anyone run separate presses for different calibers? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - anyone run separate presses for different calibers?

Posted: 9/1/2014 2:44:02 PM EDT

Currently I have a Dillon RL550b with both 9 mm and 45 dies. When I go to switch calibers, it's a fairly involved process (to me anyway), swap out power, dies, etc.

been thinking about just adding another 550 or even a 650 and leaving them both setup so they are ready to go when i want them.

anyone else running a similar setup?

Posted: 9/1/2014 3:40:35 PM EDT

[#1]

I'm use 2 550s one for 9mm other for 223. I got tired of swapping out everything.

Posted: 9/1/2014 4:04:27 PM EDT

[#2]

Yes I've acquired 3 SDB's (9mm, 10mm, 45acp) over the years along with a couple of single stage presses for rifle cartridges & other stuff.

Posted: 9/1/2014 4:13:36 PM EDT

[#3]

It's not uncommon. If you have the need and the cash, it's the way to go.

Posted: 9/1/2014 8:10:41 PM EDT

[#4]

650 is loaded for whatever the flavor of the month is. At least 500 rd loading sessions on this, mostly pistol though sometimes I'll crank out a bucket of centerfire pistol.

100 round weekday loading runs or precision work on the Redding Big Boss is normal.

Posted: 9/1/2014 10:06:33 PM EDT

[#5]

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Yes I've acquired 3 SDB's (9mm, 10mm, 45acp) over the years along with a couple of single stage presses for rifle cartridges & other stuff.

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Same here dedicated SDB's for 9mm, 357, and 45 ACP. Have a 550 for rifle calibers.

Posted: 9/1/2014 10:24:59 PM EDT

[#6]

When I really started shooting a lot I had two 650's - one dedicated to my main caliber and the other for whatever else I needed.

I finally sold one and got a 1050, which I load my main caliber on and the 650 is a backup. Sure is nice when you're shooting 15k+ a year.

Posted: 9/1/2014 11:30:05 PM EDT

[#7]

Lyman turret for 30-06, Lee turret for .45 and 30-30, RCBS RS5 for .223 and .308 or others.

Posted: 9/1/2014 11:38:31 PM EDT

[#8]

Yes-1050, 650, and 550 here.

Posted: 9/2/2014 5:07:59 AM EDT

[#9]

Nope. I run a LNL AP. Dies with bushings are set and kept that way. Multiple powder measure inserts are preset and verified at the beginning of a reloading session. Most of what I load uses the same primers sizes (small) and changing that out even when I have to is not a big deal. Even though I have everything set, I go through a verification process to make sure everything is what is supposed to be and is functioning how it should be.

I am going to use a single stage more though. I am liking setting up up specific recipes for my long range rifle. That will be a LNL too.

I just find it easier to have the mulitple dies, bushings, powder inserts, etc... If I am going to run 2 presses, it will be as described.

Posted: 9/2/2014 3:23:34 PM EDT

[#10]

well, that was easy to convince me...

XL 650 on the way...

Posted: 9/2/2014 5:33:00 PM EDT

[#11]

I load the hi-volume stuff (all handgun, .22 K-Hornet .223, .308, .50 Beowulf) on a Dillon 550, hunting ammo (7-08, .264 Mag, .300 Mag, 9.3x62 Mauser, .243) on a 35-year old RCBS Jr. single stage, .30-30, .45-70 on a Lee 4-hole turret press.

All shotguns are loaded on gauge-specific MEC 600 Jr's (.410, 28, 20, 16, 12)

So in answer to the OP... yeah, I do.

Posted: 9/2/2014 9:05:22 PM EDT

[#12]

A less expensive, and not quite as productive option is to use a Lee Auto-Indexing press, and just keep a turret per caliber, complete with an AutoDisk attached and pre-set for your load. That's what I do, and I can literally change calibers in under a minute. Swap turrets, add powder, change primers (if needed) and start pulling the handle.

The auto-index turret press is 3 pulls per complete round, as opposed to 1 pull per completed round, but its much faster than a single stage, and much cheaper than a progressive. I only crank about 100 rounds per session, and I'm sure its faster than changing a progressive over for that few rounds.

Posted: 9/2/2014 10:50:48 PM EDT

[#13]

I use two 550's, one for lg primers, one for small. I just change out heads for caliber.

Posted: 9/2/2014 11:04:32 PM EDT

[#14]

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I use two 550's, one for lg primers, one for small. I just change out heads for caliber.

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Same with 650s.

Posted: 9/2/2014 11:29:32 PM EDT

[#15]

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Quoted:
I use two 550's, one for lg primers, one for small. I just change out heads for caliber.

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+1

Posted: 9/3/2014 12:00:39 AM EDT

[#16]

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+1

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Quoted:

Quoted:
I use two 550's, one for lg primers, one for small. I just change out heads for caliber.

+1

+1 again, except I use one for rifle calibers (and a few orphans) and one for pistol calibers (with shell feeder).

Posted: 9/3/2014 1:31:25 AM EDT

[#17]

I like a compact Harrell for my 380 acp. I use the rockchucker for rifle cases

Posted: 9/3/2014 5:25:24 AM EDT

[#18]

I run two 550s.

One for large primers, one for small.

I didn't purposely set out to do this, but I got the second 550 so cheap I couldn't pass it up.

Posted: 9/3/2014 11:33:32 AM EDT

[#19]

You guys are going to cost me a lot of money...

Right now I load everything on a Hornady L-N-L AP. However... I'm thinking about picking up a Dillon 550 or another AP just for .308, a Forester Co-Ax single stage for .223/.308 sizing and a Lee Turret for 45/70.

I just think it would be a lot easier to have dedicated presses.

Posted: 9/3/2014 11:40:39 AM EDT

[#20]

Single stage for 223, 308, 30-06 and 8mm. XL650 for 9mm and 45 ACP. I am going to get a 1050 for 223 after I complete my PCS this spring.

Posted: 9/3/2014 4:11:03 PM EDT

[#21]

For me the biggest time sink is the powder measure. With my extruded powders I have a the Origional Lyman Accumeasure that is like the RCBS chargemaster but it is a beam scale. I set the beam to the weight I want and push a button. For ball powders I use my Lyman 55. That takes a few minnutes to adjust but it is accurate.

Once I get it set swapping dies is a breeze. Once I ditched the crappy Lee lock rings I can spin dies in and out without losing my adjustments. Before with the Lee Oring deal my settings would be all over the place. and it would be forever getting them reset.

Posted: 9/3/2014 4:18:53 PM EDT

[#22]

I wish it didn't cost so much, but the micrometer powder measure dial is invaluable for those that swap calibers frequently, I have a notebook with all of the powders I meter and the chart of dial values for each one. I can get within my target load within just a couple throws usually.

http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1231

Posted: 9/3/2014 6:01:15 PM EDT

[#23]

No, but I do set up an XL650 toolhead for each caliber. Each toolhead gets its own powder measure. Swapping the priming system is the only tedious part, and I load large primers so rarely on the 650 that it is not an issue. The toolhead takes seconds, and the shellplate, and casefeed disc/spacer are very quick/easy.

For 5.56 I have 3 toolheads- case prep, 55g, and 77gr.

Posted: 9/3/2014 8:54:37 PM EDT

[#24]

I have a Dillon Square Deal B that I load my 9MM and 45ACP on. I also have a RL550B which I load 5.56/.223 on (soon to be .308 and .380 as well). The only reason I have two presses is because I bought the SDB first thinking I would only ever load pistol ammo. Three months later I bought the 550. If I could do it all over again I would have started with the 550 and then setup a bunch of extra toolheads (multiples in the same calibers) so I could swap them out quickly. I would have one main "go to load" setup for each of my calibers that I would never adjust other than making sure it was still in check. I would then have at least one more toolhead setup for each of the calibers that I would tweak according for the different components I would be using for the caliber / load. Finally I would have one other toolhead setup for lead bullets for the couple of calibers I shoot lead bullets with. I wouldn't have extra powder measures for each toolhead setup. I would only have one for each of the main toolhead setups and then one large and one small powder bar setup. Since I am tweaking things for the rest of the dies and things on the toolhead for the other component setups it makes sense to have just one of each.

Posted: 9/3/2014 9:59:26 PM EDT

[#25]

XL 650 for 9mm & .40
Super 1050 for .223 (Case Prep & Loading Tool Heads) (Small Primer)
Super 1050 for .308/.45 (Case Prep & Loading tool heads) (Large Primer / Same shell plate)

Posted: 9/3/2014 10:17:29 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:

Same with 650s.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
I use two 550's, one for lg primers, one for small. I just change out heads for caliber.

Same with 650s.

this is the only reason i haven't reloaded anything with small primer. I don't have another XL650 setup up for small primer yet.

Posted: 9/4/2014 7:06:32 PM EDT

[#27]

I know I am going to get the stink eye but I have 5 Lee 1000 set up for 380, 9.mm, 45acp, 38sp, 223. there setup to pull off bench with four bolts. takes about two minutes to set up.

Posted: 9/4/2014 9:10:57 PM EDT

[#28]

I have both a large and small primer assembly so swapping primers takes just a minute.

Posted: 9/4/2014 9:36:04 PM EDT

[#29]

9mm, .40 & .45 ACP. 3 presses.
I just swap them out on my bench.

John

Posted: 9/4/2014 11:22:44 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:

I have both a large and small primer assembly so swapping primers takes just a minute.

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That's what I did.

Co-Ax and Rockchucker for hunting ammo and working up loads

Dream set up would be 1050s for 223 and 9mm.

Twin 650s for lg and sm primer for everything else in bulk

Posted: 9/6/2014 2:07:28 PM EDT

[#31]

Sure do. Lee Pro-1000s for 9mm, 45 ACP, and 38 Special. I do not use progressive presses for rifle.

Posted: 9/6/2014 5:22:12 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
well, that was easy to convince me...

XL 650 on the way...

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You will be happy.

I ended up with two 550Bs, as I got the second one cheap, and also because I wanted the tool heads to be interchangeable. One stays set up for large primers and the other for small. That is the big advantage. It only takes a few minutes to swap tool heads and shell plates. The primer feed is another matter, so it's GREAT to have that chore permanently in place and adjusted perfectly.

Posted: 9/6/2014 5:24:41 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
I know I am going to get the stink eye but I have 5 Lee 1000 set up for 380, 9.mm, 45acp, 38sp, 223. there setup to pull off bench with four bolts. takes about two minutes to set up.

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If it works for you and you are happy with it, then . . . it works for you!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - anyone run separate presses for different calibers?

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