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Post by Alaskan454 on Feb 5, 2016 13:29:17 GMT -5
All of my ammo is currently loaded on a Dillon 650 and that's what I started with, it's been great since I load standard calibers in high volume. But I decided two months ago to jump in on my first custom which is going to be a 500 JRH by David Clements. Soon after I got to thinking I might be better off using a single stage when factoring in the cost and time to change over the press versus the amount of rounds I'll likely load in a session. When I load my other calibers I usually do at least 500 to make it worth my time before switching over again. But I don't know if I'm going to be shooting nearly that volume with a 500, I think about 100 rounds per range session is a likely maximum. So I got to wondering if you guys are loading single stage or progressive for the big stuff? My Dad gave me a single stage that's still sitting on the bottom shelf in the reloading room, might be a good time to break it out.
I also need to figure out what I'm going to do for JRH brass, but that's another story.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Feb 5, 2016 13:31:22 GMT -5
I use a RCBS Rockchucker...
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 5, 2016 13:33:55 GMT -5
If Clements is doing it, most likely to be a 500x1.4". That makes brass easy to the extreme.
I use a Lee Classic Turret for smaller volume reloading. It's far faster than a single stage and far simpler than a progressive. Seems the Goldie Locks to me.
You will love your 500...
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Post by Alaskan454 on Feb 5, 2016 13:40:01 GMT -5
Yes, he's doing it 500x1.4", no need to trim down the rim on this one. How long would it take trim down the 500 S&W brass manually? I was considering buying a power trimmer and reselling after I make 500 pieces of brass, or making a saw jig to cut 90% of the length off and trim the rest by hand to 1.4. This is my first venture into a non standard caliber, it should be fun!
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 5, 2016 13:48:27 GMT -5
I bought a single speed Dremel and bench press attachment at Lowe's. The cut off wheels too.
I set the bottom of the cut off wheel 1.405" above the plate. Then just sit a 500 S&W case on the plate and turn 360° with two fingers. Easy to make 50 ready to load cases in well under 30 minutes.
I use the same set up for 30 Herrett, 300 Blackout, etc.
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joej
.30 Stingray
Enter your message here...
Posts: 352
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Post by joej on Feb 5, 2016 14:19:48 GMT -5
I load both 500's and 510's on my LnL, never a problem. If you want to cut down either 500 S&W or 50 Alaskan brass just cut fairly close and then final trim 0.010 over ie 1.410 as opposed to 1.400, as the 1st firing will "shrink" the brass some and a tad longer is a good thing for neck tension. If you trim to 1.400 I think you'll find your brass will never again see 1.400 - if you trim to 1.410, the brass will probably resize to 1.43 to 1.46 after initial firing. If you want, you can then trim to 1.400 if you feel the need. I got this advise from John Linebaugh several years ago and it has served me well.
I use a wooden jig and chop saw for fast cutting, prior to that, I used a pipe cutter but found that to be a PITA at times.
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Post by Alaskan454 on Feb 5, 2016 14:58:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice guys, I've got a miter saw and a dremel so one of these is the route to pursue, worst case if I don't like one method I'll try another. I wasn't sure about the length so thank you for mentioning it, I've often heard to cut over size but wasn't sure how much. In the end I'll probably make 50 cases and try them out before doing the rest.
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 5, 2016 15:06:22 GMT -5
The joy of the Dremel set up is a perfectly smooth cut. Just cut and process as new brass.
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Paden
.375 Atomic
Lower Goldstream Creek
Posts: 1,132
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Post by Paden on Feb 5, 2016 15:23:14 GMT -5
I load everything on a single stage press (a Redding T7). I prime with a RCBS hand tool, and wouldn't have it any other way. I keep gallon ziploc bags full of sized, primed brass ready to load at any time, so sitting down and knocking out a couple hundred doesn't take long at all.
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Post by 500fksjr on Feb 5, 2016 15:31:39 GMT -5
I use a RCBS Rockchucker an like Paden do brass up in batches...and keep 500 or so per caliber loaded up at all times...That way I can load in seasons of indoor activities...fwiw
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shorty500
.327 Meteor
too many dirty harry movies created me!
Posts: 912
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Post by shorty500 on Feb 5, 2016 16:45:29 GMT -5
everything over .41 that will be used for longrange, hunting or is above .45 caliber goes thru an ancieent lee turret press, mass produced stuff sees the dillons and rifles typically are single stage except for the .300 whisper
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Snyd
.375 Atomic
The Last Frontier
Posts: 2,392
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Post by Snyd on Feb 5, 2016 17:36:10 GMT -5
I size 500L brass on a single stage Lee Classic Cast press. I load on a Lee Classic 4 hole turret using Horndady dies and a modified Lee powder thru die. I prime, flare, drop powder, seat, crimp on the 4 holer. Fired brass I knock the primers out without resizing, then hit the primer pockets with a cleaning tool, then tumble.
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jefats
.30 Stingray
Posts: 309
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Post by jefats on Feb 5, 2016 17:43:24 GMT -5
I use a RCBS Rockchucker... +1 for more than forty years.
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Post by seancass on Feb 5, 2016 18:33:32 GMT -5
I use a Lee Classic Turret. For everything except 9mm, in fact. I don't know why you'd buy anything else for the low-mid volume stuff.
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Post by Alaskan454 on Feb 5, 2016 21:25:31 GMT -5
Well, the 650 was a gift and also my first press. So I never really considered going out to buy another press, just kept going on the Dillon when I got new calibers. My Dad also gave me an RCBS single stage so that's why I'm thinking about going that route for the 500.
I don't mind setting up tool heads if I can crank out 500-1000 rounds in an hour but the 650 requires a lot parts changing to run the 500 and it's $$$. Hence why I asked what everyone else uses, you'd pretty much need to have a completely separate progressive dedicated to some big calibers to justify it, or make it worth the effort.
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