to look at it and he took me up on it. He watched as I re-adjusted it to how it was supposed to be set up, replaced a $1.00 part he destroyed because of it and he's now happy and running like a banchi.
Not too long ago on Glock Talk, I heard someone who had the same sentiments and offered his old LM to someone for the shipping. I offered to not only pay the shipping but give him $50 for his packing trouble. He didn't take me up on it but I would make the same offer here. Any takers?
Sorry for the length but someone asked if I had used a Dillon - the answer is yes and no. I tried someones 550 and found it too slow and a bit dangerous in that if you lose your conentration just a little, a double charge could happen. I have not used a 650 but pulled the handle on one in the store. It looks like a quality press for sure, but over-engineered for what it needs to be to get the job done. That engineering and lifetime warrantly to cover ham handed people commands a price.
The question about the Dillon 550B being worth 3 times more than the Lee turrent press begs a response. It is easily 3 times more efficient and higher quality construction to boot.
I wore out a new Lee turrent press loading pistol ammo. I have loaded more ammo (rifle and pistol) on an older, used Dillon press than I ever did on the Lee press and the Dillon is just as tight and smooth as when I bought it. Now onto why the 550B (or any progressive) is worth 3 times what a Lee turrent press costs:
A turrent press holds several dies at once, but pulling the handle only performs a reloading step on a single, solitary case. It takes 3 or 4 handle strokes to reload a single round of ammo.
A progressive press performs reloading steps on 3-5 cartridges with one pull of the handle and a loaded round is generally ejected after each handle stroke.
I wore out a new Lee turrent press loading pistol ammo. I have loaded more ammo (rifle and pistol) on an older, used Dillon press than I ever did on the Lee press and the Dillon is just as tight and smooth as when I bought it. Now onto why the 550B (or any progressive) is worth 3 times what a Lee turrent press costs:
A turrent press holds several dies at once, but pulling the handle only performs a reloading step on a single, solitary case. It takes 3 or 4 handle strokes to reload a single round of ammo.
A progressive press performs reloading steps on 3-5 cartridges with one pull of the handle and a loaded round is generally ejected after each handle stroke.
cottontoptexan
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2004
- Messages
- 85
Directed to 1911 User
I only load single stage for my shooting does not require a press which turns out much ammo in a short time. QUESTION: I do not know what you mean when you say the auto disc does not work with fine powders. I am not being critical of anything you wrote but can you elaborate. I do not want to get squib loads. I use WW231 and have used the auto disc for years. After flaring the cases in which the powder is automatically dumped i check each one in a loading block. Maybe 231 meters okay , it does for me. I have had no problems, but then again i am one of those whom clean primer pockets and inspect the brass after resizing. Let me know of what powders can cause problems. I also dump WW296 on the 357 Lee press with another auto disc. I feel i would not trust it for large volumes of rifle powder though and that is why i use my RCBS Uniflow for those. Curt
I only load single stage for my shooting does not require a press which turns out much ammo in a short time. QUESTION: I do not know what you mean when you say the auto disc does not work with fine powders. I am not being critical of anything you wrote but can you elaborate. I do not want to get squib loads. I use WW231 and have used the auto disc for years. After flaring the cases in which the powder is automatically dumped i check each one in a loading block. Maybe 231 meters okay , it does for me. I have had no problems, but then again i am one of those whom clean primer pockets and inspect the brass after resizing. Let me know of what powders can cause problems. I also dump WW296 on the 357 Lee press with another auto disc. I feel i would not trust it for large volumes of rifle powder though and that is why i use my RCBS Uniflow for those. Curt
cottontoptexan,
I had a problem with AA#7 (I think) getting in the gap between the disk and bottom of the plastic powder hopper causing stiff movement of the disk. I suspect the squib loads were caused by the disk being temporarily jammed for one cycle of the turrent. AA#7 is a fine ball powder and will fit into tiny spaces. If your disk moves freely while dispensing powder, then you don't have a problem. I didn't notice the disk sticking on mine until later. Once I changed back to Unique/Blue Dot type flake powder, the problem disappeared with the auto disk.
W231 isn't a very small powder IIRC so I wouldn't expect problems using it. Be careful with really fine powders though.
I had a problem with AA#7 (I think) getting in the gap between the disk and bottom of the plastic powder hopper causing stiff movement of the disk. I suspect the squib loads were caused by the disk being temporarily jammed for one cycle of the turrent. AA#7 is a fine ball powder and will fit into tiny spaces. If your disk moves freely while dispensing powder, then you don't have a problem. I didn't notice the disk sticking on mine until later. Once I changed back to Unique/Blue Dot type flake powder, the problem disappeared with the auto disk.
W231 isn't a very small powder IIRC so I wouldn't expect problems using it. Be careful with really fine powders though.
JA
Member
I was not comparing the Lee Turret press to the Dillon 550B but the high quality Lyman and/or RCBS turret presses.
If I had been comparing the Lee Turret press to the Dillon 550B it would have been 6 or 7 times depending if the Lee Turret press was the auto indexing or manual indexing model. Dillon 550B=$350 Vs. Lee Turret=$48 or $58.
The problem with the Auto Disk powder measure was not the fine grained powder but with how tight the screw on each side of the powder hopper that holds it on the measure were tightened. If they are loose there will be a large enough gap between the hopper and the disk so powder can work it's way in between the hopper/disk causing problems. I.E. locking up and resulting in powder not being dropped in a case. Also if any looseness of the hopper is noticed you should not tighten the screws. The powder should be dumped from the measure and the hopper removed. Clean any powder granules from the bottom of the hopper and the top of the disk. Then reassemble the measure making sure the hopper is real tight but not so tight as to keep the disk from moving or taking too much force to move it.
If this is not done any powder grains trapped between the hopper/disk will cause problems.
If I had been comparing the Lee Turret press to the Dillon 550B it would have been 6 or 7 times depending if the Lee Turret press was the auto indexing or manual indexing model. Dillon 550B=$350 Vs. Lee Turret=$48 or $58.
The problem with the Auto Disk powder measure was not the fine grained powder but with how tight the screw on each side of the powder hopper that holds it on the measure were tightened. If they are loose there will be a large enough gap between the hopper and the disk so powder can work it's way in between the hopper/disk causing problems. I.E. locking up and resulting in powder not being dropped in a case. Also if any looseness of the hopper is noticed you should not tighten the screws. The powder should be dumped from the measure and the hopper removed. Clean any powder granules from the bottom of the hopper and the top of the disk. Then reassemble the measure making sure the hopper is real tight but not so tight as to keep the disk from moving or taking too much force to move it.
If this is not done any powder grains trapped between the hopper/disk will cause problems.
"I wore out a new Lee turrent press loading pistol ammo. I have loaded more ammo (rifle and pistol) on an older, used Dillon press than I ever did on the Lee press and the Dillon is just as tight and smooth as when I bought it. Now onto why the 550B (or any progressive) is worth 3 times what a Lee turrent press costs:"
That is comparing apples to oragnes but now that you mention it - your wearing out a Lee Turret Press means you are ham handing equipment. The fact that it didn't happen with the Dillon is a testiment to the over-engineering Mike Dillion puts into them for just that purpose. I'm not saying they are not high quality presses but he also caters to a market of people who use far more strength reloading than is necessary by offering a lifetime no BS warranty and beefing them up - then charging three times more for it. If you don't belive that, just scan the boards and see how many people destroy parts (most admit it as their own fault) and then brag about taking advantage of the free parts. Somebody has to pay for that and it's those people who don't destroy parts. I'd rather pay for my parts if needed and let those that destroy them pay for their own.
I've had a Lee Turret Press for at least 10 years and while I now use a progressive for handgun loads, I used to use it for everything and my estimate is around 40 thousand rounds through it. It works today like it did new but I lube it now and them and set the dies properly to do their work at the very top of the stroke for each station so it isn't necessary to put excess stress on the handle to do the job.
BTW - I'm not comparing the two directly, but I can easily load 250 handgun rounds an hour on my Turret Press. I hear of many people saying they get between 3 and 4 hundered on their 550s. I'd say that the Turret Press gives half or slightly over the output while costing four times less and we won't even count the costly caliber changes of the 550. Pretty efficient I think.
That is comparing apples to oragnes but now that you mention it - your wearing out a Lee Turret Press means you are ham handing equipment. The fact that it didn't happen with the Dillon is a testiment to the over-engineering Mike Dillion puts into them for just that purpose. I'm not saying they are not high quality presses but he also caters to a market of people who use far more strength reloading than is necessary by offering a lifetime no BS warranty and beefing them up - then charging three times more for it. If you don't belive that, just scan the boards and see how many people destroy parts (most admit it as their own fault) and then brag about taking advantage of the free parts. Somebody has to pay for that and it's those people who don't destroy parts. I'd rather pay for my parts if needed and let those that destroy them pay for their own.
I've had a Lee Turret Press for at least 10 years and while I now use a progressive for handgun loads, I used to use it for everything and my estimate is around 40 thousand rounds through it. It works today like it did new but I lube it now and them and set the dies properly to do their work at the very top of the stroke for each station so it isn't necessary to put excess stress on the handle to do the job.
BTW - I'm not comparing the two directly, but I can easily load 250 handgun rounds an hour on my Turret Press. I hear of many people saying they get between 3 and 4 hundered on their 550s. I'd say that the Turret Press gives half or slightly over the output while costing four times less and we won't even count the costly caliber changes of the 550. Pretty efficient I think.
cottontoptexan
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2004
- Messages
- 85
Lee Auto Disk
Thanks guys for the info on the Lee Auto Disc. Once i set mine up on the Lee 3 turrent press i never change it. I have 2 of these loaders set up. One is for 357 Mag and the other 45 acp. I do not have the indexing feature and use them with good results as a single stage. Just the way i do things i guess. Have had one for over 20 years and it is like new. It is good to clean and lube a press before things get out of hand. I feel it extends the life and just makes things a little safer especially for the progressive press people. My own opinions have changed on progressive presses since being on these forums . Technique and care in loading take a front seat to anything. Some people have had the primer detonations with Dillon and others. It can happen but i feel , much of this can be avoided by paying attention.
Thanks guys for the info on the Lee Auto Disc. Once i set mine up on the Lee 3 turrent press i never change it. I have 2 of these loaders set up. One is for 357 Mag and the other 45 acp. I do not have the indexing feature and use them with good results as a single stage. Just the way i do things i guess. Have had one for over 20 years and it is like new. It is good to clean and lube a press before things get out of hand. I feel it extends the life and just makes things a little safer especially for the progressive press people. My own opinions have changed on progressive presses since being on these forums . Technique and care in loading take a front seat to anything. Some people have had the primer detonations with Dillon and others. It can happen but i feel , much of this can be avoided by paying attention.
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jdkelly
Member
Uncle Don, how fast can you load?
Uncle Don,
I think a more accurate way to determine the through put of your press might be to load for a longer period, say at least 30 minutes. Loading for just three minutes and 66 rounds might not give you a true indication of the press' speed.
Respectfully,
jdkelly
Uncle Don,
I think a more accurate way to determine the through put of your press might be to load for a longer period, say at least 30 minutes. Loading for just three minutes and 66 rounds might not give you a true indication of the press' speed.
Respectfully,
jdkelly
"Uncle Don,
I think a more accurate way to determine the through put of your press might be to load for a longer period, say at least 30 minutes. Loading for just three minutes and 66 rounds might not give you a true indication of the press' speed.
Respectfully,
jdkelly"
I can accept that - however I generally don't load that many at one sitting because even if were 18 rounds a minute average as opposed to 22, I'd still be at nearly 11 boxes for the half hour. Can't say that I've ever needed that kind of stash.
I think a more accurate way to determine the through put of your press might be to load for a longer period, say at least 30 minutes. Loading for just three minutes and 66 rounds might not give you a true indication of the press' speed.
Respectfully,
jdkelly"
I can accept that - however I generally don't load that many at one sitting because even if were 18 rounds a minute average as opposed to 22, I'd still be at nearly 11 boxes for the half hour. Can't say that I've ever needed that kind of stash.
Black Snowman
Member
Hmm, including lubricating the press, caliber change, setup, replenishing components, and putting in trays to check primers and count production I loaded 1500 rounds of .40 S&W in about 6 hours. I think. It wasn't all in one sitting so I might be a little off but that would be the high end.
I did it on my Lee Load Master. That's about 250 rounds an hour over the long haul, taking my time. Including stopping to pet the cats occasionally, bathroom breaks, etc. . . Pretty much a worst case scenario for production speed.
I did it on my Lee Load Master. That's about 250 rounds an hour over the long haul, taking my time. Including stopping to pet the cats occasionally, bathroom breaks, etc. . . Pretty much a worst case scenario for production speed.
neolithic hunter
Member
loading speed
my brother and myself shoot in NRA highpower rifle matches. he shoots a 7.62x51, and i shoot a .556, we used to spend an entire day loading match ammo on a single stage press thats about 500 rnds for us both well at a match dillion had a rep. there and asked us why we didn't load match ammo on a progressive. we told him well we couldn't get the powder measure to through a consistant charge that we were happy with. so he explained to me how to do a modified progressive loading routine. i size and deprime all of my brass at one time on the progressive takes about 30 minutes to do. then clean them ck primer pockets, necks and case body and change the tool head as it only has a sizing die in it i do this for both calibers of ammo. put the cases back into the case feeder flip the switch and start pulling the handle. my brother or i measure out the powder to the .01 of a grain on an rcbs auto powder measure pour it and the handle gets pulled again. we now load 500 rounds of match ammo in about 2 hours
. and it used to take all day. with my dillion 650 i can take 30.06 brass and size it to 7x57 and the press gives me no problem, i still have to trim, it but oh well. can you make 7x57 or 8x57 out of 06 on a lee press more than once?
my brother and myself shoot in NRA highpower rifle matches. he shoots a 7.62x51, and i shoot a .556, we used to spend an entire day loading match ammo on a single stage press thats about 500 rnds for us both well at a match dillion had a rep. there and asked us why we didn't load match ammo on a progressive. we told him well we couldn't get the powder measure to through a consistant charge that we were happy with. so he explained to me how to do a modified progressive loading routine. i size and deprime all of my brass at one time on the progressive takes about 30 minutes to do. then clean them ck primer pockets, necks and case body and change the tool head as it only has a sizing die in it i do this for both calibers of ammo. put the cases back into the case feeder flip the switch and start pulling the handle. my brother or i measure out the powder to the .01 of a grain on an rcbs auto powder measure pour it and the handle gets pulled again. we now load 500 rounds of match ammo in about 2 hours
. and it used to take all day. with my dillion 650 i can take 30.06 brass and size it to 7x57 and the press gives me no problem, i still have to trim, it but oh well. can you make 7x57 or 8x57 out of 06 on a lee press more than once?mattjoe
Member
if you're going to shoot more than you spend time typing on the internet, get a dillon. then you can load a bunch of ammo so fast and shoot so much that you're good, and you can come back on here and talk smack about whatever you want.
There is a reason why my bench has a 9mm square deal (cuz i rarely shoot 9mm) a dillon 1050 38 super machine, a 550 with 45, 44mag, 357mag, 223 complete conversions on it, and an SL900 which kicked the hornady 366 off the corner.
Because they are faster, worth the money, and make an excellent round.
To counter some claims made previously, I hardly see how the powder measure leads to lengthy adjustments to dial it in.
What do you want? A specific setting for each and every powder? Every powder takes up different amount of space due to it's own specific density. The dillon powder measure bar only allows a specific amount in every time. It's adjustable to whatever powder you want to use, without yanking the whole stupid thing apart and putting some dumb bushing in it only to go and measure that and change it if that charge dropped doesnt meet your desires, then you better hope you have each and every other bushing or disc.
If you really hate the dillon powder measure, and for some reason think it's difficult to use, replace the powder measure bar with the Arredondo one.
The dillon powder measure is as difficult to manipulate as turning a nut.
The failsafe rod, oh yeah, it requires you take it off if you change caliber conversions. You dont even need to put it back on if you dont want to. It's like a seatbelt in addition to an airbag.
A wingnut which can lead to squib loads?
Odd, on just my 1050, which has not had this failsafe rod removed, i've easily loaded and shot, in excess of 60,000 rounds in the past 4 years and not had a single squib.
the 550 which also has the same rod, well , i havent shot as many rounds off that press but again, no squibs. Squibs are caused by inattention, not the press.
You need to pay attention to the powder level in your powder measure. It gets near empty, better put more in.
That's pretty easy to keep track of, considering IT'S CLEAR!
As for locator buttons making it difficult to remove a shell to check the powder charge....
Yeah, i guess they are as difficult as taking your left hand, moving it forward, and grabbing the button and pulling it straight up and out. It's only difficult to do if you forgot where you put it after.
It takes less time to pull that button out than it does to button a button on your shirt. This can't be a legitimate complaint. I mean, seriously!
John Kelly recently quoted the % of competition shooters at the USPSA nationals who used Dillon presses. Well, there is a good reason why the best of the best use these.
Because they are fast, they make extremely consistent rounds, and if you break anything, Dillon will get you a replacement part immediately.
Before you ask: Doesn't Mike Dillon already have enough Machine Guns....
ask: do I want to reload a lot of ammo and save so much money and time that I too can buy a machine gun?
Or, perhaps: doesn't Bill Gates already have enough money and I should buy an apple?
or- are the machines actually worth it, and if one guy was smart enough to create his own company and sell presses at a reasonable amount, and we all bought them, isn't he entitled to the fruits of his labors?
Or: should we be all communists and begrudge the capitalist his profit?
Yes, you pay more for quality, reliability and speed.
some people accept that, others seek the cheapest way out.
All my presses and conversion kits have paid for themselves countless of times over.
Is the cheapest way out always the best way out?
Depends how often you're going to use it I suppose.
There is a reason why my bench has a 9mm square deal (cuz i rarely shoot 9mm) a dillon 1050 38 super machine, a 550 with 45, 44mag, 357mag, 223 complete conversions on it, and an SL900 which kicked the hornady 366 off the corner.
Because they are faster, worth the money, and make an excellent round.
To counter some claims made previously, I hardly see how the powder measure leads to lengthy adjustments to dial it in.
What do you want? A specific setting for each and every powder? Every powder takes up different amount of space due to it's own specific density. The dillon powder measure bar only allows a specific amount in every time. It's adjustable to whatever powder you want to use, without yanking the whole stupid thing apart and putting some dumb bushing in it only to go and measure that and change it if that charge dropped doesnt meet your desires, then you better hope you have each and every other bushing or disc.
If you really hate the dillon powder measure, and for some reason think it's difficult to use, replace the powder measure bar with the Arredondo one.
The dillon powder measure is as difficult to manipulate as turning a nut.
The failsafe rod, oh yeah, it requires you take it off if you change caliber conversions. You dont even need to put it back on if you dont want to. It's like a seatbelt in addition to an airbag.
A wingnut which can lead to squib loads?
Odd, on just my 1050, which has not had this failsafe rod removed, i've easily loaded and shot, in excess of 60,000 rounds in the past 4 years and not had a single squib.
the 550 which also has the same rod, well , i havent shot as many rounds off that press but again, no squibs. Squibs are caused by inattention, not the press.
You need to pay attention to the powder level in your powder measure. It gets near empty, better put more in.
That's pretty easy to keep track of, considering IT'S CLEAR!
As for locator buttons making it difficult to remove a shell to check the powder charge....
Yeah, i guess they are as difficult as taking your left hand, moving it forward, and grabbing the button and pulling it straight up and out. It's only difficult to do if you forgot where you put it after.
It takes less time to pull that button out than it does to button a button on your shirt. This can't be a legitimate complaint. I mean, seriously!
John Kelly recently quoted the % of competition shooters at the USPSA nationals who used Dillon presses. Well, there is a good reason why the best of the best use these.
Because they are fast, they make extremely consistent rounds, and if you break anything, Dillon will get you a replacement part immediately.
Before you ask: Doesn't Mike Dillon already have enough Machine Guns....
ask: do I want to reload a lot of ammo and save so much money and time that I too can buy a machine gun?
Or, perhaps: doesn't Bill Gates already have enough money and I should buy an apple?
or- are the machines actually worth it, and if one guy was smart enough to create his own company and sell presses at a reasonable amount, and we all bought them, isn't he entitled to the fruits of his labors?
Or: should we be all communists and begrudge the capitalist his profit?
Yes, you pay more for quality, reliability and speed.
some people accept that, others seek the cheapest way out.
All my presses and conversion kits have paid for themselves countless of times over.
Is the cheapest way out always the best way out?
Depends how often you're going to use it I suppose.
Maxinquaye
Member
Wow man, tell us what you *really* think....
/Some people need less coffee
/Some people need less coffee
jamz
Member
I've been on the fence for a long time about buying reloading equipment, but after about a quarter of the way through this thread, I ordered a Dillon 550B for 38spl/357.
My main concern is that I don't want a double charge, but I think that I'm patient and careful enough to achieve this.
We'll see what happens. By the way, I have no reloading experience, and will probably start out not using it as a progressive, but just watchng the operations happen one at a time.
-James
My main concern is that I don't want a double charge, but I think that I'm patient and careful enough to achieve this.
We'll see what happens. By the way, I have no reloading experience, and will probably start out not using it as a progressive, but just watchng the operations happen one at a time.
-James
jdkelly
Member
Matt shoots the same way, fast and on target.
James, if your really have no reloading experience, I'd be more then happy to help you get started, if you'd like.
Respectfully,
jkelly
jamz
Member
jkelley, that would really be great. You can tell where I am in my location, and I'd be more than happy to supply you with beer as you teach me reloading.
Kidding! I kid about the beer while reloading.
I'd like the help. In fact, I'd like the help right now in terms of where to get bullets, cases, porder, primers, and the various miscellany I'm gonna need.
I've ordered Lyman's book, Speer's book, and "Basic Reloading" by Nonte to get me started. I like to get started with new toys quickly.
-James
Kidding! I kid about the beer while reloading.
I'd like the help. In fact, I'd like the help right now in terms of where to get bullets, cases, porder, primers, and the various miscellany I'm gonna need.
I've ordered Lyman's book, Speer's book, and "Basic Reloading" by Nonte to get me started. I like to get started with new toys quickly.
-James
Lloyd Smale
Member
had to laugh at this one Mattjoe if you're going to shoot more than you spend time typing on the internet, get a dillon. then you can load a bunch of ammo so fast and shoot so much that you're good, and you can come back on here and talk smack about whatever you want. Well said. I think the problem is to many guys here have 3000 dollar computers and 50 dollar loading outfits. Ill stick to using what the pros use and what cosistantly i have proven to myself works. I think that if anyone loading on a lee would sell the scanner and printer and buy a dillon they to would be singing there praises on here. But probably still doing more typing then shooting. Ive even got a buddy who brags on the pretty red presses on his bench allways spotlessly clean and carefully covered where they sit until someone that doesnt know comes over and he impresses them with his PROGRESSIVE PRESSES his guns look as nice and clean as his presses all lined up in order of power in his display case. Sorry boys but im a shooter I shoot at least 4 days a week and usually at least 300 rounds when id do. I cast all my own bullets and dont have time for inferior equiptment. Except when it comes to this thing an old 450 mhz computer with dial up. Its all i need to order reloading equiptment. Like mattjoe said ive never seen a competive shooter yet say he loaded on a lee. I guess though if they did they wouldnt admit it out loud.
jdkelly
Member
Let me know what help you want.
jamz,
I'll send you an e-mail from home tonight or tomorrow with some basic info on where you can get reloading supplies in State.
You'll need to read the Lyman book before you start.
Have you set up your press, if not do you want help?
What other equipment have you purchased, do you want sugestions?
Respectfully,
jdkelly
jamz,
I'll send you an e-mail from home tonight or tomorrow with some basic info on where you can get reloading supplies in State.
You'll need to read the Lyman book before you start.
Have you set up your press, if not do you want help?
What other equipment have you purchased, do you want sugestions?
Respectfully,
jdkelly
Guy B. Meredith
Member
If you do decide to spend the money for a Dillon 550B I would suggest checking out the Hornady LNL AP. It has some features of the Dillon 650 at a 550B price. Then you can add on a case feeder when ready for real production.
When I was looking around I had the impression that the Dillon was more gadgety and had more pieces to wear, jam, etc. The Hornady is tight and straight forward.
Customer service with Hornady has been great, too.
When I was looking around I had the impression that the Dillon was more gadgety and had more pieces to wear, jam, etc. The Hornady is tight and straight forward.
Customer service with Hornady has been great, too.
jamz
Member
jdkelly,
Looking forward to the email.
I've only just ordered the press, it won't arrive for a week or so I'd imagine. I ordered the dillon 550b for 38/357, and I'm not sure if this means that I need dies for it as well, or if it comes with them. Hopefully the manuals (Speer and Lyman) will arrive before the press. I'm pretty mechanically oriented, so with instructions I might be okay setting it up, but every time I've looked at one in a store I've been entirely lost and can't imagine how the thing works, so some setup help might be great.
I haven't purchased anything else, I guess I'll need the components, naturally, and a set of calipers, and... um... a bullet puller ....
Looking forward to the email.
I've only just ordered the press, it won't arrive for a week or so I'd imagine. I ordered the dillon 550b for 38/357, and I'm not sure if this means that I need dies for it as well, or if it comes with them. Hopefully the manuals (Speer and Lyman) will arrive before the press. I'm pretty mechanically oriented, so with instructions I might be okay setting it up, but every time I've looked at one in a store I've been entirely lost and can't imagine how the thing works, so some setup help might be great.
I haven't purchased anything else, I guess I'll need the components, naturally, and a set of calipers, and... um... a bullet puller ....
Jamz, the 550B will come with a 38/357 "conversion kit" which is the shellplate, brass buttons, and powder funnel needed for that caliber. You'll still need to buy the sizing/decap die, seating die, and crimping die. Dies are normally purchased as a set, but can be bought individually.
The dillon brand dies are good quality and have some features that are nice for a progressive press, but they cost $55 a set. You can save $10-$25 by buying a different brand die set, but the dillon stuff works well together.
You'll also need a scale to weigh the powder charge when setting the adjustable powder measure.
The dillon brand dies are good quality and have some features that are nice for a progressive press, but they cost $55 a set. You can save $10-$25 by buying a different brand die set, but the dillon stuff works well together.
You'll also need a scale to weigh the powder charge when setting the adjustable powder measure.
jdkelly
Member
jamz,
I'm not getting e-mail through to you. Could you try sending one to me?
Respectfully,
jdkelly
I'm not getting e-mail through to you. Could you try sending one to me?
Respectfully,
jdkelly
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