Getting into Reloading, suggestions

[gunderwood]

Wow, I really should learn to use Google before posting So it does look like the majority of dies are interchangeable (depending on 3 or 4 set versions), except the one Dillon die that uses different threading. Depending on how things go initially, this will probably be the first future investment after the initial setup.

Also, it looks like there is a VB show coming up in a few weeks and the Hampton show is in March.

They are all until you get to really large calibers which require a 50BMG press.

[gunderwood]

Rick just hooked me up with a tumbler and bullet puller. I've got a few thousand 9mm cases I am going to clean first, and then when the tax refund comes, i'll be picking up a Dillon 550B and carbide dies, and a few thousand rounds worth of components. And my wife thinks I already spend a lot of time in the garage...

The bullet puller is really crucial. I had to pull bullets from my first 10 loaded rounds..a stray case had made it onto the bench and I loaded my second round ever with no powder. Thankfully I was counting the number of rounds.

I use the Hornady version for now, but I have one of these for the larger stuff (http://www.ch4d.com/) and I want to upgrade to the smaller one too.

[qotsarock]

Rick just hooked me up with a tumbler and bullet puller. I've got a few thousand 9mm cases I am going to clean first, and then when the tax refund comes, i'll be picking up a Dillon 550B and carbide dies, and a few thousand rounds worth of components. And my wife thinks I already spend a lot of time in the garage...

The bullet puller is really crucial. I had to pull bullets from my first 10 loaded rounds..a stray case had made it onto the bench and I loaded my second round ever with no powder. Thankfully I was counting the number of rounds.

I have yet to reach the point where the cost of a bullet puller will be offset by reclaiming the value of the components of the screwed up cartridges.

As far as primers, I usually get mine from Bob's for about $31/1000. I know better deals can be had. The powder I use is about $20/14oz - same story.

I guess it depends. If you realize that something happened somewhere in a batch of rounds but can't pinpoint where, you can pull them and check, dispose of them, or shoot them and take your chances. A kinetic puller is only 15 bucks or so.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with Bob's. Where is that?

[nickf829]

If you goto the Chantilly show, there is a company called T&T Components(or it was T&T something or another) that usually has good deals. He has a pretty big setup usually to the left rear of the building. He may go to other shows to, I don't know. Back in the fall, I bought a few boxes of CCI small pistol primers for $22/box, various powders for $15/lb and quite a few boxes of cast bullets for cheap, can't remember the price, but it was cheap enough that I didn't just cast them myself. I can't say I've ever seen prices that cheap other than some online places.

There are ways to reload for significantly less than buying, but it involves lots of time and a decent array of equipment. If you cast your own, you can reload for as cheap as pennies a round .45, compared to $.30/rd+ for WWB.

[t33j]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with Bob's. Where is that?

It's in downtown Norfolk. It's been there... forever

[CowboyT]

I was curious if the die sets can be used across various presses or are they each unique to their own manufacturer? Can the Dillon carbide dies be used with the Lee Pro?

Yes, they can, but it's not necessary. The Pro 1000 already comes with dies.

As far as saving money over all, I am not deluding myself. I know it will become an equalizer, but I will at least get to shoot more for the same cost, and hopefully enjoy the process in making the rounds.

I certainly do. It's a nice "after work" relaxing activity which also saves a lot of money per round.

One other thing. Since you haven't reloaded before, I'd strongly recommend you do plenty of rounds on a single-stage press first, before you tackle a progressive press of any sort. Get your fundamentals down really well. Also, a single-stage is always a very handy thing to have around for various tasks (mine continues to get plenty of use). For you, I'd recommend Lee's little cheapie $30 "Lee Reloader Press". No, not exactly a Rockchucker, but it's a lot stronger than it looks, won't break your bank, and is more than sufficient for your rounds. You can use the same press from your Pro 1000 on the single-stage, too. This is what "Miss B.H.C." is using in most of the videos featuring her.

Welcome to the hobby!

[gunderwood]

As far as saving money over all, I am not deluding myself. I know it will become an equalizer, but I will at least get to shoot more for the same cost, and hopefully enjoy the process in making the rounds.

I certainly do. It's a nice "after work" relaxing activity which also saves a lot of money per round.

He wants to reload for a 9mm Glock,which because of the rifling can't use non-jacketed rounds. For 9mm, the cost of the bullet significantly eats into the savings because of that. Larger rounds like .45 are easier to save on even for a Glock, but anything you can cast for it a lot of savings. Especially if you get the lead for free.

[qotsarock]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with Bob's. Where is that?

It's in downtown Norfolk. It's been there... forever

Thanks. I'm in Arlington so am not familiar with stores out there.

[qotsarock]

+1 on the Lee Reloader Press. That's how I started out, with the package deal at Midway that includes the Modern Reloading book (a good info source for beginners).

[ShadowByte]

After some thinking (I don't know if the amount I shoot per year really warrants a progressive press) and the comments on here, what about the Lee Turret presses?

It seems to me this is a nice starting tool as you can set them for single stage and then enable the auto indexer for faster loading once the basics are learned? Not to mention it seems easy enough to switch things out for other size calibers and it will even accommodate rifle rounds if I am ever fortunate enough to get into that.

Anyone here have experience with this setup? There is even a "deluxe" 4 hole version with some extras that can be put in place down the road.

[qotsarock]

After some thinking (I don't know if the amount I shoot per year really warrants a progressive press) and the comments on here, what about the Lee Turret presses?

It seems to me this is a nice starting tool as you can set them for single stage and then enable the auto indexer for faster loading once the basics are learned? Not to mention it seems easy enough to switch things out for other size calibers and it will even accommodate rifle rounds if I am ever fortunate enough to get into that.

Anyone here have experience with this setup? There is even a "deluxe" 4 hole version with some extras that can be put in place down the road.

No experience with them but have heard good things online about the Classic Cast Turret, which apparently is newer and better than the standard version (which may be what's considered the deluxe version). Just a headsup that there are similar sounding options sold by Lee.

[ShadowByte]

No experience with them but have heard good things online about the Classic Cast Turret, which apparently is newer and better than the standard version (which may be what's considered the deluxe version). Just a headsup that there are similar sounding options sold by Lee.

Thanks for pointing that out. The Classic Turret Press looks to be quite a bit sturdier than the one in the deluxe kit. After reading then and subsequent review, it looks like the classic turret press is well worth the extra $.

[meak99]

The turret will be faster than the true single-stage, but nowhere near the full progressive. Check out CowboyT's videos here... they're great:

http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun. ... urret.html

http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com/pro1000.html

I keep bouncing back and forth between Lee and Dillon, but I only want to make one investment, so I think I am going to end up with Dillon.

[gunderwood]

The turret will be faster than the true single-stage, but nowhere near the full progressive. Check out CowboyT's videos here... they're great:

http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun. ... urret.html

http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com/pro1000.html

I keep bouncing back and forth between Lee and Dillon, but I only want to make one investment, so I think I am going to end up with Dillon.

IMHO, there is no contest between Lee and Dillon. If you think you want and can afford the Dillon, there is only one choice.

[ShadowByte]

The turret will be faster than the true single-stage, but nowhere near the full progressive. Check out CowboyT's videos here... they're great:

I definitely looked hard at the Pro 1000 press, especially after watching his videos, and was originally set on this, but after reading people's suggestions on here and speaking with some friends personally, everyone is pretty much saying the same thing: go with a single stage at first.

I can definitely see the point to this, it really drives in what each stage is doing, but I wanted something a little more speedy down the road and the Classic Turret Press seems a nice mix between the single and progressive. Since it allows a single stage setup if you want, it makes it nice for learning and then I can go to an auto-indexer down the road once I get the swing of things. Plus it looks like the Pro 1000 doesn't handle some of the larger rifle rounds, and I hope to get a Savage 110 .308 one of these days, and the turret press can handle all the way up to .50 BMG.

As far as manufacturers, I am pretty much settled on Lee for now due to the price range and just getting into the hobby. I need to save up for reloading supplies and hopefully some new additions to the safe.

If I am wrong on this or if someone else has an opinion definitely let me know. I am still in the planning stages and probably won't get the press for another month or so, in the mean time I definitely want to do some more research.

[t33j]

I started out with a Dillon. I've never regretted a single thing about that decision. Their customer support is great too.

[gunderwood]

I started out with a Dillon. I've never regretted a single thing about that decision. Their customer support is great too.

+1

I did the same thing. Started on a 550B. Sure the learning curve is steeper, but it really isn't that hard, just pay attention to what you are doing.

[acguy45]

I use the 4 hole turret press it suits my needs pretty well, I had others but I had to downsize to make weight on my last PCS move.Sometimes a primer flys astray when decapping cases but other than that no real complaints. As others have stated you can work it single stage until your comfortable with using the auto index feature and getting spare turrets makes swapping out dies a snap. and if you decide you like the hobby (or addiction) you can always get the progressive later down the road and then use the turret press to load rifle rounds.

[gunderwood]

There is value in a single stage press. I use the Hornady Lock-n-load 50BMG press to load larger rifle rounds and with adapters for the smaller dies to decap for annealing and to dissemble.

[speezack]

Part of my reloading room with the Dillon 550B Etc.
Google is our friend.
LOL
Bill

Hey Sgt. Bill.... you really should consider getting into reloading?!!!!
... and you need to work on trying to organize your workroom and bench.... what a mess!!!!

I reloaded many, many years ago... still have all those manuals and a lot, lot of stuff... my bench is in my daughters attic along with a lot of my equipment... I am considering setting up another 'station' in my garage but I also have to decide about my model railroading layout, my pool table, my boat and two Harleys along with my other workbench, table saw and 3000 tools that I can't find... oh, and some furniture that my daughter stores in there tooooooo.... but I am working on it..... so far I have had 2 cups of coffee and the trash needs to go to the dump... now, back to reloading...

PS... your work station looks great.