If I wanted an entry reloading rig, based on the XL650(may as well go with the best to start with, only buy it once) what is absolutely necessary to ensure safe and accurate reloading? I would be a fairly strict budget so adding ameneties later on is fine. Don't want to buy things twice however if I can help it.
Would like to stay clear of KinnyLee's list initial cost. Thanks everyone!
ETA - Are there other reloading setups out there that will function similarly to the XL650 but not bear the price? I've not got my heart set on Dillon - just reliability and safety. I've heard about RCBS but haven't heard much about their quality and such. All advice is much appreciated!
A shoot-off of KinnyLee's thread, on a budget....
Moderators: carlson1, Charles L. Cotton
Hi Cyphur. Like DWS stated. You can't beat Dillon's quality and customer service. Might as well bite the "bullet" and do it once to get it over with. Dillon does have other setups such as the 550, Square B deal, etc.. I just picked on 650 because it's probably what's best for me since i shoot quite a bit, but not a large volume shooter yet.
I'd like to eventually shoot 500-1000rds a month, but that also includes .308, soon to be .45ACP, I'm sure larger rifle rounds as well as other pistol rounds in the future. While 45ACP is expensive, its the $1 per round cost of good .308 that kills me.
I don't mind laying the $500 down on the Dillon XL650 - but what else is absolutely necessary to have to go along with it? Like I said, frills and "nicities" and stuff to make it easier can be bought later on. I'll probably buy a digital scale up front however.
I don't mind laying the $500 down on the Dillon XL650 - but what else is absolutely necessary to have to go along with it? Like I said, frills and "nicities" and stuff to make it easier can be bought later on. I'll probably buy a digital scale up front however.
budget minded
I feel your pain.
Kinnylee has put together an excellent list. But you could easily elect to add some things as you go. Here's what I'd pare it down to if forced.
BBK II Electronic Scale @ $ 89.95
Dial Calipers non-D @ $ 28.00
Primer flip tray @ $ 13.95
Dillon 45 ACP/GAP 3-die carbide set @ $ 55.95
Dillon XL 650 in 45 ACP @ $ 479.95
Reloading Manual - Lyman #48 non-D @ $ 24.95
Midway tumbler and media separator
Notice there's no roller handle nor case feeder.
A friend bought a 650 like that for his first venture into handloading. Worked fine. My bride wanted to surprise me one Christmas and sought his advice. You've guessed it. Santa's version had the case feeder and the roller handle.
Cheers,
Norm
Kinnylee has put together an excellent list. But you could easily elect to add some things as you go. Here's what I'd pare it down to if forced.
BBK II Electronic Scale @ $ 89.95
Dial Calipers non-D @ $ 28.00
Primer flip tray @ $ 13.95
Dillon 45 ACP/GAP 3-die carbide set @ $ 55.95
Dillon XL 650 in 45 ACP @ $ 479.95
Reloading Manual - Lyman #48 non-D @ $ 24.95
Midway tumbler and media separator
Notice there's no roller handle nor case feeder.
A friend bought a 650 like that for his first venture into handloading. Worked fine. My bride wanted to surprise me one Christmas and sought his advice. You've guessed it. Santa's version had the case feeder and the roller handle.
Cheers,
Norm
If you do decided to go Dillon, might I suggest you give Brian Enos a visit.
http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.html
That's where I placed my order, and an hour after I placed an order I got a call from him informing me I may have to wait on the PACT scale. I told him to go ahead and put me down for a Dillon scale instead. He even gave me a discount on the scale. Now that's service! Very nice guy to talk to and deal with.
http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.html
That's where I placed my order, and an hour after I placed an order I got a call from him informing me I may have to wait on the PACT scale. I told him to go ahead and put me down for a Dillon scale instead. He even gave me a discount on the scale. Now that's service! Very nice guy to talk to and deal with.
Hey cyphur:
The XL650 is an excellent machine. However, Dillon's 550B does just about the same thing except no auto indexing - you have to move the shell plate with your thumb each time - not that big of a deal. A lot of high volume shooters use the 550B.
IF however, you want to use the powder check die, you need to go with the 650 as it has a 5 station toolhead that allows for the powder check on station 3 (the 550 only has 4 stations).
Dillon has just come out with an auto case feeder for the 550 if you wanted that in the future.
I also deal with Brian Enos, who is very knowledgeable about all things Dillon. Give him a call, let him know you're starting out and he'll be glad to help you make up your mind.
Hope this helped.
The XL650 is an excellent machine. However, Dillon's 550B does just about the same thing except no auto indexing - you have to move the shell plate with your thumb each time - not that big of a deal. A lot of high volume shooters use the 550B.
IF however, you want to use the powder check die, you need to go with the 650 as it has a 5 station toolhead that allows for the powder check on station 3 (the 550 only has 4 stations).
Dillon has just come out with an auto case feeder for the 550 if you wanted that in the future.
I also deal with Brian Enos, who is very knowledgeable about all things Dillon. Give him a call, let him know you're starting out and he'll be glad to help you make up your mind.
Hope this helped.
"An armed society is a polite society"
CaptDave, I sure do appreciate the advice!
I went over to BE's site and found this page: http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html#550
It basically outlined all the different platforms, their strengths and weaknesses, what you'd want for your application, what you'd need starting out(broken down per platform). It was a huge help, thanks for all who pointed me towards that site!
I'll be going with a 550B with the BE upgrade, when the time comes. I will be wanting to reload a few different types of bullets and it seems the 550B will accomodate that need quite well. Especially since my two main rounds will be 45ACP and .308WIN....
I went over to BE's site and found this page: http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html#550
It basically outlined all the different platforms, their strengths and weaknesses, what you'd want for your application, what you'd need starting out(broken down per platform). It was a huge help, thanks for all who pointed me towards that site!
I'll be going with a 550B with the BE upgrade, when the time comes. I will be wanting to reload a few different types of bullets and it seems the 550B will accomodate that need quite well. Especially since my two main rounds will be 45ACP and .308WIN....