DougB
Member
As a teenager, I used to reload for handguns (9mm, .357, .44) back in the 70's on an RCBS "JR" single-stage press I bought used. I set it up on a bench in my current home about 14 years ago, along with my powder measure, etc, but probably haven't loaded more than 100 rounds of ammo since doing so (my wife likes to point out that this reloading setup is a waste of space). The two main reasons are: (1) the calibers I mostly shoot (9mm, .40, .223, 7.62x39, and .308) are cheap in bulk, and (2) I don't want to spend the time it takes to load ammo that I can (or could) buy for about $.10/round.
BUT, ammo seems to be going up in price significantly, and I have an opportunity to buy a used Dillon RL 550 B progressive press with dies for 9mm and .40, case cleaner, powder measure, powder scale, and some other accessories for around $400.
Does this seem like a good deal? I haven't bought reloading components for many years (believe it or not, I still have primers, bullets, powder, etc. I purchased back in the 70s). I don't want to make reloading a major hobbie (already have more hobbies than time), but I would be willing to spend a few hours a month loading ammo if the savings is significant.
What is the cost of the components (less brass) for loading 9mm, .40, .44, and .45 ACP? Would a press like this be very useful for loading .223? I'm trying to decide if the savings would be worth it (I'd hate to find out it costs me more to load my own than to buy cheap practice ammo).
I'd appreciate your advice. I hadn't thought much about this until the opportunity to buy this press came up, but I'll have to decide pretty quickly.
Thanks
Doug
BUT, ammo seems to be going up in price significantly, and I have an opportunity to buy a used Dillon RL 550 B progressive press with dies for 9mm and .40, case cleaner, powder measure, powder scale, and some other accessories for around $400.
Does this seem like a good deal? I haven't bought reloading components for many years (believe it or not, I still have primers, bullets, powder, etc. I purchased back in the 70s). I don't want to make reloading a major hobbie (already have more hobbies than time), but I would be willing to spend a few hours a month loading ammo if the savings is significant.
What is the cost of the components (less brass) for loading 9mm, .40, .44, and .45 ACP? Would a press like this be very useful for loading .223? I'm trying to decide if the savings would be worth it (I'd hate to find out it costs me more to load my own than to buy cheap practice ammo).
I'd appreciate your advice. I hadn't thought much about this until the opportunity to buy this press came up, but I'll have to decide pretty quickly.
Thanks
Doug