Reload Newb...

[slowyellow]

So I'd like to start reloading and I was gonna see if any of the reload gods could put together a list of stuff that I need. I'd like to reload rifle and pistol calibers. And I'm going to get a dillon press (I think the 550) But after that I'm lost. With all of the press acessories and other stuff as in media cleaners and tumblers and on and on and on. If someone could put together a list I'd be very appreciative of it. If you included literature to get heavy on the topic that would be cool too. Thanks guys.

-Geoff

[YALE]

Pm CJ.

[slowyellow]

I figured that he would find this thread. Maybe I'll pm him, I just figured that there might be a lot more people than me that want to know the answer to this question.

[Moose242]

This kit-

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=749997

A trimmer/length gauge.

Dies for the caliber you want to reload.

Shell holders for the caliber you want to reload.

Electric calipers.



That is what got me started.

[CJ]

So I'd like to start reloading and I was gonna see if any of the reload gods could put together a list of stuff that I need. I'd like to reload rifle and pistol calibers. And I'm going to get a dillon press (I think the 550) But after that I'm lost. With all of the press acessories and other stuff as in media cleaners and tumblers and on and on and on. If someone could put together a list I'd be very appreciative of it. If you included literature to get heavy on the topic that would be cool too. Thanks guys.

-Geoff

If you order an RL550B, you get your selection of first caliber conversion. Just purchase your first die set and will be ready to rock and roll. What you will need, bare minimum, to get started assuming you purchased a new RL550B kit will be:

Dies - I would recommend Dillon steel die sets with the sole exception of .223. The Dillon .223 resizing die is .002 too long, and will interfere with your shell plate (you can still use it, it's just a little bit awkward). I would recommend a Redding resizing die only. Carbide die sets are a waste of money considering dillon's dies begin to show wear at 80,000 rounds. However, their resizing dies include a carbide neck expander - which is nice so you don't have to lube the inside of your case neck.

Powder die - you will need to purchase a powder die for each caliber/tool head you use. They are about $15 bucks.

powder scale - whether digital or balance (balance is almost always more accurate). to measure your powder charges and verify your Dillon is metering correctly. You will need to measure the first 10 or so meters just to verify, and then after that you crank away, until you need to make an adjustment.

Case lube - (only for rifle rounds) dillon's case lube isn't too bad, but imperial sizing wax is the best.

Dillon case gauge (if you intend to reload rifle rounds). This will allow you to find the cases that are within spec, and which have grown out of spec. For your first few reloads, you can get by without a trimmer, but your pool of spec cases will certainly dwindle quickly.

Caliper - I suggest the cheap $15 digital caliper you will find on Amazon, it's pretty damn impressive for how accurate it is, just as good as my Mitutoyo for 1/20th the price.

Cases.
Powder.
Primers.
Projectiles.

And that's it, the kit comes with everything else you would need.

Things you will really want to have:

Tumbler (preferably a vibratory tumbler to start with)
Flitz media polish
25lb box of 24 grit walnut media from harbor freight

case trimmer - you need to trim your cases back to spec length... there are many to choose from, from manual, to drill bit, to powered trimmers.

deburring tool - case trimming leaves burrs which need to be removed.

Reloading books - you can purchase them in paper, get an account with loaddata.com, or browse http://data.hodgdon.com/ for load data.

Excellent selection of press. I firmly believe the RL550B is the best press for the money on the market. However, since it is a progressive you will need to figure in $100.00 on top of your die set for each caliber conversion. That includes your shell plate, locator buttons, powder funnel, powder die, tool head, and tool stand. That's true with any caliber. I have an extra .45ACP conversion kit I'd part with if anyone as interested as well.

[slowyellow]

PM sent, thanks a lot for the info man. I really appreciate it.

[CJ]

PM sent, thanks a lot for the info man. I really appreciate it.

Just an FYI, reloading pistol rounds doesn't require half of what I listed. Reloading rifle rounds is considerably more complicated, and I would recommend you start with pistol. You're more than welcome to stop by my place and I can show you around a dillon press and get you off to a good start. It will take several months before you are proficient.

[slowyellow]

Damn, well I am planning on reloading rifle rounds. Mostly pistol though. And as far as stopping by. I'm in the navy, out in Virginia Beach. If you are out here, awesome. But I'm guessing that you are back home in the DFW area. I work with a guy here that still owns some IDPA course records (i think it's IDPA, the one with the Grand masters and all) But he is a big dillon fan, and he reloads. I just haven't talked to him too much about it. Thanks for the info though.

[AnthonyS]

If you order an RL550B, you get your selection of first caliber conversion. Just purchase your first die set and will be ready to rock and roll. What you will need, bare minimum, to get started assuming you purchased a new RL550B kit will be:

Dies - I would recommend Dillon steel die sets with the sole exception of .223. The Dillon .223 resizing die is .002 too long, and will interfere with your shell plate (you can still use it, it's just a little bit awkward). I would recommend a Redding resizing die only. Carbide die sets are a waste of money considering dillon's dies begin to show wear at 80,000 rounds. However, their resizing dies include a carbide neck expander - which is nice so you don't have to lube the inside of your case neck.

Powder die - you will need to purchase a powder die for each caliber/tool head you use. They are about $15 bucks.

powder scale - whether digital or balance (balance is almost always more accurate). to measure your powder charges and verify your Dillon is metering correctly. You will need to measure the first 10 or so meters just to verify, and then after that you crank away, until you need to make an adjustment.

Case lube - (only for rifle rounds) dillon's case lube isn't too bad, but imperial sizing wax is the best.

Dillon case gauge (if you intend to reload rifle rounds). This will allow you to find the cases that are within spec, and which have grown out of spec. For your first few reloads, you can get by without a trimmer, but your pool of spec cases will certainly dwindle quickly.

Caliper - I suggest the cheap $15 digital caliper you will find on Amazon, it's pretty damn impressive for how accurate it is, just as good as my Mitutoyo for 1/20th the price.

Cases.
Powder.
Primers.
Projectiles.

And that's it, the kit comes with everything else you would need.

Things you will really want to have:

Tumbler (preferably a vibratory tumbler to start with)
Flitz media polish
25lb box of 24 grit walnut media from harbor freight

case trimmer - you need to trim your cases back to spec length... there are many to choose from, from manual, to drill bit, to powered trimmers.

deburring tool - case trimming leaves burrs which need to be removed.

Reloading books - you can purchase them in paper, get an account with loaddata.com, or browse http://data.hodgdon.com/ for load data.

Excellent selection of press. I firmly believe the RL550B is the best press for the money on the market. However, since it is a progressive you will need to figure in $100.00 on top of your die set for each caliber conversion. That includes your shell plate, locator buttons, powder funnel, powder die, tool head, and tool stand. That's true with any caliber. I have an extra .45ACP conversion kit I'd part with if anyone as interested as well.

How about I buy the 45 ACP kit from you unless no one else has claimed it? I really need to start reloading 45. Not only is it hard to find, it's expensive. And to top it all off, it is the only handgun caliber I own.

[slowyellow]

How about I buy the 45 ACP kit from you unless no one else has claimed it? I really need to start reloading 45. Not only is it hard to find, it's expensive. And to top it all off, it is the only handgun caliber I own.

The check is on it's way already