.40S&W vrs .45ACP

[k0ua]

One thing about the Dillon RL550B is that it does not automatically index, so the operator is still in control at all times. Nothing is going to happen until you manually push the indexing star and pull the handle. Although it is a progressive, and its rated rate is 550 rounds an hour. (more like 350 in real life) it is under your total control, you can stop at any time and even back up. You still have to have a brain, but the whole reloading thing, requires a brain. If you cannot trust your self, and if you are not a "hard minded" person, do not go down the reloading road. You need a room with zero distractions, and to keep your mind focused on the task at hand, which is turning out safe perfectly crafted ammo.. A lot of machines will make safe perfectly crafted ammo, I just happen to prefer Dillon because of the ease of use, rate of production, and their no BS lifetime warranty. Not to mention stellar customer service, just call the 800 number and someone will help you solve any problem great or small. You are going to get a shooter on the other end of the phone, that speaks English, and understands your problem, whatever it is.

James K0UA

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

One thing about the Dillon RL550B is that it does not automatically index, so the operator is still in control at all times. Nothing is going to happen until you manually push the indexing star and pull the handle. Although it is a progressive, and its rated rate is 550 rounds an hour. (more like 350 in real life) it is under your total control, you can stop at any time and even back up. You still have to have a brain, but the whole reloading thing, requires a brain. If you cannot trust your self, and if you are not a "hard minded" person, do not go down the reloading road. You need a room with zero distractions, and to keep your mind focused on the task at hand, which is turning out safe perfectly crafted ammo.. A lot of machines will make safe perfectly crafted ammo, I just happen to prefer Dillon because of the ease of use, rate of production, and their no BS lifetime warranty. Not to mention stellar customer service, just call the 800 number and someone will help you solve any problem great or small. You are going to get a shooter on the other end of the phone, that speaks English, and understands your problem, whatever it is.

James K0UA

True +1

 

[TripleR]

James, one of my presses had the auto indexing feature and I took it off, some like it and it does increase production, but it just wasn't for me.

I don't know about the whole "hard minded" reference as I know competition shooters and experienced shooters/reloaders who won't use a progressive loader. I like them, but they are not for everyone. Like everything else, use what works best for you, well except for me as I can't stand to spend the money for it or I would have something different.:laughing:

The advantage to starting simple is that if you find it's not for you, you don't have too much invested.

 

[k0ua]

Well I have used the auto indexing machines (RL650 and RL1050), and they work fine, but you can wad up some things when things go wrong. Your production rate can go up with an auto indexing auto case-feeding, and now auto bullet feeding press. It can go up a lot, but at the risk of wadding up components. I prefer my RL550B. And more foolproof for the beginner. If you want to speed up your RL550B all you have to do is enlist your wife as an automatic case feeder, and promise not to pinch her fingers in the press ram, and you can do that 550 an hour rate no problem. Especially if you have 4 or 5 primer pickup tubes already loaded with primers and ready to go.

James K0UA

 

[TripleR]

When my sons were home, I set up a production line with three of us, inspecting/feeding cases, loading primer tubes, etc., we cranked out a lot of good rounds fast. My wide shoots, hunts, drives a tractor, uses a chain saw and use to ride dirt bikes; reloading not so much.

If I wasn't so old, retired, didn't have equipment, my eye on a new gun/computer/attachment, I would get a Dillon, but alas that is not to be I fear.

 

[Ken45101]

One thing about the Dillon RL550B is that it does not automatically index, so the operator is still in control at all times. Nothing is going to happen until you manually push the indexing star and pull the handle. Although it is a progressive, and its rated rate is 550 rounds an hour. (more like 350 in real life) it is under your total control, you can stop at any time and even back up. You still have to have a brain, but the whole reloading thing, requires a brain. If you cannot trust your self, and if you are not a "hard minded" person, do not go down the reloading road. You need a room with zero distractions, and to keep your mind focused on the task at hand, which is turning out safe perfectly crafted ammo.. A lot of machines will make safe perfectly crafted ammo, I just happen to prefer Dillon because of the ease of use, rate of production, and their no BS lifetime warranty. Not to mention stellar customer service, just call the 800 number and someone will help you solve any problem great or small. You are going to get a shooter on the other end of the phone, that speaks English, and understands your problem, whatever it is.

James K0UA

I agree. I have a Dillon 550B (an RCBS Rock Chucker was my first press). Yes, by being manually indexed, you have better control than an auto index machine. But for someone starting out the first time, there is still a lot of things going on at once that have to be properly adjusted and watched at first. Once you get going, then you probably can operate in pretty much automatic mode.

You are correct, absolutely NO distractions. No TV, no kids running around, etc. At one point I was demonstrating the loading process to my elderly dad. When I was finished with the demo, I tossed those dozen rounds out because I knew I was paying more attention to explaining and I just didn't trust them.

FWIW, I probably have 40,000 rounds though the Dillon 550B.

Ken

 

[k0ua]

FWIW, I probably have 40,000 rounds though the Dillon 550B.

Ken are you and IPSC/USPSA or IDPA shooter?

 

[Ken45101]

FWIW, I probably have 40,000 rounds though the Dillon 550B.

Ken are you and IPSC/USPSA or IDPA shooter?

No. Just a casual shooter. I used to shoot a lot more than I do now.

Ken

 

[LetsRoll]

I suggest that you start out by reading a few good reloading books. Usually Lyman's Reloading Manual and/or "Reloading" by Richard Lee. You can get them from Midwayusa.com or other sources.
Ken

I think I'm going to take your advise and buy some books first and continue reading. I'll make up my mind later in the winter months or maybe this upcoming spring. Right now I can get by, by playing with different factory loads (ie: powder charges).

 

[RadarTech]

I agree with all that has been said regarding the dillon... I have a 650 and run over 1400 45s thru it a month... Sometimes up to 2000....
But you have to be vigilant.....
Or it will cause you problems......

I shoot USPSA and love it!!

Limited 10 major.. On an STI Spartan...
I'll likely go to limited in the next year....