What is the best reloading setup?

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bigv316
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Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2019 8:40 am

What is the best reloading setup?

Post by bigv316 »

I'm getting back into shooting and reloading after a long absence and I was wondering what reloading setup would be best if your looking to quickly load between 300 to 500 rounds in a session? TIA
TonyR
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Post by TonyR »

Now it'd be nice for ya to go the introduction section and say Hi .
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Gregg
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Location: Space Coast - Merritt Island

Post by Gregg »

Dillon 550 or the updated 750.
You should be able to load 500 rounds of handgun ammo with either in an hour.
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TACC
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Post by TACC »

Are you going to be reloading just pistol?

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bigv316
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Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2019 8:40 am

Post by bigv316 »

I'll be reloading rifle and pistol. Also after running an RCBS single press I really want something that can speed the process up.
bigv316
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Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2019 8:40 am

Post by bigv316 »

Rifle and pistol.
Gregg
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Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2018 7:05 pm
Location: Space Coast - Merritt Island

Post by Gregg »

Currently have a Dillion 650, and I load on it:

9mm, 38 Special, 357 mag, 40 S&W, 45 ACP & 45 Colt
223, 308, 30-06, 6.5 Japanese, 7.7 Japanese, 303 British & 8mm

The handgun cartridges reload at 400 to 500 per hour, the 223 goes at about 300 an hour, and the larger rifle cartridges go at about 200 per hour.

Remember, there is more work reloading rifle cartridges than reloading handgun cartridges.
rug357
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Location: P. Pines, FL

Post by rug357 »

I reload all my handgun cartridges using Dillion Square Deal B. I have 4 SDB set up on the bench for each of my calibers (9mm, 38 Special, 44Mag, 45ACP). I get them dialed in for my favorite load and them I don't touch them for years. The one for 45ACP was set up for 5.6gr of Winchester 231 powder over 200gr SWC case bullet around 1991 and it has never been changed. I usually load up all my primer tubes (I have 10 large and 12 small) and can usually load 350 round per hour or about 1,000 rounds in 3 hours. Back in 1999 I stayed home for 11 days with nothing to do so I spent all my time reloading. Doing those 11 days I loaded over 20k rounds on my Dillon SDB presses.

For rifle calibers I use single stage press as I don't shoot a lot of rifle calibers. For example I load my 45-70 hunting loads using Lyman press and Hornady dies and load 50-60 rounds and that will usually last me about 2 years. I would do each step one-by-one and will usually take me about 5 nights to complete the entire process. I have loaded as many as 500 rounds (308W target loads) using this method over few weeks.
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Nowhere Mon
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:24 am
Location: North Port

Post by Nowhere Mon »

I too have a Dillon SDB that I've loaded over 50,000 rounds. I load .38, 9mm, .40 and .45. For precision rifle, I have a Forster press. I use it for .223 and .308. Very happy with both presses.

Dave
bigv316
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Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2019 8:40 am

Post by bigv316 »

What is the difference between the 550, 650 and 750? Also which one has 5 stages?
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