So how many presses do you have

[Queen_of_Thunder]

As I slowly add equipment to start reloading I was wondering how many presses I would need. I have a used single stage RCBS Rock Chucker and a Dillion 550B. I've noticed others have one press for every handgun caliber they shoot. The thought has occured to me that this may be a time saving option. What do you folks think. Keep in mind I shoot 9mm, 10mm, 40 s&w and 45acp on a reqular basis.

The 9mm is my USPSA limited gun.
The 40s&w is going to be my open gun if I ever get it finished.
The 45acp is for my SS and Revolver division guns.
The 10mm is also a Revolver division gun along with it (G20)being a PD sidearm.

 

[moonman16]

You wouldn't be the first to set up a group of presses for various handguns.

It's time saving and an option when FUNDS are not constraining you.

LOAD AND GO!!!!!!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Two

 

[gspn]

I have three.

A Lee turret with 14 or 15 caliber change heads already setup

A Hornady LNL with 3 calibers

A MEC 650 jr that sadly hasn't had it's lever pulled in years.

 

[LiveLife]

RCBS Rock Chucker and Dillion 550B.

I've noticed others have one press for every handgun caliber ... may be a time saving option ... I shoot 9mm, 10mm, 40 s&w and 45acp

Sure is. I have these presses set up now with dedicated calibers on 2 different benches.

RCBS RS5/C-H 205 - .223/.308 and load development

Classic Turret - .223/.308

Pro 1000 - 9mm
Pro 1000 - 40S&W
Pro 1000 - 45ACP

Makes it convenient to simply walk up to a press to start reloading or do simultaneous reloading with more than one person (wife/daughter/friends).

Since you already have a single stage press and 550B, additional 550B setups would make it convenient. For my retirement reloading room, I am thinking about replacing 2 of Pro 1000 with either XL650 or LNL AP so I end up with:

C-H 205 - Load development

XL650/LNL AP - 45ACP
XL650/LNL AP - .223/.300BLK/.308
Pro 1000 - 9mm/40S&W (they share the same shell plate/small primer feed attachment so caliber change is fast - less than 2-3 min)

 

[Crashbox]

I have two: a Hornady LnL AP which I purchased first, and an LnL classic for tasks better suited to single-stage reloading.

I've thought of buying another single-stage (probably RCBS) but haven't done so yet.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I have two Hollywood Senior Presses, two RCBS Rockchuckers, one Hornady LNL and one Magma Case Master Jr.. I also have a Corbin CSP-1 for both swaging bullets and loading singly. Then there is the casting equipment............ and the Mec 9000GE.

What I really need is more room in my shop!

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

So I would really be better off with a quick change assembly for my 550B. Yes? No?

 

[sexybeast]

Yes. I have a friend with a 550 and he has multiple quick change conversions complete with powder dispensers for each. Says it take 7-10 minutes to change over.
But Dillon would love you if you placed an order for four machines.

Rzeppelin wrote:

I personally am a Lee guy but I've heard changing between primer sizes on the Dillions can be a royal PITA. Perhaps having two 550s one for small pistol and one for large pistol and then just changing tool heads/shellplates would be your best option. Its all about what you feel is an efficient use of your money.

Excellent point. I have heard about the complicated adjustments on some of the dillon machines

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

So I would really be better off with a quick change assembly for my 550B. Yes? No?

I personally am a Lee guy but I've heard changing between primer sizes on the Dillions can be a royal PITA. Perhaps having two 550s one for small pistol and one for large pistol and then just changing tool heads/shellplates would be your best option. Its all about what you feel is an efficient use of your money.

I personally am a poor reloader so all I have so far is just a Lee Pro 1000. So far I only load 9mm but I've got all the stuff for .223 coming in and was looking long and hard about getting the cheap Lee single stage to throw a universal decapping die in. That will probably be the extent of my presses for a while and I'll just change turrets and shellplate assemblies out in the Pro 1000 to go back and forth between my two calibers. Still not sure what I'm going to do when I finally pick up a 308 bolt gun though, things will change drastically at that point and I will probably invest in a nicer single stage or a Lee Classic Turret.

 

[Sweet Agony]

Two RCBS RC and a D-650

 

[PapaG]

Way more than I need. Mec grabber 12. Mec 600/700s in 12, 20, 410. Two 650s waiting parts. Rcbs jr. Lyman all American turret. Two Lyman spar-T's. Two lee pro1000s. One lee turret. Several Lyman tong tools and lee classic hand loaders. Don't ask about other tools or bullet moulds.

 

[kerreckt]

Six and all of them have their job.

 

[jmorris]

I have 14 here right now. 5 1050's, 550, 650 2 SD's, 2 366's, a turret, 600 jr and a Lachmiller L1000

 

[me26245]

presses

Six

2-Dillon 550's
1Lee 50BMG
1 Lee C press
1 Lee Hand press
1 RCBS partner ? Press

 

[LiveLife]

So far I only load 9mm but I've got all the stuff for .223 coming in and was looking long and hard about getting the cheap Lee single stage to throw a universal decapping die in.

Still not sure what I'm going to do when I finally pick up a 308 bolt gun though, things will change drastically at that point and I will probably invest in a nicer single stage or a Lee Classic Turret.

You can remove the hex rod (action rod) from the Pro 1000 and use it as a single stage press to deprime with the universal decapping die.

Since you are looking to reload .308, I would highly suggest you go for the Classic Turret over the single stage as you can also use the Classic Turret in single stage mode. Money difference between the two is not much and Classic Turret is well suited for resizing thicker walled military .308 cases.

 

[orionengnr]

I currently own a Dillon 550 and a Rock Chucker.
The Rock Chucker effectively sits in the garage; the Dillon gets used regularly. I have tool heads set up for .380, 9mm, .38/.357, 10mm, .41 Mag, .45acp and .45LC.

I used to have another 550, set up for small primers.
That was kind of crazy--I ended up selling it to a friend. Changing the primer setup is not terribly difficult or time-consuming, and the tool head swaps are cake.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

You can remove the hex rod (action rod) from the Pro 1000 and use it as a single stage press to deprime with the universal decapping die.

Since you are looking to reload .308, I would highly suggest you go for the Classic Turret over the single stage as you can also use the Classic Turret in single stage mode. Money difference between the two is not much and Classic Turret is well suited for resizing thicker walled military .308 cases.

I've considered doing that as well bit I figure having a dedicated single stage for decapping not only my .223 but my 9mm wouldn't be a bad idea. I'm usually one to save money over time but I figure 40 bucks for the press and die isn't too much skin off my back. Maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to have a filled up bench like the big boys

 

[billybob44]

I currently own a Dillon 550 and a Rock Chucker.
The Rock Chucker effectively sits in the garage; the Dillon gets used regularly. I have tool heads set up for .380, 9mm, .38/.357, 10mm, .41 Mag, .45acp and .45LC.

I used to have another 550, set up for small primers.
That was kind of crazy--I ended up selling it to a friend. Changing the primer setup is not terribly difficult or time-consuming, and the tool head swaps are cake.

Pretty much the same as you. I have an 'Older' RockChucker on the right side of my bench, and a RL550 on the left. I have as 'Back Up' another RC, and a Lyman Crusher.
I ALWAYS remove dies from my RC, and powder+primers from my 550, so having extra presses on the bench is not needed. I have 10 or so 550 tool heads set up for different calibers. I leave the last tool head w/dies in the press, along with the empty powder measure with a 'Crib' note in it with the last load data specs.

I keep backup for my RCBS tools, but so far, in the 40 years that I have used them, they just get better..HA HA..Bill.

 

[LiveLife]

Rushthezeppelin, if that's your plan, instead of just depriming the 9mm cases, I would deprime and resize on the single stage press at the same time. You'll be amazed how smooth reloading on Pro 1000 is with resized brass as you only need to flare the case neck and seat/taper crimp. With resized brass, you can even seat and taper crimp in separate stations.

 

[plmitch]

I got one, cast iron, old and gray, long metal handle you pull.....kinds like a slot machine but don't get any money from it.

 

[PhilMc]

Rockchucker
9mm Lee Pro 1000
45acp Lee Pro 1000
LNL AP

I de-prime and resize everything on the Rockchucker and prime cases on a bench mounted RCBS auto primer. This makes whatever press I use run fast and smooth not having to worry about primers on the progressives.

On the Lee Pro's I moved the powder measure to station one since I don't de-prime and this opens up a station so I can seat and crimp on separate stations.

I also find it easier to run the LNL AP when I don't have to worry about the primer seating.

I tend to make all my 223's on the single stage Rock Chucker.

All the other stuff I load is made on the LNL

 

[billybob44]

.....kinds like a slot machine but don't get any money from it.

Ha--Want to Bet?? The $ you get is a discounted QUALITY load..Bill.

 

[clutch]

I have an old Lyman 6 station turret I used for years.

I'm on my second Lee hand press, the original one broke in half from metal fatigue.

Then there is a Lee Loadmaster I load my pistol ammo on.

And last but not least, I purchased a RCBS Rockchucker this summer. Oh that one is nice!

The three that are bench mounted are mounted via a drilled and tapped plate attached to my bench so I can swap them. During the winter the same plate is bolted to the table of my Bridgeport so I can use the one heated room in my garage to reload.

 

[savanahsdad]

4..

Lee "C" press

Lee "O" press

Pacific "O" press

Lee LoadMaster 5 hole progressive

I plain on getting a Redding T7 to clear up some space , the 2 lee's and the Pacific will go in a draw and the T7 will do all of what they do and then some

and I have some Lyman hand press and lee hammer types , but the don't bolt to the bench so I didn't count them.



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