Funny thing is, my wife got all the info to buy me a Dillon 650 when they made it almost a decade ago. I caught wind and told her not to spend the money on it, didn’t have the time. I kick myself for that. I’m a buy once, cry once type of guy. Maybe I should go with the 550 for my handgun and 5.56 loading and a RCBS for my hunting rounds.
Powder Valley is only 30 minutes from where I live.
What are some other reloading websites you all use? Also, who do people order their Dillon’s from?
Kansas man huh? Our son was stationed at McConnell for quite a few years, navigating KC135's. (that would be when he wasn't flying missions over Iraq or Afghanistan, or serving in country in Iraq.)
Kansas; Don't get me started on the Flint Hills. Especially that section north of El Dorado. That is some place, I could go on for hours. (for you other folks, you have to see it, no experience it, to have a frame of reference. Its special )
So, been to Powder Valley many times. Nice to be able to do business locally. Put in your oder on line, pop into the truck a few days later and pick it up.
As far as presses, get new 550 and if your loading table is standing height, get the strong mount and the bullet holder. Our son uses the roller handles, I use the ball, to each his own, I prefer the ball. Single stage, a good ole RCBS or Redding will work for the rest of your life. Used single stage presses are fine. However, if you get a Redding, get the Big Boss. The Boss is a fine machine but a touch to small for 30-06 length cartridges, where the Big Boss has plenty of room. I own the Boss and mainly purchased it for case forming in my IHMSA days, where everything we shot was either a wildcat or a standard round that was so rarely available, it was easier to make brass than to try to find brass. Now it gets used to load 6.5 Creedmoor, and 6GT as well as occasionally .243 for Brenda. For the .25-06 and .35 Whelen, it can work but my old (purchased used) Lyman Orange Crush press has plenty of room.
Finally, here is the caveat about buying used. I purchased a rather old Lyman press a few decades ago. it worked fine, until the top of the ram where the shell holder went bad. So, in the interim, I purchased the Redding. A bit later, I contacted Lyman, they had the parts I needed, and mailed them too me at a minimal cost for the parts or shipping. I installed them and use this press to this day. The Point, RCBS, Redding, Dillon, Lyman all cary parts for their older presses and if they cannot rebuild them for you, normally they have the parts in stock to get you going again.
Anyway, its late, have a good evening and I'll het the sack.
Liked Kansas, Nice People.
Flint Hills, that is what I dreamed about as a teen, struggling through school as a dyslexic, wanting nothing more than to work on a cattle ranch out west. Yes, I know, Developmental Disabilities and special needs.
