Post by: paguy on February 01, 2021, 08:49:23 PM
Post by: h20hunter on February 01, 2021, 08:52:08 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 01, 2021, 08:54:36 PM
Post by: Crunchy on February 01, 2021, 08:55:16 PM
Post by: Stein on February 01, 2021, 08:59:27 PM
Next to the press, I would get an automatic electric annealer, some type of automatic powder setup (trickler & scale), probably another $4k or so in those two things.
Maybe $500 in calipers and micrometer, couple hundred in dies and another grand or two in concentricity gauges seating depth gauges, bullet pointers and other random stuff and you are off to the races unless you want to automate the press and then its several grand more.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 01, 2021, 09:05:27 PM
Best setup seems to be Area 419, $1200 for the bare press and backordered for at least a few months like most things.
Next to the press, I would get an automatic electric annealer, some type of automatic powder setup (trickler & scale), probably another $4k or so in those two things.
Maybe $500 in calipers and micrometer, couple hundred in dies and another grand or two in concentricity gauges seating depth gauges, bullet pointers and other random stuff and you are off to the races unless you want to automate the press and then its several grand more.
I’ve got all tha stuff and paid half that. If I recall.
Post by: paguy on February 01, 2021, 09:09:16 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on February 01, 2021, 09:10:09 PM
Post by: fowl smacker on February 01, 2021, 09:10:29 PM
Best setup seems to be Area 419, $1200 for the bare press and backordered for at least a few months like most things.You must have bought your stuff at pandemic prices.
Next to the press, I would get an automatic electric annealer, some type of automatic powder setup (trickler & scale), probably another $4k or so in those two things.
Maybe $500 in calipers and micrometer, couple hundred in dies and another grand or two in concentricity gauges seating depth gauges, bullet pointers and other random stuff and you are off to the races unless you want to automate the press and then its several grand more.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on February 01, 2021, 09:13:19 PM
Thanks for the response, I just want a really good set up for a half dozen different caliber hunting rounds. What about a turret style that a guy could set up a few different calibers and not half to set it up every time.some of the presses have bushings that can snap into the press, any you leave your dies set up. You just have to remove the bushings when switching between cartridges.
Post by: Stein on February 01, 2021, 09:14:53 PM
I have loaded single digit ES 5 shot loads, so it's good enough for me. I think the dies, brass, components and process are much more important than the press. That said, I will probably upgrade at some point but it does what I need. I also use it for pistol rounds which it is really made for. It's moderate speed, not nearly as fast as a true progressive with case and bullet feeders, but light years above a single stage.
Turret presses are great in that you don't need to mount the die every time and go through all the adjusting as you mentioned. I just pull the turret off the shelf, lock it in and go to town.
Post by: Platensek-po on February 01, 2021, 09:18:45 PM
Another thing I like about the turret press is I can also reload handgun ammo relatively quickly as well. Again I reload for plinking and hunting so keep that in mind.
Post by: Stein on February 01, 2021, 09:23:10 PM
Best setup seems to be Area 419, $1200 for the bare press and backordered for at least a few months like most things.You must have bought your stuff at pandemic prices.
Next to the press, I would get an automatic electric annealer, some type of automatic powder setup (trickler & scale), probably another $4k or so in those two things.
Maybe $500 in calipers and micrometer, couple hundred in dies and another grand or two in concentricity gauges seating depth gauges, bullet pointers and other random stuff and you are off to the races unless you want to automate the press and then its several grand more.
Area 419 press is $1,200 on their website or Brownells's. AMP annealer is $1,400 (not including feeder), FX-120i scale is about $650 plus trickler, automation and accessories. Mitotoyu calipers and micrometer are maybe $150-200 each.
Sure, I have cheap stuff from Frankford Arsenal and others that works 80% as well, but nobody is buying a 419 press for $600, new, used or run over by a truck. If you want the best, it's going to cost you.
Post by: Crunchy on February 01, 2021, 09:24:25 PM
Post by: wadu1 on February 01, 2021, 09:26:05 PM
I load on the Lee Classic Turret and have a set of dies for each caliber. You get 4 spots, so I usually have a full length sizer, priming station and bullet seater with one space to spare. Depending on the load I might have a generic decapper or a factory crimp die in the 4th station.:yeah:
I have loaded single digit ES 5 shot loads, so it's good enough for me. I think the dies, brass, components and process are much more important than the press. That said, I will probably upgrade at some point but it does what I need. I also use it for pistol rounds which it is really made for. It's moderate speed, not nearly as fast as a true progressive with case and bullet feeders, but light years above a single stage.
Turret presses are great in that you don't need to mount the die every time and go through all the adjusting as you mentioned. I just pull the turret off the shelf, lock it in and go to town.
I keep each die set in a screw top plastic container with the shell holder. I don't even use my RCBS junior anymore.
Post by: paguy on February 01, 2021, 09:27:12 PM
Post by: Stein on February 01, 2021, 09:30:26 PM
If you had a budget in mind, it would probably help get you some more helpful advice. It's like the "best gun" thread, break out the checkbook and refinance the house.
I haven't added it up, but I think a guy could do some pretty dang good loading for under $1,000 all in. If you are just looking at making plinking rounds, you could do it for far less. The trick is figuring out where to spend the money and where to scrimp, a buck here doesn't equal a buck there for sure.
Post by: actionshooter on February 01, 2021, 09:34:10 PM
Not sure how much an RCBS Rock Chucker goes for these days but Im shooting 1/2 Moa or better on mine. I don't think a more expensive press is going to shrink that group at all. Don't get caught up in the hype of crazy expensive presses.
I think the only reason for this stuff might be benchrest shooters... there is nothing wrong with wanting the best but there are more top PRS shooters using Dillon 550 and 650s that most people would believe.
For a good press that is easy to change calibers and will do it all, look at a Dillon 550.
Post by: paguy on February 01, 2021, 09:36:47 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on February 01, 2021, 09:37:46 PM
Post by: Stein on February 01, 2021, 09:39:14 PM
Post by: actionshooter on February 01, 2021, 09:43:00 PM
I have heard good things about the dillon press.I swear by them.... have 3,
The customer service is like no other... I basically wore a 20year old xl650 out, sent it back and they completely rebuilt it for the price of shipping, even put a new powder coat on the frame.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 01, 2021, 09:54:08 PM
Amp Annealer $1395
Chargemaster $379
Hornady calipers $50
Hornady concentrity gage - $139
Precision lab fx120i powder scale -$750
Hornady seating depth comparator & OAL length gage - $60.
Rock Chucker Press- $199
Wilson case trimmer - $179
RCBS Hand primer tool- $89
Harvey Deprime tool - $60
Lyman 1200 brass tumbler - $ 63
Lyman case prep station - $157
Total $ 3520
Plus Dies and consumables.
But - with a good barrel and the right load you may duplicate my results with a $50 lee die set, a hammer and a powder dipper !
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 01, 2021, 10:20:55 PM
Post by: Rat44 on February 02, 2021, 02:08:23 AM
This is what I’m currently using and not sure any equipment changes will improve consistency but open to trying more expensive press. Getting .001 runout or less, .04 grains load consistency (1/2 kernel) Seating depth .001 consistency.Ha,I started with a Lee loader set when I bought my first 44 Mag.
Amp Annealer $1395
Chargemaster $379
Hornady calipers $50
Hornady concentrity gage - $139
Precision lab fx120i powder scale -$750
Hornady seating depth comparator & OAL length gage - $60.
Rock Chucker Press- $199
Wilson case trimmer - $179
RCBS Hand primer tool- $89
Harvey Deprime tool - $60
Lyman 1200 brass tumbler - $ 63
Lyman case prep station - $157
Total $ 3520
Plus Dies and consumables.
But - with a good barrel and the right load you may duplicate my results with a $50 lee die set, a hammer and a powder dipper !
Didnt take me long to get tired of using the mallet.
Moved on to a Rockchucker .
Post by: grimace on February 02, 2021, 06:44:49 AM
This is what I’m currently using and not sure any equipment changes will improve consistency but open to trying more expensive press. Getting .001 runout or less, .04 grains load consistency (1/2 kernel) Seating depth .001 consistency.
Amp Annealer $1395
Chargemaster $379
Hornady calipers $50
Hornady concentrity gage - $139
Precision lab fx120i powder scale -$750
Hornady seating depth comparator & OAL length gage - $60.
Rock Chucker Press- $199
Wilson case trimmer - $179
RCBS Hand primer tool- $89
Harvey Deprime tool - $60
Lyman 1200 brass tumbler - $ 63
Lyman case prep station - $157
Total $ 3520
Plus Dies and consumables.
But - with a good barrel and the right load you may duplicate my results with a $50 lee die set, a hammer and a powder dipper !
I'm curious what features made you go with the AMP, there is a handful of options and prices vary widely. I've been leaning towards the Annie...
G
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 02, 2021, 07:03:22 AM
I'm curious what features made you go with the AMP, there is a handful of options and prices vary widely. I've been leaning towards the Annie...
With the Annie you are still messing with tempilaq and tring to figure out if your setting is right. I may as well stick with the torch for that.
With Amp you insert first case, it applies a gage pin against both sides of the tip measuring deflection as it heats brass past deformation temperature. Using This data it computes the annealing setting to use for identical cases. You can tweak this number up or down if u want. Caveat: this number is like 98% repeatable.
Selection - current Model is the Mark II. Get that and a $20 pilot for each brass cartridge you will use. Only option is to add auto feeder for high volume use - if you are annealing hundreds of cases at a time or club use might be interesting.
Post by: dog on February 02, 2021, 07:07:15 AM
Post by: fly-by on February 02, 2021, 07:12:43 AM
Post by: b23 on February 02, 2021, 07:47:33 AM
Post by: JJB11B on February 02, 2021, 08:00:20 AM
Another vote for the good ol rcbs rock chucker. About the best bang for your buck. Personally use a redding T7 which i would also highly recommend.I want one of those T7's I have a Rockchukar and a Dillon and an old crappy lee that wears a universal decapping die, the T7 would be the bees knees!
Post by: CaNINE on February 02, 2021, 08:21:25 AM
Not sure how much an RCBS Rock Chucker goes for these days but Im shooting 1/2 Moa or better on mine. I don't think a more expensive press is going to shrink that group at all. Don't get caught up in the hype of crazy expensive presses.
Same for me. I’m producing consistent benchrest quality precision ammo on a RCBS rock chucker.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 02, 2021, 08:42:50 AM
I love it! I can multi task like crazy with that thing. Just gotta have a method to your madness or it can get crazy. 3 calibers and a decapping die per plate.Another vote for the good ol rcbs rock chucker. About the best bang for your buck. Personally use a redding T7 which i would also highly recommend.I want one of those T7's I have a Rockchukar and a Dillon and an old crappy lee that wears a universal decapping die, the T7 would be the bees knees!
Pro tip: index your press positions and make note of what die goes where. If you set your 300wsm seating die up in "hole 4", take it out for some reason and then put it in position 7 your seating depth will be slightly off.
Post by: Jingles on February 02, 2021, 09:10:04 AM
Post by: dreadi on February 02, 2021, 09:20:11 AM
If you shoot a lot throughout the year, progressive makes sense.
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Post by: HighlandLofts on February 03, 2021, 06:19:35 AM
The RCBS Rockchucker press has a bushing where the dies screw in that can be taken out to except the conversion plug to switch ot over to the Hornady Lock n Load system.
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on February 03, 2021, 08:27:43 AM
One day I will also have a Redding T7. Nice for setting up dies and never changing the settings.
Post by: Fl0und3rz on February 03, 2021, 08:33:13 AM
I’ve been using the Lee cast iron press (single stage) for my hunting loads. I’ve been happy with it. It’s made in USA which I don’t think the rock chucker is any more.
It is the only press that I have. I am amazed that Lee can offer such value for their prices. It's like voodoo. Trimmer and powder measure is Redding, scale is RCBS 10-10, and I have several different brands of dies.
For hunting rounds, I don't see the benefit of more money on a press. But I admittedly do not shoot long range target, either. Perhaps there is room for improvement there, but I gather that money would be better spent on triggers, barrels, brass and projectile consistency, and load development over another press. But that is a guess.
Post by: Stein on February 03, 2021, 08:55:40 AM
I load 10-20 rounds at a time 95% of the time and do that maybe 5-10 times a year so I don't care if it takes me an extra half hour or even hour. PRS or F-class guys might load several hundred at a sitting, every week. My setup would be a holy nightmare under that situation.
Post by: timberfaller on February 03, 2021, 09:18:25 AM
I've had a few progressives, never liked them and sold them all.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on February 03, 2021, 10:38:20 AM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 03, 2021, 10:43:40 AM
Post by: Fl0und3rz on February 03, 2021, 10:56:41 AM
Post by: b23 on February 03, 2021, 11:51:31 AM
Post by: walleye1 on February 03, 2021, 11:53:01 AM
Post by: timberfaller on February 03, 2021, 11:57:51 AM
Nice to see someone put out cutting diagrams! :tup:
Post by: GWP on February 07, 2021, 10:10:22 PM
If you want faster, go with a progressive. Faster yet with multiple calibers? Go with one with removable plates.
You can do fine for a very long time with a single stage and a balance beam scale and little else.
Post by: grundy53 on February 07, 2021, 10:55:34 PM
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KT8K18H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_AJ147K84NYRYAT0FR0QP
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Post by: grundy53 on February 07, 2021, 10:57:53 PM
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Post by: GWP on February 08, 2021, 06:30:46 AM
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on February 08, 2021, 06:54:58 AM
I want a Turret press but can't find one anywhere right now. Guess I'll have to wait until the panic buying is over.
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Crazy, just looked on Ebay and used Redding t7's are going for $300 MORE than retail.
Post by: grundy53 on February 08, 2021, 07:34:33 AM
Yup. I can wait. LolI want a Turret press but can't find one anywhere right now. Guess I'll have to wait until the panic buying is over.
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Crazy, just looked on Ebay and used Redding t7's are going for $300 MORE than retail.
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Post by: Fl0und3rz on February 08, 2021, 07:52:32 AM
:chuckle:
Post by: dreadi on February 09, 2021, 11:19:16 AM
Post by: Hemlock on February 15, 2021, 08:52:59 AM
Looking for a reloading press and everything that goes with reloading hunting ammo for rifles. What is the best set up.
Lots of opinions on "the best" but if you're just getting started in reloading, and loading just for hunting, look at the Hornady Classic kit or the RCBS Rebel kit. They'll come with everything you need to get started and will load anything except the 50 ca. I believe they even come with one set of dies of your choice. They may be a big price to begin with (I think RCBS will even let you make payments) but until you get used to reloading and know what you need they will do you just fine.
I started with a book called "The ABC's of Reloading" and a Hornady 07 kit in the early 80's and have loaded and still load everything from 380 acp to 375 H&H. The only thing the didn't come in the kit that I needed was a powder trickler and caliper.
Post by: KFhunter on February 15, 2021, 08:58:01 AM
The compounding affects of Covid quarantine, temporary closures, panic buying, normal buying, stocking up, new shooters, new loaders, social unrest...it's all added up to more demand than readily available supply.And people buying new arriving stock just to resale online.
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Post by: Catfishmoon on February 15, 2021, 10:27:56 AM
Thanks for the response, I just want a really good set up for a half dozen different caliber hunting rounds. What about a turret style that a guy could set up a few different calibers and not half to set it up every time.
+1
That is the conclusion I also reached and I bought a Redding T7. I bought an extra turret head, leave the dies in place and swap turret heads quickly with one bolt. I think %99.99 of us could not tell any difference in the ammo produced by a quality turret press vs a single stage and the turret can do it faster.
If I was shooting bulk 9mm or .223 I would consider a progressive.
Post by: GWP on February 15, 2021, 04:28:08 PM