Help folks learn how to configure their reloading rooms. Post pictures if you can.
#Dillon650
#Dillon550
#Dillon1050
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Help folks learn how to configure their reloading rooms. Post pictures if you can.
#Dillon650
#Dillon550
#Dillon1050
Words cannot express how happy this makes me. Tagged.
My setup:
Hornady L-n-L AP press
Cheapo Lee balance beam powder scale; my understanding is that unless you want to go expensive, digital scales are not accurate or consistent enough to be worthwhile
Midsouth's tumbler/media separator kit, though just about any brand will do, and wet tumbling with stainless steel pins would be nicer
RCBS Dies, because that's what my father in law recommended way back when; if I had it to do over again, I'd get Hornady, because I like their lock rings better
Hornady Powder Cop die as a safety check
An empty gallon milk jug to catch the spent primers.
Small tools:
Primer pocket cleaner (this doesn't get much use, but it was very cheap, so whatever)
Primer pocket reamer for when I run into crimped (military) cases
Chamfer/deburr tool
I've got 4 small primer pickup tubes, and I probably should get some more. The more you have, the more you can load before you have to putz around loading primer tubes. I "customized" my primer pickup tubes by putting some closed-cell foam grip things that are intended for handicapped people to use on small implements on them. This made them much less painful to use. (I found my hand would cramp up trying to load primer tubes, and the larger grip makes the process much more comfortable.)
While lubing cases isn't strictly necessary for pistol rounds, I find that giving them a blast of Hornady One Shot case lube makes the press run smoother, which results in more consistent OALs.
I'd like at some point to get a powder-through expander die so that I can go to separate seat and crimp dies; while seating and crimping in one step works, it's much more fiddly to get set up properly than doing it in two separate steps.
I have not bothered with a case feeder or a bullet feeder. While they seem like they'd be really nice, the cost has been tough to justify at my loading volume. For someone loading thousands of rounds/month, they'd make perfect sense, as it would speed up and smooth out the process, in addition to reducing the amount of stuff you have to touch.
I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff here, but that's the basics; a press, a scale, a tumbler, and appropriate dies.
If I ever get into loading rifle rounds, I'll have to add a case trimmer, but for straight-wall pistol cases, it's not really needed.
I need to rebuild it since moving from KC; I'll post pictures when I do. Standard deal is an 8' bench, 2' deep, 2" thick, on metal legs at 4' off the floor. RL550 is on a strong mount 18" from the left edge.
Bullets sit in a shallow dish to the left of the machine; brass is in a salad bowl to the right. A little pocket electronic scale is to the right of that. Primer tubes are in a coffee mug behind the bullets, and a can of compressed air is kept close at hand too. Under the bench is the tumbler, media, brass, and big boxes of bulk bullets and hoarded loaded ammo.
There is space for pack and inspect to the right of the scale with a towel. To the right of that is usually a cheap single stage for resizing rifle brass, a case trimmer, and an automatic scale for precision rifle loads. I will probably not set that up unless I find a good rifle range in Dallas.
Other than that you need a lot of shelves. Caliber conversion kits, dies, primers,powder, small lots of bullets and brass, empty boxes, and full boxes.
There is literally nothing in the world more satisfying than a five gallon bucket full of .45.
Post pictures!
Attachment 5701
A quick phone picture. :) I refuse to clean up my mess for a picture. ;)
I started with an old Lee Loader, then a Lyman single stage, then a C&H 444, I think, then a Dillon 550 and later I got a Dillon RL 1050. I should have skipped most of those and gone straight to the Dillon 550. I am a Dillon Blue fanboy. :)
I bought the 1050 when it cost $850. They are now twice that. I recently added a Mr Bulletfeeder. It is fantastic.
I load mostly 9mm on the 1050 and switch calibers on the 550 for smaller runs or to test ammo.
On the 1050 I usually load 500 or so rounds at a time. Takes about a half hour and is good for a practice session or 2.
I like that I can load the exact load I want, that usually isn't available commercially.
Spend the extra money on good equipment. You won't be sorry.
http://www.handloads.com/ Here is a place with a lot of load information. I only use the info from manufacturers, not guests. :)
Oh, in case anybody wanted to know about the foam grip things I put on my primer pickup tubes, here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Abilitations-A.../dp/B0042SWPKE. Those are the exact ones I'm using. They tend to slide a bit on small primer tubes; I need to find a way to keep them still and they'll be just right. I don't load anything that needs large primers, but I bet they'd slide less on the slightly larger tube.
Another Big Blue fan here. My reloader is a Dillon XL650. I load almost exclusively volume 9mm. It's the only press I've owned. I took a bit of a chance when getting into the game and bought the press I thought I'd want down the road. 5 or so years later, I can say it was absolutely the best decision I could have made. The prospect of learning on a progressive wasn't nearly as hard as I'd envisioned and I haven't had to "buy twice". (Although I'm admittedly really tempted to invest in a super 1050 and then explore the auto drive world :p)
Buying the 650 was probably the best monetary investment to date I've made in my shooting. I have it set up with a case feeder and can't imagine loading without it now. If I had to do it again, I'd purchase the case feeder first thing with the machine. I'm thinking seriously about investing in a bullet feeder too, but I'll probably wait until I make the 1050 upgrade decision before going down that road. The fact of the matter is I can currently load a legit 900 to 1000 rounds an hour, taking my time (assuming brass is clean and ready and primer tubes are loaded; see below) and my shooting volume during the shooting season is only 2000k/month or so.
I also use a powder check die. I pay really close attention when I'm loading but this thing is worth it's weight in gold. EVERYBODY f*cks up occasionally. This potentially catches those botches, limiting the likelihood that you're gonna get a squib or a double charge and blow up your gun.
I bought an auto primer filler (Dillon RF 100) more recently. It's another addition I'd absolutely recommend. While it sounds kinda silly, it's SOOO nice not to have to use the flip tray and filler tubes. While kinda pricey, it's worth every penny and allows the actual loading process to be all that much more efficient. Highly recommend.
Other accessories:
-Roller handle (should just come standard)
-Large vibratory case cleaner
-Large case-media separator/tumbler
-Beam scale
-Caliper set
-Case sorting tray set (I use quite a bit of range brass)
-Corn media
-Case lube
-Inertia bullet puller
-3 or 4 5 gallon buckets for brass sorting, storage, etc…
-Copy of a Lyman Reloading Handbook or the like
-Chronograph
Some people claim to have a "man cave." Mine is complete with dirt floor and walls and was established old school-like solo with a jackhammer, a pick and a shovel over the course of a couple years. Makes me a lot less concerned with old primers spitting out onto the floor. :p Bench is hanging from the floor joists.
Here are a couple pics...
http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/o...psvtrvqgbp.jpg
http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/o...psewfcevow.jpg
http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps342fwzqg.jpg
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Panoramic of my office/reloading room/man-cave ...
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...g/IMG_2492.jpg
"Helpers"
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...g/IMG_2493.jpg
CasePro
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...g/IMG_2507.m4v
Forcht Automation (technical drive for the 1050)
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2020.28.49.m4v
Brass Prep - sorting saves a bunch of time...
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2012.10.23.jpg
Setup Notes
Forcht converted Dillon 1050 (http://www.forchtfirearms.com/dillondoc.html)
Dillon 550 - I use this for load development, loading 44 mag, 45 ACP, and 5.56
Mr Bullet bullet feeder
I like the Lee Sizing die
I like the Redding Comp seating die
I like the Lee Adjustable crimp die
I don't change my setup much: 4-ish gr of Titegroup under a 124gr Precision Delta JHP loaded to 1.100". CCI primer.
Seems to work well.
I built my own bench that is rock solid. I started off with a Square Deal B to reload 9mm in volume and upgraded everything with Inline Fabrication. I just got a 650 last weekend and was setting it up today. Next set of upgrades include a Mr. Bullet Feeder and a Mark VII autoloader.
Dillon XL 650
Inline Fabrication Ultra Mount
Inline Fabrication Ergonomic Roller Handle
Case Feeder
9mm Conversion kit
Small Primer conversion kit
Uniquetek tool head clamp kit
Powder check die
9mm Lee Factory Undersizer decapping die
9mm powder hopper and funnel
9mm Redding Competition bullet seating die
9mm Lee Factory Crimp die
Inline Fabrication LED lighting kit
Dillon Tool Set and Mount
Bullet Tray
Low powder alarm
Dillon D-Terminator Electronic Scale
http://i.imgur.com/OEB78FLl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cIQv1oql.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HQfojixl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Jtfulx3l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/y4fbCkml.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tPjSdtHl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0FXwKxFl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zV9IRW1l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dOvXStml.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MBKcBfhl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xeNSirll.jpg
Taadski,
Do you keep women's skins down there too? :-)
Haha!
I primarily load precision rifle, with short dabbles into pistol. I keep threatening to buy a Dillon Square Deal to pump out 9mm, but can't get the economics to work when ammo is so cheap right now...
That said, here is my setup, in a decommissioned hot water heater closet in our laundry room:
http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/v...-59-01_892.jpg
Forster Co-Ax, Prometheus Gen 2 powder measure, and various other tools. Not pictured is a separate cabinet that houses my powder and primer stores. It's pretty efficient.
Assuming prepped brass, which is done separately via stainless tumbling media and a Giraud trimmer, I can load a rifle round...accurate to the kernel of powder...about every 8-12 seconds. The Prometheus is expensive, but amazingly efficient and accurate.
Just started setting mine up in the new house.
Attachment 5705
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
Here is my bench.
Set it up in 1989 when I first moved into my house. The Forster press was added in the early '90s after I started to shoot Palma.
The 550 has been removed only once, and that was when the frame broke last summer and Dillon replaced it for free, after 15+ years of constant use.
The beam scale was purchased from Scott Parker, and results in both 308 and 223 ammo, when carefully loaded, with a SD of less than 10.
http://i.imgur.com/cVcs4CN.jpg
Taadski,
Actually, I'm very impressed that you carved it out yourself. Humor is just my way of dealing with feelings of inadequacy. :-)
Fixed wrmettler's picture of his bench.
7.5'x16' garage floor rubber matt that is dark grey diamond plate pattern.
Bought it at Costco for $164 out the door. It is not listed on the site, might be regional specific.
It tucked nicely under the floor boards and is tacked down by the transition borders to the carpet, which also tacks down the carpet.
I was going to use the 20x20 garage floor tiles found at Lowes/home depot but was out of the budget and was best utilized on more lighting and the new benches.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
No pics handy, but I've been reloading for nearly 20 years. Virtually all centerfire ammo I consume is handloaded. I currently load 32SWL, 32-20, 38special, 44mag, 308win, 6.5x55, and 35whelen. I've previously loaded 32acp, 357mag, 44special, and 300winmag.
Wherever possible, I use Lee equipment. Not because it's the best, but because it's the best bang for the buck (no pun intended). I only resort to other brands when Lee doesn't make a particular tool or die or when the Lee version isn't available (ex 35whelen dies). I keep hearing you can't load accurate ammo with Lee, but two of my 3 hunting rifles deliver sub-1" groups at 100yds consistently. If that's poor performance, I'll take it. :)
I use a Lee Classic Cast turret press, all Lee dies except for the RCBS 35whelen set (also have an RCBS full length set for the 6.5x55, but primary use the Lee collet die set).
I keep all my dies mounted on Lee turrets so I can swap calibers quickly. If I'm using the same bullet and loading for the same gun, I don't even have to reset the seating depth
Powder Measures: Lee Perfect on bench for rifle (provides gross loads that I trickle to the precise load using a scale), and Lee's die-mounted Pro and Standard measures for handgun and 308.
Powder Trickler: Just a cheap Hornady one that works well enough.
Scales: Hornady digital scale
Kinetic Pullet Puller: RCBS
Case Trimmer: Lyman
Tumbler: Vibratory model from Midway. I think it was their house brand. I only use it infrequently.
For you folks that live in an apartment and think you can't reload. I started out with my press attached to a board and C-clamped to my desk. I only loaded 38/357mag at the time, but it worked.
I also cast bullets for my handguns.
Lee 20lb bottom pour furnace
RCBS 250gr SWC .430 2-cav mould
Lee 125gr Truncated Cone .358 2-cav mould
Lee 300gr Truncated Cone GC .430 6-cav mould
MiHec 115-120gr Solid/HP .314 4-cav mould
Lee sizing dies for .427, .428, .430, .432. (need a .309 die to make the 32cal bullets work as 308win plinkers and a .313 die to fit the tighter chambers of my K32).
Because I've been accumulating powders, primers, bullets, brass, and raw lead since before 2008, I didn't notice the "ammo shortage" at all. :)
At first I thought.....well, I'd better clean everything up so it looks good, but then realized that I'd never post the pic or information up! So here it is...I have a couple of other work area for rifle tinkering, pistol cleaning, etc.
Attachment 5721
The Forster Coax is for run of the mill rifle cartridges: .223, .204, 6X45, 6.8SPC, .260 etc...mostly prefer Redding dies.
The Lee 4-hole turret press on the right side of the table is for pistol loading: 9mm, .40 & .45....using Lee Carbide dies...very happy with them.
For precision rifle work (6.5X47 Lapua/6BR--600yd and 300yd matches) I used the 21st Century arbor press and Wilson neck dies and seater, with Redding Titanium bushings.
For primer seating, I can't say enough about 21st Century's hand primers....I have two and wouldn't want to use anything else.
Attachment 5722
I use the RCBS Chargemaster electronic powder dispenser.....I've used a wide variety of methods over the last 30 years, and find it to be dependable and accurate.
As you can see, I"m not a high volume reloader, and since I'm retired I have the time to do it my way, and make it right.
I'm glad to see Lee represented, especially the Classic Turret Press. I've just been singing it's praises to LL, and I think it is the best press for most people to start off with. Lee may not be the highest quality, but it's not the Lee of the 1980's either. Much of their stuff is well designed and available inexpensively.
I'm a gear snob, no doubt, but my Lee stuff makes .5 moa 308 loads for me just as well as my Redding Competition Micrometer dies and T-7. The redding stuff is really nice, high quality stuff, and slightly easier to dial in and return to, but once its set up right, the Lee stuff will definitely get 'er done. I use Lee a lot, as well as Redding, RCBS and Dillon. All have their pros and cons.
Has anyone tried the new Lee Pro drum measure? I just ordered one, and intend to try 300WM on the Turret Press with it.
Attachment 5730
Right to Left:
- RCBS Rockchucker I have had since I was probably 15yo (1973)
- PW 800+ in 12g
- Dillon 900 in 20g
- Dillon 550 with case feeder
There is another bench along the wall to the right that has a secondary 550 and a Super Swage and a couple of those little Lee single stage presses on 2x4s that either get clamped onto the bench or clamped in a vise.
I built the benches by anchoring a 2x4 or 2x6 against the wall, and running boards out perpendicular to the wall. There is a rail under the front (set it back a little, the presses might need some clearance) that the top boards are screwed into. One advantage is if things move you can just switch the boards around. The PW dumps rounds out the back into a PVC pipe that puts them into a bucket on the floor. When I needed to move it when I got the Dillon 900 I just pulled up a couple of boards and moved them. The mounting holes and shell dump just moved where the press went.
In another thread I read that LL was admonished a bit for getting a single stage, I often urge people to start with one. You will not be happy with it for long but you will use it for something forever, IMO.
Edited to note the archery target under bench full of expensive equipment is about 14 yards away from the recliner, down through the basement door in the quad level house. Something I do, not something I recommend... :)
I am also a fan of Lee reloading gear. I would buy Dillon or Hornady in a heartbeat if I could justify the $ but the Lee gear just works well enough and is so much more affordable.
I see that FortuneCookie45LC is the only one other than Lee Precision with any youtube reviews up on the Lee Auto Drum(he can be hard to watch and is a bit long winded). He says the auto drum is consistent and smooth with extruded rod powders and did a couple charge consistency tests.
Going for a charge of 34.7 with H4831, He showed a min-max deviation of .3 grains and an average of exactly 34.7 over 50 throws. Going for 2.4gn charge of Unique, he saw a max deviation of .2 grains and an average of 2.4gn over 10 throws.
He also compared the operation of the auto drum to that of the RCBS Uniflow with the H4831 powder and the RCBS measure jammed consistently and had very erratic throws.
I'll be ordering an auto drum for my .223 set up as I'm not 100% satisfied with the Auto Disk/ double disk configuration for the larger charges.
Nothing special but it serves me well.
Dillon 550B set up for 9mm.
Im trying to convince a friend to sell me his 1050 in 9mm with bullet and case feeders. If that happens the 550 turns into a 223 press.http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/02...5fbd486aec.jpg
A single stage, as I've said before, is always worth having. You can use it for a universal decapping die, so that you can clean your cases well without messing up your resizing die. You can then use it to resize and trim your cases, when they need it. After that, you can then do everything else on the turret, and save a bit of time. If they likely won't need trimming, then you can go to resizing on the turret and crank em out. Lots of ways to reload, you just have to pick a safe way and see how it works for you. I like to clean my cases before I resize, and since I use an ultrasonic cleaner, I decap first. After resizing, I like to clean again to get all the lbe off. Then I worry about trimming or loading.
This is why I prefer to load pistol ammo! Much simpler and faster. Shoot, tumble, stick it on a progressive or the turret and do everything at once.
Love seeing that I'm not the only one with a tragedy of a mess around their reloading gear. I'll take a pic when I get the area cleaned up and the new gun bench installed. with 3 1050s on the floor and a bench covered in crap it's a good motivation to clean it up.
Hambo, you are a funny guy, and you can be the one to tell my wife that she has to put up with the tumbler running in the living room. :)
I'm there for you, brother. ;) My bench is now in the house proper, instead of the attached workshop. How did I sell that? My wife got the ex-reloading area for all her garden tools. She's happy, and while it's not in the living room, I went from window AC and a small TV to central air and College Game Day.
ETA-Tumbling is still better left in the garage.
This is not how you do reloading. You pick a color and then defend it to the death from all corners. You do not regret your RCBS, you double down on its superiority. :p
But for serious, they all make bullets. I've never heard any meaningful complaints about an RCBS single stage. The only way you're going to "get it right" the first time is if you buy a Dillion progressive*, so there's no use worrying over how optimal your first purchase is. You'll eventually amortize the cost and wind up using it as a backup to a progressive anyway. In 5 years it won't matter.
*- I kid. Mostly.
Here is the reloading room:
Attachment 5785
They look awesome. Some of the issue might be the thousands of rounds I loaded on the 550 prior to trying the Loadmaster. When it was rocking it just rocked, but any little thing that went wrong took a bit to unravel. And little things would go wrong. There is lots of www info about little tweaks and if you want to put in the squeeze you will probably get the juice, but I bailed and went back to terra firma, the 550. If you have reloading experience and no Dillon experience you might live happily ever after. Some of my decision could have been just how conditioned I was to the feel of the stroke. I probably loaded on a 550 for thirty years before I tried, though...