If you are shooting 3000 rounds a year that is only 250 rounds reloaded a month. I started with a Lee turret press as my first non single stage in 1988. I estimate it would do 250 rounds in less than 90 minutes. It's up to you whether that amount of time is worth the cost of a Dillon.
-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
Best 9mm Reloading Press
- Thread starter BSA1
- Start date
Just buy factory 9mm by the case. You can find deals for around $11.50 per box of 50. With the price of primers and bullets, it would cost you around $9.00+ to reload them, depending on what bullets you buy. That is assuming you get the empty brass cases for free.
Last edited:
scooter123
Member
Last year I went thru 11,000 209 primers. That means that I reloaded 11,000 shotshells last year, mainly 410 and 28 gauge. Last August I finally "saw the light" and purchase progressive presses for both 410 and 28 gauge.
My tip here is that when you consider the cost of components the cost of a good progressive press is peanuts if you are shooting in volume. Make your purchase with a long term view. This means if you see the day when you'll get a Dillon then purchase a Dillon right now. Because money spent on something less expensive to "get by" is money wasted. If you don't foresee the need for a Dillon then take your time and select a turret press that will last a lifetime.
My tip here is that when you consider the cost of components the cost of a good progressive press is peanuts if you are shooting in volume. Make your purchase with a long term view. This means if you see the day when you'll get a Dillon then purchase a Dillon right now. Because money spent on something less expensive to "get by" is money wasted. If you don't foresee the need for a Dillon then take your time and select a turret press that will last a lifetime.
LostintheOzone
US Veteran
I have dies for 5 or 6 different cartridges. If I had to replace those to buy a Dillion that would increase the cost considerably, probably 400-500 bucks.
I would have to want a Dillon pretty bad to take that hit. Probably the reason everyone else in the business standardized the dies a long time ago. I don't have an RCBS press but I usually buy their dies.
I would have to want a Dillon pretty bad to take that hit. Probably the reason everyone else in the business standardized the dies a long time ago. I don't have an RCBS press but I usually buy their dies.
What is this “retired” you speak of?
I am currently clearing a back pasture with a chain saw.
Come warm weather I will plant a garden, some fruit trees and build a chicken coop. Then there is mowing and other outdoor chores. I like to reload everything in the winter.
I love my Rockchucker. It was my first press and the last one I will part with. I try to reload 9mm a thousand rounds at time. I am way behind this winter as I have 2,000 primed cases and just polished several hundred more yesterday.
Reloader tip; 1,000 9mm rounds perfectly fill a 30 cal. Military Surplus Can or a 1# coffee can.
A turret press seems like a happy go between my Rockchucker and Lee Pro 1000.
LostintheOzone
US Veteran
Same here. Used to shoot a lot of trap. Not sure how many shells I loaded but I bought powder in 8lb containers and shot in 25 lb bags.
When I first started a friend helped me get set up. He suggested a progressive press and I bought one. Every lever stroke produced a loaded round. I was probably shooting 5K a year and working 40-50 hrs a week. Progressive was the right way to go.
I haven't looked at prices for shot shells lately but awhile ago a flat of shells was pretty close to the price to load. Now with the shortages and shot being $2/lb it probably doesn't make a lot of sense to even try. I'm already loading 9x19 and have been for years so I can beat the commercial ammo costs by a few bucks a box. There was a time when I couldn't do that however.
So 9mm and trap loads might be comparable.
Last edited:
Ivan the Butcher
Member
If you want to include shot shells, I too normally shoot and load 10 K a year. As I got older it is 410 & 28. I've basically put away my 12 & 20. About 5 years ago I did use the Berreta 391 Sporting 20 gauge (my wife's gun) to shoot in a 10 week league (50 rounds a week) I came in 4th/87! 20 ga is the only shotgun I don't own a progressive press in! I used all factory ammo. (and mildly expensive) But a large variety of ammo was still available. (now 410 is not available at any price.)
BAS1, don't get frustrated because people keep telling you the same thing you don't want to hear. The Dillon 450/550 series uses standard dies. If you find used one on-line, it is still under warranty. The problem is the prices never go down! Once you own one, you don't have to buy anything to load a different cartridge except the shell plate and specific powder funnel. I have 35 shell plates and 40 powder funnels, and can load every one of my 117 cartridges. I took my time buying the extra plates. In 39 years they went up to about 9 times what the first few cost.
Just a helpful suggestion: Get 4 shell plates kits when you start. 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP and 38 Special. Those cover 80% of rifle cartridges too. (powder funnels for rifles are needed.
Iven
tajada
BANNED Scammer !! SCAMMER !! SCAMMER !! SCAMMER !!
Lee is probably the best starting point! They have great quality at great prices.
Are there better out there? Yes and no. Yes you may find one makers press a bit better then anothers but the price difference is too hard to ignore.
If your only going to load up 1 caliber the Lee 4 hole turret press is perfect for pooping out round after round!
Are there better out there? Yes and no. Yes you may find one makers press a bit better then anothers but the price difference is too hard to ignore.
If your only going to load up 1 caliber the Lee 4 hole turret press is perfect for pooping out round after round!
Back in the 60's when I started, it was only for my 270 rifle ammo.
Later on I added the 357 and 38 special dies to my list.
Then a 30-06, 22-250, and then finally the 9mm dies.
All on a single press and no problem putting out ammo to use.
However I did go from a Mec Jr to a 366, for when I moved up to my ATA trap shooting.
Later on I added the 357 and 38 special dies to my list.
Then a 30-06, 22-250, and then finally the 9mm dies.
All on a single press and no problem putting out ammo to use.
However I did go from a Mec Jr to a 366, for when I moved up to my ATA trap shooting.
slickracer
Member
Same, a Lee Classic Turret press is hard to beat for moderate production.
smithra_66
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2020
- Messages
- 1,307
- Reaction score
- 2,140
Why do you not want a Dillon? I have a Dillon Square Deal B set up for 9mm and it is the best I've used...and I've used a lot of them. It's not much more, if any, money than competing setups.
Progressive presses can be a headache. Lee makes a great product for certain things, but I've had nothing but headaches the few times I've used their progressives.
The Square Deal is pretty tough to beat for a (relatively) inexpensive setup for high volume handgun calibers.
smithra_66
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2020
- Messages
- 1,307
- Reaction score
- 2,140
Dies are a once in a lifetime purchase. When you buy the press you get one set. The beauty of these types of dies is that you keep them all adjusted on the removable toolhead and they take up very little space. They are also a dedicated 4 station die set, where crimping is done separately of seating. Most carbide die sets that people have for handgun calibers are only 3 piece, where crimping and seating are done together.
How many different handgun calibers do you have and how much were you going to spend replacing dies?
Cranking out thousands of rounds of handgun ammo with almost no headaches is WELL WORTH spending what, 50 bucks on top of the cost of your existing dies to "replace" them?
You'll save that much in a week of using the press. Plus you'll have a spare set of dies to use on your single stage that you can adjust separately.
The "integrated" nature of the dies is one of the reason I think the SDB works so well. The designers made the press around one single set of dies. They don't have to account for variances of any old dies that you can screw in.
Last edited:
There is more and more "costs for reloading" posts appearing so, I'll add my $.02. I started reloading out of curiosity in 1970 and have not considered $$$ much of a factor since. I don't buy stupidly expensive components and I never compare costs of my handloads vs factory ammo.
When I was shooting a lot (250+ per week was a lot for me) I had two methods that kept my stash full. I batch loaded. I quite often processed my handloads up to sized, flared and primed cases, ready for powder and bullets. Usually would process a few hundred per week and had plenty of ready to finish brass stored. I also used a Lee turret press, but hand indexed and not used as a "semi-progressive". I liked reloading and never felt I was gonna run out of ammo...
When I was shooting a lot (250+ per week was a lot for me) I had two methods that kept my stash full. I batch loaded. I quite often processed my handloads up to sized, flared and primed cases, ready for powder and bullets. Usually would process a few hundred per week and had plenty of ready to finish brass stored. I also used a Lee turret press, but hand indexed and not used as a "semi-progressive". I liked reloading and never felt I was gonna run out of ammo...
And your off-topic comment has what to do with selecting a reloading press?
venomballistics
Member
I can see some of his argument.
figure after you get all tooled up for this and gather all the components, you'll be hard pressed to break even over bulk factory ammo .... at least at this time.
It's really not the best time to jump into this.
But assuming a better tomorrow where sanity returns to the land, all reloading seems to accomplish is higher volume.
If you spend $100 in factory ammo per month now, you will still spend $100 reloading .... you're just going to shoot more.
That said, bite the bullet and go Dillon. You might not be able to justify it looking at your current situation, but you can count on that changing.
Chubbs103
US Veteran
I have dies for 5 or 6 different cartridges. If I had to replace those to buy a Dillion that would increase the cost considerably, probably 400-500 bucks.
I would have to want a Dillon pretty bad to take that hit. Probably the reason everyone else in the business standardized the dies a long time ago. I don't have an RCBS press but I usually buy their dies.
When I bought my Dillon, I had already been reloading for nearly 2 decades on a single stage. I was well stocked with dies.
I like the Square deal, but the proprietary dies were a no go for me as well. I bought a 550 and used all of my old dies just fine (except for my OLD .357 dies that just weren't progressing friendly).
I did wind up buying a number of Dillon seating dies, just to seat and crimp in different steps (I used a spacer and a single die to do it in different steps on a single stage).
Dillon Press Lover please stay with me on this;
1. I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER PROGRESSIVE PRESS. I ALREADY HAVE ONE.
If I decided I need a large volume of 9mm I will simply change the shell plate and dies for it. Since I already have the dies I will only need to buy a shell plate from Lee for $20.00 (which actually might be a good idea anyway).
2. I am not new to reloading. I have been reloading for around 40 years.
3. I have thousands of empty cases, bullets, powder and primers. I have a lead pot and lot of lead so I can cast my own bullets. (Lead bullets work fine in 9mm). As for running out of primers I have a friend that literally has 100,000 primers on hand. (That’s why not to laugh at preppers).
4. I am considering a turret press as I think it will meet the quantity of 9mm I need.
5. Although I want to leave it setup for 9mm a turret press will let me switch calibers using my loading dies should I want to.
6. Probably most importantly DILLON does not make a turret press.
7. Please respect this topic and leave DILLON out of it.
1. I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER PROGRESSIVE PRESS. I ALREADY HAVE ONE.
If I decided I need a large volume of 9mm I will simply change the shell plate and dies for it. Since I already have the dies I will only need to buy a shell plate from Lee for $20.00 (which actually might be a good idea anyway).
2. I am not new to reloading. I have been reloading for around 40 years.
3. I have thousands of empty cases, bullets, powder and primers. I have a lead pot and lot of lead so I can cast my own bullets. (Lead bullets work fine in 9mm). As for running out of primers I have a friend that literally has 100,000 primers on hand. (That’s why not to laugh at preppers).
4. I am considering a turret press as I think it will meet the quantity of 9mm I need.
5. Although I want to leave it setup for 9mm a turret press will let me switch calibers using my loading dies should I want to.
6. Probably most importantly DILLON does not make a turret press.
7. Please respect this topic and leave DILLON out of it.
Last edited:
Please ignore the blue object on the left in this picture! The press on the right is a three station C-H press. You can install three different dies & shell holders and never move them. I use the press for my not-to-often seen calibers I play with, 22 Hornet & .224 Harvey K-Chuk(Hornet based)! Deprime and neck size in the center and the bullet seating on either side. What makes this press more efficient for me is the "case kicker" installed on the middle die. It is a length of metal banding strap, bent in an arch, held at the bottom via the back mounting bolt for the press and a blunt end formed at the top. When you reach the bottom of the stroke the blunt end pushes t case out of the shell holder into a container place in front.
I also have an antique Herters turret press for my 30-06 based cartridges. One shell holder and 30-06, .243, and .270 dies mounted and set. All my priming is done with a hand held priming system, except for those rounds loaded on the blue thing!
jcelect
I also have an antique Herters turret press for my 30-06 based cartridges. One shell holder and 30-06, .243, and .270 dies mounted and set. All my priming is done with a hand held priming system, except for those rounds loaded on the blue thing!
jcelect
OK I re-read the initial post. Based on the OP's situation and criteria, I suggest the Lyman All-American 8 turret press for several reasons.
8 stations means 2 complete cartridge setups on one turret. You can size/de-cap then expand on the press. Then hand prime and throw powder in loading blocks. Then seat and crimp in separate steps. IOW you hit 2 stations on the turret press, batch prime, then load powder, then back on the press for 2 stations.
I use this method for pistol load development with an older Lyman turret press, but it only has 6 stations per turret head. I find it functional to do 2 steps on a turret press at a time on a single cartridge. 3 steps is doable but I learned the hard way to never throw powder before expanding the case mouth. (not too hard thank goodness, but over 1,600 fps with 357 SIG is a brown pants moment I'll never forget)
And the price is reasonable. The Redding T7 may be a "better" turret press, but 2 complete sets of 4 dies on one turret is a winner IHMO. Plus the OP is talking about 9mm for the family, not for competition.
Hope that helps
Chip
8 stations means 2 complete cartridge setups on one turret. You can size/de-cap then expand on the press. Then hand prime and throw powder in loading blocks. Then seat and crimp in separate steps. IOW you hit 2 stations on the turret press, batch prime, then load powder, then back on the press for 2 stations.
I use this method for pistol load development with an older Lyman turret press, but it only has 6 stations per turret head. I find it functional to do 2 steps on a turret press at a time on a single cartridge. 3 steps is doable but I learned the hard way to never throw powder before expanding the case mouth. (not too hard thank goodness, but over 1,600 fps with 357 SIG is a brown pants moment I'll never forget)
And the price is reasonable. The Redding T7 may be a "better" turret press, but 2 complete sets of 4 dies on one turret is a winner IHMO. Plus the OP is talking about 9mm for the family, not for competition.
Hope that helps
Chip
Huskerguy
Member
Some thoughts, probably the same as some others have said. oh well
If that is all you are going to shoot in a year, just buy bulk cases of 9mm. You will be money ahead.
I have a single stage and a Hornady LNL and can crank out all the ammo I want or need. I have been given a Dillon SDB that is set up for 45 ACP which I do not shoot very much of. It is a very simple machine but the dies are expensive. If it were me, and given the small difference in price, I would consider the Dillon 550. It is not full progressive but close. You can use all of your current dies and the price is very comparable to the SDB.
Just one man's opinion, you obviously have been several to choose from.
If that is all you are going to shoot in a year, just buy bulk cases of 9mm. You will be money ahead.
I have a single stage and a Hornady LNL and can crank out all the ammo I want or need. I have been given a Dillon SDB that is set up for 45 ACP which I do not shoot very much of. It is a very simple machine but the dies are expensive. If it were me, and given the small difference in price, I would consider the Dillon 550. It is not full progressive but close. You can use all of your current dies and the price is very comparable to the SDB.
Just one man's opinion, you obviously have been several to choose from.
