@lost sheep +1 on pretty much everything you've posted. @ruthless4christ no progressives aren't going to produce faulty ammo but like lost sheep said they have much less play. Think about it. I can't suggest one to you because it doesn't fit your needs. It sure does mine. But there should definitely be a spot on your bench for one. Think about all those moving parts on a prog. Just like with firearms...generally more moving less stable parts brings less accuracy. On a SS The only moving part is the ram. And it helps ( really depends on the operator) allow more attention to detail. That's why I chose that route.
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help me build my dream reloading setup for a first timer
- Thread starter Ruthless4christ
- Start date
spacecoast
New member
Not that you want to hear it, but you, your bank account and perhaps your safety as well would be far better served by starting off with a single stage press to learn how to reload. Once you master the basics, you can make a much more informed decision as to which direction and to what degree you want to go with equipment upgrades.
I started off (and still use) a hand press. Other than the press itself (maybe a $30 item), and the dippers used to measure the powder, everything I use to reload could be re-used with a bigger/faster setup.
I started off (and still use) a hand press. Other than the press itself (maybe a $30 item), and the dippers used to measure the powder, everything I use to reload could be re-used with a bigger/faster setup.
I bought a Lee Anniversary kit and never regretted it.Great starting setup (probably all I will ever need)and I have not had any problems with any of the Lee die kits.I'm not trying to be a professional reloader,just to load what I shoot once a week.I bought a HF dual drum rock tumbler and some SS pins for case cleaning,so I'm in about $250 not including components.Maybe 2000 rounds so far with 45acp and 38 spl.
David Bachelder
New member
Don't do what I did.
I started reloading on a RCBS reloading kit. I still use most of it but the Special 5 press that came with it did not suit me well. I soon sold the press and used the funds to off set the cost of a used RockChucker, which I still have and most likely will never part with. The RockChucker was the cats meow, I loved using it but the lure of progressive loading was strong. I decided to buy a RCBS Turret Press. The turret worked flawlessly and I loaded a lot of pistol cartridges with it. For rifle I always went back to the RockChucker, I liked the one at a time thing because I have always babied my 30-06 and .243 rounds and I still do. I'm not saying a progressive will not load rifle casings, they will.
Well eventually the Hornady LNL started to look pretty attractive. I sold the Turret and used the funds to buy the LNL. It took five months for it to get here, but I didn't get gouged on the price, I paid a fair price for it. Less than $400.00 brand new and in the box. I bought it from the fine folks at Midsouth Shooting Supplies, and they promptly backordered it. They never charged my card till the press shipped. They are straight up and I try to deal with them for all my needs.
I bought everything I thought I'd need, the press, shell holders and everything I thought I'd need. Well the day arrived and the LNL was here. Since I had spent the wait time watching every Hornady video I could find on Youtube I was more that prepared to put my press together. Also I watched 6 videos by a guy named Bill Morgan. I highly recommend his videos, the man has a wealth of knowledge on the LNL and he explains everything well. With his help I was able to eliminate many problems before I had them.
So now I get to using the press. I'm not going to claim it was smooth as silk. I had a few problems and what I learned was that I was the cause of most of them. I finally decide to load one cartridge at a time till I fully understood what was going on. This worked very well for me and now I reload in full progressive mode. Just remember, there is a learning curve and all presses have quirks you must understand. I can say that at this time I have very little trouble and I can put an amazing amount of reloads out.
Trouble is I'm running out of resources. Powder for the most part. I'm pretty well stocked on primers but the powder shortage is getting annoying.
Anyway I suggest that if you are leaning toward a progressive press, go get one. You don't need to go through three other presses you really don't want first. Load one at a time till you get the operational picture. Expect to make mistakes and learn from them.
By the way, I still have the RockChucker and I still use it for rifle work. You most likely will always have a use for a good single stage press, be it Hornady, RCBS , LEE or whatever. I have never used any other brand of single stage press so I can't say one brand is any better than the next. I do know that RCBS customer service is as close to perfect as you can get, you break it, they replace the parts ... simple as that.
From the original kit I still have the reloading tray, RCBS 505 beam scale, lube pad and lube, primer flipper tray, powder funnel and a few other goodies. I bought a RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 powder scale (and I love it), a hand priming tool and a few spare parts.
I also cast my own bullets, but thats another story.
Buy what you want, the first time. Anyone can handle a progressive press all it takes is a little common sense and a bit of money. Don't do what I did and buy presses you really don't want.
I started reloading on a RCBS reloading kit. I still use most of it but the Special 5 press that came with it did not suit me well. I soon sold the press and used the funds to off set the cost of a used RockChucker, which I still have and most likely will never part with. The RockChucker was the cats meow, I loved using it but the lure of progressive loading was strong. I decided to buy a RCBS Turret Press. The turret worked flawlessly and I loaded a lot of pistol cartridges with it. For rifle I always went back to the RockChucker, I liked the one at a time thing because I have always babied my 30-06 and .243 rounds and I still do. I'm not saying a progressive will not load rifle casings, they will.
Well eventually the Hornady LNL started to look pretty attractive. I sold the Turret and used the funds to buy the LNL. It took five months for it to get here, but I didn't get gouged on the price, I paid a fair price for it. Less than $400.00 brand new and in the box. I bought it from the fine folks at Midsouth Shooting Supplies, and they promptly backordered it. They never charged my card till the press shipped. They are straight up and I try to deal with them for all my needs.
I bought everything I thought I'd need, the press, shell holders and everything I thought I'd need. Well the day arrived and the LNL was here. Since I had spent the wait time watching every Hornady video I could find on Youtube I was more that prepared to put my press together. Also I watched 6 videos by a guy named Bill Morgan. I highly recommend his videos, the man has a wealth of knowledge on the LNL and he explains everything well. With his help I was able to eliminate many problems before I had them.
So now I get to using the press. I'm not going to claim it was smooth as silk. I had a few problems and what I learned was that I was the cause of most of them. I finally decide to load one cartridge at a time till I fully understood what was going on. This worked very well for me and now I reload in full progressive mode. Just remember, there is a learning curve and all presses have quirks you must understand. I can say that at this time I have very little trouble and I can put an amazing amount of reloads out.
Trouble is I'm running out of resources. Powder for the most part. I'm pretty well stocked on primers but the powder shortage is getting annoying.
Anyway I suggest that if you are leaning toward a progressive press, go get one. You don't need to go through three other presses you really don't want first. Load one at a time till you get the operational picture. Expect to make mistakes and learn from them.
By the way, I still have the RockChucker and I still use it for rifle work. You most likely will always have a use for a good single stage press, be it Hornady, RCBS , LEE or whatever. I have never used any other brand of single stage press so I can't say one brand is any better than the next. I do know that RCBS customer service is as close to perfect as you can get, you break it, they replace the parts ... simple as that.
From the original kit I still have the reloading tray, RCBS 505 beam scale, lube pad and lube, primer flipper tray, powder funnel and a few other goodies. I bought a RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 powder scale (and I love it), a hand priming tool and a few spare parts.
I also cast my own bullets, but thats another story.
Buy what you want, the first time. Anyone can handle a progressive press all it takes is a little common sense and a bit of money. Don't do what I did and buy presses you really don't want.
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Ruthless4christ
New member
awesome feedback here folks. Lost sheep thanks so much for the detailed breakdown, i am going to comb through it and i am stopping by the library to see if they have any reloading books today before I order some.
^now that sounds like a plan!
Originally Posted by rajbcpa
Since I got the Dillon progressive, my single stage RCBS Rockcrusher has sat on my bench and has not been used.
Originally Posted by Lost Sheep
May I suggest you offer it to Ruthless4christ?
^now that sounds like a plan!
I use a Dillon 650 press and for what its worth ...I'd buy it again.
However, I think the Dillon 650 and Hornaday LNL are very similar in quality.
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To me, what pushed me to the 650 - was the powder check die ( yes, we all look in the case ) but none of can see a variation of 0.2grain especially in a tall case..( but not even in a 9mm case ) ...so the powder check die ( and a 5position tool head ) is important to me.
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Caliber conversion - primer conversion from small to large ...is really not an issue. Most of us reload one caliber in a quantity sufficient to stock pile some boxes ( maybe its 5 boxes or 50 boxes ) depending on how much you shoot that caliber. But when I change calibers...is when I break down the press and clean and lube it ..and as part of that process I always take the primer feed mechanism off the Dillon 650 - take it apart and clean it as well )....all of it just takes 30 min or so .../ and in between calibers its not a big deal.
I keep quick change kits - set up with dies, a powder measure -- already set up for each caliber / so changing calibers - really isn't a big deal. Having tool heads all set up and ready to go does add some expense...but in the long run, its worth it.
RCBS makes a decent progressive ...and I have one buddy that still uses it --- but easily 90% of my buddies are using Dillon equipment on metallic cartridges. I'm not a fan of the Dillon 550 because it manually indexes - and is only a 4 station tool head...so you cannot add a powder check die / unless you combine bullet seating and final sizing in one die ( and Dillon discourages that approach)...but they are trying to sell presses too..../ but it makes sense to me, to do the seating separately.
Personally, if I did not want to go with the 650 ...for handguns only, I'd go with the SDB. But the SDB will not do your rifle calibers...
Single stage presses ( like the old RCBS Rockchucker ) work fine / and we thought they were pretty cool in the late 60's early 1970's ..../ and while I might still use them if I only wanted 20 rounds of .30-06 ...../ I sure wouldn't want them for any AR calibers like .223...where I wanted high quality and high volume / they're way too slow and tedious.
However, I think the Dillon 650 and Hornaday LNL are very similar in quality.
----------
To me, what pushed me to the 650 - was the powder check die ( yes, we all look in the case ) but none of can see a variation of 0.2grain especially in a tall case..( but not even in a 9mm case ) ...so the powder check die ( and a 5position tool head ) is important to me.
----------
Caliber conversion - primer conversion from small to large ...is really not an issue. Most of us reload one caliber in a quantity sufficient to stock pile some boxes ( maybe its 5 boxes or 50 boxes ) depending on how much you shoot that caliber. But when I change calibers...is when I break down the press and clean and lube it ..and as part of that process I always take the primer feed mechanism off the Dillon 650 - take it apart and clean it as well )....all of it just takes 30 min or so .../ and in between calibers its not a big deal.
I keep quick change kits - set up with dies, a powder measure -- already set up for each caliber / so changing calibers - really isn't a big deal. Having tool heads all set up and ready to go does add some expense...but in the long run, its worth it.
RCBS makes a decent progressive ...and I have one buddy that still uses it --- but easily 90% of my buddies are using Dillon equipment on metallic cartridges. I'm not a fan of the Dillon 550 because it manually indexes - and is only a 4 station tool head...so you cannot add a powder check die / unless you combine bullet seating and final sizing in one die ( and Dillon discourages that approach)...but they are trying to sell presses too..../ but it makes sense to me, to do the seating separately.
Personally, if I did not want to go with the 650 ...for handguns only, I'd go with the SDB. But the SDB will not do your rifle calibers...
Single stage presses ( like the old RCBS Rockchucker ) work fine / and we thought they were pretty cool in the late 60's early 1970's ..../ and while I might still use them if I only wanted 20 rounds of .30-06 ...../ I sure wouldn't want them for any AR calibers like .223...where I wanted high quality and high volume / they're way too slow and tedious.
Ruthless4christ
New member
from what I have seen so far (up till like 4am on youtube) I really like the 650 but no one has any so it may be awhile before I find one. In the meantime I may buy one of the lee anniversary kits just to get my feet wet, and start fooling around with it. Then i will always have a single stage if I need on as a a backup.
I know Dillon is pretty backed up with orders...( I hear about 8 weeks ) / but at my local gunshows - last couple of months there have been new in box 650's and 550's and SDB's for sale....a little over mfg's list.../ if you couldn't wait...
but if I were you, I'd place an order with Dillon - and just wait for it to be delivered. You may have to wait a few weeks anyway ....for bullets and primers / although supplies on both are showing up again as well. Some powders are harder to get than others too...depends on what you want to use...
but if I were you, I'd place an order with Dillon - and just wait for it to be delivered. You may have to wait a few weeks anyway ....for bullets and primers / although supplies on both are showing up again as well. Some powders are harder to get than others too...depends on what you want to use...
If I was starting completely over from scratch, I'd get a Dillon SDB and a Forster CoAx. (and maybe one of those super-cheap Lee "Reloader" presses just for odd jobs like bullet sizing)
When I bought a progressive press I didn't consider the SDB because it uses nonstandard dies. But I tend to leave the progressive set up for one of the very few cartridges I load mass quantities of, and everything else gets loaded on the single-stage. Two or three extra sets of Dillon dies isn't the issue I thought it was.
When I bought a progressive press I didn't consider the SDB because it uses nonstandard dies. But I tend to leave the progressive set up for one of the very few cartridges I load mass quantities of, and everything else gets loaded on the single-stage. Two or three extra sets of Dillon dies isn't the issue I thought it was.
For me, choosing the ultimate relaoding setup, before learning to relaod would be like choosing the ultimate car before I learned how to drive.
I went the cheapest route at the time, got the RCBS Partner Press Kit, and after I figured out what I was doing, and what my needs were, then I actually bought the stuff I needed.
A for the old Partner press, I still use it for holding my powder charger, or using ram prime dies, while using my large Hornady press (Rockchucker equiv) for those big rifle rounds.
I went the cheapest route at the time, got the RCBS Partner Press Kit, and after I figured out what I was doing, and what my needs were, then I actually bought the stuff I needed.
A for the old Partner press, I still use it for holding my powder charger, or using ram prime dies, while using my large Hornady press (Rockchucker equiv) for those big rifle rounds.
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
OK... been reloading for a long time, I reload about 75 different cartridges...
here's my 2 cents...
... I really hate to see new shooters or reloaders start out with a progressive... if they don't really need one... IMO, if you are not going to reload 500 rounds of the same caliber, at a time, then get a turret or single stage... if you are wanting to reload 5-6 different cartridges, get a single stage 1st, & work your way up to a progressive, you'll likely still want the single stage for brass prep, that a progressive won't do ( swaging primer pockets on 223, file trimming rifle cases maybe, hand loading new loads is much nicer on a single stage, which can then be switched over to a progressive, after you've worked up a load, or you may want to load accuracy loads on the single stage... I use mine with a universal decapping die, to de-prime before I wet tumble )
I don't own a progressive, & had many try to talk me into one, however, I have a tendency to take 4-5 guns out at each shooting, & rotate those guns / calibers each time out, so I get up to 100 rounds of 4-5 calibers each time I go out... a progressive just doesn't make sense for how I shoot...
I have a very well educated buddy whose wife gave him a Hornady LNL, as it was the most expensive she could get at Cabela's, at the time... I've been mentoring him on reloading, & basically every time I'm not there when he reloads, something goes awry( this is going on two years now )... he has a couple bullets stuck in the barrel of one of his guns right now, from his last session loading with his adult son...
my experience has been, that too many new reloaders are in too much of a hurry, & things suffer... buy yourself a good single stage ( RCBS Rock chucker is a "rock" solid starting point ) I have a Junior, that I use for case prep, & a pair of Rock Chuckers, & am setting up a 2nd bench, & will be adding a Turret Press for a little higher volume loading...
I'd suggest you find a "good" local mentor, & start with the same type of press they load with...
here's my 2 cents...
... I really hate to see new shooters or reloaders start out with a progressive... if they don't really need one... IMO, if you are not going to reload 500 rounds of the same caliber, at a time, then get a turret or single stage... if you are wanting to reload 5-6 different cartridges, get a single stage 1st, & work your way up to a progressive, you'll likely still want the single stage for brass prep, that a progressive won't do ( swaging primer pockets on 223, file trimming rifle cases maybe, hand loading new loads is much nicer on a single stage, which can then be switched over to a progressive, after you've worked up a load, or you may want to load accuracy loads on the single stage... I use mine with a universal decapping die, to de-prime before I wet tumble )
I don't own a progressive, & had many try to talk me into one, however, I have a tendency to take 4-5 guns out at each shooting, & rotate those guns / calibers each time out, so I get up to 100 rounds of 4-5 calibers each time I go out... a progressive just doesn't make sense for how I shoot...
I have a very well educated buddy whose wife gave him a Hornady LNL, as it was the most expensive she could get at Cabela's, at the time... I've been mentoring him on reloading, & basically every time I'm not there when he reloads, something goes awry( this is going on two years now )... he has a couple bullets stuck in the barrel of one of his guns right now, from his last session loading with his adult son...
my experience has been, that too many new reloaders are in too much of a hurry, & things suffer... buy yourself a good single stage ( RCBS Rock chucker is a "rock" solid starting point ) I have a Junior, that I use for case prep, & a pair of Rock Chuckers, & am setting up a 2nd bench, & will be adding a Turret Press for a little higher volume loading...
I'd suggest you find a "good" local mentor, & start with the same type of press they load with...
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Dillon RL550 B. It's the best and Dillon offers the best customer support that you're ever likely to see. I've called them for small parts and had them send them out to me the next day, FREE OF CHARGE. I've heard that same story from more people than I can count. The machines are well-built and very well engineered. If you want to load 300 to 500 rounds per hour. you can do it once you learn everything you need to know about reloading. The Dillon has repeatable results, time after time. When I changed over from a single-stage RCBS Rock-Chucker, a fine single stage press, I was worried about how well this would work. I should have done it years ago. The output is great.
That is an assumption that may not be true. The dies do all the "alignment" and produce the "uniformity". Years ago, it was a common procedure to weaken the spring that holds the shell holder on single stage presses to allow the shell holder and the cartridge case to "float" as it entered the die. "Play" is not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to hand loading presses and if it were not there, it would result in problems. Therefore, the amount or difference in rigidity and play between a progressive and single-stage is a moot point.Single stages have less "play" in their assemblies than any other press type, leading to better alignment and uniformity.
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Not a logical suggestion. A newbie will not know if the mentor is good or bad. Doing such would only be a benefit if the mentor is good at choosing presses/equipment/safe techniques. If he is not good at those, he will nevertheless, pass on exactly what he does.I'd suggest you find a "good" local mentor, & start with the same type of press they load with...
boondocker385
New member
I batch load on a rockchucker between 500 and 1000 pistol rounds a month. A progressive would be faster but I am content. I also use it for 100+ rounds per month of 243 and 30'06 and love it for my rifle rounds.
I use a rcbs hand priming tool....watch TV with my bride while doing so.... makes her happy, happy happy and makes chick-flicks almost bearable.
Seriously though, learning a step at a time, either on a single stage or turret or a progressive is very valuable.
I use a rcbs hand priming tool....watch TV with my bride while doing so.... makes her happy, happy happy and makes chick-flicks almost bearable.
Seriously though, learning a step at a time, either on a single stage or turret or a progressive is very valuable.
David Bachelder
New member
Been there done that. Get the press you want. I suggest that you go Progressive from the start. You will save a bucket full of money and an equal amount of time. You can run a progressive in single stage mode, a Hornady LNL anyway, not too sure about the other brands.
I also suggest:
Avoid LEE progressive presses. They are not built to the same standards as the others. I'll not go into that, the LEE users are a bit sensitive.
LEE dies seem to be pretty good, they work but there are better die sets available, it is my opinion that steel is better than aluminum (Your opinion may be different).
I have a Hornady LNL and it's great for pistol rounds. I have never tried to load rifle on it. I understand that many do and have great results. There is a learning curve with any press you buy, be prepared to spend the time getting to know it. It took me about 1500 rounds to get familiar with my LNL.
If you decide to purchase a single stage they are all about equal, including LEE. The LEE cast iron single stage is as good as any. At that point its better to consider customer service first and ignore brand name. Hornady and RCBS probably have as good or better customer service as anyone. I have never dealt with LEE, Lyman, Dillon or any others, I assume they are as good. I have read that Dillon has the best warranty in the business, I can't imagine how it could better than RCBS or Hornady .... then again I'm not in a position to know.
Weather you go progressive or single stage there most likely will always be a spot on your table for a single stage press. I have both and use them both regularly. There are some jobs that are better suited for single stage presses like sizing cast bullets, loading precise rifle rounds (again only my opinion), and more I can't think of at the moment.
A word about LEE tools. There are a lot of very good LEE tools. Bullet molds, sizing dies, lead pots, BHN testers and bullet lube are all pretty good stuff. I own several LEE tools and I prefer LEE for many of these products.
I also suggest:
Avoid LEE progressive presses. They are not built to the same standards as the others. I'll not go into that, the LEE users are a bit sensitive.
LEE dies seem to be pretty good, they work but there are better die sets available, it is my opinion that steel is better than aluminum (Your opinion may be different).
I have a Hornady LNL and it's great for pistol rounds. I have never tried to load rifle on it. I understand that many do and have great results. There is a learning curve with any press you buy, be prepared to spend the time getting to know it. It took me about 1500 rounds to get familiar with my LNL.
If you decide to purchase a single stage they are all about equal, including LEE. The LEE cast iron single stage is as good as any. At that point its better to consider customer service first and ignore brand name. Hornady and RCBS probably have as good or better customer service as anyone. I have never dealt with LEE, Lyman, Dillon or any others, I assume they are as good. I have read that Dillon has the best warranty in the business, I can't imagine how it could better than RCBS or Hornady .... then again I'm not in a position to know.
Weather you go progressive or single stage there most likely will always be a spot on your table for a single stage press. I have both and use them both regularly. There are some jobs that are better suited for single stage presses like sizing cast bullets, loading precise rifle rounds (again only my opinion), and more I can't think of at the moment.
A word about LEE tools. There are a lot of very good LEE tools. Bullet molds, sizing dies, lead pots, BHN testers and bullet lube are all pretty good stuff. I own several LEE tools and I prefer LEE for many of these products.
You're focused on one step at a time. Much less likely to miss this brass being crimped because it's out of place while you're watching that brass get it's powder charge, or vice versa type stuff.
I would only progressive .223 and pistol cartridges. I have a Hornady Ammo Plant, and smack right next to it is a Lock N Load classic.
For cleaning, I can't plug the thumler's Tumbler Model B enough. It's a wet tumble with stainless steel pins. You stick a gallon of water, 100ish brass, two tablespoons of dawn, and a quarter teaspoon of lemishine and let it spin for 4 hours, then sit on a towel overnight to dry.
I would only progressive .223 and pistol cartridges. I have a Hornady Ammo Plant, and smack right next to it is a Lock N Load classic.
For cleaning, I can't plug the thumler's Tumbler Model B enough. It's a wet tumble with stainless steel pins. You stick a gallon of water, 100ish brass, two tablespoons of dawn, and a quarter teaspoon of lemishine and let it spin for 4 hours, then sit on a towel overnight to dry.
kilimanjaro
New member
My setup :
Dillon RL550B $400
Conversions for 12 calibers $550
Dies for same $600
Thumler's Tumbler & pin media, media sieve, etc. $200
Thumler's Tumbler from a pawn shop three weeks later, $60
Toolheads and couple additional powder cans $400
Scale, calipers, etc. $150
Manuals $200
Assorted trays, bins, Tupperware, etc., for parts, brass, sorting, all from yard sales and thrift shops $40
Probably another $650 expected for one or two more die sets, media, etc., and of course additional manuals, a primer pocket swager, that sort of gear.
Yep, it's expensive to reload, but factory ammo is not coming down in price fast enough to suit me, and my reloads are half the price.
Dillon RL550B $400
Conversions for 12 calibers $550
Dies for same $600
Thumler's Tumbler & pin media, media sieve, etc. $200
Thumler's Tumbler from a pawn shop three weeks later, $60
Toolheads and couple additional powder cans $400
Scale, calipers, etc. $150
Manuals $200
Assorted trays, bins, Tupperware, etc., for parts, brass, sorting, all from yard sales and thrift shops $40
Probably another $650 expected for one or two more die sets, media, etc., and of course additional manuals, a primer pocket swager, that sort of gear.
Yep, it's expensive to reload, but factory ammo is not coming down in price fast enough to suit me, and my reloads are half the price.
Thanks for this informative thread... I would like to lay out my needs and see if I can get some pretty specific recommendations not only for the press, but for all of the "extras", like tumbler models, scales, etc.
I own a small home based FFL with a partner. We do around $75k in business a year. We want to get into reloading mainly for ourselves. There is a third person who will also be involved in using the equipment, so in all this would be rifle and pistol reloading for three people.
We plan to reload, probably in order of quantity, .300 blk, 9mm, .223, .308, .45, .38, and possibly shotshell at some point since we want to have subsonic shotgun loads.
Also, since this is used in the business, this is a writeoff, so the cost here is a VERY minimal factor. We have been considering a Dillon 1050, but I am open to all suggestions. I am new to reloading, my partner is not. I have been both encouraged and discouraged from getting the 1050 by various people. I do like the idea of the primer seating on the downstroke and the related reliability of doing it correctly, but the hassle of changing calibers on the 1050 is of course a negative. We would be willing to buy tool heads for all the calibers as we go along to speed that up.
I just have a poor idea of all of the extras, and what brand, model, etc. I should get alongside the press. Can you guys make specific suggestions for "tried and true" and "best in class" models for those items?
Thanks for all advice!
I own a small home based FFL with a partner. We do around $75k in business a year. We want to get into reloading mainly for ourselves. There is a third person who will also be involved in using the equipment, so in all this would be rifle and pistol reloading for three people.
We plan to reload, probably in order of quantity, .300 blk, 9mm, .223, .308, .45, .38, and possibly shotshell at some point since we want to have subsonic shotgun loads.
Also, since this is used in the business, this is a writeoff, so the cost here is a VERY minimal factor. We have been considering a Dillon 1050, but I am open to all suggestions. I am new to reloading, my partner is not. I have been both encouraged and discouraged from getting the 1050 by various people. I do like the idea of the primer seating on the downstroke and the related reliability of doing it correctly, but the hassle of changing calibers on the 1050 is of course a negative. We would be willing to buy tool heads for all the calibers as we go along to speed that up.
I just have a poor idea of all of the extras, and what brand, model, etc. I should get alongside the press. Can you guys make specific suggestions for "tried and true" and "best in class" models for those items?
Thanks for all advice!