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Check my reloading " check list " out.

MrOneEyedBoh

MrOneEyedBoh

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 23, 2011
546
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Maryland, USA!
#1
Some of you may have caught my wanna reload thread I posted not too long ago. I think Im going to go with the Dillon 550 or the hornady LnL... Unsure yet, but most likely would be the 550. Here is my list of things I would need, PLEASE add things that I would need. I want to get it all now, but not get the things that I most likely wouldnt need..

Press ( again Dillon 550 or Hornady LnL )
Dies
case gauge
Strong mount for Dillon and associated bins ( bullet and case )
Primer pick up tubes ( Dillon )
Primer flip tray ( Dillon )
Digital scale ( My weigh, brian enos sell them ) Is there an alternative?
Good USA digi calipers ( unless harbor freights will work )
Lyman $49, Sierra and Hornady reloading books
Vib case cleaner with corn
Media separator
Case lube

Again, please post up other things I would need. Im going to be using once spent FGMM brass.

 
#2
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

Case prep multi tool, flash hole deburring tool,primer pocket uniformer,case lube of some sort,case trimmer,loading blocks,lots of ammo storage boxes. Of course this all depends on what kind of ammo your planning on loading precision or bulk.
 
#3
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

Get an auto-index press. LnL >>> D550
Skip the case gage, unless you've got a loose SAAMI chamber - I've found cases will fit case gages and NOT fit match chambers. I recommend some sort of case headspace measuring tool instead.
The RCBS Chargemaster 1500 combo is WELL WORTH IT. Get one.
The HF dial caliper is $8 on sale and more than adequate for reloading.
Skip the primer flip tray, just use a dinner plate.
Case lube and Imperial sizing wax
Sinclair expander die and mandrel
 
#5
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

Okay, from reading the chargemaster 1500 seems to be where its at. So check on that. Now I have to find a possible alternative for the dillon dies. Are they all the same in terms of brands etc.
 
#6
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

I agree that the chargemaster combo is great and I use mine alot when reloading on my single stage press. I don't use it when using my 650 or LNL since they have the powder drop. You do need to check your charges often when using a progressive but you could do that with a cheaper scale although if you do have a single stage, the 1500 does speed things up. (FWIW, SmartReloader also makes one thats alot cheaper although I've never used one of theirs, so can't actually recommend it).

I do agree with turbo on at least skipping the Dillon flip tray (although I've never used a dinner plate). I have a Dillon flip tray and it's sat on my bench since I got it. I use a cheaper RCBS and it does the job.

And you can save a few bucks by making your case lube out of liquid lanolin and 90%+ alcohol. I use 70% because I can't find 90% here so the oil and alcohol seperate but you just shake the sprayer and it's ready to go. From what I hear, this is pretty much what the Dillon lube is made out of but alot cheaper by making your own.
 
#7
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

My.02 would be to stay away from HB for anything! I also like Dial calipers instead(no batteries) you can get pretty good ones for around $20. I think Frankford Arsenal one's are right around that price range. I also think you SHOULD get a primer flip tray I would'nt want to fill primer tubes off a dinner plate and watch them fly off of it because of how slick it is, also the little grooves are kind of nice to flip the primers all over to the same direction.
 
#8
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

My list looks like yours. RL550B with strong mount and bullet tray. Does everything I need, makes excellent ammo when combined witb due diligence.

Same press, mostly RCBS F/L 2 die sets.
Flash hole reamer, and a Dillon Super Swage for crimped primer pockets.
RCBS water soluble case lube. Soft cloth with rubbing alcohol to wipe cases clean.
A powder drop funnel/tube.

Basically, I want nothing more than is essential to basic ammo fabrication. I have no lillies to gild.

I use 45ACP and 9MM 50rd ammo box inserts for loading blocks.

KISS!

Greg
 
#9
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html

Email Brian, and he will set you up with the perfect kit on Everything you will need... Just explain to him what you want to accomplish. Just purchased a Dillion 650 for 40 and 45 acp.. He went though my list and found unneeded things, removed them from the order and added what was really needed.. Kept me from Learning the hard way.. Now if i could just get my bullets and powder to ship id be pumping out rounds...
 
#10
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

The dinner plate "flip tray": I use mainly cci primers, which are 95% oriented the same. I remove the sleeve, flatten the sleeve, place it on top of the primers, flip the plastic carton. Now I've got 100 primers sitting on tge flattened sleeve. Then I place the plate over the primers and flip. Or, you can just dump the primers onto the plate and pickup the ones already oriented properly. Then just rattle the plate, pickup the ones oriented properly, rattle, pickup, rattle, pickup. This technique is actually faster for me than the legit flip tray technique.

Case lube: The dillon lube label reads: Contents: Alcohol, lanolin. I make my own alcohol/lanolin lube, and It works nicely, but is a pain to get back off. I'm planning to switch to something water based.

Caliper: The Frankfort arsenal one is the SAME piece as the HF one - as are most of the $50 and less ones you see out there. Same 5 year old Chinese children making them all.

+1 on the strong mount. They should be standard on all dillon models

Get a Satern powder funnel. Pricey at $12, but excellent. For loading progressively, but still weighing charges, just drop the funnel in one of tge holes in the tool head. The case, as it is lifted by the ram will engage the funnel, and lift it up - ready for you to pour the charge.
 
#11
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

I guess I still dont like pretty much any junk that comes from HF! I do the same basic thing you do with primers I just dont like the smooth surface of a plate when filling tubes. then again I also like using the tools that are made for a job kind of like not using pliers as an open end wrench when I can use the correct size wrench. We all have our systems and ultimately it only matters what works for each person! I do like the funnel idea though I may have to try that out!
 
#12
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

+1 for contacting Brian Enos to save $$$ and get the best setup possible. I run the Dillon 550 with a Forster Bump bushing die set and Chargemaster.
I would add a Dillon AT 500 powder die with the funnel and a Redding Body die.
 
#13
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

Get some New Finish Car Polish and add to your Corn Cobb Media before you add your brass to your tumbler! Best stuff ever and 1 bottle goes a very long way.

Just add a cap full or two depending on the age of your media and let it run.

Oh and don't forget more $$$$, because once you start reloading you will not want to stop!!!

Good Luck!
 
#15
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dmpowder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't forget to start saving your used dryer sheets for use in the tumbler. Helps keep the media clean. </div></div>

+1


finally found a use for the little buggers! helps keep my brass from getting dusty
smile.gif
 
#17
Re: Check my reloading " check list " out.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tonyinomaha</div><div class="ubbcode-body">New guy question. How do the dryer sheets keep your media clean? </div></div>

they "grab" a lot of the dust that would normally stay in the media
 
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