New to reloading...

[Glock22xd9]

Originally Posted by Bib

I disagree....if we're talking single stage, a Lee will work just fine. When you get into progressives, buy the best you can afford...Dillon, if possible. I wouldn't even plant the "400 rounds an hour" seed in the head of someone who has never reloaded before. Learn the fundamentals first..


What calibers are you planning to reload for G22xd9?..I might have some things around here that I no longer use or need, and maybe after the holidays, when you get your equipment, I'd be willing to come over and help you get it set up and get you off on the right foot....I don't live too far away but I work 55-60 hours a week so finding time might take some doing.

I'm gonna hold you to it Bib! Just kidding. I sure would appreciate it though!

[Glock22xd9]

Originally Posted by pghplr

I'm new to reloading too, so you'll be glad to know I'm not offering advice on actual reloading. I bought a Dillon 550 and I'm enjoying it alot. However, a couple days ago while googling for info on maintenance for it(not in the manual) I came across this article www.cs.odu.edu/~rtompkin/hornady/blue.php
Something to consider if you go progressive.

This is a great site! Thank you!

[Suburban]

Originally Posted by aubie515

I know lots of people like Lee, but I like RCBS and Hornady products. When I first started researching for reloading, I considered Lee, but once I read for weeks...I noticed that you eitherh liked Lee or you cursed the company. I didn't want to risk it...and I know that my reloading equipment will last my lifetime, so I paid more up front to buy quality.

I'm not sure that ALL Lee products are junk, but my research showed the same results, and I ended up with a Hornady progressive.

I am a bit frustrated with the LNL powder measure. Essentially, it comes set-up for rifle loading. It will do pistol sized amounts, but I'm getting variances of +/- 0.3 grains, which is a lot for pistol loads. If the pistol rotor does not give better results, for $30 more, I'll end up using a Lee Pro Auto Disk measure.

[Glock22xd9]

Ok, I understand that people have different preferences, that's what I asked for. But I still don't understand what all I need to buy, and what is involved in the actual process. Lets lay some groundwork before we go over my head please.

from what I gathered from pghplr's message, the hornady seems to come out on top for a bit more money.

there are more things involved than just the press correct? what are they?

How much am I looking at spending to get into this?

single or progressive? Why?

I appreciate everyone's opinions, but at this point I need some facts.

Thanks G22

[aubie515]

It's pretty simple...

Single stage if you want to load match grade ammo...IE the BR guys or people that complete in F Class Comp. want the best accuracy.

Progressive...guys that may compete in IDPA or IPSC that need to crank out ammo for their competition. Or perhaps someone that owns AR15's that like to plink a lot...they want to load a lot of ammo within a short period of time.

I have both types of presses...I use my Single Stage to load 308, 243. Once I set up my Hornady Lock N Load AP, I will be loading 223 and 45 in bulk.

You will need
A press
single stage
turret
progressive

Manual
sierra
hornady
barnes
lyman

Powder
depends on what caliber you are loading.

Primers
depends on what caliber you are loading.

Brass
I prefer Winchester brass for rifles...pistol brass I use whatever I find

Bullets
I prefer Hornady A/V max for rifles.

Dies
I prefer Redding dies for rifle....RCBS carbide dies for pistols

As far as going single v. progressive...that will depend on what calibers you plan to load...and what the intended use is for...I'm not bashing Lee products...I just knwo that during my research that people liked Lee or they disliked the products. I didn't want to take the chance of not liking it and wasting my hard earned money. I bought what I could afford and that was RCBS and Hornady...I feel that I bought quality once and only cried once. In the end it's your money, so buy whatever you think will suit your needs.

[Glock22xd9]

what are the dies? Do they have to do with caliber?

How do I measure the powder?

I'm going to be loading .40 and 30.06

I think that the single stage seems like the way to go for rifles, but what about pistols?

Aubie you are always on point with this stuff. Thank you.

[pghplr]

1 Loading manuals for load data
2 Press, of your choice
3 Dies, your choice
4 Shellplate(s) if needed
5 Scale
6 Calipers
7 Brass
8 Bullets
9 Primers
10 Powder
11 Case trimmer
12 Deburring tool
13 Primer tool.
14 Bullet puller ( or am I the only one?)
Theres lots of fun stuff beside these but I'd say you'd be on your way.
I had the good fortune to have a list member give me an oppertunity to come over and get some hands on. Which I needed, because I had asked the same questions you are, here in another thread on this topic. Reloading 101 I believe. Never having saw a press in operation, I couldn't comprehend what it all involved even as I read about them. I was apprehensive about get into something that looked so complicated and dangerous. I've still only loaded a few hundred rounds and I'm slow but trust my ability more and more with each downstroke. So it's always getting better. The Dillon manual is online, its also in that Blue cool-aid link. I'm sure most press manuals are. It walks you through the process.
If you get the chance to watch someone do it and explain what and why you're doing what you're doing, it helps alot. Thanks Redhawk 41

[pghplr]

Aubie, you're fast. I see you didn't mention the bullet puller. I guess it is just me then!

[Karys]

Originally Posted by Glock22xd9

what are the dies? Do they have to do with caliber?

You will need a set of dies for each caliber you plan to reload. I'll tell you what I have without getting into the complexities too much. I have a Dillon 550B progressive press which uses four dies. The first die resizes the case and removes the old primer. The second die flares the mouth of the case so it will accept the bullet. The third die seats the bullet to the proper depth and the fourth die crimps the case mouth around the bullet.

Originally Posted by Glock22xd9

How do I measure the powder?

On the Dillon 550B, the powder is measured automatically on the second stage where your flaring die opens up the case mouth. You would have to manually weigh out the powder charge for each case if you get a single stage.

Originally Posted by Glock22xd9

I think that the single stage seems like the way to go for rifles, but what about pistols?

What sold me on the Dillon 550 was you can reload both rifle and pistol cases on it. You might not get quite the accuracy out of your rifle rounds as you would if you were using a single stage and could control the process in more detail, but you will be able to crank out good practice ammo.

I've only been reloading for about four years and so far I've loaded .45 ACP, .40 S&W and 10mm. If you plan on going through a lot of pistol ammo, then a progressive is the way to go.

I can't recommend presses from any other manufacturers because I haven't used them. The Dillon 550 seems to be the best all purpose press to me though.

[Glock22xd9]

Great response! Thank you!

I read on the site that pghplr put up that the dillon is not as good as the hornady, but a lot of people have them and seem to like them, but haven't used the hornady to compare.

I like the idea of being able to bang out a lot of pistol target loads. can you manually measure on the progressive stage press to get the accuracy without having to buy both presses?