I'll try to keep this susinct --but please forgive spelling in advance.
I came back to shooting about six months ago after a 20 year gap in combat shooting and reloading. During those 20 years my ecopnomic circumstances have changed and I am n a minimal fixed income -- but with a great desire to shoopt and reload again.
As a first step back I got a pretty good EAA 9mm and found I retained skills but need practice, practice. Six months ago I started purchasing WAlly World WWhitebox at just about $11 per hundred. I also decided that I would eventually like to get back into a 1911 .45 -- but found that .45 ACP ammo, even at Wal-Mart, and newer 1911 weapons that are not very rough were prohibitevely expensive for immediate buys.
I was lucky enough to trade the Witness plastic Composite ona good deal for a Sig 230 9mm and picked up (for a song) a full metal EAA 16 round witness 9mm.
Now ammo is creeping up again -- so I thought it was time to resurect my reloading skills. I have enough experience (and ammo need) to know I need a progressive AND might be able to (legally, of course) doing hobby reloading for shooting friends who supply me the brass.
I seriously have investigated the Dillon line and the Hornady L&L -- finding no other presses would meet my need for a powder check die and auto progressive.
Having to retool EVERYTHING (scales, calipers, etc.) I find the Dillon 650 comes in at about $1750 for my needed equipment and supplies direct from Dillon. If I get a Dillon SDB (one set-up for each caliber with toolhead) I get down to about $1050 including all with no autofeed for cases. If I go with Hornady LNL and two calibers plus all including autofeed and plates -- I get everything for about $1300.
NOW THE PROBLEM - I have my gear (including 2 fun Hi-Point 9mm carbines) for 9mm --and have vowed not to even look at 1911's until I have reloading capability. (Only wat to afford the ammo.) I recently passed my CCW and expect it in the next few weeks -- and have been looking at a small Kahr 9 to carry.
That puts me at 5 9mms to fire -- and no .45. If I am willing to settle for never getting a .45 again, I could get a Dillon SDB with everything for 9mm except for powder check and auto feed, for under $900. But the lack of autofeed limits my "production" and does not allow me to tool cheaply for other stuff I might acquire as might the LnL.
At tis point I need some ideas. Budget is tight -- I feel I need a powder check station, but the deisre to move up to .45 is also a consideration.
I do not want to go to a 550 or turret style ecause I might not ever need that range -- but the LnL seems to have that lattitude - where the SBD and 650 do not.
Any comments, ideas and suggestions (switch to .45, get out of the hobby/sport, why I might use a SBD for each caliber) would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance -- and I knw the information from Brian (if he is abler to answer this along the way) is from an experienced perspective as a shooter AND a Dillon rep. Maybe he can shortcut some ideas for me!