lfine Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Looking to finally start reloading my own - all 9mm for the near future. With new product coming out all the time what's today's consensus on first press and equipment to get? Single or progressive? And any favorite 147s? Thanks from a newbie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrackCage Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 What do you plan to Do? Reload a few rounds for plinking or quite a few rounds for competition/regular practice? If the latter, no way I'd see anyone recommending a single stage as it simply cannot keep up with the pace of consumption. I started reloading on a Dillon 550 and I would not have had any interest in a single stage for my uses. There will be the camp that says single stage is a good way to learn (valid statement) but I simply did not want to buy single stage just to buy again with progressive. In fact, I'd have gone with a Dillon 650 if I could do it over again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJH Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Knowing what I know now and assuming it is in your budget, I would go with a 550 if you plan on doing much uspsa type stuff. If that is too much them then maybe a Lee classic turret. Both are good for whatever and will turn out decent amounts of ammo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundlzrd Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 I started with a lee classic turret and it almost got me to give up on reloading too soon. Not sure what I had wrong in the setup, but it always took me 2 hours to load 100 rounds. I think most of it was priming related. Once I got a 550, I had no more issue. This year I picked up a Rock Chucker and part of me wishes I would have started there. For the volume I was shooting at the time, it would have been fine. And I use it for small volume calibers where change overs can add up on the 550. I don’t need that much 50 ae or 308. If you can find someone local who has a 550 or Lee classic turret that’s willing to mentor, that would be great. My mentors all had single stages. One now had a lee classic turret, and primes off the pressSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 I started on a RCBS rock chucker singe stage 45 years ago, still have it (bought it used back then) Great way to learn and it has advantages when working up your loads and for small batch rifle loading etc. you should plan on getting one some time in the future!!! Now Buy a Dillon 550 with the strong mount and it will probably keep you in ammo for the rest of your life. If you start shooting mass quantities you will eventually get a 650 or 1050 much to the dismay of lots of folks here I'm not a fan of the 650 but I've loaded on 550's ever since they came out. (30-35 years) If I can't keep up on a 550 I'm using a 1050 550 is your answer IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJH Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 37 minutes ago, soundlzrd said: I started with a lee classic turret and it almost got me to give up on reloading too soon. Not sure what I had wrong in the setup, but it always took me 2 hours to load 100 rounds. I think most of it was priming related. Interesting, my classic turret has been bullet proof on the primers. If I had to prime off the press, I would get rid of it. In pistol rounds I can do 100 in about 22 minutes without trying to hurry too much, but I cant sustain that rate for an hour and why I recommend the 550 as well. 100 in about 15 minutes on it and that rate can be pretty well sustained. 4 pulls to make a round on the LCT, gets real old after 100 founds :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickT Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 OP, you've provided scant information, but have received some general guidance. Spend 4-5 hours on the web reading the many tens of thousands of threads, posts and articles concerning getting started, selecting a press including pros/cons, what you need in addition to a press and many, many more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) Get a Pro 1000, strip all priming equipment from it. I prime off the press - a 4 gallon tub at a time - then you are ready to load, be sure to remove the decapping pin from the sizing die, and it works very well. The choice of press really depends on how much ammunition you are going to load. I don't shoot competition any more, but do go out and shoot frequently. What I've suggested above is a low cost way to load a reasonable amount of ammunition for "hobby" shooting. I've got 3 of them, 9mm - .45ACP and .223. This removes any time, effort or additional cost by not having to swap parts around from using just one press. This won't be a good solution if you practice and shoot competition a lot as it will be more time consuming than using a 1500. A lot more time consuming ! Edited January 31, 2018 by Steve RA missing a letter ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundlzrd Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Interesting, my classic turret has been bullet proof on the primers. If I had to prime off the press, I would get rid of it. In pistol rounds I can do 100 in about 22 minutes without trying to hurry too much, but I cant sustain that rate for an hour and why I recommend the 550 as well. 100 in about 15 minutes on it and that rate can be pretty well sustained. 4 pulls to make a round on the LCT, gets real old after 100 founds :-)I know many people love them. I do believe it could have been user error, but I couldn’t seem to find the answer to get it dialed in. I love the 550, and glad I tried it before giving up on reloading.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanb Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) I’ve got both a single stage and a 650. I’d punch myself in the face before loading more than 50 to 100 rounds on a single stage. I’d also advocate for the 650 instead because of the auto indexing. Less chance of a double charge. Edited January 31, 2018 by Nathanb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Neill Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 As has been said, much depends on how much shooting you intend. I would recommend a small single stage such as an RCBS Pardner press and dies, along with a Dillon Square Deal (assuming the single cartridge. This assumes the two are within your budget. The single stage will be useful for learning the process, and with load development. The Square Deal will allow loading in quantity once the load is settled on. Having the single stage then allows testing new powders or bullets in smaller quantities without changing the Square Deal set-up, until or unless you want to load the new new bullet/powder in quantity. Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stick Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 I started with a Lee Turret Press (which I still have) then I went with a Lee Pro100 that I had for about a week before selling it. I bought a Dillon XL650 and I love it. For what I do, the XL650 is perfect. I reload 9mm, 45acp, 223, 243 and 308 According to your post you were going to do 9mm only? If that's the case, I would recommend a Dillon square deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K31Scout Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Like RJH, my experience with the Lee Classic Turret is close to the same. Many youtubes on finely tuning the primer system and other operations. Disconnect the turret bar and it's a single stage press. Quality at a low price if you are not sure you'll like reloading. I suggest the kit with the auto Drum, not the Pro disk powder measure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadShot Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) Could you buy a 550, use it as a single stage to learn on, and then use it as a progressive press when you are ready? Edited January 31, 2018 by BadShot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lfine Posted January 31, 2018 Author Share Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) RickT - you're right, should'e given some more info. Shooting Production USPSA 9mm this summer. Want to make sure I can put together some that Tangfolios like in the 147 range and that's consistent. I would want to do 200 a week at one time. I'm not looking to spend any amount but I'm willing to spend smart money. Room isn't an issue. Would want to be able to expand to others sometime in the future but no hurry. Thanks for all the info. I've got some great places to start thanks to your responses. The square deal option is definitely interesting. Edited January 31, 2018 by lfine add line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrackCage Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 26 minutes ago, BadShot said: Could you buy a 550, use it as a single stage to learn on, and then use it as a progressive press when you are ready? You certainly could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furrly Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 550 all the way.. Was My first press a year and half ago, just upgraded to the super 1050. Best advice and decision i ever made Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out of Ammo Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 I started with the Dillon 550 and have never considered changing. You just can't go wrong with Dillon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStagePlan Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 I I just started myself I went with a 1050 have shot 2000 rounds out it the 1050 not a single Issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateTSU Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) My first progressive was a Hornady LNL AP and would say it falls in between a 550 and 650. It is a good press and changeovers are easy. Edited January 31, 2018 by NateTSU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 11 hours ago, lfine said: want to do 200 a week at one time. square deal option is interesting. No rifle or .40 major plans in the near future ? The SDB is a Great Option. $400 and you're all set up to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhand Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 I started reloading in 2015 with a Hornady LNL AP. I've loaded about 15000 rounds since then with no major issues--no squibs or double charges. I've second-guessed my choice a few times, wondering if I should have bought a Dillon 650 instead, but the Hornady has worked out well for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJH Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 I would skip the SDB. While they are great presses, the fact that you can only use Dillon dies, can't reload rifle, and the upgrade to the 550 is only about $100, makes it a press to skip, IMO. One day you will want to shoot 3 gun or load a pistol that Dillon doesn't make dies for and you will be screwed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stick Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 1 minute ago, RJH said: I would skip the SDB. While they are great presses, the fact that you can only use Dillon dies, can't reload rifle, and the upgrade to the 550 is only about $100, makes it a press to skip, IMO. One day you will want to shoot 3 gun or load a pistol that Dillon doesn't make dies for and you will be screwed. I disagree. Didn't the Op state he only shoots 9mm? If he got the Dillon Square deal and decided to sell it, he wouldn't get burned on the resale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JON Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 11 hours ago, Wheelsonly said: I I just started myself I went with a 1050 have shot 2000 rounds out it the 1050 not a single Issue. How was the recoil out of the 1050? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now