Two reloaders...Which one?

[Steelplate45]

I use both the Rockchucker and a Dillon 550

Got 20,000 rounds thru the Dillon. Mostly pistol but lots of 223 as well. It builds very accurate rounds for my AR.

Best thing about Dillon is they pick up the phone when you call, and take care of things for you right away. Their tech guys know what they are doing, and will get you back on-line ASAP.

I use the Rockchucker for my match Rem 700, which groups in 0.3"s and 0.2"s

A good idea is to build or buy a dedicated bench for all your reloading gear. Have good lighting, and keep only one powder type on the bench top while reloading.

[george223]

I have an old Hornady Pro Jector (progressive) that I have used to load a bunch of 9mm & .45 ACP in the past but have never loaded any rifle ammo. I've been wondering if it was really feasible to load rifle ammo on a progressive press and have been considering buying a Rock Chucker. Thanks to this thread my new Rock Chucker is on it's way.

[Antihero47]

I have an old Hornady Pro Jector (progressive) that I have used to load a bunch of 9mm & .45 ACP in the past but have never loaded any rifle ammo. I've been wondering if it was really feasible to load rifle ammo on a progressive press and have been considering buying a Rock Chucker. Thanks to this thread my new Rock Chucker is on it's way.

I've loaded 223, 30/06, 308 on both my Dillon 650 and Hornady LnL.Normally new brass needs to be processed... so if your using brand new or 'new to you' (once fired) that you haven't processed yet the process goes like this.

1. Clean all brass in tumbler. (optional)
2. Run all brass through the full length sizer die and deprime on the press (necessary every time you load)
3. Tumble brass to remove lube. (unless using Hornady one shot, or just wipe them down)
4. Trim brass off the press (necessary the first time, optional the next couple firings until they get to max length)

Once these 4 steps are done you can load them as fast and almost the same as you would pistol cartridges. I normally cut my plinker ammo's brass a little short of recommended so I can load them a few times without trimming. Just measure them after a couple firings to make sure they haven't grown out of spec. If some are or are very close I would run them all through the trimming process again.

[kdsd731]

I am definitely between the RCBS Rockchucker and the Hornady kit. Just need to see a few more poeples opinions before I decide. And I may just hit you up on your offer Antihero47.

[Antihero47]

Here are a few more things I can think of that might help...

1. For a single stage priming off the press with a hand primer is faster and so much better for actual feel.

2. Get a good beam scale, I recommend the RCBS 505 which measures up to 505 grains. Or get a good electronic scale that measures in tenths of a grain and has calibration check weights.

3. Loading blocks and a funnel are necessary for single stage loading.

4. If your going to use a single stage get Redding Imperial sizing wax. One can will last you thousands of rounds. Best lubricant that I've ever used and its held in very high regard in the reloading community.

5. If your going to do long range/accuracy loads you might want to look into the more precise sizers and seaters that seat on the ogive. Forester, Redding competition dies.. seaters that utilize micrometer adjustments.

All depends on if you want to buy once cry once or buy the normal dies now and see if they can produce the accuracy your looking for. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.


EDIT:

Oh, also, I'll be putting in a order at Grafs and Sons using my dealer account in the next 2-3 weeks. If you take a look at grafs.com and figure out what you want I might be able to get it cheaper. I'll be purchasing bullets, dies and a few case gauges. PM me if you want more information.

[brl0301]

Lee is cheap junk. RCBS is good quality but slow. Buy the Dillion BL 550 and add on as you get cash.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25792/catid/1/BL_550_Basic_Loader

Its rediculous comments like these that make (some) Dillon owners look like ignorant jerks...hope you were just kidding

[jimster716]

I ordered the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master kit but it's my first reloading press and I chose it after researching presses the past few weeks and the price was right.

Interestingly, I don't see it mentioned on calguns but on snipershide, people can't say enough good things about the Forster CoAx as I noticed earlier today. I was quite curious but not enough to cancel my order for the RCBS and everything included in the kit for about the same price as the CoAx press alone. Not to add to the confusion but just another option if you grow weary of the Lee, RCBS, Redding, Hornady, Dillon wars. Hahaha.

[kdsd731]

I actually was looking at the RCBS Rock chucker extreme kit last night and was comparing it to the Hornady kit. after talking to a guy there and having him say the accessories are better I was going to get the RCBS Kit at the Bass Pro with some gift cards I got but they were sold out. Now I have a few more days to debate. But I'm pretty sure that's the right kit for me.

[Antihero47]

I ordered the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master kit but it's my first reloading press and I chose it after researching presses the past few weeks and the price was right.

Interestingly, I don't see it mentioned on calguns but on snipershide, people can't say enough good things about the Forster CoAx as I noticed earlier today. I was quite curious but not enough to cancel my order for the RCBS and everything included in the kit for about the same price as the CoAx press alone. Not to add to the confusion but just another option if you grow weary of the Lee, RCBS, Redding, Hornady, Dillon wars. Hahaha.

CoAx is a great press. I think I lump it in with specialty equipment due to its cost and that could be why I don't recommend it. I think its probably one of if not the best single stage to get but the average beginner loader is looking to get their feet wet at minimal cost. Once they get their first rounds loaded and experience the joy they usually break down and start throwing money at the hobby. I know I did! After 6 months with a Lee 4 Hole turret kit and $250 invested I broke down and paid $1,200 on a Dillon XL650 with all the trimmings.

[gau17]

I have a Rock Chucker and a Lee Cast Turret and use them both. Categorically calling Lee "cheap junk" looses credibility points...

+1. I own a single stage Lee Classic press and I can produce HIGH quality ammo with it. I bought it when I first started reloading and kept it. The press is very solid. Please don't let the price deter you from buying it. My precision ammo gets assembled on the Lee Classic. 9mm, 45, & 5.56 gets assembled on my Dillon 650.

5 rounds @ 100 yds using Lee Classic. Shot with 308 rifle built by Short Action Customs.

[bubbapug1]

You can't post a group like that and not include the load data? What's a matter with you??

All presses work, some just better than others.

+1. I own a single stage Lee Classic press and I can produce HIGH quality ammo with it. I bought it when I first started reloading and kept it. The press is very solid. Please don't let the price deter you from buying it. My precision ammo gets assembled on the Lee Classic. 9mm, 45, & 5.56 gets assembled on my Dillon 650.

5 rounds @ 100 yds using Lee Classic. Shot with 308 rifle built by Short Action Customs.

[problemchild]

Exactly what I said above and got flamed for. Lee is junk.

For the record I have owned and do own RCBS, Dillon, Lee, Redding and Hornady reloading equipment. My favorites are Redding, RCBS and Dillon. If I could only choose one it would be Dillon. Dillons support is second to none. Dillons help line is awesome. Buy once cry once and have a lifetime of good experience. Or do like most and buy junk and have to buy again (including myself).

How is 250 for a press with lifetime warranty overpriced? (Lee press Price: $ 350.00 )
OP buy what you want but if you buy Lee you WILL be sorry.


Group shot from a semi-auto 308 loaded on a dillon press with dillon powder measure at a rate of 700rds per hour.

Hey KD.. looks like we're not too far from one another. Honestly, the Hornady Single Stage kit is a much better kit than the lee kits.

I owned the lee 4 hole turret press, the perfect powder measure, the lee scale, the chamfer/debur, case trimmer and primer pocket cleaning tools... They work but not the best thing to work with. For example.

Lee Press - Had issues - Think the top was canted
Lee Powder Measure - Leaked bad
Lee Trimmer - Worked Ok - Upgrade to lathe style asap
Lee Scale - thing was very finicky and never really trusted it. Had to zero it constantly to gain any confidence. Bought a RCBS 505 ASAP.
Lee Chamfer/Deburr - Eh.. it worked kinda. Felt cheap. Bought the Hornady tool ASAP.
Lee primer pocket cleaner - Small primer pocket cleaner was too small, didn't really clean too much.

As you can see, I wound up buying stuff twice. It will get you going but you want to move to better tools ASAP.


The Hornady uses the die bushings so you'll need to buy more for every set of dies you buy if you want to do quick changes. Otherwise get lock ring dies and lock it to the threads when the die is set and leave the one bushing in all the time. The Hornady powder measure is much better than the lee and are the same ones they use for the progressive Lock-n-Load which utilizes the quick change powder bushings for pistol and rifle. On top of it all it comes with a reloading manual.

Hands down go with the Hornady kit if you can swing it as you'll be way more happy you went with it in the long run. I wouldn't mind coming over and helping if you need it or want someone to help you load the first time.

[Antihero47]

I actually was looking at the RCBS Rock chucker extreme kit last night and was comparing it to the Hornady kit. after talking to a guy there and having him say the accessories are better I was going to get the RCBS Kit at the Bass Pro with some gift cards I got but they were sold out. Now I have a few more days to debate. But I'm pretty sure that's the right kit for me.

KD, I would REALLY look at the Hornady kit if they have it at bass pro. Hornady's customer service is on par with Dillons to where if you break something, lose something, need help you just give them a call and they will send your part out without hassle or get you on the phone with one of their engineers. My calls have always been great.

Second, Hornady runs a promotion where you get 500 free bullets when you purchase a LnL kit. You send in the UPC and within a month or two the bullets you choose should arrive. That's quite the value depending on what your loading. You can find the promotion here...

http://www.hornady.com/promotions/get-loaded

Offer ends on 12/31/2011 - I would assume they would keep it going next year but it doesn't say... so if you decide on Hornady get it quick!

And lastly, having the Hornady gear will keep you covered with a great warranty even if you decide to get a Lock-n-Load Progressive down the line. They still use the lock bushings and sometimes the settings from your classic can be used directly over on the LnL (always check first). Think about if you want to reload for Pistol down the road as you could still use your classic to load precision rifle ammunition, or jump the dies to the progressive and load lots of plinking rifle ammunition.

Just sayin, ultimatly the decision is yours.

Ok, I'll stop being pushy and get out of the way.

[Dark Mod]

Second, Hornady runs a promotion where you get 500 free bullets when you purchase a LnL kit. You send in the UPC and within a month or two the bullets you choose should arrive. That's quite the value depending on what your loading. You can find the promotion here...

I actually got mine in about 2 weeks, they are really good about sending you an email when they recieve your voucher, and again when they ship your bullets

[Antihero47]

I actually got mine in about 2 weeks, they are really good about sending you an email when they recieve your voucher, and again when they ship your bullets

Oh nice! I've been super lazy on redeeming my die upc's for the free hundred. I could have had like 400 bullets.