Help with a Christmas gift

Celeste,

I just bought the XL650 in 45 ACP with the following....

-Dies of correct caliber (I got the carbide dies, makes pistol loading a snap without any lubing of the cases)

- Electronic scale... if he is as anal as I am and weighs things offen, then this will pay for itself in time.

- Calipers... dial or electronic, doesn't matter but needed

- go-nogo case gauge (caliber specific under accessories) handy, and usefull and cheap. Makes sure that the finished round fits in the chamber of the gun correctly, without actually chambering it.  I catch 1/100 rounds or so that have some bullet lube or something like that stuck to it that may have prevented proper chambering.  And since I shoot competitively (IPSC), that is important.

This did just fine really.... the next accessories I will get is: (or at least considering eventually)

- Electronic Case feeder... I usually forget to load more cases when I should :(

Powder levels are pretty obvious, but you can get a buzzer for low powder cheaply... and it comes with a low primers buzzer.

So far I can easily see into each case, so a powder charge checking station die isn't needed for me (right now?).  However, 1 double charge could mean the end.  I am planning on mounting a light shining down where the die would go (station 3).

The roller handle is something I have never used, but can see where it would/could be nice.  The regular handle has given me a blister once... but then I got tougher and built my hand... no problems since.  I don't have any plans to get one.

Make sure you order with the right caliber! There are alot of pre-installed parts that are caliber specific (all included in the mentioned caliber conversion kit below)

If he is after more than one caliber in any serious volume, then follow the suggestions with the caliber change ideas... you can spend alot, or alittle here really quick. ~$70 min gets you the caliber conversion kit (plus dies are still needed..~$60 for good carbide pistol dies...$30 for plain steel) but then you have to change your dies (and settings) every time you change calibers.  Adding in the "quick change" kit listed under accessories will eliminate that, but for an extra ~$90.

At the very least, the basic set up (pretty much what I listed as what I have) will work great.  It is always easy to upgrade later... and from there, everything is pretty much optional and possible with the XL650.

-Sundholm

Thanks so much!  That helped a lot, now just to figure out which caliber he'd like and I will get him the quick change parts that you mentioned too! 

Celeste

Celeste;

First I would I like to commend you for being such a great wife for buying your husband a reloading press for Christmas!  Call the Dillon 800 number and explain to them what you are looking for, they are great people and they are not going to sell you what you don't need.  Please let us know how your husband reacted with his gift.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your husband.

Happy shooting times!

OEL