Reloading

[Aglifter]

What do I need to get to reload?  I'm thinking about a Dillion 650 progressive reloader -- my 5" XD45 & 625 can eat massive amounts of 45, esp. since I've started doing IDPA, etc.

What else do you need to buy to add more calibers -- I'd like to reload 45-70 and 357 Mag, and maybe 45 LC/454 casull since those are more difficult to get.

[JP]

I understand the Dillon 650 is a great machine, I own the 550B. The 650 is supposed to be a bit faster, but the 550B is less expensive for the caliber conversion kits that you need for each additional caliber you want to reload. One thing I know for sure is you won't go wrong with a Dillon if you want a progressive.

Joe

[R9SCarry]

Brad - for quality and thruput the Dillon is probably unbeatable.

I started reloading so long ago, and on a fairly tight budget - I started lee.  I have stayed lee and it does enough for me tho I'd like a Dillon - just too old to feel it is worthwhile now.

I reload far fewer rounds of .45acp, 9mm and 38 compared with years ago and so Lee now is very adequate for the ''specials'' - 45-70, .454, and even 44 mag still gets a look in as well as .357.

I do find the Lee dies suit me well, including the factory crimp die which I keep set up on a single station press but use turrets for other stuff - keeping spare turrets so I don't have to change dies and re set them every time.

Even if you get a Dillon, do consider the Lee dies for some stuff - they are such good value IMO.

Of course peripheral stuff is needed too and so I have a Hornady hopper type powder measure for rifle - electronic scales for bigger cals, luberesizer from RCBS for cast bullets which I do sometimes.

Nothing like ''rolling your own'' tho - puts you in control and enables finding the ''sweet'' load for some cals too.