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Posted: 11/15/2015 1:38:15 PM EDT
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Thinking of upgrading my press. Currently loading on a Lee classic cast. Load 270, 300 BLK, 243, 30-30, 7-08, 10mm, 40 S&W, 9mm, 380, 45, 38/357. Usually on a small scale (50 rds pistol, 20 rds rifle).
First thought was a Rockchucker, as Lee seems to struggle resizing 270 and 243. I have been toying with the idea of getting a Lee turret so I don't have to remove dies. But I would say that option would be best suited for pistol only. Other option is a Dillon BL550. I look at it as a sturdier turret. Yes, cost is almost twice the price of the other two options. Always the option of adding to it and making it an RL550. Thoughts? Suggestions? |
| My ultimate choice of what press to buy would depend on how many rounds I load every month and the amount of time I would like to spend in the loading room. I have used a Rockchucker for 45 years and find the leverage to be excellent regardless of caliber being loaded. I'm now using a Hornday LNL AP for almost all my loading as I'm shooting 1,500 rounds plus monthly. It also has good leverage, can be used as a single stage, and is quick to change calibers which is important to me. |
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There is a bunch of ways to do this but I have a Dillon Square Deal for cranking out pistol loads . It is designed for 45acp and the short throw is perfect for 9,45 , 38 but will also handle 357 or 44 mag. This rig is pistol only
I load many different rifle calibers but not a ton of anything so my Lee Turret works pretty good. I have had a lyman turret but it costs 2X or 3X what the lee does and really isn't much better. Hit up the local shops and craigs list for used stuff , most any single stage is going to be pretty cheap , not much of anything wrong with them except rust . Any time you find somebody cleaning out Uncle Ralph's basement you can score lots of components and odds and ends for free or cheap 
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I've only been loading for a year but I will say as a newbie, the tech support that Dillon offers is pretty amazing. I got a 550b after looking at all of the options and knowing that I was probably in it for the long haul.
As I learned, I went through the journey of "two steps forward, one step back" for a while and each time, I would call those guys and they helped out every single time. My opinion isn't worth a hill of beans, but given that you might change brands from what you know, I think it is good to know that the Dillon folks really stand behind their product. I've only loaded rifle thus far, but know that I can and will add pistol to the mix in the future. HTH |
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Quoted:
Usually on a small scale (50 rds pistol, 20 rds rifle). If this is all you plan to load in the future, A RCBS Rock Chucker and a handful of shell plates is all you need. If you do small batches of various cartridges on the 550, you will save a little time. Is it worth the additional cost over a RCBS Rock Chucker? To load all the calibers you have on a Dillon 550, you will need the press, 4 caliber conversion kits, an extra shell plate and 4 additional powder funnels. The press costs $260. Add another $237 in conversion parts to total cost of $597. To load the same calibers with a RCBS Rockchucker you need the press and 8 shell holders. The press is $150, Add another $48 in shell holders to total $198. |
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Quoted: Thinking of upgrading my press. Currently loading on a Lee classic cast. Load 270, 300 BLK, 243, 30-30, 7-08, 10mm, 40 S&W, 9mm, 380, 45, 38/357. Usually on a small scale (50 rds pistol, 20 rds rifle). First thought was a Rockchucker, as Lee seems to struggle resizing 270 and 243. I have been toying with the idea of getting a Lee turret so I don't have to remove dies. But I would say that option would be best suited for pistol only. Other option is a Dillon BL550. I look at it as a sturdier turret. Yes, cost is almost twice the price of the other two options. Always the option of adding to it and making it an RL550. Thoughts? Suggestions? Rockchucker is the same as your Classic Cast, just different brand. Sounds like you have a lube issue. Not enough or you are using a poor lube. I have a 550 it's a great progressive. Save your Classic Cast, always good to have a single stage around. Tell us more about your lube, so we can fix that problem. A 550 is not going to solve your lube problem. |
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Try some parafin or lanolin based case lube for a different sample of that sizing force.
There are many lanolin spray types. In the parafin, I really like Imperial Sizing Wax. You will need to consider an extra tumble step to remove these, but the margin of safety on these is much more forgiiving than the 1Shot. |
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Quoted:
Thinking of upgrading my press. Currently loading on a Lee classic cast. Load 270, 300 BLK, 243, 30-30, 7-08, 10mm, 40 S&W, 9mm, 380, 45, 38/357. Usually on a small scale (50 rds pistol, 20 rds rifle). First thought was a Rockchucker, as Lee seems to struggle resizing 270 and 243. I have been toying with the idea of getting a Lee turret so I don't have to remove dies. But I would say that option would be best suited for pistol only. Other option is a Dillon BL550. I look at it as a sturdier turret. Yes, cost is almost twice the price of the other two options. Always the option of adding to it and making it an RL550. Thoughts? Suggestions? I have a Lee Classic cast, and couldn't agree more with Dryflash3 .... suggest you adjust your lube. The Classic cast is a beast with plenty of leverage..... excessive leverage .... you should not be having any trouble resizing those rifle cases. This Lube is the best in my opinion Try it, of if you don't want to make it, try the Dillon lube If you are already using a good lube and technique...something else is wrong...doubt it is the press...get to the bottom of current issue before moving forward imo. Moving on ....I have been reloading rifle for a long time, and up until last week, the Lee Classic Cast single stage is the only press I owned and is what I have used religiously. But .... finally drank the koolaid on a Dillon 550 last week as I am starting to reload for pistol too and wanted progressive (good excuse). Considering you are not loading volume ... it might be overkill. The 550 will put out a load of ammo efficiently from what I have experienced so far! (one week t..lol) But .... it is a great press. Did 400 9's in an hour at what I consider to be a safe pace after I got it set up and tested. I don't care to load any faster than that, if even that fast. It is a simple machine to operate, especially considering you have experience What got me over the edge on buying a new Dillon ... was looking into buying used Dillon's. For what used presses trade for, if you buy new you will be able to sell it within $200 of what you pay for it on day one ... and in 5 years you will be able to sell it for what you paid for it........should you ever need or choose to. Considering that, a Dillon is cheap. I think a Lee classic cast combined with a Dillon 550 is a match made in heaven...because that is what I have lol 
hope this helps |
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Quoted: Hornady One Shot is what I've been using for the last couple of years. You need to upgrade your lube, you will feel the difference on the press handle.  Try a spray lanolin lube, FA or Dillon. Or make your own like I do http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/305174_Case_Lube_for_cheap_bastards.html |
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I'll echo what others have said regarding the lube and the press options.
I use One Shot for straight walled pistol cases and Dillon for everything else that's a bottle necked case. I too have a Lee Classic Cast and a 550B and between the two I can load everything I need in a timely fashion. Keep the single stage as there will come a time when you just need to run 20 cases through X step and it's much faster to get a die set in the single stage and get to it vice breaking down your 550 to do what needs done. |
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I'll give the Dillon stuff a try. I've been using the One Shot for about a year, last week was the first time I'd had any problems. That said, I don't think I had loaded any 270 on the bench press, just using the Lee hand press to kill time at work.
Wasn't planning on trashing the Lee press, just moving it to a different shop for occasional use. I might step up to a turret press as I've got some money burning a hole in my pocket and my wife wants 100 rounds of 380 a month. |
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