1 bench, multiple heavy duty singles?

[WestKentucky]

I am contemplating mounting multiple presses on my new bench, but haven't really figured out whether it would benefit me to do so. I currently have a rockchucker, a jr3 and a brand new classic cast. I don't prime on press, and I load about 30 different cartridges ranging from .32sw being the baby to the .270 win being the big boy. Aside from the amount of leverage, to me these 3 presses are pretty much even keeled.

My reloading with single stage is probably unlike most as I run bulk. I typically set up one stage and run several hundred rounds of a given caliber. Even when I run short/long dies like 44 spl/mag I run one stage for both cases with cases separated and only one on the bench at a time with the other packed away so I don't make a REALLY hot special that could kaboom the gun. Basically I can't see much advantage in my current method.

I am open to running smaller batches or doing things differently, but I would love to hear from folks who may have run multiple single stages on a bench. Maybe run a box at a time start to finish rather than a thousand or more through a single process? Including a quick after sizing trip through the tumbler. I'm basically to a point where I will be either using them all or selling what sits idle.

 

[tallpaul]

Well they are not eating anything and ya might need them someday I have three or four Rock Chuckers around here and will eventually set up a few on a bench for different uses. I am not sure of any benefit other than saving some time not setting dies up and swapping them out for the small runs. I use several progresive presses for the big batches.

The only thing for certain in this thought is that there are many ways to skin a cat and none is really "right or wrong" and trying several Ideas and seeing what works for you is never a bad thing

 

[WestKentucky]

Right. I used to have a little lee c frame mounted which I used as a universal deprime station. That press is long gone and I'm back to resize/deprime. I do think I will mount both, maybe 2 or 3 feet apart so all I have to do is slide over to go from stage to stage. Seems like it will be helpful on rounds that I actually crimp.

 

[joem1945]

I have multiple presses mounted on 3 big benches. Dillon 650 for big batches. 4 RCBS set up with dillon power trimmer for case trimming. Ransom grand Master for .357 mag. Lee for sizing cast lead and Lee C frame for pulling down ammo for salvage. Hornady L&L for decap and loading small batches. 1 Mec for shotgun

 

[dh1633pm]

I have two presses all setup and ready for use. One is a old C&H single stage and the other is a Co-Ax. I only have shell holders for 223 and 308. Although they fit more than just the two.

 

[Rule3]

If you concerned with space, just mount them on a 3/4 board and c clamp to the bench when you want to use them. Or use T nuts or something for a better look and just bolt them down

I keep my LEE cast single stage mounted on a 3/4 board.

If that is not your concern, I see no advantage of jumping from one press to another, how long does it take to change a die when batch loading??

 

[VanGoghComplex]

I have one table and three of the cheapie Lee cast presses. With the dies for my calibers set and forgotten about, it makes it very easy to switch from one caliber to another. Also, loading blocks live between my presses and at either end, so if I need to walk away in the middle of something, it's all staged and obvious where I left off.

 

[oneounceload]

If you concerned with space, just mount them on a 3/4 board and c clamp to the bench

Or mount them on In-Line mfg riser stands; that way they also store nicely on shelves in between usages.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The Inline Frabrication Quick Change press mounting systems work really well. You can either mount them on their raised mounts or flush to the top of a bench.

At the other end of the price spectrum, there is the Lee Bench Plate

I have a Lee Classic Cast (CC) single stage mounted in a Bench plate between two Hornady LNL APs on Inline Frab Ultra mounts. I have the CC equipped with the Hornady Bushings to allow a quick switch between presses.

I think the bushings make the CC as useful as having another SS...although I would love to have a RCBS Summit just for seating bullets

 

[gamestalker]

I'm kind of the same way, I have an RS, RS5, and a Rock Chucker going on my bench. But they each have purpose most times.

I like to do most of my resizing on the Rock Chucker or the RS, especially bottle neck. Those two heavy presses can handle the increased load much better than the little RS5. I used to have an RS2, but I wore that press out by resizing large batches on it, too much work for that little aluminum "O" frame press. RCBS replaced it with the identical framed RS5, but I reserve that little RS5 for priming, and bullet seating. I also prime on the RS5, but I use an RCBS Ram Prime priming die.

As for batch size, I do some pretty large batch loading on those single stage presses. I'll do batches of 500 or more of handgun, and most of my bottle neck will be no less than 100 per session, but resizing sessions can and are often 500 pieces of bottle neck at one time. I'm setting up right now to do 500 .243 win. loads, and at least that much 22-250.

I keep my bottle neck resizing dies adjusted for a specific press though, this saves time.

I don't load as many different cartridges as you do though. Currently I load 9mm, 38 spcl, .357 mag., .40 cal. used to do 10mm. But my largest work load is with bottle neck with 22-250, 6mm Rem, .270 win, 30-06, 7mm RM, and 300 WM.

I "C" clamp mine to the bench, this gives me the option of moving them where I need them, or out of the way if I need more space. But most of the time my bench will have 3 single stage presses and a Mec 600 Jr. mounted in it.

GS

 

[Rule3]

Or mount them on In-Line mfg riser stands; that way they also store nicely on shelves in between usages.

But I am cheap

 

[highlander 5]

A friend and I built a serious reloading bench and I went with the Rock Dock system from Pat Marlin. I have 2 Dillon 650s,RCBS Rockchucker and a Redding case trimmer and all I have to do is loosen 6 bolts remove press replace and retighten bolts.

 

[oneounceload]

Rule3 - so am I which is why I sprung for the riser because it is cheaper than building yet another 8" bench for reloading or an addition to my small house!..