Reloading press or presses?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Reloading press or presses?

Posted: 12/12/2013 4:04:15 PM EDT

First off id like to say thanks to everyone who gave me feed back in the hornady or dillon thread, it was greatly appreciated, now my next dilemma is , how many presses do you guys own? One, two, three, more and why? Bullet feeders on all, case feeders only? Came up with this question cuz the L-N-L seems to be really good for pistol( dillion 650 powder spill kinda bothers me) and the 1050 is the king of the presses. Was wondering if i could get away with using one for a while until i get the 1050, which i will probably score with income tax funds. Thanks again for all the help guys.

Posted: 12/12/2013 4:35:44 PM EDT

[#1]

I leave my 650 set up for large pistol and 1050 for my small primer stuff. It seems to work well for now, hopefully another 1050 in my future sometime soon.

Posted: 12/12/2013 4:40:42 PM EDT

[#2]

I have a Dillon 550B manually operated progressive and a Redding T-7 turret press. I don't have or feel I need either a bullet feeder or a case feeder. I get about 500 pistol rounds/hour and up to 300 rifle rounds/hour. In a couple of hours I am set for quite a while.

I use the turret press for all the odd ball dies and operations.

I have a Giraud trimmer and a very good electronic scale.

With these, I feel I've got what I need.

Posted: 12/12/2013 5:45:22 PM EDT

[#3]

550, 3 SDB's. No case feeders.

Down to 1 Rockchucker right now. Other one went to a new reloader. One RCBS jr.

Lyman hand press

Mec 600

Posted: 12/12/2013 7:10:31 PM EDT

[#4]

1 Redding T7 with 4 turret heads, primer feeder, and case activated powder dump for general reloading
1 P/W800C for 12 ga trap loads
1 Hollywood senior turret for 50 cal match loads
1 Hollywood single stage for small swaging and onesy twosy reloading
1 RCE walnut hill for swaging
and 1 CH MKIV inline progressive that i havent set up yet
all my presses i bought used
and except for the redding they are OLD
they were the best there was in there day
would some day like to get a star to add to the list

Posted: 12/12/2013 7:10:53 PM EDT

[#5]

1 Rockchucker

1 Redding T-7 with a couple of extra turret heads.

1 Dillon 650 with case feeder.

Posted: 12/12/2013 7:30:11 PM EDT

[#6]

2 550Bs - one small primer, one large primer

Forster Co-Ax
Lee Turret
RCBS Rockchucker

The last 3 are on Pat Marlin bases to go on/off the bench rapidly

Co-Ax for precision
Turret for wildcatting/necking down
Rockchucker for pulling the oopsies

Posted: 12/12/2013 8:11:31 PM EDT

[#7]

1 rock chucker. Reload 2 pistol calibers and one rifle caliber. Have dies for a third pistol but I've never loaded with them. Just bought a house so a reloading bench is soon to be added. Also have sewage dies for military brass. I do batches of steps. De prime and prime a bunch and put them in a bag. Flare them later. Then when I want to load its powder and bullets. Overall 30/hour. In batches it's about 100/hr to add bullets.

Posted: 12/12/2013 8:17:40 PM EDT

[#8]

rock chucker + dillon 550b.
3 mecs and 2 pw presses, each in a diff shotgun caliber.
also a c&h autochamp in .45 with a casefeeder, but it's solely for feeding the mac-10.
not planning on buying anymore presses. I'm planning on selling all of it but the rock chucker and getting a 650 with some extra parts.
all i load anymore is .45, 9mm and .223. If i rebarrel my 308 i'll be kicking out 6.5x47's with the rock chucker with micrometer dies (which dont work on the dillons)
Seems like cake to me.

Posted: 12/12/2013 8:20:02 PM EDT

[#9]

Square Deal B (pistol only)
Lee single stage (got it for free)

No case feeders. I'll eventually bite the bullet and get myself a 650 setup with all the goodies.

Posted: 12/12/2013 8:29:08 PM EDT

[#10]

One Lee classic cast single stage press, breech lock.
One Lee classic cast 4 hole turret press. I use the single stage for doing rifle resizing, and the turret press to speed up seating and crimping for rifle, and to speed up sizing and expanding, seating and crimping pistol.

Posted: 12/12/2013 9:16:28 PM EDT

[#11]

3 RCBS presses: A Rock Chucker, a Summit, and a Pro 2000. Doubt I'll have any need for more, but who knows what the future is.

Posted: 12/12/2013 9:17:43 PM EDT

[#12]

Thats another thing i didnt mention. I have a giraud trimmer in 223,i would tumble my brass for 30 mins with primers on, then dry and decap and resize and swage if needed. AFter that i would trim the brass and be ready to load, the press duties would really be to prime, powder drop, powder check, seat crimp. The end game is for me to have a 1050 or a 650 run automated, as in case and bullet fed with a PW. But the only thing swaying me away from the 650 is the powder spilling.The 1050 is expensive to caliber convert but would make the processing of LC brass a breeze with the on press swager and case feeder. I would probably shoot 223 the most because AR parts are very easy to replace, the usc/ump conversion in 9mmis a close second.

Posted: 12/13/2013 1:06:38 AM EDT

[#13]

In '96 I bought a RockChuck, in '99 I bought a Hornady L-N-L AP

The Hornady I use for .40sw, 10mm and .223 a couple years ago I bought a bullet feeder for it. I don't plan on changing.

I use the RockChuck now mainly for "precision rifle" now

To give an idea of speed of loading on the LNL

Posted: 12/13/2013 1:42:23 AM EDT

[#14]

RCBS RockChucker: .30-06, .308, .38/.357
Dillon RL550B: 9mm, .45ACP, .223

Posted: 12/13/2013 5:16:26 AM EDT

[#15]

Four shotgun presses, a Pro 2000, a Rockchucker, and JR No. 3 waiting on a new bench, plus a LEE hand press. If I ever get around to building another bench I plan to install 3 presses with 2 set up for a single cartridge.

But a pile of reloading is possible on one single stage press.

Posted: 12/13/2013 5:55:02 AM EDT

[#16]

2 SDBs

1 Lee Challenger

Mecs

1 600jr
1 Sizemaster
1 650
2 Grabbers

Posted: 12/13/2013 6:54:37 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
550, 3 SDB's. No case feeders.

Down to 1 Rockchucker right now. Other one went to a new reloader. One RCBS jr.

Lyman hand press

Mec 600

View Quote

I like this setup.

I have 1 SDB and a rockchucker. I was going to use my work xmas bonus for a 1050 with automation but just last week I was thinking maybe I should get a 550 and another SDB instead.

Posted: 12/13/2013 8:04:36 AM EDT

[#18]

Rockchucker and LNLAP.

I use the RC for all rifle and the LNLAP for all pistol. I hand prime everything.

Posted: 12/13/2013 8:17:16 AM EDT

[#19]

When we were shooting a LOT I had 3 Pro Jectors and 2 Rock Chuckers set up.Now I'm down to 1 Pro Jector and 2 RC's.

Posted: 12/13/2013 8:22:16 AM EDT

[#20]

Had a Square Deal and upgraded to an XL650 and love it.

I bought a single stange RCBS Rock Chucker and added the Hornady lock-n-load conversion to it and I have to say it made a world of difference and kept me from buying more presses.

I can change from decapping to sizing to belling in 30 seconds each. Totally worth the money.

Posted: 12/13/2013 8:24:32 AM EDT

[#21]

Lee challenger for precision stuff

Lee turret or everything else

Posted: 12/13/2013 10:13:08 AM EDT

[#22]

1-squaredealB all pistol.

1-650xl for 223\308

1-Lee single stage for all others.

clown

Posted: 12/13/2013 10:24:53 AM EDT

[#23]

Dillon 650 for pistol.

RCBS A2 (single stage) for rifle.

No case feeder. Refilling the case feeder tube provides a nice break.

Posted: 12/13/2013 12:29:57 PM EDT

[#24]

LNL AP for general stuff. Getting Hornady single stage for more precision rounds. No case feeder, the LNL AP yields enough without one to be considered necessary.

Posted: 12/13/2013 12:51:49 PM EDT

[#25]

I'm not sure, as I don't have bench space to have all of them mounted at once, but I know for sure:

2 Dillon 550Bs (no case feeders)
3 Rock Chucker (one with LNL bushing insert, one dedicated to Dillon 1200RT trimmer)
1 Big Max (dedicated to resizing .223)
One CH4D .50 BMG rack-n-pinion press

I have a total of a dozen, but I can't recall some of them--old Pacifics, one old prototype Huntington "A2," RCBS JR2s, etc.

Posted: 12/13/2013 12:54:23 PM EDT

[#26]

RCBS Rockchucker that was my first press I bought 25 years ago. I also have the piggyback unit for it, but I haven't used it in years.

2 Hornady progressives, one Pro-jector, one LnL. I bought the LnL so I could have a case feeder. The Pro-jector is too old to be retrofitted for it.

RCBS Ammomaster

To the OP, I wouldn't recommend the 1050 unless you are a commercial reloader or highly competitive shooter who needs volumes of ammo. Your money could be better spent elsewhere.

Posted: 12/13/2013 2:27:18 PM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:

To the OP, I wouldn't recommend the 1050 unless you are a commercial reloader or highly competitive shooter who needs volumes of ammo. Your money could be better spent elsewhere.

View Quote

Im all ears for advice. I honestly not either a commercial reloader or a competitive shooter, was leaning towards it more for convenience.

Posted: 12/13/2013 2:48:19 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
Im all ears for advice. I honestly not either a commercial reloader or a competitive shooter, was leaning towards it more for convenience.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

To the OP, I wouldn't recommend the 1050 unless you are a commercial reloader or highly competitive shooter who needs volumes of ammo. Your money could be better spent elsewhere.

Im all ears for advice. I honestly not either a commercial reloader or a competitive shooter, was leaning towards it more for convenience.

How do you figure that press as convenient? It probably has the most expensive and most difficult caliber changes of any modern press on the market. I could see this if you only plan on reloading for one caliber. I'm not saying it's a bad press, it just seems like a handful for a new reloader.

Posted: 12/13/2013 2:59:10 PM EDT

[#29]

4 presses:

1 Dillon 450B
1 RCBS Partner
1 old Pacific/Hornandy
1 Mec 65 Grabber

Posted: 12/13/2013 4:30:57 PM EDT

[#30]

Just sold off my Lee progressive. I have a 650, a Lee Classic Cast and a Lee hand press. Case feeder on the 650, no bullet feeders. Classic cast is for bolt gun loads and brass conversion (223 -> 300 blk, 308 -> 243, etc), 650 is for pistol rounds and 223. Hand press is for anything I feel like doing while watching a movie in the living room

For the record, I follow the manufacturer's instructions on adjusting the shellplate tension and properly using the setscrew to fix it in place, and I get precisely zero powder spillage on my 650.

Posted: 12/13/2013 5:08:14 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

How do you figure that press as convenient? It probably has the most expensive and most difficult caliber changes of any modern press on the market. I could see this if you only plan on reloading for one caliber. I'm not saying it's a bad press, it just seems like a handful for a new reloader.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

To the OP, I wouldn't recommend the 1050 unless you are a commercial reloader or highly competitive shooter who needs volumes of ammo. Your money could be better spent elsewhere.

Im all ears for advice. I honestly not either a commercial reloader or a competitive shooter, was leaning towards it more for convenience.

How do you figure that press as convenient? It probably has the most expensive and most difficult caliber changes of any modern press on the market. I could see this if you only plan on reloading for one caliber. I'm not saying it's a bad press, it just seems like a handful for a new reloader.

So imtheflash please enlighten us on why you find the 1050 the

most difficult caliber changes of any modern press on the market.

?.I personally found the XL650 more of a pain for caliber changes and think that it falls between the RL550 and the XL650 for ease of learning , atleast thats my feelings from having the 3 of them set up side by side on the bench

Down to
3 Star Universals, 9mm , 38Super and 45acp
Dillon Square Deal
Lee Classic Cast SS
Super 1050

Posted: 12/13/2013 5:27:07 PM EDT

[#32]

RCBS single around late '87 maybe, then 550 added in 8/88, sold in 2004 and bought 650

Current -

650 -- stays mostly set up for 9mm, 40 also, but very few

SDB -- random handfull of 45acp every couple yr ($100 Craigslist local find in 2008)

RCBS -- original RS 3 got put to Dillon 1200 duty for 223/556 size trim

RCBS -- new RS 5 to pick up where old RS 3 left off,, most random odd jobs, 22-250 / 30-06 / 223-556 loaodng

450 -- found 450 bare frame for real cheap maybe 2yr ago, looking to maybe re-assemble/set up for 223 prep, or full on 223/556 with trimmer stay attached (no tool head slop)

MEC --- 600 JR // 12ga

EDIT --> I see a few is including their shotshell press, so I guess I need to add mine

Posted: 12/13/2013 5:36:42 PM EDT

[#33]

Just a single LNL AP on my bench for now. Who knows a few years down the road I might add another one, however I look at the cost of adding a 2nd press as money better spent on components. It doesn't very long to change calibers so the "need" for the 2nd press just isn't there.

Posted: 12/13/2013 5:52:37 PM EDT

[#34]

I have a LNL AP and a RCBS RS single stage.

The RS has ~.070"- .080" worth of shims under a LNL conversion to make the presses the same at station one. Sizing on either press is within tenths, bullet seating a few thou or so.

I do all the powder measure adjustments, most large rifle sizing / decapping, small batch priming, bullet pulling, bulge busting, belt sizing and any other small task single stage. Everything else on the LNL.

Posted: 12/14/2013 4:17:01 AM EDT

[#35]

LNL AP and a Rockchucker with the Hornady conversion bushing here.

Posted: 12/14/2013 4:54:41 AM EDT

[#36]

1 Wamadet handpress
1 Wamadet Portapress
1 Dillon 550

1 Ponsness Warren 375 (pre-dates the taper crimp model)
1 RCBS Rockchucker (mainly used with an RCBS shotshell die for taper crimping loads from the 375)
1 MEC Sizemaster
1 RCBS Mini Grand
& an old Redding Model 16