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Jack Straw · October 15, 1999, 09:48 AM

Matt,

First of all, I think you'll like your Dillon. I went through a few other presses and finally got myself a 550; now I can't imagine using anything else!

Secondly, you must get yourself some other manuals. Not that there is anything wrong with the Winchester freebie, but you really are limiting the amount of information available to you. I've used Lyman's, Lee's, Speer's, and others; they're all good, so why not pick a few different ones (or borrow if you know someone that reloads).

The choice in powders depends on what your purposes are. In the 44, W231 would be good for light target or plinking, while the 296 is for full power hunting loads. I've never loaded for 45acp, but I can't possibly imagine using 296 in it.

As far as having one powder for rifle and pistol, there are a few possibilities. Alliant 2400 is a powder for small rifle cartridges (I'm not even sure that it would be appropriate for 223, I'm just kind of talking here), but it is also very good for magnum handguns such as the 44mag. My point is that you MUST GET A MANUAL!!!

That is the only way to find different powder uses in different cartridges.

Again the main question is to decide what your purposes are and go from there. I can understand wanting to simplify and save money (especially after buying that Dillon), but sometimes that doesn't work with our intended purposes.

Hope this helps. Now go get those books!!!

Jack

[This message has been edited by Jack Straw (edited October 15, 1999).]

October 15, 1999, 09:48 AM	#2
Jack Straw Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 362	Matt, First of all, I think you'll like your Dillon. I went through a few other presses and finally got myself a 550; now I can't imagine using anything else! Secondly, you must get yourself some other manuals. Not that there is anything wrong with the Winchester freebie, but you really are limiting the amount of information available to you. I've used Lyman's, Lee's, Speer's, and others; they're all good, so why not pick a few different ones (or borrow if you know someone that reloads). The choice in powders depends on what your purposes are. In the 44, W231 would be good for light target or plinking, while the 296 is for full power hunting loads. I've never loaded for 45acp, but I can't possibly imagine using 296 in it. As far as having one powder for rifle and pistol, there are a few possibilities. Alliant 2400 is a powder for small rifle cartridges (I'm not even sure that it would be appropriate for 223, I'm just kind of talking here), but it is also very good for magnum handguns such as the 44mag. My point is that you MUST GET A MANUAL!!! That is the only way to find different powder uses in different cartridges. Again the main question is to decide what your purposes are and go from there. I can understand wanting to simplify and save money (especially after buying that Dillon), but sometimes that doesn't work with our intended purposes. Hope this helps. Now go get those books!!! Jack [This message has been edited by Jack Straw (edited October 15, 1999).]