alphabrace
Member
I am interested in reloading 9mm, 38/357. I have used a single stage once and I know that is not what I want. I am thinking about a 3 or 4 stage manual index since I am new to reloading. Any thoughts?
New to reloading: Which press to buy?
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OP
alphabrace
Member
I am interested in reloading 9mm, 38/357. I have used a single stage once and I know that is not what I want. I am thinking about a 3 or 4 stage manual index since I am new to reloading. Any thoughts?
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
alpha,
Do a search in this section of the forum.
This question has been answered many times here.
There are no "one size fits all" for this one.
Here are some questions you need to ask yourself. Remember to be honest in answering them!
"What is my ability to pay attention to detail?"
"What is my mechanical aptitude?"
"How much ammo do I need to make and how much time am I willing to use to get it?"
"Are there financial considerations that will affect my choice of equipment?"
Do the search and some reading, then report back what you found.
Do you know what your options are?
Do a search in this section of the forum.
This question has been answered many times here.
There are no "one size fits all" for this one.
Here are some questions you need to ask yourself. Remember to be honest in answering them!
"What is my ability to pay attention to detail?"
"What is my mechanical aptitude?"
"How much ammo do I need to make and how much time am I willing to use to get it?"
"Are there financial considerations that will affect my choice of equipment?"
Do the search and some reading, then report back what you found.
Do you know what your options are?
OP
alphabrace
Member
Thanks smith crazy for the questions. No A-D-D at present. Mechanical aptitude good (patience is a lifelong learning event). Need hundred rounds of each per month. Press cost is a consideration. What is driving me to reloading?
The possiblity of future high cost of shooting.
BTW like your quotes.
The possiblity of future high cost of shooting.
BTW like your quotes.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Alpha,
Send me an email. I too live in Northern Indiana. We may have some places we frequent in common.
I think the Lee Turret may be for you. The dies you would have to buy will fit in most other presses to be considered in the future. Price is reasonable. There is added flexibility for doing rifle rounds too.
p.s. Thanks for the comments about my signature!
I am mechanically challenged, but had no problems with the Dillon 550. It may cost more, but it sure is good.
idahostreams
Member
I have been handloading for the last 46 yrs, mostly on a C type press or a RCBS Rockchucker. I am loading mostly handgun ammo now and like you only shoot 100-200 rds. a month. I bought a Redding T-7 Turret Press a few months ago and like it very much. Size decap and prime on first step, bell case mouth on second and remove from press. Charge all cases and re-insert charged case. Seat bullet on next step and crimp on Lee FCD at last step. Suits my needs very well. Room left for three more dies.
Julian
idahostreams
Member
Wheelgunner840
Member
I would not hesitate to get a Dillon 550-B. You can use dies made by any manufacturer, load all pistol calibers and most rifle calibers, it is a manual indexing machine, and comes with a 100% no BS warranty from one of the best names in reloading.
You can keep it simple, or add upgrades such as a case feeder later on if you so desire. If I were you, I would at least check them out.
WG840
You can keep it simple, or add upgrades such as a case feeder later on if you so desire. If I were you, I would at least check them out.
WG840
629man
Member
Dillion 550 B, I agree with all Dillion people above, plus you get a NO "BS" lifetime replacement of all parts.
lafayne
Member
For pistol ammo the Dillon 550 is hard to beat. I do not deprime on the Dillon. It really helps keep it clean. Any old C style press will hold a universal depriming die.
I still use my C presses a lot for small batch test loads in all calibers due to ease in changing calibers.
I still use my C presses a lot for small batch test loads in all calibers due to ease in changing calibers.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
We are leaving out one thing the op has as criteria folks, price.
The op said he has a limited amount to spend. Hence the suggestion for the Lee.
The Dillon's are great presses, I have 4, 3 SDBs and an XL650. I don't have $600 in all three of my Square Deals BUT I bought them all used. For my money that is the way to go for handgun cartridges in medium amounts. The XL650 is the primo loader for all cartridges in my opinion. I could never envision needing more, no matter what the volume. I can do 100 223 match grade ammo in about 10 minutes! I have more than $600 in it alone though!
At any rate, the Lee Turret fits his criteria best using the information given. If he has double what the Lee costs available, then yes, a Dillon would be my next choice too.
One thing about the Lee though. It can be used in the future to do development on. If he was to purchase a progressive in the future there would be no need to take the Lee off of his bench. It would still be a viable part of a reloading room!
The op said he has a limited amount to spend. Hence the suggestion for the Lee.
The Dillon's are great presses, I have 4, 3 SDBs and an XL650. I don't have $600 in all three of my Square Deals BUT I bought them all used. For my money that is the way to go for handgun cartridges in medium amounts. The XL650 is the primo loader for all cartridges in my opinion. I could never envision needing more, no matter what the volume. I can do 100 223 match grade ammo in about 10 minutes! I have more than $600 in it alone though!
At any rate, the Lee Turret fits his criteria best using the information given. If he has double what the Lee costs available, then yes, a Dillon would be my next choice too.
One thing about the Lee though. It can be used in the future to do development on. If he was to purchase a progressive in the future there would be no need to take the Lee off of his bench. It would still be a viable part of a reloading room!
shovelwrench
Member
For a beginner, looking for a somewhat productive press, there is none better then a Lee Turret press.
Cheap and very effective, just do yourself a favor and get a four hole turret press. That way you can seat and crimp in two steps, this eases a lot of problems.
You'll want to buy four die sets for that, too.
Cheap and very effective, just do yourself a favor and get a four hole turret press. That way you can seat and crimp in two steps, this eases a lot of problems.
You'll want to buy four die sets for that, too.
i've loaded tens of thousands of rounds over the last 20 years on a Lee turret press. only thing i've changed is the little plastic ratchets, which last several years, and are only about $1 each.
buy extra turrets for around $6 each, and you can set up a turret for each caliber and never need to adjust them once set. the turrets change out in about 15 seconds.
this is available as a kit with a powder measure and scale for around $100. add the adjustable charge bar as an upgrade to the powder measure (about $8) and you're ready to go.
if you have any questions e-mail me.
buy extra turrets for around $6 each, and you can set up a turret for each caliber and never need to adjust them once set. the turrets change out in about 15 seconds.
this is available as a kit with a powder measure and scale for around $100. add the adjustable charge bar as an upgrade to the powder measure (about $8) and you're ready to go.
if you have any questions e-mail me.
Beans
Member
Dillon 550
I have two 650's and one 550 and I just bought a used Square Deal press.
The first time I used it, it broke.
Called Dillon and THANKS to their no BS warranty the part is in the mail, No charge.
keppelj
Member
I opted for the Lee turret, used it for 6-8 months of active reloading and regretted it. If you are fussy about exact powder weights, overall lengths, etc., it will drive you crazy because it never does quite the same thing twice. You check everything and adjust constantly. I bought the Dillon 550B out of frustration and the difference is night and day. Powder weights come out the same every time and overall lengths are within a couple thousandths, plus you are making good bullets way faster than you can shoot them which was never true with the Lee.
I'd say go with a Dillon. Get the 550 and it will last you a lifetime.
You can do all your pistol and rifle cartridges with the 550. I started out with a Dillon 300 many years ago and kept upgrading.
I now use my 550 for all my rifle cartridges and a few novelty pistols. I have a 650 for my .38s and shoot about 30,000 of those a year so the bigger machine helps.
Dillon's service is spectacular. I've had a few parts break over the years and after I call, they just send the parts to me in the mail.
You can do all your pistol and rifle cartridges with the 550. I started out with a Dillon 300 many years ago and kept upgrading.
I now use my 550 for all my rifle cartridges and a few novelty pistols. I have a 650 for my .38s and shoot about 30,000 of those a year so the bigger machine helps.
Dillon's service is spectacular. I've had a few parts break over the years and after I call, they just send the parts to me in the mail.
Sgt Preston
Member
Sgt Preston here. I'm a very picky individual. I designed industrial machinery for 45 years. I expect & demand absoulte perfection from the ammo I produce from round to round. I also have a low pain / frustration threshold & don't like machinery that needs constant readjustment and or repair. I decided to reload to produce better target grade ammo than I could buy. I also shoot a lot - to the tune of 15,000 rounds per year. In order to keep up with that level of shooting, I determined that I needed a progressive machine. I researched all the features of all the machines on the market. I selected, bought, use & recommend the Dillon 550. My 550 has been flawless. Dillon's customer service is also staffed by reloaders who can help you with general or specific reloading issues over the phone on their 800 phone number. Hope this helps. Sgt Preston USMC LLA
VAdoublegunner
Member
I'm a Hornady Lock-N-Load AutoProgressive (LNL AP) man and would highly recommend one of them. However,it is fully autoindexing (and trouble free) and since you don't want a fully autoindexing one I'd recommend the Lee Turret as an alternative. They seem simple and rugged, not to mention reasonably priced, and take standard dies without a lot of extra costs for changeovers. I've considered getting one --- they seem good for rifle cartridge loading.
