I don't plan on reloading quite yet... To put it bluntly, I'm worried about starting a hobby that I have absolutely no experience in.  So I figure reading a few books might move things along.  So far I am looking to buy the Lyman 49Th Edition Reloading Handbook and The ABCs Of Reloading (ABC's of Reloading) by James, Rodney off Amazon.  Is there any other "must have" books on reloading?  I plan on reloading 9, 40, .223, and .308. 

On a side note, I have only looked online for reviews of various reloading presses and so far I like the Dillion XL650.  Reviews seemed very positive.  Anyone have a different experience with this model?

Thanks in advance for the help 

Both of those books will serve you well. Especially the Lyman manual as it has the recipes that you will want access to for years to come. As you find certain brands of bullets that you like I would also suggest buying that company's reloading manual. I also own the Hornady and Sierra reloading manuals. The Berger Bullets reloading manual is on the way. I have to say the Sierra manual is more complete than just about any other manual I've seen. Some of the bullet companies offer their loading data on the Internet and others do not and try to get you to buy their books instead. I must admit I prefer a book for reloading over my laptop and the Internet. Guess I'm old fashioned.

As far as presses are concerned if you can afford a Dillon, you can't go wrong. They are excellent presses and the company provides awesome customer service. But other presses can serve you just as well. And you might want to consider a single stage press for reloading your rifle ammunition over the Dillon press. I guess it depends just how particular you want to be with your rifle ammunition.

I was in a similar situation a few years ago . . .

I selected the RL550B over the 650 due to concerns with the auto indexing making it more difficult to clear an issue - primer going in upside down, sideways, powder charging, etc.  I have since loaded over 10k rounds with my 550 and have had no problems with the press.  The press is relatively cheap compared with the "extras" you will need to purchase, search other posts in this section for details.

Definitely buy the Dillon video for setting up your (Dillon) press as it is much more informative than the paper instructions that come with the press (and even the youtube videos out there).

As others have mentioned, reloading has turned into a hobby that supports my hobby.  And, as Inspector has indicated, it is up to you to see how far the rabbit hole goes . . .

I was in a similar situation a few years ago . . .

I selected the RL550B over the 650 due to concerns with the auto indexing making it more difficult to clear an issue - primer going in upside down, sideways, powder charging, etc.  I have since loaded over 10k rounds with my 550 and have had no problems with the press.  The press is relatively cheap compared with the "extras" you will need to purchase, search other posts in this section for details.

Definitely buy the Dillon video for setting up your (Dillon) press as it is much more informative than the paper instructions that come with the press (and even the youtube videos out there).

As others have mentioned, reloading has turned into a hobby that supports my hobby.  And, as Inspector has indicated, it is up to you to see how far the rabbit hole goes . . .

Thank you both for the replies.  I will probably read up on presses for the next month or so prior to making a decision as I am in no real rush.  From my limited understanding, a single stage press is what is recommended for more consistent rifle loads.  Is this a accurate statement?  I plan on loading more rifle rounds and want something time efficient with the ability to consistently load the same round without variation.  If there is another thread that already covers this topic please lmk as I didn't find one.

As you find certain brands of bullets that you like I would also suggest buying that company's reloading manual. I also own the Hornady and Sierra reloading manuals. The Berger Bullets reloading manual is on the way. I have to say the Sierra manual is more complete than just about any other manual I've seen. Some of the bullet companies offer their loading data on the Internet and others do not and try to get you to buy their books instead. I must admit I prefer a book for reloading over my laptop and the Internet. Guess I'm old fashioned.

I guess I too am old fashioned... I just find it easier to use a highlighter and sticky notes for reference/instruction manuals.  I may just buy the Sierra manual next...

You cannot reload rifle rounds on a progressive press in the same way as you might reload pistol ammo.

You need to process your brass (size-trim-chamfer) before you can run them through a progressive press.
Especially if shooting a semi-auto rifle.

So a lot of people get a single stage press just for the brass prep stage.

MHO

Unless you are doing high volume shooting, I don't think you really need a progressive.  I have a single stage and turret and they are enough for me, but I'm not a high volume shooter.  I bought a SS first, and still use it for sizing.  But, I could also take out the auto index rod and use my classic cast turret for sizing.  So, overall I'd say a turret is a great starter press that can do everything a single can do and more.  Turrets won't crank out rounds like a progressive, but it is easy to change the set up for different calibers (with quick change die plates) and speed isn't necessarily a good thing for a beginner re-loader. 

BTW, I wouldn't be able afford to shoot a damn thing if I didn't reload and once you get the hang of it, custom tuning your own loads can be both fun and rewarding.   

As far as books,   I have Hornady, Lyman, Nosler, and Lee.  I use the Lyman and Hornady most.  What you will discover is the OAL for loads listed in many books are pretty short for handgun rounds.  Many folks load longer based on their guns chamber and may bump the charge up a little.  Remember that longer is "generally" ok (unless u are making bunny fart loads), but if you're using published data you don't want to go below the tested OAL.

MHO

Unless you are doing high volume shooting, I don't think you really need a progressive.  I have a single stage and turret and they are enough for me, but I'm not a high volume shooter.  I bought a SS first, and still use it for sizing.  But, I could also take out the auto index rod and use my classic cast turret for sizing.  So, overall I'd say a turret is a great starter press that can do everything a single can do and more.  Turrets won't crank out rounds like a progressive, but it is easy to change the set up for different calibers (with quick change die plates) and speed isn't necessarily a good thing for a beginner re-loader. 

BTW, I wouldn't be able afford to shoot a damn thing if I didn't reload and once you get the hang of it, custom tuning your own loads can be both fun and rewarding.   

As far as books,   I have Hornady, Lyman, Nosler, and Lee.  I use the Lyman and Hornady most.  What you will discover is the OAL for loads listed in many books are pretty short for handgun rounds.  Many folks load longer based on their guns chamber and may bump the charge up a little.  Remember that longer is "generally" ok (unless u are making bunny fart loads), but if you're using published data you don't want to go below the tested OAL.

Thank you for your input  .   There is just so much to read/watch.  I'm starting to think I don't need a progressive loader now.  I don't consider myself a high volume shooter (although I would love to have the time to do that) so maybe starting small might be a better idea...

^^^Case prep sucks nuts.  Actual reloading is fun.

Manuals - Sierra I like a lot as well as Hornady.  I would suggest a manual from the manufacturer of the bullets you intend on using.  The manuals are cheap when you think about what can go wrong if you make (large) mistakes.

 ImKu mentioned .223 Rem. as a caliber he might  reload. If it's for an AR,  you might check out "AR-15 Ammunition Reloading: A beginner's guide to reloading ammunition for the AR-15 Rifle" by Christopher Ohland.  Amazon has it for less than $9. (It used to cost more). Gives detailed step-by-step instructions and has a recommended list of specific equipment (e.g. Sinclair hand primer) and  components (Varget and 69gn SMK) and explains why he recommends them.

 I had an earlier version of his book from several years ago.  Followed it, with some advice from a friend who reloads, and produced ammo that functioned realibly and was reasonably accurate the first time out. Since then, have used the Hodgdon annual reloader magazine (Young Guns sells 'em) and  the Reloading Guide for .223 (the loose-bound collection of photo-copied pages from various bullet makers) and manufacturers' manuals  to experiment with other bullets and powders.
 
 

I really would not recommend using a single stage press to load pistol ammo - too slow & 0.0005" difference is irrelevant.  Granted, as oldfart has stated, you cannot reload rifle ammo in the same way/method as pistol ammo.

That being said, check out replies to my inquiry regarding single stage presses - http://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=3712.msg35577#msg35577

I get 1 MOA accuracy (when I do my part) with my AR-15 with ammo that I have loaded on my Dillon RL550B ~ 400 rounds per hour (including time for issues that arise).  But, I have found out that the press does not consistently bump the shoulder back on my 308 cases (factory ammo was more consistent than my reloads) = buy more extras to measure actual headspace with my digital caliper & resize again . . . I do not plan on purchasing a single stage press if I can help it since crazy cat & heavies have indicated that accuracy is achievable with the Dillon progressive. 

And, I really do not want to drill more holes in my reloading bench.  LOL

I was just talking to a friend of mine about loading .308 on a Dillon.  His grandson has a Ruger American with a really tight chamber, and he needed to bump the shoulder back just a bit more when reloading for it.  Since the die was already adjusted down as far as it would go (actually contacting the shellplate), he ground just a bit off the bottom of the die.  Problem solved.

When I'm loading rifle rounds on the progressive, I trim the cases first, then just run them through. 

Another Dillon hint--Lee pistol dies tend to be a bit on the short side, so it's sometimes necessary to put the locking rings on the bottom of the toolhead.

I really would not recommend using a single stage press to load pistol ammo - too slow & 0.0005" difference is irrelevant.  Granted, as oldfart has stated, you cannot reload rifle ammo in the same way/method as pistol ammo.

And, I really do not want to drill more holes in my reloading bench.  LOL

===========================
OMG! I wouldn't load pistol ammo on a single stage either!
I did that when I first got into reloading because there was no such thing as a "Dillon" press. It was painful.
 

I believe that the Speer (RCBS) reloading manuals are the bible for me. But all the other books mentioned above will help you just as much.
That is why I have shelf full of books and a pc full of PDF files. When working on a load, I check every available resource at my disposal.

I was just talking to a friend of mine about loading .308 on a Dillon.  His grandson has a Ruger American with a really tight chamber, and he needed to bump the shoulder back just a bit more when reloading for it.  Since the die was already adjusted down as far as it would go (actually contacting the shellplate), he ground just a bit off the bottom of the die.  Problem solved.

When I'm loading rifle rounds on the progressive, I trim the cases first, then just run them through. 

Another Dillon hint--Lee pistol dies tend to be a bit on the short side, so it's sometimes necessary to put the locking rings on the bottom of the toolhead.

====================
If he is reloading the SAME shells fired from the ruger american, you probably don't have to size them with a conventional full length die.
If you take the empty shells fired FROM THAT RIFLE don't they re-chamber just fine?
They should be "fire-formed" to THAT RIFLE chamber.... ONLY that rifle.
In fact you might not even have to trim them.
Just clean-neck size-check length-prime-charge-seat head

If he is lucky, he might get astounding accuracy.

I have  abc's of reloading if anyone wants it.

I have  abc's of reloading if anyone wants it.

pm sent 

Great thread guys! I have decided to learn more about reloading over the next several weeks or months and then jump into the purchasing of a press and other needed accessories. I will be loading primarily 9mm at this point and was looking to the progressive press set up. As I am a new shooter though I am almost certain that I will move to a rifle in the future (not very sure but I have become addicted to this sport/hobby), would it be wiser to go with a single stage over the progressive press?

Mahalo for the input

Great thread guys! I have decided to learn more about reloading over the next several weeks or months and then jump into the purchasing of a press and other needed accessories. I will be loading primarily 9mm at this point and was looking to the progressive press set up. As I am a new shooter though I am almost certain that I will move to a rifle in the future (not very sure but I have become addicted to this sport/hobby), would it be wiser to go with a single stage over the progressive press?

Mahalo for the input

Get a Dillon 550 or 650.  The scarcest resource is time, and reloading on a single stage press is means less time available to shoot.....

Get a Dillon 550 or 650.  The scarcest resource is time, and reloading on a single stage press is means less time available to shoot.....

I totally agree with the suggestion for a Dillon, not just for the time savings, but I also feel that a quality progressive press can be just as safe, if not safer, than a single stage for someone new to reloading.  A lot of people will disagree, the usual argument is "ah, too many things going on at once with a progressive", but I humbly see it differently.  In my opinion, the more times you handle the partially completed cartridge during the loading process, the more chance you have to screw it up.  With a Dillon, (I use a 550), the hardest part is setting up the dies.  Once that's done, just make sure you index the plate after pulling the handle, check sta 2 for powder drop and perhaps most importantly, clear the shell plate if any problems arise.  No loading blocks, manual powder measures, or resetting dies for resizing, belling, seating or crimping.
Now is the Dillon perfect?  Nope, I still can't figure out why they made that ball bearing under the shell plate the perfect size to fit down the hole that's in the middle of the press.  Took me almost 30 minutes to get that stupid ball bearing out when it rolled down there.  Never let it happen again though.

How did this thread get from reading material to progressive presses?

I have  abc's of reloading if anyone wants it.

Mahalo for the book 

Just got the Lyman 49th edition in the mail today.  I think for the time being this should be enough reading material to get my feet wet.