Should I buy a used Dillon 550 and get back into reloading?

[DougB]

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

 

[P0832177]

Hey Doug get the Dillon as it is warranted for life! Buy it and then send it in for a tune up! Best way to start things off! Next, off you have to do some work here. You can look up component costs just as easy the next fellow. :banghead:

The hitch in the giddyup with loading bottle neck rifle cartridges is that there is case prep. I prep all my 223 on a single stage press.
My 223 brass prep
#1 clean not shine the brass
#2 size brass
#3 clean brass to remove lube
#4 trim, deburr, and chamfer the case mouth in one pass with a Giruad Trimmer
#5 deal with any primer pocket crimps ie with mil brass
#6 clean primer pocket

Now in the 550 I use my prepped brass

Station #1 I use a universal decapper for removing errant brass shavings and tumbling media and prime
Station #2 I use a powder that is consistent in the Dillon Powder Measure ie Ramshot TAC
Station #3 I seat the bullet
Station #4 I crimp only blasting ammo

As you can see there is not the ease of loading pistol brass when loading bottle neck cartridges.

Station #1 Size and decap then prime
Station #2 Powder measure expands case mouth and dispenses powder
Station #3 Seat bullet
Station #4 Crimp bullet

Conventional straight walled pistol cartridges come with three dies
#1 Sizer / decapper (older dies may not have carbide sizer)
#2 Case Mouth Expander
#3 Seater/Crimp

You could just add a Lee Factory crimp die for use at the 4th station.

Whereas Dillon and Redding Professional Series Dies come with
#1 Sizer/decapper die
#2 Seater die
#3 Crimp die

 

[capbuster]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!! Great machine and great company,you cant go wrong if you want to load your own

 

[Chuck Perry]

For the pistol rounds you mentioned, figure around 1.5 cents each for primer and powder charge per finished round. Bullets vary greatly, depending on type and if you're paying for shipping. Looking at 45ACP, you can get cast bullets for around $40/K, plated bullets for $60/K and jacketed for $80/K. 40's will be a bit cheaper, and 9mm cheaper still. Buy the Dillon. Even if you decide reloadings not for you, you'll get your money back out of it easily. Great product and great company.

 

[loadedround]

Doug: As a user of two Dillon 550's, I think 400.00 is a fair price to pay for the loader and accessories. I would check Dillon's website and determine that the used 550 is an up to date model with the low primer warning system and the powder measure has the "fail safe system"(btw the powder measure is supplied with the reloader and not an acessory), also that the dies supplied are Dillon, since it's a more smoother loading procee with Dillon dies. I load 38's, 9mm, 10mm, 44's and 45's on mine and load for pennies a round. I love my Dillons! Go for it!

 

[P0832177]

Chuck
I do not know where you buy stuff at, but things have gone up considerably!

Primers are running close to 21 per K
Powder seems to have been somewhat stable especially 8#at least locally.
Locally
Lead 230gr per k is 48 OTD
Plated 230gr Berry's is 85 OTD
FMJ 230gr Win is 97 OTD

Duplicating 45 ACP 230gr FMJ WWB is going to be about 130 dollars if you have the brass cases! A savings of 100 over Wally World Prices

 

[Doug b]

Better ammo

Handloaded ammo is better compared to premium factory stuff not the bulk brands.Hope this comparison helps you decide.

 

[highlander 5]

grab the equipment and run do not walk to the nearest exit.
The 550 is the best to start off reloading will load gobs of ammo
in short order. I had one for years loaded all my ammo including 40/65 win and 45/70 govt. if it breaks your fault their fault no ones fault they'll fix no bs

 

[GPWEAPON]

"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."

Then I wouldn't spend the money since you can crank out great ammo
on a single stage press if you have a system. (though I use a dill 650)
and want high quality ammo.

And 2nd if the cheap surplus crap shoots tight enough for you then
stick with it. Quality ammo in rifle calibers is going to cost more than
some third world stuff from the 70's.

I'm partial to rifles and if I can't get a 1/2 moa out if it then it doesen't
belong in my safe. Fliers are unacceptable. But that's just me.

 

[Critter183]

I don't reload for savings, I reload for accuracy, at least for now. However, at some point in our future, reloading may be the only way to maintain a supply of ammo, and for that reason alone I think everyone should be set up to reload.

If you can afford the equipment, buy it, even if you only use it once a year for the fun of it. It may be worth its weight in gold in 10 or 20 years. hehehe

I only have manual equipment at the moment, but have been casually shopping for a good deal on a Dillon 550 for a while, just to have it in case I ever need it.