Reloading Equipment Recommendations

[Wojo]

Just started myself and really like the RCBS. I like knowing one by one that each one is how i want it. Only 100 rounds of experience though

It's an awesome feeling when ur first rounds go bang!

 

[shooter53]

It's an awesome feeling when ur first rounds go bang!

and the fact that you can customize the round to fit your needs...plus, the more rounds you reload the more $ you save in the long run

 

[Wojo]

and the fact that you can customize the round to fit your needs...plus, the more rounds you reload the more $ you save in the long run

I am a little surprised that even in one of my first sets of reloads, the rounds were much more consistent than the typical stuff you find on the shelf (not match).

 

[Pinecone]

You left off the Dillon

The Dillon can function as a single stage until you are ready to move on.... My friends that use other presses that you listed really liked my Dillon when they tried it. I think it is a little more expensive but IMHO it is worth it.

No all Dillons adapt easily to single stage.

And again, I prefer to advise starting with a single stage, that you can use even after you get your Dillon.

I have a Lyman Orange Crush single stage on the bench next to the 650 with case feeder.

 

[Les Gawlik]

There are literally dozens of videos on YouTube. I've watched some because I am thinking about getting into it for 300 AAC. I would also like recommendations regarding brands, and what works and what doesn't.

 

[Pinecone]

For single stage, they all work.

For turret, you want one that the turret is fully supported around, so it does not rock.

For progressive, IMO, Dillon or Dillon or Dillon. Although I have heard good things about Hornady.

For dies, they are all fine. For high precision rounds, you go to specialized dies like collet neck dies, body dies, bushing dies, micrometer seating dies, etc.

For powder measures, the Lee Auto Disk is reported to leak small ball powders. But my Dad has one and it works fine.

I prefer a beam scale for most reloading. Once set, to check a charge, throw it in the pan, toss it on and the pointer lines up or not. No thinking. But a cheap digital is good for some uses, like sorting bullets or cases for precision rounds.

 

[HaddenUSAF]

Here is the menu on Dillons site. Not sure I need each of the optional items. I copy/pasted right from the site. I am looking to reload 9mm but certainly want the option to load higher calibers in the future. Is this the right press for me?

Square Deal B Interactive Purchasing Guide
Stock# Dillon SDB Base Price: $379.95
Caliber Type (Required) Stock # Add. Cost
9mm 20104 $0.00

Caliber Conversion Adjuncts
Extra small powder bar-needed for powder charges less than 2.5 grains, primarily 32 S&W Long wadcutter reloading
$29.95 Info
None
Options and Accessories
Instructional DVD
This shows assembly, adjustment, operation and caliber changes for the Square Deal B machine
Instructional DVDs $19.95 Info
reloading machine DVDs
Super 1050 DVD
RL550B DVD
Square Deal B DVD
XL650 DVD
None
Spare Parts Kit
When you begin loading Saturday afternoon for a Sunday match, and you drop a locator pin or break a spring- change the part, continue reloading.
$21.95 Info
None
Strongmount
This raises machine 8 1/2" above the top of the bench, for a more comfortable operating height.
$64.95 Info
None
Bullet Tray
Attaches to left side of the strongmount, cast aluminum tray holds bullets at same height as shellplate (Requires Strongmount)
$41.95 Info
None
Low Powder Sensor
Provides an audible and visual reminder when it is time to refill the powder hopper.
$41.95 Info
None
Additional Equipment Needed to Begin Reloading
Case Gages
Dillon Handgun Case Gages $15.45 Info
Dillon Handgun Case Gages
.380 ACP Case Gage
9mm Case Gage
.38 Super Case Gage
.38 Special Case Gage
.357 Magnum Case Gage
.40 S&W Case Gage
10mm Case Gage
.44 Magnum Case Gage
.45 ACP Case Gage
.45 Colt Case Gage
.45 GAP Case Gage
None
Powder Scale
Necessary for adjusting the powder measure to dispense the desired amount of powder
D-Terminator Electronic Scale $139.95 Info
Dillon's 'Eliminator' Scale $69.95 Info
None
Primer Flip Tray
Orients primers right-side-up for filling the primer pickup tubes
$20.95 Info
None
Additional Primer Pickup Tubes
speeds up reloading by having extra tubes to pre-fill. Tube holds 100 primers.
one large tube $7.99 Info
one small tube $7.99 Info
2 small & 2 large tubes $23.95 Info
4 large tubes $23.95 Info
4 small tubes $23.95 Info
None
Calipers
precision measuring instrument, used to check crimp, overall length, variety of other dimensions. Measures up to six inches in length, accurate to .001"
Digital calipers $39.95 Info
Stainless steel dial calipers $28.00 Info
None
Loading Manual
provides how-to-reload information as well as
A cookbook-like format for loading data for a variety of cartridges.
Lyman 49th Edition Reloading Handbook $24.95 Info
None
Vibratory Case Cleaner
Used to clean and polish cartridge cases prior to reloading
CV-750 Case Cleaner $144.95 Info
CV-2001 Case Cleaner $187.95 Info
None
Case/Media Separators
Quickly and neatly separates clean brass from the cleaning media
CM-500 Case/Media Separator $46.95 Info
CM-2000 Case/Media Separator $72.95 Info
None
Cleaning Media
Crushed Walnut cleans even the dirtiest of cases, or ground Corncob for general cleaning and the best final polish.
15 lbs crushed walnut $23.95 Info
10 lbs ground corncob $15.95 Info
None
Rapid Polish 290
Adds a significantly brighter polish to your cleaned cases,and a protective coating too! Contains no ammonia to weaken brass!
8oz bottle $8.95 Info
None
Kinetic Bullet Puller
An eraser for reloaders. Allows you to recover and reuse misassembled reloading components.
$29.95 Info
None

 

[DaemonAssassin]

Here is the menu on Dillons site. Not sure I need each of the optional items. I copy/pasted right from the site. I am looking to reload 9mm but certainly want the option to load higher calibers in the future. Is this the right press for me?

Square Deal B Interactive Purchasing Guide
Stock# Dillon SDB Base Price: $379.95
Caliber Type (Required) Stock # Add. Cost
9mm 20104 $0.00

Caliber Conversion Adjuncts
Extra small powder bar-needed for powder charges less than 2.5 grains, primarily 32 S&W Long wadcutter reloading
$29.95 Info
None
Options and Accessories
Instructional DVD
This shows assembly, adjustment, operation and caliber changes for the Square Deal B machine
Instructional DVDs $19.95 Info
reloading machine DVDs
Super 1050 DVD
RL550B DVD
Square Deal B DVD
XL650 DVD
None
Spare Parts Kit
When you begin loading Saturday afternoon for a Sunday match, and you drop a locator pin or break a spring- change the part, continue reloading.
$21.95 Info
None
Strongmount
This raises machine 8 1/2" above the top of the bench, for a more comfortable operating height.
$64.95 Info
None
Bullet Tray
Attaches to left side of the strongmount, cast aluminum tray holds bullets at same height as shellplate (Requires Strongmount)
$41.95 Info
None
Low Powder Sensor
Provides an audible and visual reminder when it is time to refill the powder hopper.
$41.95 Info
None
Additional Equipment Needed to Begin Reloading
Case Gages
Dillon Handgun Case Gages $15.45 Info
Dillon Handgun Case Gages
.380 ACP Case Gage
9mm Case Gage
.38 Super Case Gage
.38 Special Case Gage
.357 Magnum Case Gage
.40 S&W Case Gage
10mm Case Gage
.44 Magnum Case Gage
.45 ACP Case Gage
.45 Colt Case Gage
.45 GAP Case Gage
None
Powder Scale
Necessary for adjusting the powder measure to dispense the desired amount of powder
D-Terminator Electronic Scale $139.95 Info
Dillon's 'Eliminator' Scale $69.95 Info
None
Primer Flip Tray
Orients primers right-side-up for filling the primer pickup tubes
$20.95 Info
None
Additional Primer Pickup Tubes
speeds up reloading by having extra tubes to pre-fill. Tube holds 100 primers.
one large tube $7.99 Info
one small tube $7.99 Info
2 small & 2 large tubes $23.95 Info
4 large tubes $23.95 Info
4 small tubes $23.95 Info
None
Calipers
precision measuring instrument, used to check crimp, overall length, variety of other dimensions. Measures up to six inches in length, accurate to .001"
Digital calipers $39.95 Info
Stainless steel dial calipers $28.00 Info
None
Loading Manual
provides how-to-reload information as well as
A cookbook-like format for loading data for a variety of cartridges.
Lyman 49th Edition Reloading Handbook $24.95 Info
None
Vibratory Case Cleaner
Used to clean and polish cartridge cases prior to reloading
CV-750 Case Cleaner $144.95 Info
CV-2001 Case Cleaner $187.95 Info
None
Case/Media Separators
Quickly and neatly separates clean brass from the cleaning media
CM-500 Case/Media Separator $46.95 Info
CM-2000 Case/Media Separator $72.95 Info
None
Cleaning Media
Crushed Walnut cleans even the dirtiest of cases, or ground Corncob for general cleaning and the best final polish.
15 lbs crushed walnut $23.95 Info
10 lbs ground corncob $15.95 Info
None
Rapid Polish 290
Adds a significantly brighter polish to your cleaned cases,and a protective coating too! Contains no ammonia to weaken brass!
8oz bottle $8.95 Info
None
Kinetic Bullet Puller
An eraser for reloaders. Allows you to recover and reuse misassembled reloading components.
$29.95 Info
None

Get the 550 instead of the Square Deal press. IIRC the Square Deal is only for pistol calibers. Check the link in my sig to see what you might want to get. I spent a lot of time on that post. All the info you need is in that post.

 

[rwbow1969]

Get the 550 instead of the Square Deal press. IIRC the Square Deal is only for pistol calibers. Check the link in my sig to see what you might want to get. I spent a lot of time on that post. All the info you need is in that post.

I also believe the square deal take a different size die. I know one of the Dillon presses takes a smaller sized die.

I have 2 550's, that's all the Dillon I've known.....

Also the swager for the crimped mil. primers is awesome.

Rock Chucker for a single stage.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

I also believe the square deal take a different size die. I know one of the Dillon presses takes a smaller sized die.

I have 2 550's, that's all the Dillon I've known.....

Also the swager for the crimped mil. primers is awesome.

Rock Chucker for a single stage.

The Square Deal does use a proprietary die that is only for use in the Square Deal press. OP, I recommend highly that you get a 550 so you can also do rifle when you are ready to do so. I have a 550 and I love it. If you want some help with it, let me know. I'll teach you how to reload on my 550 if that would help you get started.

 

[Just a Guy at the Range]

The question is, not which press to get, but which Dillon to get......

Move past the Square Deal, at first it seems like a good deal, but it really is not, it takes an oddball die size, so only Dillon dies fit. And if you are loading pistol, you will need a Lee Factory Crimp Die in your last stage.......

So the question becomes, 550 vs 650.....make the extra few CC payments and get the 650, you will never look back. I absolutely love mine, and even with the few extra bucks to put in on my bench, it paid for itself inside of a year, when compared to store bought ammo.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

The question is, not which press to get, but which Dillon to get......

Move past the Square Deal, at first it seems like a good deal, but it really is not, it takes an oddball die size, so only Dillon dies fit. And if you are loading pistol, you will need a Lee Factory Crimp Die in your last stage.......

So the question becomes, 550 vs 650.....make the extra few CC payments and get the 650, you will never look back. I absolutely love mine, and even with the few extra bucks to put in on my bench, it paid for itself inside of a year, when compared to store bought ammo.

Starting out, I think it would be easier to start loading with a 550, because there isn't a lot of automatically moving parts. What do you think?

 

[Pinecone]

You don't NEED a Lee Factory Crimp die, the Dillon taper crimp die (comes with the Dillon die sets) does a fine job.

 

[Traveler]

I have owned the RL550B for about six months. I have just gotten back into reloading. I like the fact that I can run it as a single stage, or progressive. It is very flexible and high quality. I hated the price, but love the rest.

I just cranked out around 350 very consistent rounds yesterday. It's good to have ammo.

 

[mike_in_md]

I highly recommend BrianEnoes.com for a everything you need Dillon 550. I have bought from Brian many times and his shipping is free. The Dillon 550 can make up to 400 rounds a hour.

 

[Traveler]

Remember we have a local guy too. Bob is very helpful and available by appointment.

http://www.marylandreloadr.com/

 

[HaddenUSAF]

So I think I will give Bob a call. Since he does not take Credit Cards what should I be expecting for a full 550 setup with the basics to reload 9mm?

 

[Wojo]

So I think I will give Bob a call. Since he does not take Credit Cards what should I be expecting for a full 550 setup with the basics to reload 9mm?

Bob does now take credit cards! I was his test subject!

 

[mike_in_md]

For an idea on fair price of a Dillon 550 check this link out. http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.ez.550.html

 

[DaemonAssassin]

I highly recommend BrianEnoes.com for a everything you need Dillon 550. I have bought from Brian many times and his shipping is free. The Dillon 550 can make up to 400-600 rounds a hour.

FIFY...