buying my first reloader - quick question

Read your post carefully and would chime in that for now, a single stage press is the way to go.

I've had an RCBS Rockchucker for the past 35 years ... and have been more than happy with all their products ... and customer service when very infrequently needed.
Reload currently for 4 rifle calibers and shoot probably something in the vicinity of 500-600 rounds a year. Also loaded 44 Mag on a single stage RCBS press back in
the 60's and 70's when I was shooting 400-500 rounds a year through a Model 29 S&W as well as a couple of rifle rounds.

Dillon is the way to go certainly for handgun cartridges, when your volume gets high enough to warrant it. A couple of nights a month can produce a lot of handgun cartridges on a single stage press. I'm not against progressive presses ... just wouldn't want to go back to single stage shotshell loading after 15 years with my Ponsness/Warren 950 Elite.
But then again, an average year is maybe 5,000 to 6,000 rounds of target shotshells.

If I were starting out again, with several calibers & a lot of brass, I would likely opt for a good stainless steel pin media tumbler.

As it is, the RCBS vibratory I have works well enough with both treated corn cob & "lizzard litter" media.

Great hobby, really enjoy it and have been loading now for almost 50 years.
 
If it was just the rifle cals you mentioned I'd strongly recommend a quality single stage press like the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme or Redding Big Boss. I wouldn't recommend a progressive press such as the 550B as your learner press. Since you mention that you also plan on reloading big bore handgun calibers, a happy compromise might be the Redding T-7 turret press. Works the same as a single stage, but allows you to set up multiple dies in the one turret that will speed up production while saving you the hassle of switching out and adjusting multiple dies. Buy a couple of extra turrets and you can set up multiple die sets once and not have to bother messing with them again.
 
I've been a big fan of the manually indexed Dillon 550b. And yes it CAN be used as a selective position press for pseudo single stage loading. But if that is ALL you'll be doing with it for some time to come then as I suggested in my previous post it's a bit of a pain to have to order up a 4 position progressive caliber conversion to get the shell plate for each caliber. Which would be why I suggested a nice single stage press instead.

I dumped my out of alignment Lee single that I was given for a Hornady LnL single. I really like the breech lock bushing setup as it means that the dies stay in adjustment from swap to swap. If you get any sort of screw in single stage press that doesn't use such a feature then having the setting rings move on you is the biggest single issue.

If you DO go with a screw style single stage of any brand then it's Hornady to the rescue once again. Hornady has bulk packs of split clamp lock die rings that will lock securely in place so you can positively screw the dies into the press time after time without the locking ring shifting and losing your adjustment. Lee nuts with the O rings are useless. And the set screw locking style of some others is only a little better. So if you don't buy a Hornady LnL press at least by the Hornady clamp lock rings or some other identical option from someone else.

While I really like my LnL press the primer delivery tube setup is harder to find than live unicorns. And I can't find out diddly on if it works well or not.

In the meantime I learned about the primer system on the Redding single stage system. I'm now of the opinion that I'd happily give up the breechlock bushing setup of the Hornady press to get the absolutely fantastic sliding primer system of the Redding. Look at some You Tube videos to compare and see what I mean.

RCBS on their Rockchucker uses an angled primer system that is vaguely like the Hornady system. But it looks more solid.

In any event get a single stage press which has a primer system that does not require you to manually position each primer. It's not that I'm lazy.... well I am, but that's not why I'm telling you how to go in this case :D...... it's because you don't want to handle primers with potentially oily hands and end up with enough oil on a primer that it can migrate into the primer compound and kill it. By using a "dry" primer handling system you avoid any such issue.

Notice that I've mentioned just about every brand but Lee? I'm a bit put off on Lee at the moment other than their dies and a few other bits and pieces because to get one of their Classic progressive presses to finally run right required a solid half dozen major modifications. And the single stage I was given turned out to be out of alignment between the ram and die threading. So the only red product I can smile at right now is Hornady.

I know that legions of folks use Lee presses and say that they work flawlessly. Maybe I just got unlucky but that's where I sit now.
 
some good info gentlemen.

i havnt had a chance today to go in and look at much single presses but i am wondering the following;

if im gonna pick up a single press and probably a Dillon 550B at a later date would it maybe be some smart fore-thinking to pick up the plain Dillon BL550 Basic Loader?
from what i can tell its a stripped down 550B that you can use as a single press for doing small runs and R&D loads for hunting which sounds like what im looking to do.
now granted its expensive - im guessing probably around 350 by the time i get it up here but then everything i use for it i can use in the bigger 550B later as they are the same machine just one dosnt have all the bells and whistles.
from what they are saying you can even just buy the add on's and make the BL550 into a 550B if you want too.
i wouldnt do that but im just wondering if this would be a smart way to go?

granted for a little more $ i can pick up a Hornady box system that has everything in it to get started.
 
I would rather go with a Forster single stage press for top accuracy loading and then decide later on what Dillon press you would really like.

Or cut to the chase and get a 650 also:)
 
Well, as I've said I've got the 550b and a single stage Hornady. My CHOICE with both of them sitting here would be to use the single stage for rifle loading where I'm sizing, priming, flaring then charging and bullet seating each round in turn. When I load my rifle rounds it's for accuracy so I weigh each charge. That alone means it would be a bit of a pain to try doing it all in the round about 550 platform. And once I get to where my rifle casings are stretching or otherwise require trimming once again this is a step that will require partial processing and removal from the 550 round about system and re-insertion afterwards.

All in all the variety of steps needed for serious rifle reloading just works out better on a single stage where placing of the casings is consistent. So even if I had the shell plate to allow processing in my Dillon I'd rather use the single stage for such work.

Now if you could only afford ONE press and if you were doing more handgun ammo in volumes that beg the use of a progressive I'd say SURE, buy a 550b and the rifle conversion kits and use the Dillon as anything from a pseudo single stage to a full on progressive. But it looks like this isn't a requirement from a cost or space standpoint.

Could I do it on my 550b by removing the retention buttons? Yes, I could. But as I've said it's a bit of a bother to feed the rounds into the different positions. AND I would need to buy the conversion kit for each caliber to get the shell plate. And it comes down to "can" not being the same as "better" from where I'm reloading.
 
If you're going to look at alternatives to the typical "square loop" style press that is so common I'd also consider the RCBS Summit press. Or even the Redding Ultramag press. Or if you don't mind buying a Rolls Royce the Canadian made press from Alberta Tactical Rifle Supply Accu-Max press.

We're really getting into the stratosphere for presses with any of these options though. For larger calibers and full length resizing such options can prove to shine. But for most normal use one won't feel any sort of flex in the usual closed loop style press. The only issue is one of room and travel or maybe the rigidity to avoid any flexing when sizing longer and bigger cases. Some of the longer cartridges need a little more of both. And that's where those premium presses really shine. But if you're not doing anything that is out there for size or leverage needed then I'd suggest that you'll be just fine with one of the well known closed loop style presses.

I will add that I'd bet that when folks think something about their press feels a little spongy or less than firm it's almost certainly flex in the bench itself. It's not overkill to ensure a truly solid and well supported area where the press mounts. A solid leg to the floor and a good linking arm to the wall behind along with ensuring that the spot of the floor is located directly over a joist if it's not concrete isn't overkill for someone that is serious about how solid they want the press to feel.
 
was just down at the local gun store.
they have a bunch of those Hornady Lock'n Load Classic kits in stock.
was chatting with them because i thought it might be nice to get the 'deluxe' version and was told that any new kits that come in will be at a 30% increase in price due to the dollar. the even includes the sets they have in stock - if they had to get them in now they would be 30% more in price.
OWCH!

so this is what i thought i would do.
i had earmarked $1000 - 1200 for this initial buy in for my reloading.
i think ill do this at a 2 prong attack.
im thinking ill pick up that Hornady Lock'n Load Classic kit so i can get my feet wet.
and i think ill also order the Dillion 550B progressive press but with nothing else, just the press.

my rational is that i can leave the progressive press in the box for a year or so until i need it then i can pick up all the add on's i need for it.
that way i can do my hunting loads on the Hornady single press and learn the in's and out's.

thoughts?

this way i have the big press for handgun loads already in hand and can just pick up all the add on's later AND the wife wont notice because all those purchases will be smaller ones. fly under her radar if you know what i mean.

and with the Hornady it comes with most of what i need to start - so it seems - and i can replace what i dont like as i go. (scales powder measures ect ect)
 
wayup - While I don't think that the reloading volumes you indicated in your first post justify a progressive press, you really seem to want a Dillon. If you are going to buy one anyway, you don't need a single stage. You can load just about anything on the 550 except 50 BMG and maybe some of the other really long magnum cartridges.

Bear in mind that $1200 won't go that far once you buy dies, tool heads, a good scale and powder thrower (maybe a Chargemaster), components, case gauges, etc. A buddy just jumped into the game with a Lee Turret (cheap relative to a 550) and the complete order sans Chargemaster was north of $1,200.

If you really are only going to load a few hundred a year, a single stage is all you need. I'm skeptical any enthusiastic target shooter can keep their volume that low but you know best.
 
Three years ago I was researching and asking the same questions. Eventually I decided on the 550b.
I found it to be easy to learn, easy to use, and easy to maintain. I am not reloading volume, but find it to be a great hobby, especially in the winter. Yes, I like to reload,and find it enjoyable and relaxing. I load 9mm, 308,and just just ordered dies for 357/38. It's quiet and like recording data, and keeping track of everything. You will not be disappointed with the 550B. I probably would have been content with a single stage but like you I had the money so bought the progressive.
 
I started reloading 2 months ago, got a RCBS supreme kit. I've loaded 500 rnds of .223 this past week and boy do I wish I had a progressive press. Clean, resize, trim, chamfer/debur, prime,drop powder,seat bullet ,all single stage, is a lot of work...:)
 
In my opinion you should just buy a dillon 550b and the conversion kits you want rather than a single stage and/or both. Pending the ammo type you may not need to buy complete conversion kits. For example years ago I acquired a 303 conversion kit and when I decided to load 44 magnum all I had to buy was the powder funnel. As I shoot 45 acp when I wanted to load 308 I used the plate and pins of the 45 and the powder funnel from the 303 set. Check the instructions for the cross reference table.

With the money you would have spent on a single stage press buy a couple of extra tool heads, powder bars and powder dies to make changing calibers easier.

If you decide to get into pistol shooting and/or 3 gun, the 550 and extra primer pickup tubes provide sufficient speed to load in volume.

I am not sure why others recommend a single stage press as a learner and that a 550 is too complex for a beginner. Download the 550 instructions and then watch the dozens of YouTube videos go slow visually check each charge and you should be fine. Please note that going slow and visually checking powder also applies to single stage loading.


The dillon machines will hold their value over time so if you ever sell it years later the loss will be marginal.
 
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mrspeel said:
In my opinion you should just buy a dillon 550b and the conversion kits you want rather than a single stage and/or both. Pending the ammo type you may not need to buy complete conversion kits. For example years ago I acquired a 303 conversion kit and when I decided to load 44 magnum all I had to buy was the powder funnel. As I shoot 45 acp when I wanted to load 308 I used the plate and pins of the 45 and the powder funnel from the 303 set. Check the instructions for the cross reference table.

With the money you would have spent on a single stage press buy a couple of extra tool heads, powder bars and powder dies to make changing calibers easier.

If you decide to get into pistol shooting and/or 3 gun, the 550 and extra primer pickup tubes provide sufficient speed to load in volume.

I am not sure why others recommend a single stage press as a learner and that a 550 is too complex for a beginner. Download the 550 instructions and then watch the dozens of YouTube videos go slow visually check each charge and you should be fine. Please note that going slow and visually checking powder also applies to single stage loading.


The dillon machines will hold their value over time so if you ever sell it years later the loss will be marginal.
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:dancingbanana::agree:G:
 
I've noticed that Dillon presses don't come up for sale all that often. And when they do they typically hold their price well. So I don't see much disadvantage price wise to buying new.

I agree with the others that are saying that the 550b isn't a difficult press to learn on. The manual indexing means that it can't pull any mistakes or problems out of reach like an auto indexing press does. And nothing says you MUST use it in a progressive manner. It can work as a turret style or even a one round at a time through the operations or any other combo just fine.

Mr Mike, Mrspeel and LouF. Do you have ONLY the 550b? Or do you have another press off to the side for small jobs or other things that you can use to avoid a full change over on the Dillon? I ask because I've really found having a SS off to the side has been a valuable asset. And that's why I've been suggesting it. Not as a learning step, as an ongoing handy second press for quick or small jobs.
 
In response to BCRiders question I do not having a single stage press off to the side. If your requirements and cost benefit analysis led you to a SS press in addition to a progressive then that was the best solution for you and there is nothing wrong with that choice. My opinion was based upon wayupnoths situation and comments. With his father looking to invest in the operation by buying conversion kits that is a plus

I used a spare tool head on the 550 with a single die for single process jobs. For example, I have used a lee universal decapping die on its own to deprime pistol brass before tumbling. With the other stations open the brass isnt touched as I index the shell plate normally with the brass collected in the bin as usual. I don't bother with this process anymore. If I was wet tumbling I probably would.

For sizing rifle cases when using Yellow 77 or a traditional case lube I have the sizer in a tool head by itself where I size/decap in station 1 and then index them through. After that I tumbled them clean. Now for loading I have an empty stage 1 in the toolhead with the powder die in stage two and the seater/crimper in stage three or four. The primer is still seated using the Dillon.

The 550 also comes in handy for reloading cast bullets in rifle cartridges, which requires flaring of the case mouth to avoid shaving lead when bullet seating. A Lyman M die in station 3 flares the mouth a bit and the seater/crimper does its job in station 4.

In my case I use an extra toolhead as a an odd job/single job solution.
 
mrspeel said:
In response to BCRiders question I do not having a single stage press off to the side. If your requirements and cost benefit analysis led you to a SS press in addition to a progressive then that was the best solution for you and there is nothing wrong with that choice. My opinion was based upon wayupnoths situation and comments. With his father looking to invest in the operation by buying conversion kits that is a plus

I used a spare tool head on the 550 with a single die for single process jobs. For example, I have used a lee universal decapping die on its own to deprime pistol brass before tumbling. With the other stations open the brass isnt touched as I index the shell plate normally with the brass collected in the bin as usual. I don't bother with this process anymore. If I was wet tumbling I probably would.

For sizing rifle cases when using Yellow 77 or a traditional case lube I have the sizer in a tool head by itself where I size/decap in station 1 and then index them through. After that I tumbled them clean. Now for loading I have an empty stage 1 in the toolhead with the powder die in stage two and the seater/crimper in stage three or four. The primer is still seated using the Dillon.

The 550 also comes in handy for reloading cast bullets in rifle cartridges, which requires flaring of the case mouth to avoid shaving lead when bullet seating. A Lyman M die in station 3 flares the mouth a bit and the seater/crimper does its job in station 4.

In my case I use an extra toolhead as a an odd job/single job solution.
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Do you find that you need to set your seating die fairly tight to the shell plate to maintain a constant seating depth?
Just curious, I know I have had to get creative on my 650 to keep my OAL consistent when I charge and seat cases I prep and prime off the machine.
 
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