I plan to start reloading and need to buy everything (Dillion press, tumbler, case, bullets. etc.). The only thing I have is 16 lbs of Bullseye powder. My question is does this stuff typically go on sale during the Christmas holidays? I thought I might watch for sales and hopefully save some money on this since it is a rather large expenditure.

Yeah wait till xmas or after. I dont know if the blue goes on sale but the red does.

First decide what you want to get. You mentioned Dillon so what I'm about to share is probably not useful and I'm not interested in another war of color

After I decided I wanted a LNL-AP, I took my time and bought things as they went on sale, press and accessories.

I see the AP is $379 @ Midsouth right now. I've seen it a few dollars less with free shipping but that may never come again. Also, I think Hornady still has their bullet rebate in effect.

Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Press by HORNADY RELOADING TOOLS

Midway has shell plates for many popular calibers (selection constantly changing) for $16.79 right now (GREAT price).

Shell & Die Plates | Shellholders & Shellplates

Sign up for the Xtreme and Freedom Munitions email notices for regular sales of bullets.

Make a list of everything else you need/want (dies, scale, calipers, tumbler/sonic, ...) and shop regularly. I don't think this stuff is really "seasonal" but sales do come and go. I HAVE found a few things cheaper in brick and mortar and that is typically Christmas and post Christmas.

Good luck!

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Really? U saw it in Wikipedia?

Buy the Dillon now, just watch for any sales of the other stuff whenever you can.

I'm always suspicious of brands that have sales, seems to me the only ones that have sales are the ones that have trouble selling their stuff. I've never seen Dillon equipment on sale. Buying Dillon from Brian Enos will typically save you some shipping costs. Dillon Precision Reloading on BrianEnos.com

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Minimize the variables

If you buy from Brian Enos and pay with a usps money order you can save additional funds.

I suggest you keep your eyes open for used reloading equipment.

If you take your time, you can find everything you want for about half what new will cost, even if you bought new on sale.

In the time between now and Christmas, you can find everything you need used and will be ready to load.

Some of the items you listed do go on sale from time to time (not Dillon). But the sales are not pre-Christmas type events that I have seen. Might be able to find something on a black Friday type sale.

Don't expect to find great prices on the on-line auction sites. Things sell for nearly new prices and shipping can be expensive.

Buy Dillon and buy it now.

There's a much greater chance of prices going up, rather than going down.

And they don't need to be serial numbered and registered yet!

First go buy a couple of good reloading manuals. If you are going to shoot lead, Lyman has the Cast Bullet Guide. Be studying these while you are in the equipment collecting phase.

Here is a rundown on what you'll need.

http://www.midwayusa.com/general.mvc...nning-reloader

I believe I'd buy the press new unless you can find a used one, then look for used equipment online, yard sales, estate sales, etc. if you are on a tight budget.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Good gravy, where did you find that.

Bullseye is best for target to medium velocity loads. Match and buy your bullets according to what you want to do.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Easy. Buy it when you need it.
Of course, do your research first.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Great googli moogli - is that correct...16 pounds of Bullseye? If so, WOW! You didn't mention if money is an issue, but assuming it is, or if it's at least a concern, I would suggest trading some of your unopened cans (cannisters) of Bullseye for the items you are looking for. I think this could be a real "win-win" for yourself, as well as those you trade with. Irrespective of the brand, most reloading gear (dies, presses, etc.) is not only built to last, but most have excellent customer service and lifetime warranties. I've seen beginning reloaders turn their noses up at used dies and presses just because they looked, well, used. A bit of cleaning and they look great, and are ready to work. If you haven't already done so, try to find an experienced reloader in your area that can help you get started, and can help guide you in the purchase of your equipment and supplies.

Best of luck to you, reloading is a great hobby.

Regards,

Dave

When I got back into reloading Ebay had a lot of what I needed at about half what it would have cost me new. You can get a lot of better quality stuff instead of buying lesser quality new.

Wow, 16 pounds of Bullseye, yields 22,400 .45 ACP loads with a 230 grain bullet over 5 grains of powder.. You can also get 41,500 .38 SPL wadcutter loads at 2.7 grains per pop. That's a lot of shooting.

We're all price conscious. However, if you're buying a Dillon press, buy Dillon dies to insure they are long enough overall. With some dies, the locking ring has to be installed under the die holder as there aren't quite enough threads left on top to secure the locking ring.

Don't forgot to shop for used parts. With the Dillon, the Dillon powder throw which attaches to the shell plate and also bells the case mouth at the same station is a non-negotiable must-have.

A powder scale, on the other hand, can be made by anybody. As long as it has not been abused or show signs of serious wear, I'd buy one off e-bay if cheap enough.

Nothing Dillon ever goes on sale PRices go up almost every year, so the best time to buy is now IMO. Waiting only cost you more. The ebay thing, bogus for large items IMO, as shipping kills you unless you get it really cheap & that isn't often with Dillon. I've seen guys buy a press & save $25 but pay $40 for shipping. Buy it from Brian Enos & shipping is free.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Dillon might not go on sale, but vendors like Grafs and Kittery Trading Post who sell Dillon runs promotions where you can save on Dillon equipment.

I would suggest buying the Dillon from Brian Enos. It was recommended to me by folks on this forum because he reviews your order to ensure you haven't duplicated, or missed anything you will need when buying a whole kit with caliber conversions. I had made a couple mistakes in my order, and sure enough he emailed me to notify and confirm my intent. Saved me $70.00. Two thumps up for Brian Enos.

I still can't get past how the OP just mentioned he had 16lbs of Bullseye like it was no big deal. I thought I had a lot of W231 @12lbs but that easily tops me!

I have a feeling as soon as the ammo supply comes back to the shelves we are going to see a lot of just barely used reloading equipment for sale.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Additionally, he has put together lists of things that you will need(basics) as well as optional extras that are nice to have. Give him a call and talk over your ideas with him. Were it me, I'd hang onto that Bullseye. You'll be sitting fat and happy when we go through another period of shortages.

Although I don't use one, most used Dillon presses (except the 1050) sell close to new prices because Dillon will recondition them for free. If you can get a good deal locally, take it.

I use a Hornady LNL AP because I load about a dozen different pistol calibers and changeovers are cheaper (I.e. I only need one sizing die for 357 / 38 / 38 Short Colt instead of one die per tool head).

Well yes, about $7 per caliber. Not enough to make me go red. The LNL is a good press, if you do not want a case feeder, cheaper than the 650. Add the case feeder though, still cheaper, but only by about $70. For that the 650 gives yo ubetter priming & case feeder. I do like the LNL powder measure though.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Not sure about $7 / caliber? What does a Dillon tool head, shell plate, and powder measure cost? For a totally new caliber for the LNL (not including dies) it costs me about $65 - 3 bushings @ $5, $17 for a sell plate, $25 for the powder drop assembly (includes bushing), and $8 for the powder measure stop. The savings is even better if I'm reusing a sizing die (an additional $20-$30 saved for a good carbide sizing die and one less bushing needed).

I've read about priming issues but only ran into them once when I let the shell plate accumulate a LOT of powder.

Don't have a case feeder yet so for me that's the big unknown.

I see LNL shell plates @ $30, not $17? The 650 conv comes with the powder thru funnel, shell plate & case feeder parts, $48. A tool head & powder thru die, $40. I forgot the powder thru die so $11 diff. Not a huge cost factor, plus I am not a big fan of LNL inserts. I have had them come loose & prefer the removable tool head but to each his own. The LNL is decent press, but not sooooo much cheaper as to avoid the 650, a bit better press.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Well I know I'll get razzed, but I don't care!
If you decide to quit drinking that blue koolaid you can buy way more of the other stuff you might need that will do the exact same stuff as the smurf press will!

Fair enough, didn't realize the cost was that close. I won't disagree that you can't go wrong with Dillon, I'm just a little bit different.

Good luck OP. happy to respond to PM if you'd like but, as usual, the same tired cut and paste cheerleaders are more interested in seeing their opinion in print than responding to your questions.

It's getting REALLY tiring and old!

Welcome to the forum!

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Really? U saw it in Wikipedia?

Then there are those that offer nothing but a bitch & gripe? Yeah I'll take educated opinion over that any day. It's a forum for sharing & learning isn't it? Btw, the op is asking about Dillon & you are pushing LNL? Not that i care, But who really is cheerleading here???

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Good advice mate. By the way red won last night......

Thewelshm

OP, you never mentioned what calibers you wanted to load.

Like I said before, if you have patience, you can buy only what you need when on sale

I swore I wouldn't reply here again but thought you might like what I just ran across.

I was just doing some shopping for "add-ons". I have been considering adding a second LNL-AP. As I was pricing things for me, I gathered some actual CURRENT prices into a spreadsheet in case you are still making a choice.

For less than $500 you could be all set for 9mm AND .223, including dies and some good quality bullets (basic setup for press only, no scale, books, calipers, ...). See spreadsheet attached.

Like I said, PM me if you'd like anything else. I don't care what color you buy. As long as you've done your research, you'll be happy!

Enjoy and be prepared to get hooked!

Hornady rebate - http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/...oaded-Form.pdf

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Really? U saw it in Wikipedia?

The best time to buy is now, because new stuff will not be cheaper after January 1 -- the annual price increases.

Used reloading equipment might be for sale after the December credit card bills hit the mail boxes, or after the holidays people tend to sell stuff because 'Christmas is over' and time to clean out stuff.

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S&WHF 366