Too many presses! which to keep?

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anothernewb

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Sorry for the long winded post.
Recently picked up a screaming deal on a XL650. Which brings my press total to 3.

Rock Chucker (IV?) an SDB with more die sets than I care to think about, and the new 650.

I have 5 feet of space to work with on my reloading bench. I considered the inline fabrication plates but there's really not a whole lot of storage space left to store a spare press either.

So brings me to the question. Generally against my personal grain to sell off things gun related. but It's getting a little cluttered on the bench. Can't shake the feeling something's gotta go.

My press usage:
I don't really load a whole lot of rifle. just not really a rifle shooter. Only have a 223 and a 308 at this time. Although something in the 6mm class looks really interesting for a lighter recoil paper puncher for longer distances. but I do load lots and lots of pistol. I shoot probably 2-3k per year of 45, and about half that of 9 and 38. with a bit of 357 during the summer months.

My method of thinking is I can use the dies between the 650 and the RCBS so that cuts down on duplicates a little. But the darn SDB has been such a reliable solid workhorse that I'm loathe to just ditch it. One should always have a single stage - right? Then again, having multiple progressive loaders set up is nice too. especially one with small primer and the other with large...Gah.

Would like to hear some other decisions/logic.
Anyone out there trade in their SDB for a 650? would you do it again?
 
How about setting up your bench with the presses mounted to swappable plates? Figure out which ones you use the most. If you never use one of them anymore, then consider passing that one on. But, if you are not desperate for the money now, this is what I would do.
 
Yeah, I'd definitely wait a while. Swappable plates sounds like the way to go. There's always a spot in the closet or garage or somewhere to store a press.
 
I had a similar issue so I purchased some plates from Inline Fabrication. Problem solved!!! Just mount the permanent plate to you bench and purchase the specific mounting plate for each of your presses. I even have a plate for my vise, powder measure, and Dillon Swage. When not reloading everything is off the bench and stored out of the way. Also, Inline Fabrication quality is second to none.

Check it out:

https://inlinefabrication.com/
 
I have seven presses if you do not count shot shell loaders. five of the presses are mounted on their own free standing floor stand which I move into and out of the operating position as needed. The last two, two of three Dillon SDBs, get stored on a shelf stand and are swapped with the press on the SDB's floor stand.

When you've been loading for decades and are a "tool junkie" you tend to accumulate the latest and greatest reloading gizmos.:)
 
The way I have my bench configured I only want two (2) presses mounted at one time, both on inline fabrication strong mounts. Two of my presses are RCBS, a Rockchucker and the turret press. Thy have the same mounting configuration so I have one mounted while the other sits on a simple wall storage mount I made. My LNL-AP is my workhorse and is mounted on it's own strong mount. I have a Lee SS that is packed away, someday I will give it to a newb that is in need of such a thing.

I want to get another LNL-AP. Have one set for small primers, the other for large. When that glorious day comes I will reconfigure my bench to support 3 presses on ultramounts and move the rockchucker over to the left side of the bench with the LNLs center and at left.

Like you OP I don't shoot a lot of rifle but enjoy having the ability to handload for them so I will have a place for my rockchucker.
 
My bench is 6'X25" and I've got 5 presses very strategically located, as well as a RCBS Uniflow powder measure. When it comes time to load a certain case I clear everything out of the way and proceed to reload, been doing that for well over 30+ years on that particular set-up.
 
You dont have too many presses, you just dont shoot enough

If you tinker on your bench a lot then the space is nice. I trim, anneal, sort and do misc stuff off of my reloading bench, i could fit 3 presses on my bench comfortably but I went with the inline fab plates instead, they are awesome
 
Yep, that is exactly what I did. Upgraded from a SDB to a 650XL. Haven't regretted it for a moment. The SDB is a great press, but the 650XL blows it away.
 
anothernewb wrote:
Too many presses!

I would suggest you give the Rock Chucker to someone in your area who is interested in getting into reloading and then mentor them in learning the hobby.
 
Only 3 presses??????
I have 6 bench mountable (I use a t track system on an 8 foot bench) and a hand press, and contemplate getting more. I also have 3 shotshell presses.
I know others have more, but why so many? They all do things differently and some I like for some things and others I like for something else.
Variety is the spice of life!
 
Not too start a Blue vs. Green vs. Red flame war, but I have to agree :)
I've never used a Dillion press. But I have gear from just about anyone else. IMHO I don't care who makes it, as long as it does the job well. After that, I look at best value. Not cheapest price but best quality for the price.

Personally if I get to the point of doing a large volume, I'd seriously consider a Dillion as they have an excellent reputation. That said, if budget continues to be an issue, I'd also look at others.

Anyway, my own opinion is one needs to have the gear that makes them happy and makes their reloading enjoyable.

As for the original post. I think only OP can decide what's best. My suggestion would be to see what you no longer use, or seldom use. Then decide if getting rid of them makes sense.
 
I have two Dillon 550's, a rockchucker and a RCBS Junior. I have come across several other single stage presses over the years and passed them along to others. I love my Dillons for handguns. One is set up for large primers and one for small. The single stage presses are used to load rifles. Afriend lost his shop in a forest fire, they saved the house, but lost the shop. He told me he had found an old Herter's press and if he could find the adapters he had dies. I just happened to have a Herter's press with the adapters in it. I gave it to him along with a scale and some other stuff.
I still have a swaging press for swaging bullets, but no dies for it. Still can't decide what to do with it...
 
Recently picked up a screaming deal on a XL650. Which brings my press total to 3.

Rock Chucker (IV?) an SDB with more die sets than I care to think about, and the new 650.

I guess I fail to see a problem. About all I see here is what I would call a good start. Now if for reasons unknown you absolutely had to shed a press I would dump the Dillon XL 650. Why the XL 650? Because you obviously got along fine without it before now. Therefore, even at Free you would have paid too much for it. Now wasn't that simple?

Seriously, I would not bother to rid myself of any of them. They are all good presses and all serve or can serve a purpose.

Ron
 
O.K. after 21 post I have got it all figured it out, quit simple really. You need more presses and an other BENCH.
 
This thread was posted as a gag, right? "Too many presses", said no reloader ever! Bwahahaha!
Funny joke, dude! :D
 
Ok, the best answer is get a bigger bench.

One question, could you sell the Square Deal for enough to set up the 650 to load the same calibers that you now load on the SDB? If so, it’s a total upgrade. If not, I guess you are gonna need that new bench.
 
Ok, the best answer is get a bigger bench.

One question, could you sell the Square Deal for enough to set up the 650 to load the same calibers that you now load on the SDB? If so, it’s a total upgrade. If not, I guess you are gonna need that new bench.

I could pretty easily. The 650 came with Dillon 45, 9, 38/357, and 223 dies, toolheads and all the other assorted stuff that comes with caliber changes. just have to add 308 to it. and it's covered for everything I already do.

I'm waiting for inline fabrication quick detach mounts and I'll see how it is swapping. Going to load a few things and see how it goes. Ordered a few things from Dillon this week like a cover, and spare parts,wrenches, and a quick change kit.

One thing for certain is, the 650 is a whole lot more involved of a press. the SDB is a simpleton by comparison. A lot more to set up, and watch while loading. After reading the manual, and playing a bit with it. I can understand why the guy bailed on it. If this was my first foray into loading I might not have liked it much either- IMO the 650 is a little much to start with IMO.
 
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