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- Chilliwack
I have my RCBS rock crusher to load my rifle ammo. I was thinking of a new to me press for loading my hand gun ammo. Any recommendations as to a good press.
Loading press info for handgun
- Thread starter bearhunter338-06
- Start date
If all you intend to load is pistol ammo on the press take a look at the Dillon Square Deal or at a slightly higher price point the Dillon 550. The latter will load rifle as well. The only downside to the Square Deal is you have to use Dillon proprietory dies. The 550 uses standard dies.
Dillon equipment has a lifetime no BS warranty and it is exactly that.
Take Care
Bob
Dillon equipment has a lifetime no BS warranty and it is exactly that.
Take Care
Bob
If you don't need super accuracy out of a long barreled handgun for competition uses, the little guns use a LOT more ammo than rifles. I would look into a progressive press that suits your needs, something within your budget that fills all the requirements you need.
So first off, what are your needs? Do you need large volume of ammo? Are you looking for unmatched repeatability? Once you know what you need from a press, then you shop for what fills that need.
So first off, what are your needs? Do you need large volume of ammo? Are you looking for unmatched repeatability? Once you know what you need from a press, then you shop for what fills that need.
BattleRife
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Nobody can make an intelligent recommendation if you don't tell us what your needs are. How much handgun ammo did you shoot last year? How much do you expect to shoot in the upcoming years? Knowing what calibers you shoot can also have an influence in choice of "best".
He has a single stage press, a Rockchucker. The press he has is one of the best single stage presses money can buy. From that I concluded he is a reloader who would want to reload on quality equipment. His question suggests he recognizes his needs require a progressive press. He indicates he is going to reload pistol ammo. Of the presses available both suggestions to date are for Dillon presses. Why? Because they are the most popular presses available with an outstanding record of reliability and the company has earned a well regarded reputation for looking after their customers. Anyone with some inteligence with some experience can make an intelligent suggestion as to what he might take a look at.
The fact he says his single stage press has been used for rifle suggests to me he is just getting into reloading for pistol or his needs for additional volume of pistol ammo has changed. Both The Dillon Square Deal and 550B meet both those assumptions. He did not indicate he had any desire to do a lot of reloading for rifle therefore I felt no need to suggest the Dillon 650 or 1050.
Elementary my dear Watson...elementary
Take Care
Bob
The fact he says his single stage press has been used for rifle suggests to me he is just getting into reloading for pistol or his needs for additional volume of pistol ammo has changed. Both The Dillon Square Deal and 550B meet both those assumptions. He did not indicate he had any desire to do a lot of reloading for rifle therefore I felt no need to suggest the Dillon 650 or 1050.
Elementary my dear Watson...elementary
Take Care
Bob
Other than the Square Deal the problem with Dillon presses is it costs a fortune to outfit them. Even my Hornady LNL is pricey. A Lee turret press will load 150 rds an hour and is flexible and easy on the pocket book. Despite what people say your #### won't fall off if you use one. If money is not a problem go for the Dillon, but make sure you price it out with all the bits you need before you buy, likely over a $1,000 for it.
A grand....really, not for a Square deal. You should be under $500 with all you need to load one calibre.
Take Care
Bob
Or he could also look at a CH4D 444-X Pistol Champ semi progressive. I know 150 rds per hour is very easy with a stated 200 per hour. It runs about 400 for the unit ready for a specific round, and about another 100-150 for extra cartridge sets.
notsorichguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- The city that rhymes with fun
SDB was $650 last I checked (just the press is $450 plus you may want an extra primer tube, flip tray and a few other bits as well)... over $1K for a 650 all dolled up with a case feeder etc. ($1250 if memory serves)
$400 to do a tool head caliber swap on the SDB (going from small to large primers as well).
I used to own a SDB, I now own several Lee 1000s. I find that if you take your time doing preventitive maintanence on your progressive press they run smoother. I found that I was doing the same amount of PM with both the Dillon and the Lee. When it came time to add a calibre to the bench I sold the SDB and bought 2 Lee 1000s. I have never regreted it!
I have loaded more than 20K of 9mm on one of my Lee 1000s, I'll bet I've loaded more than 15K 45acp on another one. I also have Lee 1000s in 38, 40 and .223. I am planning on at least 2 more..... Maybe 3 or 4....6, that's it, that's all...... Maybe
YMMV
Here are the Dillon prices from their Oct, 2012 Blue Press. All in US dollars, shipping and taxes extra:
Square Deal - One calibre all in $555.75
- Complete Conversion Kit per calibre $84.95
- One extra Primer tube $7.95
550B - One calibre all in $735.60
- Optional Case Feeder $254.95
Both come with low powder measure indicator, an option I don't feel is worth $41.95 but some folks obviously think it is worth it.
IIRC over 90% of the IDPA competitors at last year's World Shoot load on Dillon equipment. The Nornady LNL was the largest press represented in the remaining 10%. The latter press is a relativle new entrant and has gained a following.
Incidently my 550B has well over 250K loaded. Dillon replaced the bottom assembly for me last winter at no cost to me. Two years ago the primer assembly was updated and replaced at no cost to me. My loading requirements have changed over the years. If I weren't married to the 550B (5 extras powder dispenser assemblies & Case Feeder), for what I load now the Square Deal would be the way to go as I load mosty pistol and new less than 10K per year. I bought the 550B used back in the day when funds were tight and over time acquired additional equipment. If I was into AR and 3 gun competitions then my needs likely would trend towards the 650
650 - One Calbre $847.60
- Optional Case Feeder $278.95
You might want to read this review on the Lee 1000. Pretty close to what most guys I know who either own one or had one.
www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-230406.html
Take Care
Bob
Square Deal - One calibre all in $555.75
- Complete Conversion Kit per calibre $84.95
- One extra Primer tube $7.95
550B - One calibre all in $735.60
- Optional Case Feeder $254.95
Both come with low powder measure indicator, an option I don't feel is worth $41.95 but some folks obviously think it is worth it.
IIRC over 90% of the IDPA competitors at last year's World Shoot load on Dillon equipment. The Nornady LNL was the largest press represented in the remaining 10%. The latter press is a relativle new entrant and has gained a following.
Incidently my 550B has well over 250K loaded. Dillon replaced the bottom assembly for me last winter at no cost to me. Two years ago the primer assembly was updated and replaced at no cost to me. My loading requirements have changed over the years. If I weren't married to the 550B (5 extras powder dispenser assemblies & Case Feeder), for what I load now the Square Deal would be the way to go as I load mosty pistol and new less than 10K per year. I bought the 550B used back in the day when funds were tight and over time acquired additional equipment. If I was into AR and 3 gun competitions then my needs likely would trend towards the 650
650 - One Calbre $847.60
- Optional Case Feeder $278.95
You might want to read this review on the Lee 1000. Pretty close to what most guys I know who either own one or had one.
www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-230406.html
Take Care
Bob
More like $768 for the Square deal here (plus shipping and taxes) and $938 for the 550B (plus shipping and taxes) I always find people underestimating the real cost of a complete press. I would say at the least estimate 25-35% over the sticker price to get setup. the dillon is a great press but that quality does not come cheap. If you reloads lots and lots, for sure. If you are on a tight budget and not reloading huge amounts, take a good look around and price out each press ready to go, with all the same features. My LNL case sorter costs $00 plus, I can`t say it`s 10 times better than the case collater on my loadmaster but it is 10 times the price.
Keep an eye out for a Dillon 550 or 650 in the EE, they come up quite often. I hear the the Hornady LNL is a good press too but I bought my 550 in 1990 and it still works great with no problems other than a stupid problem I caused and it was still covered under warranty. If you want to know I was setting up the press and left a case on the case feeding tray/roller bracket and snapped it off when I raised the ram, Dillon sent me a new one for free and also included and update package for the press with some spare small parts which I haven't needed yet.
Colin the prices I quoted are right out of the Dillon catalogue and are for the complete press ready to load one calibre and are in US dollars . Where are you getting your numbers from? The Square Deal price includes strong mount. low powder indicator etc. At current exchange rate price for the Square Deal falls to $544.CDN. Shipping and taxes are extra. Dillon ships here.
Take Care
Bob
