Folks, the question is simple....


If you were starting over again RIGHT NOW and buying all your reloading equipment over again, without worrying about the price (but at the same time seeking to make a wise purchase), what would you get and why?


I can tell you the following:

1) I have ZERO experience reloading.
2) I know myself well enough that I know I would be happiest with a progressive machine that would let me crank out a fair supply of fresh ammo in a reasonably short period of time.
3) I am leaning towards Dillon because I THINK they are the Cadillac brand for reloading, but then.... I don't really know, do I?

As for reloading intentions....
For myself I think I would eventually end up doing the following:

.45acp
.45LC
.45-70
.308

I'm a Dillon fan myself. They really do stand behind their no BS lifetime warranty. I bought a used press that was missing parts so we sent it in to them and explained the deal. They said no problem and replaced everything that was worn or missing for $60 including shipping. A few months later the charging handle broke, called again and told them I wasn't the original owner and they said it didn't matter, here's your new handle. Several years and thousands of rounds later I'm still a happy camper.

They also have a rapid caliber conversion setup that changes everything including the powder charge in a few minutes. That's nice because you can change calibers and not have to fiddle with the settings on the powder.

I don't know if there is a bad time to get into reloading, but components are scarce and priced higher than I've ever seen in over 20 years. I started reloading to save money and increase my range time, plus my son has always shot any amount of ammo set in front of him. As time passed, I reloaded for those reasons and to produce the most accurate ammo for my firearms and favorite loads. I have always used a RCBS Rock Chucker or Rock Chucker II and later added a Lee Press as well. I prefer Lee Dies if I have the choice, I do use Hornady and RCBS too.

But, since money is not a factor it would be hard not to go with a Dillon set up. Keep in mind it can take years to recoup the inital investment, even more at todays prices and are supplies available locally? Shipping powder and primers is expensive due to the "Hazmat" charge around $20 per order in addition the basic shipping. That makes a $17 pound of powder $37. Most will ship bulk bullets flat rate, but not all. If you've been saving brass your a bit ahead. Keep in mind that calibers such as 223/556 military brass usually has a crimped primer, which requires a swaging tool. Another expense. Several reloading manuals make things easier too. Some have the load your looking for, some don't.

Stone simple!  Dillon with all the bells an whistles.

Oh, yeah!  A new shed too (about 12X20) for reloading, only.

What is a gas check on a bullet and why. Don't reload probably never will, just curious.

Thanks Big Mickey you're a fountain of knowledge.

Back in the '70's I used a Rockchucker. I reloaded around 200 rds. a month. The Rockchucker is a great single stage.

Now I shoot IDPA, USPSA, and Steel. With at least one day a week at the practice range, I shoot between 1200 and 1500 rds. a month.

A few months ago, I called Brian Enos at http://www.brianenos.com/ and told him I wanted to buy a Dillon XL 650 with an automatic casefeeder. We talked a while and he asked me a lot of questions. He then strongly suggested that I purchase the lower priced RL 550B.

He was right, the RL 550B is all I need. His recommendation cost him some money, but earned him a loyal customer.

You absolutely can't go wrong buying Dillon, and purchasing through http://www.brianenos.com/.

A.T.