New member has a question

[jaysouth]

I am going to start loading .30-06.  Currently I have a 2 Dillon 550Bs.  Is it better to buy the caliber conversion gear to load .30-06 on the Dillon, or should I buy a single stage O or C press, dies and a powder measure?
 
I do not plan on loading large quantities of rifle ammo on a regular basis.  will the single stage give me more flexability?
I have been lurking here and am amazed at the depth of knowledge by members.  Sorry it took me so long to find you.
 
Jaysouth
Nashville, TN

[wncchester]

A singe stage press is the ultimate in flexiblity and cost effectivness for low to moderate volumes.   Unless you are tied to a brand, take a look at Lee's Classic Cast; great strength, precisly machined on CNC equipment, unique user features and the price is modest.

[gr8ful]

A singe stage press is the ultimate in flexiblity and cost effectivness for low to moderate volumes.   Unless you are tied to a brand, take a look at Lee's Classic Cast; great strength, precisly machined on CNC equipment, unique user features and the price is modest.

+1
 

[Catfish]

If you have a Dillon, USE IT! I have been loading on a Dillon since the 1980`s, and have shot some impressive groups with ammo loaded on it. I load everything on mine from the 17 AH to the 411 Hawk in rifle and from 38 sp. to 500 S&W in handgun.

[cwlongshot]

WELCOME!!
 
 Glad you finally joined up!
 
I also have a 550 and very much like the progressive for its volume and accuracy. I do not use it for my accuracy loads. It certainly hase the ability to load accurate ammo and I have read of some comp shooters actually making there ammo on one. If you need allot of ammo its a very good choice.
 
I cannot believe you do not have a single stage, but TWO 550's! Its time to get a single stage press!! Work up a load on it and then switch over to the Dillon for the large quantitys.
 
I prefer a "O" press to a "C" but either would work for you. I also prefer a larger cast frame. As a rule, I am not a fan of LEE, but the classic cast is well liked and I have not seen probems with this model. I like my RCBS Ammo Master as a single stage. Its large with a big ram and gives me plenty of room to "work". RCBS, Redding and Forster make quality single stage presses. Look used too to save some $$. Good reloading equiptment will last many lifetimes.
 
Good luck,
 CW

[CherokeeT]

I would get a single stage, I have two along with a Dillon 650.  SS are so flexibile to use and great for doing small numbers of rounds.  But, I guess you could use the 550 as well, just seem more cumbersome to me for limited numbers and working up loads.

[Dave in WV]

Jay, while you can use the Dillon press I'd get a single stage press for rifle ammo if volume is not a factor. As posted the single stage is more flexible.

[GLShooter]

You can use the 550 as a single stage and load quality ammo without an issue. I have five Dillons, three 300's, a 550 a 650, a Star and two Lyman turrets. I finally bought a single stage last year after not owning one for almost 30 years.  I've used the AA Turrets as single stage reloaders when I needed it for load development then stepped up the production levels once I found what I needed.
 
Greg

[gary0529]

Put me in the single stage column.
I too have 2 progressives and still load all my hunting and target ammo on the RCBS Rock Chucker.
I find that a single stage allows me a bit more precision and adjustability without fooling with the progressives.

I did go with the Lock N Load bushings on the RCBS unit to facilitate swapping out dies.

Gary

[SHOOTALL]

welcome , I like the single stage as you can do alot with it like seat and crimp in two seperate steps.
If you want a good press the RCBS and Redding are second to none. Redding dies get the nod also.
 
I won't get into the RCBS/Redding vs lee debate as some call it a Ford vs Chevy. IMHO its more like Rolls vs yugo .

[Rock Home Isle]

For what its worth...I use my progressive presses to reload pistol ammunition and a few rifle loads that use ball-powder.
 
But for my general shooting with a rifle, all my loads are done using a single stage press and I pay very close attention to the 4 biggies: Case Length, Case Neck Dimensions, Powder Charges & Bullet Seating Depth.
 
Yeah Yeah Yeah...there's other details to consider when going for accuracy...but these are the main biggies in my eyes.

[keith44]

A singe stage press is the ultimate in flexiblity and cost effectivness for low to moderate volumes.   Unless you are tied to a brand, take a look at Lee's Classic Cast; great strength, precisly machined on CNC equipment, unique user features and the price is modest.

+1
 

+2

[Lloyd Smale]

if you have the caliber conversion for the 45acp its the same one for the 06 family of cases.

[jaysouth]

if you have the caliber conversion for the 45acp its the same one for the 06 family of cases.

Talk about senior moments!  I should have known that.  Thanks for rubbing my nose in the obvious. 

[LanceR]

The Dillon is certainly capable of producing some very consistent and accurate ammo but part of my answer would hinge on what you consider a large quantity of ammo, how often you would load a batch and how much you will use different powders, charges, seating bepths and bullets.  The Dillon shines at loading a lot of one load of ammo in a short time.  It can be a PITA for throwing a few cartridges worth of powder for each of several charges, trying different seating depths or trying different bullets.

A O-frame or C-frame press is a handy thing for load development or small batches.  I usually prep and prime a one to two hundred cases at a time so all I have to do is drop powder charges and seat bullets while working up loads or for small 20-50 round batches of hunting ammo.  That is, however, based on my having milk crates about 3/4 full of once fired GI match brass in both .308 and 30-06 and a lot of brass that has only a few loadings on it.

My experience has been that even with a 550 or similar press a single stage press is a time saver for some things.

Lance

[huntducks]

You can use the Dillon same as a SS why invest in a SS when you got the 550 mastered.
 
I have 2 Dillons also a 550 and SDB along with a RCBS RC had I not bought the RCBS 40 years ago and the Dillons in the last 10 or so I really see no use for the SS both Dillons can do everything the SS can do and as fast as you want to go or as slow as a SS.