Sorry for the long winded post (actual question at the bottom if your don't want to read my ramblings), but I have processed a lot over this past weekend and am curious if anyone else has given this any thought.
To set the back story, my wife and I decided we wanted to take a look at our finances, we are doing fine and comfortable (all bills paid, decent jobs), but wanted to improve our situation. We started talking about credit cards and paying them off and cutting them up, and then learn to save more and live on cash. We spent a lot of time looking at budgets and hopefully starting down the right path. As part of the budgeting we looked at what we are spending money currently and first if it was needed (like groceries) and if it was not needed how bad do want it? We only talked about future purchases and have no expectation of the either looking at anything major we already own, especially if it is paid off. BUT I have been wanting to get a better handle on our debt for a long time and so I started applying the "do I need it or want it, and if so how much. Fortunately ...or maybe unfortunately reloading equipment holds its value fairly well, since I have been reloading for a while I have accumulated a lot of stuff that sometimes I use and some stuff I don't. I started making a mental list of my equipment and how I use it, and realize that a lot of it sitting in tubs totally unused, at some point I will get through it, that is not the item sparking this post. The item (and accompanying accessories) my mind immediately went to was my Dillon 650 loaded with case feeder, tools heads, and almost everything I can think of short of an autodrive.
If you asked me a week ago if I would consider selling my 650 I would have thought you were nuts. This weekend I was working on a new bench and was taking the 650 off the old bench (using some old material on the new bench). Before taking it off, I noticed it had about 50 44 mag cases and everything set up so I actually loaded those up just because. BUT when I was pulling that lever I really started thinking about my 650 I started to rationalize it and make a mental pros/cons list. Pros were it pumps ammo out quickly...really quickly and I have everything I would need for it (other then endless components) so there is no real cost to it sitting there...looking pretty good for Mr. 650 sticking around, but then thinking of the 50 or so rounds I just cranked out in a couple of minutes I realized I had no feelings about it, it wasn't fun or relaxing, it just was. It almost felt like a chore to be honest. I reload pistol ammo but hand load rifle ammo, I realized I like the hand loading process a lot more. So then my mind drifted to the Pros I originally listed...Fast, yup it certainly is and I won't deny that, BUT I I have ammo loaded up years ago I haven't shot yet, so maybe I do not need that much speed. If I don't need that much speed will the other presses work? I have a Hornady LNL AP (no case/bullet feeder) and a few single stage presses. I don't prime on the press and if I don't need super speed I can hand feed cases quickly enough so I can say my Hornady AP will be able to load pistol when needed or even do some rifle brass prep if I want. So I guess that Pro is neutralized. Next pro was it is paid for... yes again, and I paid cash for it a few years ago so it is not contributing to my credit cards, But if I don't need it and can happily get buy without it, does it have more value to me on my bench or as cash to reduce our credit cards, less debt wins, so I listed it (locally, please do not view this as a for sale add). I listed it on the higher end of its value with the thought that I don't have to sell it, but it will give me some wiggle room if someone wants to negotiate a bit and I will at least feel a little more justified if I have doubts down the road... but honestly not expecting any.
Hand loading at my pace is relaxing and why I originally got into reloading (at this point not sure if I load to shoot, or shoot to load)...not to hit quotas. I target shoot when I can but nothing formal or high volume. The other thing that contributed to feeling indifferent to it is actually my two kids (son is 4 daughter is 2). both love coming downstairs with me and helping out. If they are "helping" it is usually single stage stuff like depriming or loading ammo boxes, so the 650 sits idle when they are down by me. the 650 just has to much going on for me to keep an eye on them and what I am doing.
So if you are still with me, is it weird that when I really think about it I don't enjoy loading on my 650? Also, if you have downsized presses/equipment ect, how did it go? Did you miss it or glad you did it.