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I'm new to reloading. I have my press picked out already. Let's hear from you guys that have been reloading a while. What's your favorite press and why??? Thanks for posting.
What's your favorite press?
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7,489 Posts
I have a RCBS rockchucker that was my first press and still do my 300wm, 270, and .22-250 on it.
Have a RCBS partner, i use it for 38spl, 30carbine, and for other little things that i dont use much.
Then there is the Dillon 550, it gets used alot for .223 and .40.
Favorite? i use them all for different reasons..
If i had to pick it would be the Dillon. It can still be used as a single stage press.
Lemme know if you need some help on the first reloads.
Have a RCBS partner, i use it for 38spl, 30carbine, and for other little things that i dont use much.
Then there is the Dillon 550, it gets used alot for .223 and .40.
Favorite? i use them all for different reasons..
If i had to pick it would be the Dillon. It can still be used as a single stage press.
Lemme know if you need some help on the first reloads.
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747 Posts
I just started a month or two ago and I'm using a LEE challenger breech lock. I love the quick changeability of the breech lock. I adjust dies once and they are good to go for the next time. Upgrading to a progressive soon though. I'm thinking hornady lock and load or Dillion 550. I gotta do some research because I wanna get one that has the ability to load all dies for one caliber into a plate of some sort and not have to adjust them each time. Just for food for thought for you.
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Hornady Lock N Load AP here, love it! Love the set it and forget features for the dies.
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439 Posts
I like it thanks nonnie I got your number. Crazy ace thanks for the advice. Keep em coming guys!
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Press selection, IIHO, boils down to what exactly you want to do .. rifle-v-pistol, how much time you got, how much $$ you wish to invest, etc.
Like stated above - each has its own nitch .. I would bet that most everyone on here owns at least one single stage press ... either it is what they started on or what they use for some specific purpose.
I think a better question would be -- who has a press they DO NOT LIKE? I actually would be interested in that outcome!!
Like stated above - each has its own nitch .. I would bet that most everyone on here owns at least one single stage press ... either it is what they started on or what they use for some specific purpose.
I think a better question would be -- who has a press they DO NOT LIKE? I actually would be interested in that outcome!!
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439 Posts
Captain, it was aimed toward you guys that have 3 or 4 or 5 presses for different things and why you liked it. Just curious bc it's your press on your budget, caliber, time etc. I already have mine picked out.
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5,372 Posts
I have 2- Dillon Square Deal Presses. One in .38 spl and one in .45 ACP. I also have an RCBS single stage "O" press. It is not as big as the Rockchucker. It is the JR model. I would never load a rifle cartridge on a progressive press.
Doug
Doug
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439 Posts
Doug, why not load your rifle on a progressive press? too fast? or are you one of the many that loves to take their time so each load is 'identical' as the last?
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1,628 Posts
RCBS Rockchucker and RCBS JR
Dillion 550B
I have in the past used the dillion for 7-08 and 300 win mag, 220 swift, and 7mag with good success. The main thing is on rare occasion with mine i would have a powder throw that may be a grain low or 1 grain high. That being said the dillion would make a far supior handload to the factory rounds out there.
I use the dillion now for 45acp
i use the single stages for all my rifle and i weigh each charge- i use a rcbs chargemaster w/ scale then double check them with a balance beam every 5th round. This has made for a more accurate hand load- better consitancy than with dillion.
Dillion 550B
I have in the past used the dillion for 7-08 and 300 win mag, 220 swift, and 7mag with good success. The main thing is on rare occasion with mine i would have a powder throw that may be a grain low or 1 grain high. That being said the dillion would make a far supior handload to the factory rounds out there.
I use the dillion now for 45acp
i use the single stages for all my rifle and i weigh each charge- i use a rcbs chargemaster w/ scale then double check them with a balance beam every 5th round. This has made for a more accurate hand load- better consitancy than with dillion.
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14,287 Posts
I've got several presses but the only two I currently use are an old Lee Turret Press with the three hole turrets and a newer four hole Lee Turret Press. I adjust the dies and then leave them in the turrets. I use the four hole one for anything that I have to expand the necks. I always seat and crimp separately. I also don't use the auto-index feature.
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439 Posts
I may be weird but i love how 300 people do 300 things 300 different ways... reloading is one of those 'hobbies' that can afford that flexibility and amount of variety!
I could not agree more.captain-03 said:
My experience is almost entirely on Dillon progressives and it has been extremely positive, but even then it depends on what you want to do. I've got a Super 1050 with a bullet feeder, and for turning out a large volume of one caliber of ammo very quickly, it is incredible and I absolutely love it. Although it can be converted to other calibers, the farther apart (i.e. primer size, case head size, etc), the bigger of a hassle it becomes so I don't do it. I have a Dillon 550 that I learned to reload on though, and it can be used to load amost anything. There are folks that load long range rifle rounds on them. Much simpler to convert from one caliber to another and a much simpler press in general while still able to turn out large volumes relatively quickly.
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7,489 Posts
i use to load 22-250s on my Dillon 550... i think i know why the barrel burnt out 
Same goes for my AR..
When i loaded on the single stage ammo went alot slower.. now it goes alot faster..
Same goes for my AR..
When i loaded on the single stage ammo went alot slower.. now it goes alot faster..
I have 3 presses that cover all of the bases for what I do.
Foster Coax-Great for load development, love the universal shell holder and the little jar that catches primers
Redding T7-Turret press that holds lots of different dies and tools
Dillon 550 for when I want load lots of handgun and .223 quickly.
Foster Coax-Great for load development, love the universal shell holder and the little jar that catches primers
Redding T7-Turret press that holds lots of different dies and tools
Dillon 550 for when I want load lots of handgun and .223 quickly.
I have a Lyman T Mag Turret press. I bought additional turrets so I would not have to mess with the dies once they were set.
So far I've had and sold a Lee Breech Lock Press, a Lee turret press, a RCBS Rock Chucker, and the Lyman T Mag Turret. My favorite is by far the Lyman. I load mostly rifle, some handgun every now and then.
It got expensive. The press itself was 150, but the additional 5 turrets I've bought so far are about 45 a piece
So far I've had and sold a Lee Breech Lock Press, a Lee turret press, a RCBS Rock Chucker, and the Lyman T Mag Turret. My favorite is by far the Lyman. I load mostly rifle, some handgun every now and then.
It got expensive. The press itself was 150, but the additional 5 turrets I've bought so far are about 45 a piece
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