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Posted: 1/29/2009 7:44:11 AM EDT
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Guys, I am not really new to reloading, have been doing my hunting loads for many years. However, with all the recent turn of events I'd like to start reloading pistol calibers. When my dad passed I inherited a RCBS 4x4 press. I went thru the motions of setting it all up for 44mag, and after testing my loads a couple of times at the range I plan to load up a bunch of them.
However, to change the dies on this press and get it all set up seems a bit clunky and the reviews I've gotten about this press are, pretty much get a Dillon. Ok, I've done a bit of looking but what I can't seem to get a good pic of is the changing of dies on other presses. I saw something a while back on youtube about a Dillon press that had a plate that dies could be put on - and after setting up a particular caliber you could simply remove the dies/plate and insert another one and be reloading within a few minutes. I can't seem to get a good enough pic of the Dillon 550b or any other for that matter. Can someone with experience help with this? I think I want to get a new press, already have my dies, want to reload things like .223, .45acp, .40 cal, 9mm, .380, and possibly .38 special. Keep in mind I don't really need to do a large quantity, especially if it is easy to change the press to another caliber without having to completely set the dies up. Any help is greatly appreciated! |
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The Dillons use a system that has removable 'toolheads'. They are held in by two pins which simply pull out allowing you to slide in or out the complete toolhead. You mount all of your reloading dies on the toolhead for a given caliber. That way you have a toolhead for each caliber set up, dies adjusted, and ready to go. Holding the cases in place at the bottom is a 'shellplate' with 'buttons' that are also caliber specific. Here's a picture of my 550B before I traded up to a 650 w/casefeeder. The toolhead is the aluminum plate at the top of the press with the dies and powder measure attached to it.  The 550B is a great machine and is the most popular progressive press made by a huge margin. While you don't need to buy a powder measure for each caliber, I'm lazy so I did. This picture shows the individual toolheads on stands when not installed in the press.  Note in the picture, I have an extra primer assy (long black tube in the black stand). I got it so that changing from small to large primers is a simple 2 bolt switch. You don't have to have it either but it saves time. |
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