I am new to this site and would like to start reloading. I happened upon a box of reloading gear at a garage sale. It had a Dillon 450 and a Lee Pro 1000 (I would post pictures, but I guess I don't have permission yet...). I don't know if either are complete and was wondering If you guys would help me out. I am thinking about selling one to pay for some of the needed parts for the other. My question is...which one do I keep and what is a reasonable asking price for the one I sell. I am wanting to start with 9mm and possibly some 5.56. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
You need to really do some research on both presses and see what parts are missing.
Then do the math and see how much you will need to invest in completing one of them.
It may be cheaper in the long run to buy a completed new press VS buying all the parts to complete one.
I like 4 dies when loading pistol brass and 3 dies for rifle.
The 450 is a 4 holer.
I use lee carbide pistol dies and die 4 is the carbide size and crimp die.
But i still get by with my lee 1000 and i use die 4 in my single stage press.
Or i use die 1 in my single stage press which is the carbide sizer/deprimer die
and install the other 3 into my 1000 press
Then do the math and see how much you will need to invest in completing one of them.
It may be cheaper in the long run to buy a completed new press VS buying all the parts to complete one.
I like 4 dies when loading pistol brass and 3 dies for rifle.
The 450 is a 4 holer.
I use lee carbide pistol dies and die 4 is the carbide size and crimp die.
But i still get by with my lee 1000 and i use die 4 in my single stage press.
Or i use die 1 in my single stage press which is the carbide sizer/deprimer die
and install the other 3 into my 1000 press
Look online for pictures of completed presses.. you will see dillons parts are more expensive where lee is extremely affordable...
dillon is an excellent press but for me they are way to much to get started on, also fwiw they no longer make the 440..
it all boils down to how much they are asking for the presses... I just bought a complete lee pro 1000 set up in 9mm, a tumbler, media separator, bullet puller, scale, media, 9mm cartridge gauge(to check rounds), and a case collator all shipped to my door for under $290 !!!
so you may want to consider buying new, pending price for the used one there..
btw, welcome to the site... a lot of knowledgeable people floating around here like swampratt above...
take my opinion for the .02cents its worth, I've only been loading for a little over a week...!!!
dillon is an excellent press but for me they are way to much to get started on, also fwiw they no longer make the 440..
it all boils down to how much they are asking for the presses... I just bought a complete lee pro 1000 set up in 9mm, a tumbler, media separator, bullet puller, scale, media, 9mm cartridge gauge(to check rounds), and a case collator all shipped to my door for under $290 !!!
so you may want to consider buying new, pending price for the used one there..
btw, welcome to the site... a lot of knowledgeable people floating around here like swampratt above...
take my opinion for the .02cents its worth, I've only been loading for a little over a week...!!!
This. We have both Dillon and Lee equipment. They serve different purposes ... We need more information about exactly what it is you want to do and what is in the boxes before anyone can give you the specific information you are looking for ...
BTW, Dillon will send you replacements for broken/missing parts for free. We bought a Dillon 550 at Sportsman's Warehouse for a song because it was missing some pieces. Called Dillon, told them what we needed and they fixed us up, no questions asked.
Dillon stuff is top notch. Lee stuff isn't bad, they make some good equipment, like their dies. For me it will always be worth the extra cash for Dillon progressive presses.
My opinion, start with a single stage while you are learning. Move up to a progressive later. There is a lot going on and a lot to watch for when using a progressive. There is always a use for a good single stage press on the bench. Just my 2 cents.
Hornady LNL.
Its a progressive with one more hole for an extra die like a "no powder" die that shuts the loader down if a powder charge is not present. Prevents squibs.
I've used it as a single stage loading one round at a time. With the quick change collets, you can change calibers in minutes.
Its a progressive with one more hole for an extra die like a "no powder" die that shuts the loader down if a powder charge is not present. Prevents squibs.
I've used it as a single stage loading one round at a time. With the quick change collets, you can change calibers in minutes.
