You will like drinkin that Blue Kool-aid.
I'm in deep now
- Thread starter Glenn54
- Start date
To add to this - I'd start with .357 until very familiar with your press operation; it's a straight wall, no neck, no shoulder case and doesn't have the critical shoulder length and OAL length concerns a magazine fed autoloader does.
Nice rig - be careful and have fun!
gwpercle
Member
Go slow , take your time and Load Safe .
It's ok to get anal and OCD about getting one charge of powder in the case .
Two charges is just as bad as no charge ...check twice .
There are no awards given for speed reloading . My dear Mom would tell me " Haste makes waste" ... I will tell you , do it right the first time and you won't spend as much time with a bullet puller undoing mistakes ... Trust me on this one ... I know !
Load Safe,
Gary
It's ok to get anal and OCD about getting one charge of powder in the case .
Two charges is just as bad as no charge ...check twice .
There are no awards given for speed reloading . My dear Mom would tell me " Haste makes waste" ... I will tell you , do it right the first time and you won't spend as much time with a bullet puller undoing mistakes ... Trust me on this one ... I know !
Load Safe,
Gary
Congrats on your new setup; as other above I'd suggest to start with a straight wall cartridge. 223 is a little more involved, I do it in 2 stage - 1st is size and trim (I have Dillon trimmer) so it's 1 cycle through the press, then clean the lube and go for 2nd cycle with actual priming, powder, bullet seat and crimp.
OP
That is what I have got in mind, not really trying to save money. But I do want to buy all necessary supplies when available so I can get stocked up on the calibers I need.
fixed it for you
I have a lightly used 650XL. It is in the neighborhood of 150k rounds loaded since I bought it new about 4 years ago. I do a little competition shooting so loading my own ammo is a VERY economical solution for me at the volume I shoot.
When it comes to loading 5.56 ammo, the only sizing die that has NEVER caused me an issue in my rifles is Dillon. I have tried many other brands of dies with varying degrees of failure.
Pro tip: Visually inspect EVERY case for powder charge BEFORE you seat the bullet. Static bridge in a powder hopper is rare, but it does happen. It is also easier than you would think to run your powder hopper empty ...
OP
I have a bunch of lead that I have used for fishing weights and jigs. I also have a Lee melting pot so I guess I'd just need to get the right molds?
OP
What all do I need to change calibers? The Dillon setup is for 223 and I ordered some 9mm dies after I ordered the press. If loading for .357 would be better to start learning on, do I just need the 3 Dillon dies? Thanks.
No, you are gonna need a conversion kit. It should include a shell plate, powder funnel and buttons (forget correct name). I'm speaking from 550 knowledge, pretty sure 750 will be the same. Some parts of the conversion kit will interchange with other calibers. If your cheap like me, you can piece some together.
I hope you like your Dillon, I love mine.
David
I hope you like your Dillon, I love mine.
David
OP
Thanks David. I will do a search on conversion kit or shell plate for the Dillon 750 and see what I can find.
You're right, the conversion kit comes with all the stuff you mentioned plus a few things. But it does not come with the dies. That seems odd to me. Is it because some guys use different brands of dies or may already have the dies?
You're right, the conversion kit comes with all the stuff you mentioned plus a few things. But it does not come with the dies. That seems odd to me. Is it because some guys use different brands of dies or may already have the dies?
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Glad to hear you're "in the game"!
I'd just like to make what I feel is an important suggestion here.... I would NOT start off with .223, but instead learn your Press with a simple and easy cartridge like 9mm, .45 acp, .38 special, etc. There are so many things going on and to watch at the same time - you don't need to start off with a more complicated round to load.
Just trying to make this suggestion to save you from frustration, trimming cases, etc. when starting off on something that should be a fun/learning process.
In any event, good luck with your new Dillon - you certainly bought the right brand!
When I started reloading I've made a conscious decision to use bulkier powders, which ideally would overflow in case of double charge. I've made a mess few times but mess in reloading room is much safer and cheaper than on the range 
You need to decide if you're going to shoot bare/lubed or coated bullets.
If you decide to shoot lubed bullets, you need some form of lubri-sizer: either a Lee tumble lube setup (affordable) or a Lyman/RCBS lubrisizer with sizing die and top punch for each bullet cast (potentially expensive). If you decide to shoot coated bullets, you need: a Lee sizer (one for each caliber cast), the coating powder (under $20), and an inexpensive toasted oven that will ONLY be used to bake the bullets.
Powder coating can be the least expensive approach to casting your own!
OP
I think you've about dug down to China. You really are in deep.My own range would be great but I don't think the National Forest folks would like me doing that.
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My 2 cents worth!
Welcome to the world of blue! I also have spent a small fortune with Dillon! I have seen nothing but good advice above! The only thing I would like to add is this! Reloading is a solitary endeavor! My reloading room is in my shop with NO TV, NO RADIO, and other distractions. If I need to talk on the phone I stop, sit back, and talk! Don't drive and text and don't reload with outside distractions! 40 years of reloading and still learning!
jcelect
Welcome to the world of blue! I also have spent a small fortune with Dillon! I have seen nothing but good advice above! The only thing I would like to add is this! Reloading is a solitary endeavor! My reloading room is in my shop with NO TV, NO RADIO, and other distractions. If I need to talk on the phone I stop, sit back, and talk! Don't drive and text and don't reload with outside distractions! 40 years of reloading and still learning!
jcelect
OP
OP
Dillon says 6 more weeks before getting the XL750 Essentials 223, backordered. I asked Dillon if they had "any" reloading machines, nothing in stock. One of the Dillon distributers says no one knows how much longer it will be before they have any stock. Disappointed but what can you do.
wheelgun28
Member
That gives you more time to read up on things. Maybe watch some videos on rifle loading too. Possibly start looking at case trimmers, gauges, deburing tools, crimp removers and so on.
You can even start sourcing bullets, powder and primers.
Then figure out your load combination.
This is all good things!
You can even start sourcing bullets, powder and primers.
Then figure out your load combination.
This is all good things!
OP
I was thinking along the same lines. The Dillon Essentials kit comes with the Lyman 50th edition. Which manual/book would be a good compliment to the Lyman? Thanks.
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OP
My how fast things change. Got a notification from FedEx today that the Dillon XL 750 Essentials is on its way. No notification from Dillon but I know they are very busy.
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