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Liberty

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HA, .45 auto is really good to learn on because it is low pressure, and very forgiving. 556 and 308 both are easy. I got some work to do, but you and @SafeCracka pick a dayand well will go over it. Then go empty the cases.
 

freedom

Sniper
Mar 25, 2015
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Yeah I use powders that fill the case in rifle, and at least 2/3the case volume in pistol.I keep examples of bad brass on hand to show what to look out for. Can get a kaboom from case head seperations and double charges. Generally as long as the brass is good and the powder charge is good all is well. That and primer seating, you don't want an out of battery discharge.

@DarthVader is probably like me and reading up on it a lot. Too much stuff for the new reloader seems almost designed to scare you out of wanting to do it. He also seems very organised, I doubt he would ever have a problem. I'm an unorganized mess. If I ever decide to do pistol rounds I'm going to have to have 2 reloading set ups to not hurt myself.

The biggest issue for me is time, the second is a hot garage. I need to work up a load for 77gr match kings, and make 500 rounds before a class in September. I need to get moving on it, but my garage is hotter than four feet up a bull's bum.
 
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freedom

Sniper
Mar 25, 2015
1,522
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Covington, Ga
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@handloader and @freedom what type of press are you guys using? I'm considering a Lee turret press.

I purchased someone's grampa's RCBS rockchucker set up. It came with two reloading handbooks, 1 from the 50s and 1 from the early 70s.

If you care about CS, you could do alot worse than RCBS. I was missing some little things and RCBS sent them to me for free. I was even honest about how old it was, and buying it used.

I really have no opinions of my own about Lee, or any other brand. Hornady has a 500 bullet rebate with their presses right now, at least they did.
 
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Liberty

nitrocellulose dispenser
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@handloader and @freedom what type of press are you guys using? I'm considering a Lee turret press.

Lee turret :poop:. Don't do it! Get a single stage if you want to do precision rifle and to learn on. Even if you get a progressive, you will find yourself needing a single stage from time to time and for working up loads. I use a Hornady, but I got it cheap from someone who bought it new, and then he irrationally got scared of blowing himself up. Use ours first and see what you like.
 
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DarthVader

Marksman
Mar 25, 2015
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Buy blue and don't look back. Last you a lifetime.
I know, I know. Dillon is certainly the industry leader. I'm just not sure I want to learn on a progressive.
Lee turret oop:. Don't do it! Get a single stage if you want to do precision rifle and to learn on. Even if you get a progressive, you will find yourself needing a single stage from time to time and for working up loads. I use a Hornady, but I got it cheap from someone who bought it new, and then he irrationally got scared of blowing himself up. Use ours first and see what you like.
Good to know. I have a neighbor that reloads on a Lee. My father recently purchased a Hornady progressive and it seems pretty nice, but he hasn't set it up yet. First and foremost, I want to load some precision loads for my Mk12 barrelled upper. 69 & 77gr SMK is first on the list. I've got a few thousand once fired cases (my own pick ups). Picked up some XBR and H322 today, just because I didn't know when it would be available locally again. Need to get some primers and projectiles next.
 

Liberty

nitrocellulose dispenser
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Trying to learn loading on a Lee progressive, is like trying to learn driving in a car that constantly is breaking and stalling. My Hornady is a solid performer, and runs into the thousands of rounds without failure, but is like a tempermental lady. One false move on your end and you are shut down and needing a part.
 

Woodstock

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Disagree on the Lee turret, works fine for me and can easily be used as a single stage.
Quick changes on calibers too
 
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Liberty

nitrocellulose dispenser
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Disagree on the Lee turret, works fine for me and can easily be used as a single stage.
Quick changes on calibers too

The priming system is the weak link, and having to change discs to adjust the powder thrower is nuts. I would be okay of you primed off the press and threw your charges.
 

Buckeye76

Frontiersman
Mar 27, 2015
254
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Georgia
I know, I know. Dillon is certainly the industry leader. I'm just not sure I want to learn on a progressive.

Check these out. Converts your 550 or 650 into a single stage.
http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1553

The 550 is nice because it is only semi progressive. You have to manually turn the shell plate. Like others have said, you are going to want to buy a single stage press anyways, even if you get a progressive. I do all of my de-priming and bulge busting on my Lee Classic.
 
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Woodstock

Tracker
Jun 29, 2015
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The priming system is the weak link, and having to change discs to adjust the powder thrower is nuts. I would be okay of you primed off the press and threw your charges.

While not a great priming set up its usable, even with large rifle primers. Now if another Dillon comes along at a good price, I'd be interested mainly because I could do more rounds in the same amount of time.

Still kicking myself for being late to the Gungrad Dillon sell
 

Liberty

nitrocellulose dispenser
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While not a great priming set up its usable, even with large rifle primers. Now if another Dillon comes along at a good price, I'd be interested mainly because I could do more rounds in the same amount of time.

Still kicking myself for being late to the Gungrad Dillon sell

Yes if I were not already in a progressive with caliber conversions for my rifles and pistols I would have jumped on that. I will say that anything for a bolt gun larger than .223 gets loaded on a single stage. My Hornady progressivewill turn out some fine service rifle loads 6 to 8 boxes an hour if pre-trimmed.
 
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Liberty

nitrocellulose dispenser
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While not a great priming set up its usable, even with large rifle primers. Now if another Dillon comes along at a good price, I'd be interested mainly because I could do more rounds in the same amount of time.

Still kicking myself for being late to the Gungrad Dillon sell

Also please don't think that I was trying to pick on your press. The Lee single stage kit is the best deal in the reloading world. I owned the Lee turret and had a few bad experiences using it. If it works for you by all means don't let me rain on the parade. No offense meant friend.
 

Woodstock

Tracker
Jun 29, 2015
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Also please don't think that I was trying to pick on your press. The Lee single stage kit is the best deal in the reloading world. I owned the Lee turret and had a few bad experiences using it. If it works for you by all means don't let me rain on the parade. No offense meant friend.

None taken, everyone has different needs experiences and opinions.
I enjoy talking to other reloaders, usually we get smarter in that process but not always lol
 

Liberty

nitrocellulose dispenser
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Played the IDPA game this week. I will be looking for a Dillon square deal for loading 9mm major only if this continues if anyone has an unused 1.
 
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