Getting back into reloading - what to get?

[t1066]

Nearly 30 years ago, I had an RCBS progressive press. I was pretty happy with it, but I got it mainly because my local gun store let me get it on lay-way. I'm now starting over from scratch. And since I'm going to be asking for parts of a setup for Christmas, I want to make sure to get a good setup.

I plan on shooting about 5K 9mm, and maybe 1K or more 5.56 NATO per year. I want to set up a progressive press for at least these two sizes, though I'll possibly expand to several others, mainly pistol rounds (.40 S&W, .357 SIG, .45 ACP, and .45 LC most likely).

I remember Dillon advertising heavily as being the best system, but I'm not sure if that was actually the case. I didn't know anybody that was upset with their Dillon system, but there wasn't that much in the way of forums back when I was paying attention, so I didn't have that many people I could ask, other than gun shop people.

So...RCBS, Dillon, Lyman, ... ? And which model.

Also, any good choices for vibratory case cleaners? I never had any experience with them.

[bogey1]

Welp, the dillon xl750. I have the 650 and love it. I want the 750 because I don't
feel like sliding a bunch of brass down a copper tube.

[TooBigToFit]

I have a Square Deal B, but that wouldn't be very good for some of your calibers (it only does straight walled pistol cartridges with proprietary dies). It works pretty well, but the spent primer catcher can be hit or miss, and it'll sometimes decide to not feed a primer.

[Delkal]

RCBS makes the best single stage press so keep it (you will still use it).

Dillon makes the best progressives. I had a 550 for over 30 years and have easily cranked out tens of thousands of bullets. Some people like the 650 with the auto advance but I don't miss it.


Everything else (dies, scales, trimmers, etc) can be a mix of manufacturers.

[SgtRecon]

Ill chirp in before the LEE bashers, I have very good luck with my Pro 1000 progressive presses, although I do not prime on then as this step can be finicky and run them in a different sequence as normal. for the cost you can get three or four set up for the price of a Dillon and accessories needed to run them and never have to change out caliber set ups. for the quantities you posted they will do you fine. I currently have them set up for 45ACP, 40S&W and .223

My '06, 30-30 and .41 Magnum stay on the single stage and turret press. A digital powder dispenser scale is a must have, when I started with just the .41 Mag I fussed with a balance beam scale, it's eternally in a box with my 8 track tapes and other antiques, I would have surely given up reloading without a digital powder dispenser,best reloading purchase I've made, I'm currently using this :

https://www.lymanproducts.com/gen6-c...-powder-system

[Brick]

RCBS makes the best single stage press so keep it (you will still use it).

Dillon makes the best progressives. I had a 550 for over 30 years and have easily cranked out tens of thousands of bullets. Some people like the 650 with the auto advance but I don't miss it.


Everything else (dies, scales, trimmers, etc) can be a mix of manufacturers.

I Agree wholeheartedly! My Dillon RL 550 B has been in service since 1990 and handles everything I reload from .32 S&W Long to .308 Win. Plus if you must you can always break the progressive cycle and reload in single single stage batches.

[JoshIronshaft]

I got my hands on a Dillon XL650 about 8 years ago and have never second guessed owning a Dillon. I have loaded thousands of rounds and experienced the greatest customer support. Any time I have called them due to something breaking, even if I am sort of at fault (which I admit), they send me a new part free of charge almost over night.

I have a case feeder, and will probably get a bullet feeder one day. I experimented with a Hornady bullet feeding die but I it wasn't working consistently with the 9mm 147gr coated Blue Bullets which are my main projectile to load these days for USPSA.

Get lots of primer tubes. Loading a bunch in advance will make your loading session go faster.

I have XL650 tool heads set up for 9mm, 45acp, .38 spl, 5.56, .308, and .30-06. I do have a single stage RCBS press but it is mostly for secondary tasks or experimenting.

I have one powder thrower for pistol and one for rifle that I jump from tool head to tool head.

It takes me about 10-15 minutes to change calibers, tops! I think I spend more time looking for things than actually converting the press.

For 5.56 and 308 I have one tool head with a sizing/depriming die and a Dillon rapid trimmer die. I use this die for the prep work. The rapid trimmer is amazing and saves a lot of prep time. Then I switch to the tool head with the powder funnel die, bullet seating die, and crimp die (I load for semi autos mostly). I use the Hornady spray lube for sizing bottle neck cartridges. I have had great success with it because I shake it well and give it 10 minutes to dry. I spray a little in the die and lightly coat the cases, shake them around in a plastic tub, then give them another light spray and shake. Most people that don't like it seem to struggle with the instructions I guess. I don't tumble to remove it, I go right into loading from there. For pistol calibers I use carbide dies and clean then once a year to avoid a stuck case.

I do the priming for all calibers with the XL650.

I don't bother sorting 5.56 and .223 brass because I have a load that is safe for both, and yes they can have internal volume differences that change your pressure/velocity depending on who made the case. I checked the volume of 10 different head stamps myself with water to confirm the volume of different manufacturer's cases can vary. Basically if you want to push it with a load, work it up for a certain head stamp and use caution when switching brass or mixing.

I do sort .308/7.62x51 brass.

I have a Dillon primer pocket swager for military 5.56 and 9mm brass with those pesky swaged primer pockets.

For cleaning brass I use a cement mixer filled with 10 lbs of stainless pins, a dash of lemi shine, and a drop of dawn dish soap. Lately though I have been doing smaller batches so I've gone back to using my harbor freight vibratory tumbler with whatever media I have that is old as hell and a squirt of mineral spirits to control dust. I've never removed primers for wet or dry tumbling and never had an issue. Any brass I wet tumble I let sit out to air dry in my dehumidified basement for a few weeks.

Whatever you buy, get one of the slick LED light strips that mounts under the press head and lights up your cases. So amazing for $30-ish.

[ExFlyinguy]

I'm a Lee single stage press user. Cant afford the other brands especially Blue ones.

Sgt. Recon I use both a digital and a beam scale. The digital gets erratic at times and every once in a while the beam scale (RCBS 505) seems to get stuck. Since I lack complete confidence in either I use them both to verify

[SgtRecon]

Flyingguy, I also verify with a smaller digital scale, try this out...After much initial frustration with my digital dispenser, I replaced the fluorescent lights (with electronic ballasts) over my work bench with LED's and the problems ceased. I also had some very strong rare earth magnets used to hang tools and such at the bench, cleared them out also. many of these state in the manual not to be used near cell phones, microwaves or cordless phones ect

It is so consistant now I only double verify the firsthalf dozen or so charges and randomly every 6-12 drops dependant on the caliber and load, always spot on

[Walleye Hunter]

I am not far ahead of you on this except that I have never reloaded so all I can do is share what I have found. I found a gently used Dillon 550 with four caliber change kits. I also took a class at Kings Shooters Supply in King of Prussia, which they conduct on a 550 press and for $25 I think it was a great class. They also sell Dillon stuff and have a solid reputation and I recommend that you take a look at them. According to the class teacher, the differences between the 550s (as you know there is a 'b' and I think a 'c') are structural (heavier parts, grease fittings) but they all still function the same. The 550 has four stations (resize and decap, bell and powder, seat bullet and crimp) and the 650 has five (I believe you can stick a swager in there for crimped primers). The 550 is hand indexed and the 650 is auto indexed and you can get a brass feeder for the 650. You may be able to get a brass feeder for the 550 but I don't think it works well. I also have a bag of .223 brass that you can have to get you started there.

One other thing...I have heard that shouldered brass is tougher to load and best done manually, one stage at a time. If that is wrong I'd like to hear more input on it.