Back to reloading need advice

[trlcavscout]

I use to reload 308 but its been a while. I want to start reloading some 9mm for comp and to save money. What's the cheapest easiest way to go? Won't be large amounts so I don't need anything fancy. Thanks.

[jerrymrc]

If new buy a Lee anniversary kit and an auto disk. I love the auto disk for ball powder. My two cents and I am sticking to it.

[SA Friday]

If it's just 9mm and you are not going to change calibers, or have a secondary reloader for odd calibers and the 9mm is going to be the bulk, then go with a Dillon Square deal. It's fast, progressive, self indexing, and cheap for compared to other progressives.

Good all around competition loads stick with basic FMJ's and Titegroup. Accurate, soft, and cheap.

[Graves]

Dillon...

Did you miss the last half of the OP?
I started on a Lee Pro 1k and it worked great.

[jerrymrc]

Did you miss the last half of the OP?
I started on a Lee Pro 1k and it worked great.

Dillon + Cheap = Sorry, but your search has no results found.

Please try again.

[SA Friday]

Yep, the Lee is cheaper. You get what you pay for in this case. I know many find the the Lee Pro acceptable, and I'm not saying they are wrong. It works, but having played with every model of Dillon, owning an RCBS Pro 2000 for years, and used the Lee Pro and Hornady LnL, I make my recommendation to spend the extra cash up front and be a happy reloader instead of a semi-happy reloader. I would have recommended a Pro 2000 or Dillon 550B if he wanted to do multiple caliber reloading regularly. Square deal runs about $365, 550B runs about $420, and the RCBS Pro 2000 runs about $490.

I know opinions vary greatly in this area. The Dillon Super 1050 runs about $1600+ so I guess it depends on the point of view.

[Hannu]

It is what you mean by "cheap". Cheap to buy is Lee, but if you think even a little bit about the future, spend extra bucks for Dillon 550. It will become cheaper in many ways.
You do not have to worry - when (=not if) something breaks, you just call Dillon and you have a spare part coming without having to answer stupid questions etc.
I still have an old Lee loader overseas. A part from priming system broke and I have not been able to find a new one.

I use Dillon 650, Dillon 1050 and Redding single stage (last for precision rifle loads and load develompent). 1050 is the way to go if you want to crank 200 pcs of practice ammo and start filling primer pickup tubes 10 minutes before you go shooting. Nothing (manually cranked) comes even close, but then you have a price tag that is way higher than anything else.

I started with Lee years ago, but if would had bought Dillon 550 I would had saved some money, lots of time and huge amount of nerves

[ridgewalker]

trlcavscout
How many rounds are you talking about in a shooting? Less than 200? More than 1000?
If less than 200, then a single stage (assuming you have the time to put in, ie to reload 200 with a single stage will take about the same time as reloading 1000 with a decent progressive) will work.
If you are going out for a two day weekend and shooting 500-1000 rounds, spend the money on a progressive.
The single stage is more forgiving and you will learn more using it.
The progressive will definitely put out the volume.
JMO having used progressives, single stages and my personal preference since I don't do straight neck high volumes any more...turrets.

[Jherexx]

I would say get the Dillon, but if you had to go with Lee because of price you cant beat the Lee Classic Turret Press kit from Cabelas. It has every thing you need to load aside form dies.

You can use it as a single stage or semi-progressive with its auto index feature to crank out enough rounds for what you are going to be using it for. Plus it is a lot more sturdy than the other presses that Lee sells.

[jerrymrc]

I would say get the Dillon, but if you had to go with Lee because of price you cant beat the Lee Classic Turret Press kit from Cabelas. It has every thing you need to load aside form dies.

You can use it as a single stage or semi-progressive with its auto index feature to crank out enough rounds for what you are going to be using it for. Plus it is a lot more sturdy than the other presses that Lee sells.

I like mine. As a thought I would just get the press and spring for the Auto disk pro. I have both and the pro is head and solders above the standard auto disk. I know your in Ft Collins but if anyone would like to see one of these in action let me know.