Pistol press
- Thread starter robbor
- Start date
Take a look at the Dillon Square Deal.
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
What caliber, how many do you shoot a month?
Do as you want but if it’s a small amount it isn’t worth the effort and expense.
Know a fellow that dropped $$$ on a Dillon and every thing else to load 9mm. I know for a fact he doesn’t shoot 500 rounds a year. Shopping around even now deals can be found on ammo, sharp pencil can help make sense.
Do as you want but if it’s a small amount it isn’t worth the effort and expense.
Know a fellow that dropped $$$ on a Dillon and every thing else to load 9mm. I know for a fact he doesn’t shoot 500 rounds a year. Shopping around even now deals can be found on ammo, sharp pencil can help make sense.
Paying 10+ cents a primer definitely takes the economic sense from it. Not to mention coming across SPPs is tough.
I don't shoot a million rounds a year. But I was able to get primers and bullets just as this mess was starting.
I went with a 550. I don't need to load a ton and fast. I use the manual index as my time to look in the case and verify powder dropped. I can still produce ammo pretty quick. More than quick enough for my needs.
I also use it for my match ammo....so it didn't hurt me to buy it. I'd honestly probably not be able to shoot my match rifles as much as I do simply due to time to reload. So it was a good purchase for me.
Big thing to consider is how much you shoot and how quickly you need to produce ammo.
I don't shoot a million rounds a year. But I was able to get primers and bullets just as this mess was starting.
I went with a 550. I don't need to load a ton and fast. I use the manual index as my time to look in the case and verify powder dropped. I can still produce ammo pretty quick. More than quick enough for my needs.
I also use it for my match ammo....so it didn't hurt me to buy it. I'd honestly probably not be able to shoot my match rifles as much as I do simply due to time to reload. So it was a good purchase for me.
Big thing to consider is how much you shoot and how quickly you need to produce ammo.
I load about 3000 pistol rounds a year and use a single stage press and find no handicap.i load 3x as much rifle also on a single stage.
The turret press is a good option though.
The turret press is a good option though.
In my opinion this is a bad time to get into a progressive. To really get the progressive benefits you need components in quantity. I would recommend any of the brand name turret presses. I have the Lee and it is inexpensive, simple, fast and easy to operate.
I completely agree. To add to it, most pistol shooters I know end up buying an auto controller so they can crank ammo out while not having to attend it.
I used to have a Dillon 650 with case feeder, but not bullet feeder. I could load 600 rounds in about 2 hours with 1 cartridge change, so doing 2 cartridges. In the beginning I had some spills, bad primer seats, etc...I also had a very good friend light up an entire tube of primers, burning a hole in his ceiling, so I like to take my time. I have heard people can load 700 rounds an hour on a Dillon 650 with case feeder, but I like to pay more attention...
I sold my Dillon but kept 2 single stage presses. My suggestion, find an old Rock Chucker or similar as even if you do end up with a Dillon square head, square deal, etc...it's always good to have a single stage to take with you wherever you go shooting. There's a great article here mounting a Summit 2000 in a truck hitch. I have a Summit 2000 and bought it based on that article years ago, done by Mark LeFevers. Thanks Mark if your reading this! I love the Summit with Hornady die bushings!
RCBS Summit Press Works Great in the Shop and in the Field « Daily Bulletin
Gear Review by Mark LaFevers With its innovative “moving die/static cartridge” design, the new RCBS Summit Press definitely demonstrates “out of the box” thinking. Unlike other presses, the case does not move. Rather, the reloading die comes down to the case.
PS - I just sold 1000 45ACP bullets to a guy in KY who couldn't buy them from the same vendor at a show recently, they were entirely sold out. Think about what @old codger said above, not a very good time to buy handgun components...let's hope you don't shoot 9mm, probably a snowball's chance in #E!! of finding that after the President's comment.
I dont shoot a ton now but want to start shooting my pistols a lil more.
Been reloading for rifles more precision reloading for a million years. Funny i hardly have any rifle primers but prob 5 years ago when primers came in to stock good i think i bought 20k primers on sale, federal small and small mag pistol primers for my 357.
Calibers i plan to reload and i probable have all the dies already, 357, 327, 357sig, 9mm and maybe 40.
I already have prob 3 rock chuckers, and a rs5 for depriming and what not.
I also have most of the brass for each from starline and some lapua 9mm
Im just used to doing things slow, one operation at a time with my rifle stuff.
Been reloading for rifles more precision reloading for a million years. Funny i hardly have any rifle primers but prob 5 years ago when primers came in to stock good i think i bought 20k primers on sale, federal small and small mag pistol primers for my 357.
Calibers i plan to reload and i probable have all the dies already, 357, 327, 357sig, 9mm and maybe 40.
I already have prob 3 rock chuckers, and a rs5 for depriming and what not.
I also have most of the brass for each from starline and some lapua 9mm
Im just used to doing things slow, one operation at a time with my rifle stuff.
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
I'll suggest a Dillon 550 since you plan on more than one caliber, it is simple to learn, and if you don't like it after you try it there will be no issue with selling it.
The Dillon 550 is called a progressive, but it is really a manually indexed turret press. It is one of the most respected presses on the market.
Kit if you need the other stuff.
https://www.dillonprecision.com/essentials-rl-550c-9mm-package_8_136_26712.html
Just the press.
https://www.dillonprecision.com/rl-550c-reloader_8_1_23594.html
If you are unsure, or if budget is an issue, then the Lee Classic Cast Turret being mentioned above can give you a good starting point.
https://www.titanreloading.com/product/lee-classic-cast-turret-press/
Good Luck and always play it safe.
The Dillon 550 is called a progressive, but it is really a manually indexed turret press. It is one of the most respected presses on the market.
Kit if you need the other stuff.
https://www.dillonprecision.com/essentials-rl-550c-9mm-package_8_136_26712.html
Just the press.
https://www.dillonprecision.com/rl-550c-reloader_8_1_23594.html
If you are unsure, or if budget is an issue, then the Lee Classic Cast Turret being mentioned above can give you a good starting point.
https://www.titanreloading.com/product/lee-classic-cast-turret-press/
Good Luck and always play it safe.
We started loading with the single stage presses pre Dillon, but when the 550 came on market my brother ended up getting one second hand and we used it for years. We lived in SE FL but he moved up state so I was using a Lyman Spar-T. I asked my brother for one of our dies and he has a friend bring me everything. So I was all set, a C-H Single Stage, a Lyman Spartan, the Spar-T and the Dillon 550.
Now I have two Dillon 550 presses as someone gave my uncle a 550. I had considered going full progressive and looked at all of the videos, Dillon RCBS, YouTube and decided I'd be better off just using what I used to as I had the shellplates toolheads, etc.
I bought a Redding T-7 and sold my Spar-T. I should have kept that Spar-T. A turret press is nice but so is having a single stage press. I'm not a big fan of the "O" frame presses as I like to reach in from left and right, so I bought one of the new Lyman single stage presses, a nice press but a bit undersized for pulling bullets but real handy for decapping or any odd task.
The Square Deal seems to be designed to be set up for a specific caliber and used with that set up, unless they changed the setup.
The Dillon 550 is a good compromise between a turret and progressive as it is basically a semi-progressive press.
A turret press is a nice option, Redding came out with the T-7 and the Lyman is now an 8 position.
Now I have two Dillon 550 presses as someone gave my uncle a 550. I had considered going full progressive and looked at all of the videos, Dillon RCBS, YouTube and decided I'd be better off just using what I used to as I had the shellplates toolheads, etc.
I bought a Redding T-7 and sold my Spar-T. I should have kept that Spar-T. A turret press is nice but so is having a single stage press. I'm not a big fan of the "O" frame presses as I like to reach in from left and right, so I bought one of the new Lyman single stage presses, a nice press but a bit undersized for pulling bullets but real handy for decapping or any odd task.
The Square Deal seems to be designed to be set up for a specific caliber and used with that set up, unless they changed the setup.
The Dillon 550 is a good compromise between a turret and progressive as it is basically a semi-progressive press.
A turret press is a nice option, Redding came out with the T-7 and the Lyman is now an 8 position.
I use a Dillon Square Deal B for my handgun ammo. I shoot 38, 357, 40, and 45. Changing set up is easy and fast. I got a tool head for each caliber, which makes it a little faster to switch calibers. I also got an extra tool head/die set and set it up for 38 special full wadcutters. I shoot these alot.
I like this press alot, however it only loads handgun rounds. If you plan to load volume for an AR or other semi auto rifle, a 550 or 650 may be a better choice.
PopCharlie
I like this press alot, however it only loads handgun rounds. If you plan to load volume for an AR or other semi auto rifle, a 550 or 650 may be a better choice.
PopCharlie
DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
I use two Dillon 550’s one for large primers and one for small. I have tool heads and powder measures for almost everything I shoot. Fast and simple. I used to shoot 10,000 round of 9 mm or 40 S&W per year.
Buy a Dillon and be happy.
Buy a Dillon and be happy.
divingin
Gold $$ Contributor
What are you trying to do? Quantity matters, as does quality, budget, and caliber, when choosing equipment for reloading.
I generally shoot 3 reloadable pistol calibers: 32SWL, 38Spl and 45ACP. Usually less than 100 of each over a weekend. I am very satisfied with the Hornady AP. Caliber changeover takes maybe 10 minutes (though I've done some shopping to make it more modular than is normal.)
If you shoot a lot more than that, or have those binge days where you go through several hundred rounds, something like a higher end Dillon would be a good choice (plus you'll be lighter in the wallet, which helps with mobility.)
If you shoot less, you can get away with a single stage press and work step by step in batches.
As I said, it depends.
I load a lot of pistol, and I find that if you are using new brass not much if any savings over store-bought for common calibers like 9mm. I do find savings in calibers like 10mm or 38 Super, and when reloading brass I have fired.
As others have stated, if you are doing a small amount stick with your single-stage, I don't think you will see a big advantage with the turret.
If you are looking at loading hundreds of rounds per session and thousands per year, a progressive is the way to go. I have three progressives all RCBS, two Pro 2000s, and a Pro Chucker 7 that give me little to no trouble. I know a lot of people like the Dillon progressives, but I have never used one.
Don't think you are going to get any progressive out of the box and start ripping out ammo for the zombie apocalypse in ten minutes, they have a learning curve, and starting out with a slow pace and small batches is a good idea until you get the hang of it.
As others have stated, if you are doing a small amount stick with your single-stage, I don't think you will see a big advantage with the turret.
If you are looking at loading hundreds of rounds per session and thousands per year, a progressive is the way to go. I have three progressives all RCBS, two Pro 2000s, and a Pro Chucker 7 that give me little to no trouble. I know a lot of people like the Dillon progressives, but I have never used one.
Don't think you are going to get any progressive out of the box and start ripping out ammo for the zombie apocalypse in ten minutes, they have a learning curve, and starting out with a slow pace and small batches is a good idea until you get the hang of it.
Don't think there are too many reloading presses I haven't used in the past 50 years.
Except for bullet swaging rebaited boattails...
Dillons are good for everything including long range.
Buy several Dillons to decorate your home.
One on the living room coffee table, one on the formal dining table, one in the kitchen by the microwave, and a 1050/1100 with complete automation on the bedside lamp table.
Keep small children around to load the blue hoppers. Tell them it produces ice cream.
Don't forget the one on the front porch where pulling the Dillon handle rings the doorbell and causes a finished round to drop into the blue bin. Makes unwanted visitors semi-useful. Let them keep ringing.
Have all your big flat screen TVs cycling through YouTube videos showing Dillons in operation set to music.
and Alexa programmed to give all answers to any question in terms of Dillon-ese.
You haven't celebrated Mother's Day until you've watched your mother-in-law filling primer tubes then operating an original RL1050. And what's better than watching your wife's Catholic priest bless a Dillon Super 1050 then load a hundred 30/06 for a '03 Springfield. You hit the X-ring every time with blessed '06.
Dillons are always an attention getter and will always start a lively conversation.
Except for bullet swaging rebaited boattails...
Dillons are good for everything including long range.
Buy several Dillons to decorate your home.
One on the living room coffee table, one on the formal dining table, one in the kitchen by the microwave, and a 1050/1100 with complete automation on the bedside lamp table.
Keep small children around to load the blue hoppers. Tell them it produces ice cream.
Don't forget the one on the front porch where pulling the Dillon handle rings the doorbell and causes a finished round to drop into the blue bin. Makes unwanted visitors semi-useful. Let them keep ringing.
Have all your big flat screen TVs cycling through YouTube videos showing Dillons in operation set to music.
and Alexa programmed to give all answers to any question in terms of Dillon-ese.
You haven't celebrated Mother's Day until you've watched your mother-in-law filling primer tubes then operating an original RL1050. And what's better than watching your wife's Catholic priest bless a Dillon Super 1050 then load a hundred 30/06 for a '03 Springfield. You hit the X-ring every time with blessed '06.
Dillons are always an attention getter and will always start a lively conversation.
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I have a 550 that I use for pistol and rifle plinking rounds. Highly recommended. 9mm is coming down in price as is .223 so I have stopped loading those. Currently, I load .40 and .45 on it.
As much as I love my turret press and coax for match rifle rounds, I don’t want want to load hundreds of pistol rounds on them. The 550 is a huge time saver and is very consistent with the right powders. Bullseye and 231 meter well on it IMO.
As much as I love my turret press and coax for match rifle rounds, I don’t want want to load hundreds of pistol rounds on them. The 550 is a huge time saver and is very consistent with the right powders. Bullseye and 231 meter well on it IMO.
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