baa Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 I have gotten into competitive action shooting over the past 8ish months. I am also lucky enough to have a wife who also enjoys USPSA/IDPA shooting. We both shoot .45 ACP, which is of course getting a bit expensive when you factor in two shooters x 4-6 matches a month (+ practice.) I have been seriously considering reloading for a while and I have spent hours reading on this and other forums as well as agonizing over Brian's different Dillon FAQs. I have leaned towards a 650 as I am fairly technical person with good machine empathy, but at the same time, we are talking about making controlled explosions here. Pure luck or fate happened this week. A co-worker told me he used to shoot a lot and happened to have a Dillon 650, fully setup for 9mm, 38/357 and 45 ACP (Quick Change kits and dies for those calibers) as well as literally tons of brass and primers. He told me all this was sitting in boxes gathering dust and would I like to buy the whole setup from him for a very reasonable price. So, the question is - How realistic is it for me to go from having never reloaded in my life to using a 650? Keep in mind that I am going to bug some of the local shooters for instruction on how to use this thing. I think I should take his offer, but I want to get some opinions on the sanity of this idea.... Here is the full list btw (and the price he is asking is very reasonabl) XL650 press. Case feeder large and small pistol plates Low primer alarm Powered check 9mm quick change .38/.357 quick change .45 ACP quick change Dillon analog scales 10600, small pistol primers 11400 large pistol primers Rainier 9mm 115gr. TCJ RN approx 2000 Rainier .38 125gr. TCJ FP approx 250 Rainier .45 ACP 200gr. TCJ semi wad cutter approx 2000 Rainier .38 158gr. TCJ FP approx 150 7 large pistol primers pickup tubes 7 small pistol primers pickup tubes 1.5 small amno cans of mix Brass ¼ “ “ “ “ .380 Brass 1/3 “ “ “ “ 9mm Brass ½ Large amno cans of .38 brass 3 5 gal buckets of mixed Brass 2.5 Large amno cans of 45 Brass 1 Large amno cans of 9mm Brass 0.5 Large amno cans of 9mm Brass Cleaned 1 wooden crate or 9mm Brass Cleaned 35 gal trash can of mixed Brass Also included is a bullet puller and other odds and ends.. Beyond calipers, powder, and a bench, what else would I need to get started? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trisha Lowry Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 Well....when I walked into Dillon to buy my reloader they asked me if I even owned a wrench....so if I can reload then anyone can!!! All it requires is attention to detail...and oh yea...a wrench! Well I did have to have someone build a cool bench for me. Go for it, not only is it less expensive but it is very relaxing to just turn my music on, my kids off and reload for an hour or two. Have fun! Watch out though, a chrono is next! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 Sweet! No matter what, if it's a good deal, grab it. Find someone that can show you the ropes with thier 650. If you wanted to start smaller (like a 550), you could buy one of those then 'graduate' to the 650, when you feel more comfortable. And then leave the 550 setup in the small primer mode, for other calibers. It's never a bad thing t have an extra press Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckS Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 Well, Assuming that the "quick change kits" are also with dies, all I could see that you may want is a digital scale (faster than a balance) and a spare parts kit. Oh yeah, you may also want a case tumbler, some media and a media separator. Chrono is a good idea also! Later, Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbadaboom Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 Get the 650 and don't worry. There's enough reloading info on this web site that If you just spend an evening researching it you'll be a pro in no time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wide45 Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 Absolutely no brainer. Buy It! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn jones Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 wait! don't buy it! give me his name and number. i'm sure i can deal with him. lynn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 baa, Keep buying Walmart Winchester White box. Post the name of the seller and we will make sure to get this Dillon contraband off of the free market so nobody else is tempted to load their own. If you are not biting on that one, get the 650. I screwed around with the SDB for a year before getting a 650. Good learning experience but a waste of a lot of time. With the 650 you can lock down for an hour, kick out a ton of ammo and spend your spare time at the range, not the reloading room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Brain has a video that give a good intro on reloading on the 650. Get that. And, get some reloading manuals. They aren't just cookbooks...they cover a lot of 'how-to' info as well. oh...was there a brass vibrator/tumbler in that mix anywhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paule Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Don't forget safety glasses. Standard issue is two eyes and spares are tough to come by. Good habit to start with is to record everything you do, even if you think you have a great memory. You will not know what is in that coffee can you set aside three weeks ago to see how they shot next time you had a chance at the range. Then you end up spending a lot more time opertating that new bullet puller. Ask me how I know this~! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skywalker Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 After you'll have bought that stuff, you'll be wondering how come could you have esitated for so long ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baa Posted May 19, 2006 Author Share Posted May 19, 2006 (edited) Brain has a video that give a good intro on reloading on the 650. Get that. And, get some reloading manuals. They aren't just cookbooks...they cover a lot of 'how-to' info as well.oh...was there a brass vibrator/tumbler in that mix anywhere? I ordered Brian's reloading DVD, both the Speer and Lyman manuals, and the 650 VHS (now I have to find a VCR.) No brass cleaning equipment with this purchase. In the short term, I know a guy who will tumble as much brass as I give him for $5.00 a shot. In the longer term I will purchase the equipment myself. Right now I would rather spend the next wad of cash on electronic scales and calipers. Check on the "record everything comment." I plan to document everything I do. I am very excited! Now to get a bench setup.... Edited May 19, 2006 by baa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skywalker Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 I am very excited! Now to get a bench setup.... If you don't find ANY good idea here, better sell all that reloading stuff ... (BTW 480 replies and 80528 views as of now). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomfturner Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Lets just say that if you don't buy it, PM me with the friends name and contact info. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiropro Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 buy it then call dillion ask for a manual and then buy the how to video 1800 223 4570. nice peeps 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