Reloading

[pm40]

I've been wanting to start reloading with the increase in ammo prices lately.I only want to reload 5.56/223, 7.62/308 at this time,and maybe some pistol caliber(s) later on. I would like to get the whole set up at once,then only have to buy bullets,powder,primers etc. to start. I want a progressive type set up as im not looking to reload for a 1000 yd rifle. (AR-15,FN FAL) I Just want to stock up on some good shooting ammo,decent accuracy,and want it to be safe to shoot (No kabooms,,etc.) I have never reloaded before.I always bought ammo by the case. What and or where can I get a set up like this? I have a few bucks to spend.Like I said I would like to get the whole thing at once and not have to buy additional components later on. And I'd like to be able to churn out alot of rounds.

[Low Drag]

What's your budget?

You can't go wrong with a Dillon, your budget and desired volume determine what type of loader you get.

I have a 550 that's replacing an RCBS progressive. So far so good on the Dillon.

[UVvis]

Like Low Drag said, it depends on your budget.

A Dillon 550 + conversion kits seems to be what you are after.

As far as kabooms, that is up to you. For pistol, using bulky powders that you have to use a larger charge of is good for safety, but these powders are usually have louder reports, bigger flashes and seem to not shoot as good for me. For rifle, it is mostly about not running super hot loads, watching your brass for damage, and using appropriate powders.

Just off the top of my head, for .223 and .308, I'd consider at least the following in addition to the press/powder measure/dies and conversion equipment:
Reloading Manuals (more than one is better)
Calipers
Case gage per each caliber
Case trimmer for rifle rounds (Dillon, Gracey, Giraud)
Scale/Balance
Tumbler to clean brass
Tumbling media/brass separator
Case Lube
Deburring tool depending on how you trim
Bullet Puller
and plenty of patience

Also make some good rules for yourself. I have ONLY ONE POWDER and PRIMER type on my reloading bench at a time, and make sure it is all gone before moving to a different load. This keeps me from confusing small primers and powders that look alike.

[AR15barrels]

Skip the 550 and go right for the 650.
The addition of auto-index, casefeed and powder-check are significant improvements in both safety and cyclic rate.

I speak from experience, having started on 550's

I currently have the following dillon presses:
1 450
3 550's
2 650's
2 1050's

If I could do it all over from scratch, knowing what I know now, I would start with a 650.

My advice to you is free, but has cost me many thousands of dollars to learn.

[Resq47]

My advice to you is free, but has cost me many thousands of dollars to learn.

No doubt! Dare I ask how you have your blue armada tasked out?

[AR15barrels]

Dare I ask how you have your blue armada tasked out?

I load for about 40 chamberings.

1050 dedicated to 223 (swages primer pockets)
1050 dedicated to 9mm (swages primer pockets)
dirty 650 for mass case trimming and forming
clean 650 for loading intermediate amounts of common calibers like 40, 45, 38/357
550 for smaller volume runs up to about 500 pieces (I have around 20 caliber conversions for 550's as that's what I started with.
550 dedicated to 300x221/6x45/7TCU/222 and other wildcats based on the 223 case head
extra 550 that I setup for about any chambering including 9mm or 223 when I want to try something different than the load on the 1050's or when I am teaching someone to reload
dirty 450 for case forming cartridges that I don't have 650 shellplates for and for taking to the range for load development

Of course I have another half dozen single stage presses as well, but those only get used for odd tasks or where I don't have the dillon shelplate required for a cartridge case.

[Armati]

So, assuming that a guy just wanted to get going reloading military grade 60-75gr 5.56mm....

Is there much else needed beyond getting a Dillon 650 and a few reloading manuals?

[taliv]

well, for starters...

a quality scale
calipers
case gauge
chronograph
case lube
tumbler
media separator
walnut or corncob media (or whatever)
case trimmer
chamfer/debur tool
etc.

granted, you don't technically NEED all of that, but it is pretty useful

[Impact]

what happened to AR15barrels ?

[Kurt Reifert]

He is serving a two week time out.
Apparently the moderators didn't like some of his comments in another thread.

[toddackerman]

I load for about 40 chamberings.

1050 dedicated to 223 (swages primer pockets)
1050 dedicated to 9mm (swages primer pockets)
dirty 650 for mass case trimming and forming
clean 650 for loading intermediate amounts of common calibers like 40, 45, 38/357
550 for smaller volume runs up to about 500 pieces (I have around 20 caliber conversions for 550's as that's what I started with.
550 dedicated to 300x221/6x45/7TCU/222 and other wildcats based on the 223 case head
extra 550 that I setup for about any chambering including 9mm or 223 when I want to try something different than the load on the 1050's or when I am teaching someone to reload
dirty 450 for case forming cartridges that I don't have 650 shellplates for and for taking to the range for load development

Of course I have another half dozen single stage presses as well, but those only get used for odd tasks or where I don't have the dillon shelplate required for a cartridge case.

Alert....Ammo Press Whore!!! :)

Tack