Due to chemotherapy and an injury that I sustained close to 50 years ago I can no longer use my 550B comfortably. The reason is that I no longer can stand comfortably and need to sit. I find that I cannot seat a primer as it is now painful to my lower spine to do this. I am looking @ finding a reloader that primes on the upswing if possible or the machine doing much of the work. The Hornady look's promising, any recommendations? The other thing is to prime off of my Dillion such like a co-ax.
Need advice on new reloading machine.
- Thread starter Colt 45
- Start date
Can you prime with a hand priming tool?
I could, it is just that i have a "little" bit of reloading for the upcoming summer...15,000 rds of 5.56 and my .45ACP.
rwj
Gold $$ Contributor
I believe that the Dillon RL1100, and the Super 1050, both insert primers on the handle downstroke. Lead time could an issue if the dies from your 550 can’t be used in the previously cited models. From Dillon’s website…
Please note: Due to overwhelming demand, machine orders are currently taking 3-48weeks to ship. We are shipping daily, and backorders are being shipped in order of placement. Machines without dies typically ship within three weeks of ordering.
Please note: Due to overwhelming demand, machine orders are currently taking 3-48weeks to ship. We are shipping daily, and backorders are being shipped in order of placement. Machines without dies typically ship within three weeks of ordering.
Jdne5b
Gold $$ Contributor
The Hornady lock and load AP primes with a push like the 550. The only one I know of that primes on the down/pull stroke is the Dillon 1050/1100. That's a fantastic press and is great for 556 since it has a swage station also. If one of those is in the budget, I would recommend one for sure. Especially at 15k rounds a year.
There is also the Mark 7 Apex. It primes on the down pull.
As others have mentioned, yes the lock n load AP primes on the 'up' with a push toward the press at the top of the stroke.
As an AP user, case feeders and bullet feeders can be included; but the priming stack system may be insufficient for significant primer storage to support "massive" qty of loading, on that it stacks 99 primers with one in the sliding tray for next case. I personally like the "break" to check equipment every 100 rounds loaded, and a speedy primer tube loading system does speed primer capacity reset; I'll caution you in that there are several instances of primer tube detonations due to hangs on the priming system, which honestly are inherent in most of our progressive presses to some extent.
YouTube and 'UltimateReloader' have some LnL AP videos that I'd recommend for press operation verification.
There are some other features of the AP that may suit your needs, however with 15k rounds to do, I'm sure your evaluation will consider all aspects of various progressive presses.
Without case feeder, and without bullet feeder, I'm at a comfortable 250-350 rounds per hour on the AP, and with the addition of the feeders; I wouldn't anticipate a significant increase as die checks and powder measure checks would still be my recommendation within the intervals above.
Personally, in large batches I prefer to move the priming step to the case prep step, right after inspection / trimming / deburring; but that's me and my concern over large batch primer storage.
-Mac
The Frankford Arsenal machine looks promising, and I really like the price. When the 1,000 came out the gunshop that I was working in bought one. I was the one who ran the reloading side for the shop and our reloads really took off. It wasn't unusual for me to use 20,000 primers per week, and we paid $35.00/5m!
Powder was bought from Accurate in drums and we used many of those. I buy in bulk as it is cheaper in the long run.
Before anyone gets the idea that I am well to do that is far from the truth, my wife of 40 years and I are frugal. "Use it up, wear it out, do with it or do without!" has been what we have lived by. When I was a young man Dad told me that cheap was expensive and I have always found that to be true, so I buy accordingly.
I like to reload but I now have a new love in my life...H.O. trains!
Powder was bought from Accurate in drums and we used many of those. I buy in bulk as it is cheaper in the long run.
Before anyone gets the idea that I am well to do that is far from the truth, my wife of 40 years and I are frugal. "Use it up, wear it out, do with it or do without!" has been what we have lived by. When I was a young man Dad told me that cheap was expensive and I have always found that to be true, so I buy accordingly.
I like to reload but I now have a new love in my life...H.O. trains!
Get the Dillon with the auto drive. Let it do the work.
Before Christmas I told my son that I was giving my oldest grandson [17] my Remington 700 in 3006 as I can no longer shoot it comfortable. I was going to replace the 06 with a .223 just as soon as I could find one. When his family came over for Christmas, he "loaned" me his heavy barreled green stock 700 that he had tricked out. My son is a retired E-5 Ranger who was also a sniper in the sand box for two years in this capacity among other "things". His rifle is slick as a whistle as he said that he tuned it like his army rifle was. Included is the bipod and a monopod, so I am set to go. Last week he informed me that he bought for me an A1 from Windham and is going thru his gear for things for it.
Last year I gave him an M1 that I had just received from the CMP as a birthday gift, and I have a recondition M1 also from the CMP for my grandson on order. We are a close family who like to shoot and redo firearms. When I get my new reloader he is getting my 35-year-old 550.
Last year I gave him an M1 that I had just received from the CMP as a birthday gift, and I have a recondition M1 also from the CMP for my grandson on order. We are a close family who like to shoot and redo firearms. When I get my new reloader he is getting my 35-year-old 550.
rockhound78
Silver $$ Contributor
If you can find a 650, it primes on the upswing. A 1050 primes on the downswing, but you hardly feel it, its so smooth. I would lean towards the 650
If you want to keep your current reloading set up and just prime on a separate machine you could consider the Lee ACP as well. For 90 bucks it’s a pretty darn nice little unit and you can use your Dylan casefeeder if you have one to help speed up the process.
LEE ACP Automatic Case Primer Priming Tool (Updated Review)
LEE ACP Automatic Case Primer Priming Tool (Updated Review)
One thing I have discovered about Lee reloading equipment is that they either don't work or won't last. Now their casting equipment is pretty good as I have several of the 6 gang molds in use. I plan on purchasing reloading equipment @ the end of the month.
Right now, I foresee limiting my reloading to just 4 calibers. These are: 5.56, .45ACP, 9mm, and .38/357.
Right now, I foresee limiting my reloading to just 4 calibers. These are: 5.56, .45ACP, 9mm, and .38/357.
SSL
Gold $$ Contributor
Pretty broad statement about Lee presses.
I have two Pro 1000s from the late 80s and a Loadmaster since shortly after they came out. I loaded thousands of both .45 ACP on one and .44 Magnums on the other Pro. I still use both but now one is dedicated to 9mm and the other to .38 Special. Still work great. I load .45 ACP, .45 Colt and .44 Magnums on the Loadmaster now and haven't had any problems for many years (after the primer feed upgrade). Three die heads and two shell plates and I'm good to go in minutes.
I have also used a Lee cast single-stage for many years for rifle rounds and still have an original style Lee Turret press growing cobwebs for lack of use, but still working.
I can only speak from experience and wish to offend no one. I load at a minimum 1/m for a "small" session. I bought two 44/40 dies and neither one would resize the case sufficiently to hold the projectile. A 9mm die had the carbide pulled out after about 3,000 rds. I like to reload as this is relaxing therapy for me and being retired, I have the time now.
Again, please accept my apologies for using such a broad brush as I am sorry if I have offended anyone. My 550B has well over 150,000 rds put thru it with minimal problems such as spring replacements. Instead of manually filling my primer tubes, I have a motorized tool that does it for me.
Again, please accept my apologies for using such a broad brush as I am sorry if I have offended anyone. My 550B has well over 150,000 rds put thru it with minimal problems such as spring replacements. Instead of manually filling my primer tubes, I have a motorized tool that does it for me.
SSL
Gold $$ Contributor
I would agree that their dies leave a lot to be desired...I don't use or trust them. The same with their hand-priming tool. Wears out fast. No offense taken. Tastes have a right to vary.
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