The CZickness XLIII prepping for winter.

[T-DOGG]

Random question of the day. Which one do you like better?


20" AR

16" Dissipator (midlength gas with rifle length handguard/front sight)

 

[Leadeye]

I've always wondered what the logic was with a revolver frame/barrel that big and a grip that small? Did people have small hands in the late 1800's?

A lot of it was style. The 1878 is a product of Victorian era styling which was fading away with the era. The grip isn't as small as it looks and was reduced in width the year after it was introduced because of complaints. For scale the gun uses the same barrel and ejector as the venerable SAA, a decision by William Mason to simplify production. These revolvers were always expensive, costing half again the price of a new SAA, but were popular with European military officers who liked the double action. Many are seen being carried by English soldiers during the Boer War, and Colt London had many made up in foreign chamberings.

 

[TJ Kackowski]

I hear ya, really I do.

Here is where I left off last night, in regards to getting setup for reloading 223 and 308 for "precision".

Lee Classic 4-hole turret (base price of $149)
Redding Premium dies
Extra turrets, Powder Measure, Digital Scale, etc
$840

Dillon 550 (base price of $525)
same items as above
$1450

The Dillon setup is $610 more, but the real question is do I actually "have to" spend the extra money to slowly reload the ammo I want? I know the Dillon is good and popular, but so is that Lee Turret. Is the Dillon $610 better?


And if I'm being honest here, while I've been researching and asking tons of questions about reloading, I'm still hesitant because it's a huge investment/rabbit hole with time and money both.

My math isn't what it once was, but I'm confused by yours above. If all things are equal, except the cost of the press, then the difference between the two setups is $376 ($525 - $149), not $610. Maybe I didn't factor in shipping or something else that wasn't listed?

Regardless of the cost difference, as others have stated, don't skimp on reloading equipment.

Another factor to consider is warranty. Doesn't Dillon have a lifetime no BS warranty? Does Lee have the same? If not, yes, you can buy 2 - 4 more Lee presses to have on hand if something goes wonky. Is that your plan?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[mcapo]

I'm going to Vote for C and D

An SP-1 cause its kinda my grail AR and just classic and the Commando because its bada$$.

 

[T-DOGG]

My math isn't what it once was, but I'm confused by yours above. If all things are equal, except the cost of the press, then the difference between the two setups is $376 ($525 - $149), not $610. Maybe I didn't factor in shipping or something else that wasn't listed?

Regardless of the cost difference, as others have stated, don't skimp on reloading equipment.

Another factor to consider is warranty. Doesn't Dillon have a lifetime no BS warranty? Does Lee have the same? If not, yes, you can buy 2 - 4 more Lee presses to have on hand if something goes wonky. Is that your plan?

Inquiring minds want to know.

The $610 was the difference between the total cost of the Dillon vs Lee, not just the presses themselves. The Dillon requires caliber conversion kits @ $65 each for each caliber (shellholder plate w/powder funnel), the additional toolheads are $32 each vs $13 for the Lee turrets and I had 2 powder dies and a powder funnel in there to allow using the Dillon without the auto powder measure that it comes with. I suppose apples to apples, I should deduct $61 for the extra powder dies and funnel. So $549 difference.

Yes, Dillon has a no BS lifetime warranty and I've heard it's good.
I'm not familiar with Lee's warranty. But my plan is not to buy several Lee presses.

Are you saying Lee is junk? I've really only heard good things about the Classic Turret?

I have no experience with either press, pretty much going by online research/opinions/reviews, etc. Well, I've seen mcapo's Dillon and he showed me stuff on it, but I haven't had the pleasure of actually using it.

 

[drillsgt]

Random question of the day. Which one do you like better?


20" AR

16" Dissipator (midlength gas with rifle length handguard/front sight)

Definitely the standard 20 inch.

 

[mcapo]

My math isn't what it once was, but I'm confused by yours above. If all things are equal, except the cost of the press, then the difference between the two setups is $376 ($525 - $149), not $610. Maybe I didn't factor in shipping or something else that wasn't listed?

Regardless of the cost difference, as others have stated, don't skimp on reloading equipment.

Another factor to consider is warranty. Doesn't Dillon have a lifetime no BS warranty? Does Lee have the same? If not, yes, you can buy 2 - 4 more Lee presses to have on hand if something goes wonky. Is that your plan?

Inquiring minds want to know.

The difference unaccounted for in your analysis is probably the higher cost of accessory items like toolheads, conversion plates, sales tax, etc. along with the one extra washer he will need for the install on his bench.

Don't mess with the Tdogg and his spreadsheets...he is what we call a professional.

 

[ChrisK]

I hear ya, really I do.

Here is where I left off last night, in regards to getting setup for reloading 223 and 308 for "precision".

Lee Classic 4-hole turret (base price of $149)
Redding Premium dies
Extra turrets, Powder Measure, Digital Scale, etc
$840

Dillon 550 (base price of $525)
same items as above
$1450

The Dillon setup is $610 more, but the real question is do I actually "have to" spend the extra money to slowly reload the ammo I want? I know the Dillon is good and popular, but so is that Lee Turret. Is the Dillon $610 better?


And if I'm being honest here, while I've been researching and asking tons of questions about reloading, I'm still hesitant because it's a huge investment/rabbit hole with time and money both.

The BL550 is $370 and is a great replacement for the Lee press. You only need to purchase a extra die plate.

17 years? That’s almost brand new. My 550 is circa 1989.

I need to upgrade to the new handle and get rid of that stupid ball on a stick.

EDIT: Ordered one....Inline Fabrication.

17 years? That’s almost brand new. My 550 is circa 1989.

I need to upgrade to the new handle and get rid of that stupid ball on a stick.

EDIT: Ordered one....Inline Fabrication.

Order the LED light for the 550 also.

 

[mcapo]

Order the LED light for the 550 also.

Got that shortly after my first pair of reading glasses.

 

[T-DOGG]

The BL550 is $370 and is a great replacement for the Lee press. You only need to purchase a extra die plate.


Order the LED light for the 550 also.

How did I miss that! I got so hyper focused on the RL550 and completely overlooked the BL550. That's exactly how I would want to use it starting out.

Sometimes things aren't so obvious to me.

 

[RustyHornet]

Random question of the day. Which one do you like better?


20" AR

16" Dissipator (midlength gas with rifle length handguard/front sight)

I think a nice 16” heavy barrel with a sweet scope and a bipod would be killer.

 

[RustyHornet]

How did I miss that! I got so hyper focused on the RL550 and completely overlooked the BL550. That's exactly how I would want to use it starting out.

Sometimes things aren't so obvious to me.

This is why he have our Uncle Chris….

 

[ChrisK]

T-Dogg, what have you picked out for case trimming?

 

[wingrider1800]

The $610 was the difference between the total cost of the Dillon vs Lee, not just the presses themselves. The Dillon requires caliber conversion kits @ $65 each for each caliber (shellholder plate w/powder funnel), the additional toolheads are $32 each vs $13 for the Lee turrets and I had 2 powder dies and a powder funnel in there to allow using the Dillon without the auto powder measure that it comes with. I suppose apples to apples, I should deduct $61 for the extra powder dies and funnel. So $549 difference.

Yes, Dillon has a no BS lifetime warranty and I've heard it's good.
I'm not familiar with Lee's warranty. But my plan is not to buy several Lee presses.

Are you saying Lee is junk? I've really only heard good things about the Classic Turret?

I have no experience with either press, pretty much going by online research/opinions/reviews, etc. Well, I've seen mcapo's Dillon and he showed me stuff on it, but I haven't had the pleasure of actually using it.

You should probably get both of them. Can't skinflint when it comes to gun stuff.

 

[edporch]

Random question of the day. Which one do you like better?


20" AR

16" Dissipator (midlength gas with rifle length handguard/front sight)

Of those two, I choose the 20" AR.
Though I've built some 16" barrel versions different from the one shown that I like too.

MY first AR15 was a "green label" Colt AR15 HBAR I bought in the late 1980's the day before Colt announced they were stopping civilian sales. (which were later resumed with the emasculated versions)
I still have this rifle and it's been a good rifle.

 

[T-DOGG]

T-Dogg, what have you picked out for case trimming?

Whatever the Canadian to the Southwest of me has.

 

[ChrisK]

Buy Trim Pro® -2 Power Case Trimmer Kit and More | RCBS

Shopping for the Trim Pro® -2 Power Case Trimmer Kit - Learn more about the latest Trim and other hunting or shooting gear at RCBS.

www.rcbs.com

This is what I use.

 

[MindfulMan]

Definitely the standard 20 inch.

DITTO !

 

[TJ Kackowski]

The $610 was the difference between the total cost of the Dillon vs Lee, not just the presses themselves. The Dillon requires caliber conversion kits @ $65 each for each caliber (shellholder plate w/powder funnel), the additional toolheads are $32 each vs $13 for the Lee turrets and I had 2 powder dies and a powder funnel in there to allow using the Dillon without the auto powder measure that it comes with. I suppose apples to apples, I should deduct $61 for the extra powder dies and funnel. So $549 difference.

Yes, Dillon has a no BS lifetime warranty and I've heard it's good.
I'm not familiar with Lee's warranty. But my plan is not to buy several Lee presses.

Are you saying Lee is junk? I've really only heard good things about the Classic Turret?

I have no experience with either press, pretty much going by online research/opinions/reviews, etc. Well, I've seen mcapo's Dillon and he showed me stuff on it, but I haven't had the pleasure of actually using it.

I'm absolutely not saying Lee is junk. Just making a point that if they don't have the same warranty as Dillon, you can replace it several times over for the cost difference in the two machines.

Thank you for clarifying the additional costs ... I figured there was more to the story.

FWIW, my only experience with these presses is through others who reload metallic cartridges. I was strictly a shotgun reloader when I reloaded, and my machine is an inherited Ponsness-Warren Du-O-Matic. But, I like to keep up with this sort of thing for the day when I'm able to start reloading metallic cartridges.

 

[Lee11b]

Yep, one stay of execution per lifetime. If one goes to all the trouble to detangle oneself financially, etc from someone, why ever go back. Started with 100% of your stuff, then with 50% of your stuff left, no way, I'd be going all in again to end up with at best 25%. That's a sucker's bet.

I agree, she cheated on him years ago. He built 2 new houses with her, completing the last one less than a year ago, with a heated 20 x 50 feet pole barn on 5 acres.....sold that, losing money on it. He kind of had a "mid-life" crisis, started dating, had his last serious g-friend out on our pontoon over the 4th of July......thought she was a real keeper.....next thing I know he wants to get back together with his ex.....

......and of course.......