Reloading Ammunition on my Dillon 550B

I started loading some .38 Special Wadcutter loads on my Dillon 550 reloading press.  What a great machine!  It's so effortless to knock out 1,000 rounds of top quality target reloads.  I've still got about 6,000 more pieces of Starline brass to load but I'm actually looking forward to it. 

One thing you'll definitely want to get is their RF 100 Primer Filler.  Yes, at $299.00 it's expensive but it saves a lot of time over loading the primer tubes by hand.  The first time I used it I was sold.  I will be buying another one for Large primers very soon.  Adding a Dillon Strong Mount is also another great idea as it lifts the press off the bench making it easier to use.  I also went with their Aluminum Bullet Tray which mounts to the left side of the press, the Low Primer Sensor and the Roller Handle.  These accessories make it a pleasure to reload large volumes of ammunition.

I started using Zero's 148 grain HBWC swaged Lead bullets in my loads.  They have always shot well for me in the past.  I'm also a firm believer of Federal primers and Winchester Super Target (WST) powder.  The Federal primers have the thinnest primer cup in the industry and reliably detonate in pistols and revolvers that have had action work done to them.  WST powder burns very clean and does not leave soot and residue like some other powders do.  I try to buy it in the four pound bottles when I can.

During the component drought caused by the "Anointed One" I bought a lot of my reloading components from Powder Valley Inc. in Winfield, Kansas.  Their prices were fair and they weren't gouging reloaders like some outfits were.  Midway USA also has a good selection of components and they normally ship your order the same day.

If you get a Dillon press you won't be sorry.  My advice, call them directly when ordering equipment.  Their phone staff is very knowledgeable and they make it a pleasure to do business with them.  Navigating their website is difficult to say the least.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/
http://www.zerobullets.com/
http://www.starlinebrass.com/
http://www.federalpremium.com/
http://www.wwpowder.com/
http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/
http://www.midwayusa.com/

I Have Returned from NRA Women's Wilderness Escape.

I have returned from my coaching assignment at the NRA's Women's Wilderness Escape.  I spent 13 days out west and most of that time was spent at the beautiful NRA Whittington Center, outside of Raton, New Mexico.  The weather was in the high eighties during the day.

They've made some unbelieveable changes since I was there last.  The various shooting ranges they've built are truly world class.  I also saw some huge Mule Deer bucks and a couple very large Bull Elk while I was there.  They also harvested a 400 pound Black Bear that had become a major nuisance to the participants of the WWE.

My assignment was on the Rifle/Carbine range.  I worked with several excellent instructors and coaches from around the US.  The ladies seemed to really enjoy the Whittington Center and the events that we had planned for them.  The days were long and the work was hard but in the end it was all worth it.  It was fun but I am glad to be back home.