Author Topic: What kind of reloading press for faster bullets? (Read 1705 times)

Will52100 · « **on:** February 22, 2005, 08:11:12 PM »

I've been using a single stage reloader, with Lee carbide dies. While it works great, it's slow. I do most of my reloading with black powder, so that's a factor also.

I basicly want to be able to load a couple hundred rounds in an hour or so if posible.

What works best, a simple turret press or a wiz bang progressive?

I'm curently leaning toward a 4 station manual turret press, but the progressive is atractive. I have no problem using the plastic powder measure with black powder, that's what I'm using now to measure for 38 long colt.

Thanks,

Will

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2005, 12:25:34 AM »

Will, I've got a kitty that is getting regular feedings (allbeit small) for a Dillon 550. It's taken me thirty years to figure out that a manually indexed progressive with removable tool head is the dream way to go. You can use it as a single stage, turret or progressive. When you've gotten every thing adjusted the way you want and are through with one calibre just pop out the tool head and pop in another.
While there are other presses that will do the same thing, they are just not the equal of the Dillon in some small way or feature.
I've become REALLY impressed with the SquareDeal press that I do have.

Just my observations and opinions.

jgalar · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2005, 02:06:44 AM »

I have the Lee autoindexing 4 hole turret press and really like it. You have to disable the autoindexing to do most rifle cases, but it only takes about 20 seconds to disable. For doing handguns rounds its MUCH faster than a single stage press, but not as fast as a progressive. The priming system is its main problem, its slow and cumbersome. I use a hand priming tool.

If you are just using 3 die handgun dies you may think about the 3 hole autoindexing turret press.

Will52100 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2005, 04:44:51 AM »

all I'm using is three dies now, I let the bullet do the little bit of compression. I do use a drop tube on 45 colt, but that no problem.

Thanks, I'm definatly leaning to the auto indexing lee, but have heard the plastic gear wears out quik. Worst case I guess it could be used as a manual index press.

I'll check out the Dillon also, it'll be awhile before I can aford a new press, so I've got time to think and reaserch!

Lead pot · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2005, 12:58:51 PM »

I have two progressive presses and four single station presses.
The two progressive presses are laying under the bench. I always go back to the single station press because I get a better loading job with it.

Kurt

jgalar · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2005, 04:54:31 PM »

My press came with an extra plastic activator piece, but I've never changed it yet. I load mostly rifle so don't use the auto feature that much. New plastic bushes are around 50 cents or so.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2005, 01:36:18 AM »

LeadPot What presses are they and possibly, would you want to part with one?

Singing Bear · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2005, 05:50:07 AM »

I been using a Lee Turret for the past 18 years or so. Great, inexpensive press and will get the job done. Takes me 20+ minutes to load 50 45 Colt BP rounds using a scooper and manual indexing. If that plastic powder measure is the Lee Disc powder measure, you should have no problems loading close to a couple hundred in an hour using Lee's auto indexing turret. Ditto on those plastic gear bushings. Order several extras at the same time you order the press, although I find they last a bit longer if you keep the turret lightly oiled.

Lead pot · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2005, 05:25:20 AM »

Butler:
One is a Hornady Projector and the other is a Lee.
The Lee I threw in the scrap iron pile and a piece of 6"sced. 40 pipe was thrown on top. it's not even good for parts.
The Hornady if you have the patience to work with the timing to get the primer feed working smoothly I would be glad to swap for something.
send me a PM and lets work out a swap.

Kurt

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2005, 02:13:22 PM »

Might/could be the best BP reloading set-up anywhere http://www.geocities.com/diannebest/Reloading/dillon.html

Dunno fer sure, but Calam IS good!

howdy doody · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2005, 05:10:15 AM »

Howdy, I loaded on a single stage press for 30 years, long before I found CAS. When I did discover the world of CAS, I found that I was taking way too much time at the press and since I then started to load shotgun and then got into casting too, something had to be done. I simply convinced my wife that I was going to need a progressive press and she decided it would make a Christmas present. I ordered up a Dillon 650 and that cured all the time constraints once and for all. That was about 4 years ago and I have had no problems with the press and I can crank out a lot of loaded ammo in a short period of time. I load BP on mine and had to make a few minor adaptions and if there was a way to stick the bullets onto the loaded brass faster, ( I have fumble fingers ) then I could load even faster.
Dillons aren't cheap, but they do work well and although I haven't needed anything done to mine, it is nice to know that the company that makes them is known as the best there is and warranties them forever.
I still use single stage presses for long range rifle in 45-70 and 38-55 calibers, but I want my 45lc and 357 loaded up quickly.

Will52100 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2005, 08:15:13 PM »

Oh man I like that 650! Only thing I like using the drop tube on 45colt, but even then it sure would speed things up! Especialy on the 38 long colts, I don't use a drop tube on them. And it would work great for :eek: smokless rounds.

howdy doody · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2005, 06:28:51 PM »

As far as using a drop tube on a 650, why not? I load only BP and the dillon measure just isn't that good for BP, so I mounted a powder thru the die and a Lyman measure that I hand crank on station 3. I use the station for the dillon measure to bell my cases. I don't see why a drop tube affair couldn't be brazed up to a powder thru die.
Out of curiosity, what kind of load are you using in that 45lc? I must be a huge downloader, I can't see any need of more than the full case I get dropping right out of the Lyman.
I do however subscribe to the benefits of a drop tube. I use a 24" one for my 38-55 and my 45-70 loads. It is the only way I can get enough powder in there for long range loads. :-)
Even with the handcranking, I can load up about 300 an hour. There is a setup from Black Dawge that converts Lymans to Dillons and I do believe it uses the same linkage too.

Will52100 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2005, 07:38:32 AM »

Thanks for the info, I need more room to set-up a full auto Dillon, but I think I might be able to swing it before too long.

I loading 40 grains of BP in the 45LC. I could use a compression die to get it in the case, but I've found that drop tubing them leave the barrel no dirtier after the 100'th shot than the first. Wouldn't have thought that it would make that big a differance, but it does. I'm shooting them in a rifle, that load is a bit much for the six guns! :eek: