More than one press

[fatcpa]

How many of you own multiple reloading presses and leave them set up for one caliber only? I have one progressive, a Dillon 550B, and am thinking about dedicating it to 45 ACP only. Don't really want to spend the $$ for another 550B. Thinking about a Square Deal B or, for about the price of a Dillon caliber conversion kit and dies, a Lee Pro 100. If I bought the Lee, even though it adds time, I would probably size and prime by hand then use the three press stations for belling/powder drop, seating, and crimping. Am I going off the deep end here?

 

[Rod Snell]

Thinking about a Square Deal B or, for about the price of a Dillon caliber conversion kit and dies, a Lee Pro 100

IMHO since you are used to the Dillon, you won't be happy with the Lee Progressive: the Dillon is much more stable and user-friendly.

Since the 550 is so easy to switch, my preference would be a rack of set-up change kits and an extra powder measure or two. Nothing wrong with the SDB, but it does not use standard dies, nor does it change as easily as the 550.

Again, just my opinion based on 30 years of reloading, it is nonsense to separately size and hand prime straight walled pistol cases. Sort them, clean them, and into the Dillon they go; loaded cartridges come out the other side.

 

[oknavy]

How many of you own multiple reloading presses and leave them set up for one caliber only?

To answer the question (without comparing brand names or colors), I have three presses: a single-stage for 7.5 x 55, a turret press used for .38/9mm/.45/.32/.223 calibers, and a progressive that I use for 9mm only.

To address the Pro 1000 question: that's what I use for large quantities of 9mm. I got it about three months ago. Mine is set up with both the case and bullet feeders; I size/deprime, prime/expand/charge, and seat/crimp with the three Lee dies. I got it with the knowledge that I could ship it all back for a full refund within 30 days. After a week, I realized it was a keeper. Some have mixed success with it; I guess I'm lucky. Mine works fine.

I agree with Rod Snell: if you've already got a Dillon, it doesn't make sense to dumb things down by sizing and priming off the press. I have the Lee factory crimp dies on my turret press; I don't miss it on the Pro 1000.

Of note, the Pro 1000 isn't nearly as user-friendly as my Lee Classic turret...it takes more time to set up. I swap calibers all the time with the Classic turret; takes about two minutes. I wouldn't try to swap calibers with the Pro 1000. However, for the price, it makes a good single-caliber progressive that quickly turns out quantities of safe practice ammo.

 

[gl89aw]

I went nuts and ended up with 7 progressives, 2 of which are surely antiques, One Lee turret press and One Lyman Spar T. All of them get used and are set up for .45Lc, .45acp, (3).38's set up for different powder/bullet combinations, 9mm, .40, .44 mag, on the Lee and Spar T I load 30/30, 300 Sav., .221 fireball, .500 mag, .45 mag., .7mm mag, and .458 mag, probably left out a few. Like I said I went nuts but what the heck I think they have all paid for themselves over the last 35 - 40 years

 

[XDnOK]

I know most will turn their noses but, I have had great luck with Lee products. Currently have a Lee turret press setup for 9, 40, 45 and 223 in separate turrets, can change out calibers in moments, except for 223 I use the turret press for short runs and working up loads. For volume work I use two Loadmaster press's, one stays with 40 S&W and the other goes between 9 & 45 about a 5 minute or less change. Someday I might get a Dillon 550 or 650 but right now the Lee progressives are turning out enough quality ammo that I'm happy, especially since I have saved a ton of money.

 

[z06man]

I have a couple. Currently I use a Dillon 550 for pistol and an RCBS Rock Chucker for rifle calibers.

 

[ninefan]

There is one true fact in life.

The more high quality presses on your bench the better off you are.

 

[NikatKimber]

I currently run four (or will, when I get them set up again after moving). I have a Dillon 550 that I run 9mm, .38, and .223 on, a Lee Turret that I load other pistol calibers on, or different loads for 9 or .38. I have two single stages, a Lee and an RCBS for rifle calibers.

 

[savedbygrace]

I have 2 Dillon SDB i have set up all the time for 45acp (large primer) and the other is set up for small primer, it takes me about 5 min to change caliber from 38 special, 9mm or 380.