I decided on a 650, now I need help with the other stuff

[SLT223]

What do you all recommend for a tumbler, case trimmer, and scale? My initial set up is going to be for .357 Magnum. The Dillon extras I plan to get are listed here: (please let me know what you think I should add and subtract)

1)Instructional DVD
2)Case feed assebly
3)Powder check system
4)Tool holder with tools
5)Dillon case guage for .357
6)Primer flip tray
7)Case/media separator
8)Bullet puller
9)Case mouth deburring tool

I'm trying to keep it inside $1200...wish me luck, and please feel free to add your $.02. I always appreciate it.

 

[Tell Sackett]

#1: Scale, first and foremost!

#2: Reloading manual, Lyman #49 or Lee #2

Are you a new loader? Is this your first venture into reloading?

 

[SLT223]

Yes Sir. I probably should have clarified that. However, I'm very mechanically inlcined, and I can spend hours on end tinkering with mechanical stuff. I know I need a scale, my question was more which one to get. Digital, or manual, and which brand. I haven't heard too many good thing about the Dillon digital scale on this forum because they don't seem to stabilize, and stay stabilized.

I already discussed the press decision in the thread http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/66051-ok-begin-reloading-w-progressive-set-up.html , and Smith Crazy's advice made alot of sense to me.

 

[hopperb]

I vote for the balance beam scale and personally went with the Dillon tumbler (the smaller one) and their media separater as well. For pistol cases you don't need the deburring tool so you can save that money.

You won't go wrong with the Dillon their service and warranty are second to none. Also you could go without the DVD and get the info off of youtube for free. Just take a look there anytime and you will find a lot of videos for setup and operation.

 

[Tell Sackett]

SLT223,
I have no problem with starting with a progressive, none at all. I was just curious is all. Sounds like you will do fine with it. The XL650 is the ticket, at least in my opinion!

A balance beam scale is what you want to get. They don't go out of calibration, unless you repeatedly drop them D) and are actually more accurate. You can see the needle and divide the .1gr divisions into much smaller ones, just by looking closely. A digital scale will "round" what it sees off to it's tolerance criteria/specifications.

I like the Hornady scale the best. I don't know if they are still available. I have an OLD time predecessor. The ones that I know are available are all of the same configuration on the beam, just like the Dillon, of Ohaus design.

A digital is helpful for checking as you load though, once a charge has been adjusted. Check it on the digital and see what you get, run 10 and check it on the digital again against what you had the first time. It will tell you FASTER if you are still close to the mark.

At work some of the digital scales have to be "shrouded" because they are too sensitive. I don't know if that is true with the Dillon or not, I have no experience with them.

Hope this helps! The thing about it, get started, you will never turn back!

 

[dennis40x]

Go slow to go fast applies. Too much is made of the rate of production as opposed to the ease of production. Reloading is a tinker's delight there is a gizmo or gadget for everything. Let's just say too much of a good thing applies.

Not on your list but a useful tool for measurements a Vernier Caliper with a dial read out.

A set of scale check weights nice to have items

I have three progressive loaders but at some point you may want to add a single stage press. It's more useful than you might think at this time.

 

[wheelgun28]

A 650 is a great press, just go slow at first read the instructions and you will do fine. Also id recommend starting out with making less then full house magnum load when you start. Some nice all around plinking loads are more forgiving if you make an error.

As for your list, you wont need the mouth deburring tool and you dont really need the case gauge. It can be handy but your gun has six or them in it already. Also 38/357 cases arent all so fussy about sizing. Its not like "glocked" 40 brass

I would consider the cover, keeps the dust off and other peoples hands ( depending on your home situation)

Scales, I have both the dillon beam scale and dillon electronic. I only recently got the digital. It nice and handy but I still use the beam scale. If I had to choose one it would be the beam, ez to use and accurate.

Tumblers, I have an old Midway that seems to run well and it does its job. I use commercial corn cob tumbling media with a handful of walnut shell. I also add a bit of car polish that I had. I do have the small dillon separator, I works nice I think better than most.

Good luck with your new hobby!!

 

[matsu]

How about 650 strong mount and bullet tray

 

[tlen]

IMHO the casefeeder is a must have for the XL650 otherwise your upgrade from the RL550 isn't that worthwhile.

Get a digital scale with a test weight to verify calibration. Beam scales are obsolete once you go digital.

For .357 you won't need a case gage, use your revolver cylinder. If you want to check all your loads a Lee FCD is better. Loading semi-auto cartridges is another consideration.

You won't need a chamfer/deburring tool as you won't be trimming any cases.

Primer flipper is a necessity.

Get a low primer alarm; low powder alarm isn't needed.

Case tumbler is optional. If you only shoot revolver and don't drop your cases in the dirt you shouldn't have a problems. [We loaded for decades before tumblers.]

Bullet puller is nice to have. RCBS kinetic puller works for me. [Collet type puller/dies don't work on lead bullets.]

The strong mount, bullet tray, and tool holder are optional and IMHO are over priced.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

A lot of good advise here to be sure, another vote for the Midway tumbler, been useing one for years with no issue. One thing to remember about Dillon, if you have any question's at all they have a toll free number to call for help. They are good folks.

 

[socal s&w]

All good advise here already. I would add that a light is a very good option to have so that you can see powder inside of the case. I have a small light that has a flexible tip to it. Drilled-out the seating die top to fit the light bulb into it and mounted the battery part to the primer tube, works great!

You should also have more than a single reference book to cross any loads and double check, verify that they fit within the brackets. Websites are good as well, but the books are handier most of the time, plus they have reloading trivia in them.

I also like a beam scale with a digi to quick check loads, which I do every tenth round.

Brushes and a can of air are also nice to have around as are a pair of tweezers. Some lube, and oil are good.

Safety glasses a must!

Do not be distracted when loading, it's not a good thing. No TV.

 

[epj]

Again, all good advice. I would use the Dillon beam balance scale if I had just one. The digitals are too fussy. I have used a Midway (Franklin) tumbler with good success for years. I also recommend the Franklin digital caliper. Some plastic bins for brass and bullets are helpful accessories. Dillon sells them, or I got mine at Home Depot a little cheaper. The primer feed comes with the low alarm, I think. The low powder alarm probably isn't necessary unless you just aren't paying attention at all. A primer pocket reamer can be handy if you run into military brass. I used to just use my pocketknife to remove the crimp. One thing not mentioned here is your bench. A large, STURDY bench is really helpful. I have one that I purpose built some 25 years ago and it has served me very well. It is constructed of 2X2X1/4 angle very solidly welded, with a top of 10 ga steel. The legs have 1X6 setscrews that screw into nuts welded to the legs so that the bench can be leveled. I believe the size is 3'X6'. It is HEAVY, but then it doesn't move around much either.

When you order the press, go ahead and get some extra primer tubes and the small parts kit. Dillon will replace any of the wear parts for free, but you have to wait a couple of days on them unless you live near the factory.

Good choice of a press. I love my 550, but secretly wish I had sprung for the 650 so I could use the powder check die. In thousands of rounds, I've had no squibs or overloads, but you never know what's down the road. I have finally learned that I am not infallible.

 

[Beans]

Food for thought


The 550 or the 650?


Dillon Precision Reloading Frequently Asked Questions