Does the problem with the Dillon dies only effect the rifle stuff or should I go with another brand for the handgun stuff too. Probably a stupid question but I would like to know now so I can just but all my dies elsewhere.

It affects the handguns as well. A fellow competitor shooting 9mm production had to end early due to failure to feeds on almost every round. My advice was to get different dies and a good case gauge.

Thanks Chester!

Well guys it's down to the wire now. I will be ordering my press in the next few days. Thanks to you all I have narrowed it down to the following;
A Dillon 550 with no factory dies.
A set of dies from Lee or RCBS in 45ACP to start (more later of coarse).
A case tumbler and media separator.
A powder measure/scale.
A case gauge
A no Smoking area sign for my bench!!
A good instruction video or book (or both) for beginners

Anything else I need that any of you old powder slingers can think of?

Don't forget to get a bullet puller as well because not all your ammo is going to come out like you want it to. More primer tubes for the dillon and a primer flip tray are useful as well and not that much money.

like chester said a bullet puller, I prefer the Hornady cam-lock. you have to buy caliber specific collets but man, it works awesome no more hammer for me and not to mention the hammer doesnt work on short mags anyways.

Yay! Whoo Hoo!!! It's here it's here! My new dillon 550b just arrived. I have to wait still for some of the other neccessaries to arrive but I'm going to watch the video until I have it memorized and then I'll set it up and play with it until I know what's going on. Thanks to all who helped me choose and get going.Now begins the real learing. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions, but for now thanks again . :\:D/

I told you guys I'd have more questions.
A friend in my gun club says I need to get a crimping die for 45A.C.P. All the manuals say I shouldn't crimp straight walled rimless pistol cases. Do I crimp or not, and why or why not. He is a very experienced re-loader and very experienced with 45A.C.P. Just in case it matters I am using a 225 grain round nose lead flat point backed with 3.5 grains of Bullseye and Winchester or Federal large pistol primers. I went with the Redding carbide dies also. I have shot these loads a lot and they work fine and are very accurate. He in fact loaded them for me before I got started myself.

Also how often to I need to change that media stuff in my tumbler? How long does it last. I've only done about 650 rounds so far.

Can someone elaborate on using dryer sheets in tumblers to prolong the life of the media?

Also somewhere I read about someone using rice???

The 45 ACP I haven't loaded for but I crimp all my straight wall cases, 32 Long, 38 spec, 357mag. You shouldn't need a special crimp die. With proper adjustment of the seater die, they should crimp.