33K'th reload today

Kingjenky said:
What calibers?
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I can currently load 16 calibres. Nearly all with a single stage rockchucker. I also use an RCBS turret press for when I do two consecutive actions, e.g decap and flare, or seat and crimp.
Most loaded calibre by number is .32 S&W Long (11K+) for my Walther GSP, most by weight of lead is .45 ACP (170 lbs), most by total powder weight is .45-70, although that is black powder.
Other calibres I load and shoot at least annually are .223, .308, .303 Brit, .303 Savage, .300 Savage, 6.5x55, .38 Special, .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .577-450 Martini-Henry, 12.7x44R, and even some 9mm.

In learning what to do and what not to do, I have had a few fizzles and exactly 3 squib loads that stuck the bullet in the pistol barrel.

I actually shoot more .22 LR than anything else, however - I go through a couple of cases per year.
 
I've run about 60k through my 1050 in the last 4 years and probably 20+k through the 650 in the last 3 years. A few thousand through single stage presses doing rifle and 500 S&W mostly. I know even with a boatload of cash tied up in equipment I have saved money somewhere along the way.
 
Metman2 said:
I can currently load 16 calibres. Nearly all with a single stage rockchucker. I also use an RCBS turret press for when I do two consecutive actions, e.g decap and flare, or seat and crimp.
Most loaded calibre by number is .32 S&W Long (11K+) for my Walther GSP, most by weight of lead is .45 ACP (170 lbs), most by total powder weight is .45-70, although that is black powder.
Other calibres I load and shoot at least annually are .223, .308, .303 Brit, .303 Savage, .300 Savage, 6.5x55, .38 Special, .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .577-450 Martini-Henry, 12.7x44R, and even some 9mm.

In learning what to do and what not to do, I have had a few fizzles and exactly 3 squib loads that stuck the bullet in the pistol barrel.

I actually shoot more .22 LR than anything else, however - I go through a couple of cases per year.
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All that on a single stage? Man, you have more patience than I do.
 
I'm coming up on 200K rounds thru my Dillon 550. I bought it used from an active pistol shooter / reloader at the time back in 1991. I am willing to bet there is closer to 300k rounds actually reloaded on the machine itself. Still runs like a top!
 
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Boomer686 said:
I'm coming up on 200K rounds thru my Dillon 550. I bought it used from an active pistol shooter / reloader at the time back in 1991. I am willing to bet there is closer to 300k rounds actually reloaded on the machine itself. Still runs like a top!
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What kind of maintenance? Parts replaced along the way?
 
call2arms said:
What kind of maintenance? Parts replaced along the way?
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Main shaft of the crank arm a few years back got bad when the bushing wore on the LH side. Dillon supplied the new greaseable model shaft & bushing free of charge. Primer feed assy base stripped out over the years of changing out the primer sizes. Again replaced free of charge by Dillon.

Other than that (both repairs easily done in less than an hour combined) my Dillon keeps humming along. I have nothing but good things to say about my 550. While I would like (certainly not need) a 1050 or even a 650 I have too much invested in this one in the way off powder change setups, conversion kits and tool heads to change now. I happily reload .32ACP to .338LM on it without issue.

Maintenance wise I clean it regularly and lube it with a q-tip using 30W oil on the main shaft (occasional shot of grease on the crank shaft) twice a season.
 
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