You're already in it and I'm extremely grateful for everything you've helped me with and of course gifted me regarding our pew pew pew pursuits. Thanks my friend.
Pleasure is all mine Bud......
Who Still Loads on a Single Stage Press?
- Thread starter Vodoun daVinci
- Start date
Pleasure is all mine Bud......
RCBS A2 for all precision size/decap operations. I have two of them and they are indestructible.
Dillon 550B for pistol.
I find that sizing 223 on the dillon is a PITA (yes, I tried carbide dies) so I size and decap 223 on the RCBS. Decrimp primer pockets with a dillon super swage. Prime, charge, seat and crimp on the Dillon 550.
A friend was shooting some sort of factory ammo in his AR. I handed him 5 rounds of my 223 from the Dillon and it shot a group half the size of factory. Mind you, he was shooting 55gr factory and my 223 is 77 gr but I use the standard dillon powder thrower - no magic - and make about 400 rounds per hour.
For precision, I do this: size using Redding die with buttons. I use pin gauges to select the button so I get the neck ID I want - usually .303 or .304. Set the shoulder length by shimming the die. I use imperial sizing die wax and I have a rhythm that gives me very consistent lengths +- 0.001 measured with an RCBS case gauge. Clean primer pockets. If cases need trimming, I use a Giraud, I get +- 0.001 on OAL. Use a sinclair priming tool. If someone tells you that you shouldn't handle primers, send them to me. I have individually loaded tens of thousands of them, no misfires yet. Throw initial powder charge with an RCBS Chargemaster then trickle to +- 0.001 gram. Seat with a wilson seater using a very stout arbor press. After decap and PP clean, with magnum cases only, I check primer pocket diameter with pin gauges and crimp any that are too large. I could probably get better control of neck tension but I use magazines and a stock chamber and I get about 1/2 moa in my 308 - that's good enough for me. The part I like the least is throwing powder charges, I do about 75-100 rounds per hour. Oh well. I am probably overdoing some of my steps but it is my technique and it works for me. Y'all should do what you think is best.
I use two tumblers, one for dirty brass and one to remove the lube after sizing. I change media regularly, I buy it in bulk.
By the way, Tony and Faye Boyer win not because they always shoot little groups but because they rarely shoot a large group, something most of us cannot quite seem to manage. They both shoot little ones but the trick is to not blow the ag with a big one. I have shot at lots of matches with Mr. and Mrs. Boyer and, in my opinion, that is their real trick. Well, that and they have a TON of range time.
Dillon 550B for pistol.
I find that sizing 223 on the dillon is a PITA (yes, I tried carbide dies) so I size and decap 223 on the RCBS. Decrimp primer pockets with a dillon super swage. Prime, charge, seat and crimp on the Dillon 550.
A friend was shooting some sort of factory ammo in his AR. I handed him 5 rounds of my 223 from the Dillon and it shot a group half the size of factory. Mind you, he was shooting 55gr factory and my 223 is 77 gr but I use the standard dillon powder thrower - no magic - and make about 400 rounds per hour.
For precision, I do this: size using Redding die with buttons. I use pin gauges to select the button so I get the neck ID I want - usually .303 or .304. Set the shoulder length by shimming the die. I use imperial sizing die wax and I have a rhythm that gives me very consistent lengths +- 0.001 measured with an RCBS case gauge. Clean primer pockets. If cases need trimming, I use a Giraud, I get +- 0.001 on OAL. Use a sinclair priming tool. If someone tells you that you shouldn't handle primers, send them to me. I have individually loaded tens of thousands of them, no misfires yet. Throw initial powder charge with an RCBS Chargemaster then trickle to +- 0.001 gram. Seat with a wilson seater using a very stout arbor press. After decap and PP clean, with magnum cases only, I check primer pocket diameter with pin gauges and crimp any that are too large. I could probably get better control of neck tension but I use magazines and a stock chamber and I get about 1/2 moa in my 308 - that's good enough for me. The part I like the least is throwing powder charges, I do about 75-100 rounds per hour. Oh well. I am probably overdoing some of my steps but it is my technique and it works for me. Y'all should do what you think is best.
I use two tumblers, one for dirty brass and one to remove the lube after sizing. I change media regularly, I buy it in bulk.
By the way, Tony and Faye Boyer win not because they always shoot little groups but because they rarely shoot a large group, something most of us cannot quite seem to manage. They both shoot little ones but the trick is to not blow the ag with a big one. I have shot at lots of matches with Mr. and Mrs. Boyer and, in my opinion, that is their real trick. Well, that and they have a TON of range time.
I've been out of the reloading game for 15+ years now, but started with a RCBS Rock Chucker loading .22-250, .357, and .44mag. In the early 90's I started shooting competitively in an indoor pistol league using .45acp and bought what I believe was the first "auto" platform, the RCBS Ammo Master. I was shooting 400+ rounds a week and it easily paid for itself. When up to speed I could load 50 rnds of .45acp in 10-11 minutes.
For precision rifle I'd still roll my 2 Rock Chuckers, Lee Auto Prime, Uniflow powder measure, powder trickler, and beam scale.
I still have all my gear and will be getting the band back together for .308 and .9mm.
My little helper on the Ammo Master 15 years ago.
For precision rifle I'd still roll my 2 Rock Chuckers, Lee Auto Prime, Uniflow powder measure, powder trickler, and beam scale.
I still have all my gear and will be getting the band back together for .308 and .9mm.
My little helper on the Ammo Master 15 years ago.
I still load on a single stage press, especially when trying to load the most accurate loads for my rifles. Started out on a single stage over 45 years ago. When I was competing in handgun competition , I used a Dillon. They make good equipment!
Single stage here. Probably 10k or so loaded on it and still running strong. Run of the mill RCBS Rock chucker.
Only 2 kind of people run progressive presses.
People that have managed to mess up a round.
And people that will eventually.
Doesn't mean you should toss them, just know shit happens.
Not loading any defense rounds on mine.
People that have managed to mess up a round.
And people that will eventually.
Doesn't mean you should toss them, just know shit happens.
Not loading any defense rounds on mine.
Forster CoAx for rifle, Dillon 650 for pistol. I can't get the level of precision I want for rifle from the 650. It will not meter stick powders for beans. I am sure someone out there has come up with a fancy solution for that but...
I don't think I will ever use anything else for precision rifle work. Being able to watch and feel every bullet load is important to me. I would rather speed up every other process, and leave bullet seating, and weighing charges as the slow part.
I reload my rifle ammunition (.223 and 45-70) on a Lee Classic Cast I bought two years ago (with Forster and RCBS dies respectively), and couldn't be happier with it. Even if I could reload the 45-70 on a progressive, I wouldn't as I reload softball loads usually with pistol powder and a double charge of pistol powder would make for a very exciting day. I visually inspect powder in all 45-70 cases before seating bullets.
My handgun ammo is reloaded on a used Dillon SDB (which I had Dillon refurbish) which I also couldn't be happier with (load 9mm, .38, .44 and .45ACP). I too have had a squib load or two on the progressive over the last dozen or so years I've been reloading with it ( as Snubby642 referenced). SD ammo is all factory loads.
My handgun ammo is reloaded on a used Dillon SDB (which I had Dillon refurbish) which I also couldn't be happier with (load 9mm, .38, .44 and .45ACP). I too have had a squib load or two on the progressive over the last dozen or so years I've been reloading with it ( as Snubby642 referenced). SD ammo is all factory loads.
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If you're reloading "precision" rifle rounds on a progressive, they aren't really "precision" unless you are weighing powder off the press.
Any rifle rounds I consider "precision" are on the single stange. I do load bulk .223 on a Hornady LnL. It's good enough to blow up prairie dogs more times than not at <400 yards. All pistol rounds are on the Hornady, doing them on a single stage is just awful. I don't have time to fill a 50cal ammo can with 9mm off a single stage...
Any rifle rounds I consider "precision" are on the single stange. I do load bulk .223 on a Hornady LnL. It's good enough to blow up prairie dogs more times than not at <400 yards. All pistol rounds are on the Hornady, doing them on a single stage is just awful. I don't have time to fill a 50cal ammo can with 9mm off a single stage...
