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My first Dillion Press !


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:rolleyes: I was on the wall for months but I did it, I just ordered a Dillion 550B off of this web site (Brian's Store) !

I am happy but a bit worried at the same time. I did meet someone here locally that reloads and he said he would come over and help me set it up and show me the ropes if I paid him in beer.

I just ordered my first Dillion press. I decided to get the 550. If you don't mind I will put a list of what I purchased and can you tell me if I left anything out. :roflol:

1) :bow: Dillion 550B :bow:

2) Dillion 40 S&W/10mm Carbide 3-die set

3) 1 inch bench wrench for Dillion Dies/P. Measure

4) Dillion Strong Mount

5) Primer Flip Tray

6) 4 pack small primer pickup tubes

7) Dillion 550B Instructional DVD

8) BrianEnos.com Digital Scale/RCBS Powder Pan

9) Neiko stainless steel 6-inch Digital caliper

10) Lyman- Reloading Book

11) Hornady one shot case lube

12) Tumbler

13) Media Separator

14) Impact bullet puller

15) Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner

16) Lee Chamfer Tool

17) Lee GAGE/HLDR 40 S&W

18) Lee Cutter & Lock Stud

19) Lee Zip Trim ;)

Total $918.83 out of pocket.

I am collecting my brass at this point because I still have about 1,200 store purchased rounds here in the garage. I know I still have to buy powder, primers and bullets. I will get the powder and primers here by my house(Gander Montain)and by the bullets of the internet.

Did I forget anything? :rolleyes:

Edited by JayJayJay
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You said tumbler and media separator, but don't forget media itself (corn cob, lizard bedding, crushed walnut, etc) and some kind of polish for the media, either the dedicated brass cleaner, Nu-Finish car stuff, etc. Search other threads, there are a lot of different combinations people use.

As a shooter, you probably have a good set of ballistic/ANSI glasses, make sure you wear those (and possibly ears) when you reload to protect the sensitive areas.

A little more unconventional than items, but a good bench to attach it to, and a nice quiet place free of distractions to reload. A cool dry place to store powder, primers, etc..

Also, in the accessory items, maybe some plastic ammo boxes, and labels/a little notebook to keep track of the loads, components, crimp, load, and data for each round. With that, a chrono too to test the ammo.

Sounds like you have all the basics, best of luck to ya!

p.s. with the local reloader, make sure you pay him in beer AFTER you reload, not before or during! :cheers:

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.

As a shooter, you probably have a good set of ballistic/ANSI glasses, make sure you wear those (and possibly ears) when you reload to protect the sensitive areas.

A

Now I am worried! Do rounds go off during the process?

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not normally, but its good to wear eye protection in case primers in the tube detonate. Never read anything about an actual incident with primers detonating, but I'm sure it must've a few times. If you take your time and follow sound reloading practices there shouldn't be any problems (other than shooting more cause you now load your own....) Good luck

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not normally, but its good to wear eye protection in case primers in the tube detonate. Never read anything about an actual incident with primers detonating, but I'm sure it must've a few times. If you take your time and follow sound reloading practices there shouldn't be any problems (other than shooting more cause you now load your own....) Good luck

That's what I meant. Primers are basically small explosives. Kind of one of those "better safe than sorry" type scenarios.

They're pretty hardy, but with all the motion, especially if you're rushing and catch a primer between a moving shell plate, etc, and squeeze it enough it'll "pop."

I've dropped plenty of bullets, and a few primers, and always kind of hold my breath just a bit when I drop a primer, but haven't had any problems.

I've also heard of the infamous "chain reaction" where one primer sets off an entire tube, but I'm thinking that just might be an urban legend.

Glasses are also good just in case any metal burrs/spurs kick up, powder sprays, spraying case lube, etc.

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not normally, but its good to wear eye protection in case primers in the tube detonate. Never read anything about an actual incident with primers detonating, but I'm sure it must've a few times. If you take your time and follow sound reloading practices there shouldn't be any problems (other than shooting more cause you now load your own....) Good luck

That's what I meant. Primers are basically small explosives. Kind of one of those "better safe than sorry" type scenarios.

They're pretty hardy, but with all the motion, especially if you're rushing and catch a primer between a moving shell plate, etc, and squeeze it enough it'll "pop."

I've dropped plenty of bullets, and a few primers, and always kind of hold my breath just a bit when I drop a primer, but haven't had any problems.

I've also heard of the infamous "chain reaction" where one primer sets off an entire tube, but I'm thinking that just might be an urban legend.

Glasses are also good just in case any metal burrs/spurs kick up, powder sprays, spraying case lube, etc.

Chain reaction of primers exploding is not urban legend, lots of posts about it happening. It's the main reason that the primer tube has a steel tube surrounding it, so if it goes off, the explosion goes up, and not out.

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Just noticed that you also need a set of check weights. I wouldn't trust the single calibration weight they usually come with. It's nice to have check weights that are similar in weight to typical powder weights.

And where do I get check weights? How heavy should the check weights be? :sight:

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Excellent choice.

I like to use powdered graphite as a lube on the primer slide bar, might pick up some at the Hardware store next time your there.

Best presses on the planet and outstanding customer support. No body does it better than Dillon.

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:surprise: Mr. Brian called me today to talk to me about the order. That was fast! I made the order at 3am and he called 9 hours later to discuss the strong mount. He told me that I would not need the strong mount because I built my work table 42 inches high. :roflol: So I was very happy that he did not sell me an item that I would not need. he also sold me the hardware so that I didn't need to go down to Home Depot to find hardware to install the new 550B to my very high work table.

I built my work table out of a bunch of 2x4s and a huge piece of 3/4 inch plywood. The table is 8 feet long, 2 1/2 feet from the back to the front of the table and 3 1/2 feet tall. I may need buy a taller chair so that I can reach the 550B. :rolleyes:

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:surprise: Mr. Brian called me today to talk to me about the order. That was fast! I made the order at 3am and he called 9 hours later to discuss the strong mount. He told me that I would not need the strong mount because I built my work table 42 inches high. :roflol: So I was very happy that he did not sell me an item that I would not need. he also sold me the hardware so that I didn't need to go down to Home Depot to find hardware to install the new 550B to my very high work table.

I built my work table out of a bunch of 2x4s and a huge piece of 3/4 inch plywood. The table is 8 feet long, 2 1/2 feet from the back to the front of the table and 3 1/2 feet tall. I may need buy a taller chair so that I can reach the 550B. :rolleyes:

That was funny... I was reading this post and getting ready to reply to get the Bullet Tray and the Empty Case Bin, and didn't connect your member name with the name in this morning's order that I called you on.

On a chair for reloading, I highly recommend a bar stool. They're taller than a chair, can you can put your feet on the rungs under you and keep your back nice and straight. And if it's too tall you can easily cut some off the legs.

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:surprise: Mr. Brian called me today to talk to me about the order. That was fast! I made the order at 3am and he called 9 hours later to discuss the strong mount. He told me that I would not need the strong mount because I built my work table 42 inches high. :roflol: So I was very happy that he did not sell me an item that I would not need. he also sold me the hardware so that I didn't need to go down to Home Depot to find hardware to install the new 550B to my very high work table.

I built my work table out of a bunch of 2x4s and a huge piece of 3/4 inch plywood. The table is 8 feet long, 2 1/2 feet from the back to the front of the table and 3 1/2 feet tall. I may need buy a taller chair so that I can reach the 550B. :rolleyes:

That was funny... I was reading this post and getting ready to reply to get the Bullet Tray and the Empty Case Bin, and didn't connect your member name with the name in this morning's order that I called you on.

On a chair for reloading, I highly recommend a bar stool. They're taller than a chair, can you can put your feet on the rungs under you and keep your back nice and straight. And if it's too tall you can easily cut some off the legs.

Thank you sir. Your company is by far the best company on this planet. Free shipping, you call everyone before a order ships out and you know your stuff. If I was gay I would probably take a run at you. "just kidding"

:roflol:

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  • 4 weeks later...

I've had a similar experience with Mr. Enos. He did not try to sell me anything I did not need. He was patient with my dumb questions, and he always calls back the same day you leave him a message. Great service. Great product.

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I've had a similar experience with Mr. Enos. He did not try to sell me anything I did not need. He was patient with my dumb questions, and he always calls back the same day you leave him a message. Great service. Great product.

Thanks - I appreciate that. In eleven years, I've returned every call the same (business) day the message was left.

be

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