Recommendation for good Single Stage

[sierra11b]

It's been well over a coon's age since I tried my hand at reloading and that was back when I was a teenager helping my Grandfather reload rifle, wadcutters, and shot shells.

Now that I'm getting into SAs in a serious way (Two .45 SAAs, one Fa97 .44 special on order, and a .45 Ruger custom on the horizon), I am wanting direction in what to get, whether it be a good single stage kit or direction on assembling a good system from components. 

I am a big advocate on investing as much as I can afford into the best possible equipment the first time around, unless of course, I can be convinced otherwise, which would be great too.  I understand that as my skills progress my tastes will likely change, but it would be nice to have a good foundation in hopes any changes would be minimal at best.

Although it would be nice to get a Dillon to crank-out a thousand rounds, I simply do not shoot near as much as I'd like, and would really like to have full control and understanding of what I'm doing even if it's methodical by multi-stage press standards.

A 500 round par level of caliber-particular ammo is considered strong inventory for me if you catch my drift. I suppose that given the infrequent amount of shooting I'm able to do buffalo bore 14Bs would suffice but what's the fun in that? I just want to have some fun tailoring some loads to my specific needs (say 50-100 at a time) for the few times a year I'm able to hit the range.

[jsh]

Hard to go wrong with a rock chucker press. I have a couple of them and I prefer the older made in the USA ones.
IMHO you are on the right track. I know of several local guys that went right to a progressive and got really flustered. The old adage you have to walk before you can run. If a body reloads and doesn't have a single stage press I think they are missing out a bit. I have seen so many folks get caught up in the bigger is better.
As to dies for the SA's. don't know where to point you. Seems some dies work better for some guns and calibers.
I recommend a good balance beam scale and a good measure as well. Some folks use the lee dippers and are quite happy with them.
Jeff

[Paden]

A Rockchucker has served me well for many years. And I very much like Redding's stuff; pretty much all of it. Their dies are second to none, IMHO. I use Redding Pro Series Carbide dies for .45 colt, and can't recommend them highly enough; these dies are worth every penny! The Profile Crimp die is second to none.... Get a copy of "The ABC's of Reloading", a single stage press, balance beam scale, powder funnel, and dies, and you're off and running. Buffalo Arms makes nice loading blocks: www.buffaloarms.com/Ammunition_Loading_Blocks_it-735460.aspx?TERM=blocks

[kings6]

I bought a Dillon 550B, got it all set up and stood back and took a look at it then unbolted it, boxed it up and sold it. For the volume my free time allows, I stuck my old Rockchucker back on and went back to town. I did make the tech concession and bought the RCBS electric scale/powder dispenser and I really like it but the old Lyman 55 will never leave the house.

[bradshaw]

RCBS Rockchucker and Redding Ultra Mag. Believe Redding also has an "O" press lower on cost. The Redding Turret is tops in its class for rigidity. Redding drum type BR measure very fine. RCBS Uniflo is great (mine are vintage, can't speak for now). An electronic scale comes in very handy when you want to weight loaded rounds, brass or bullets----very fast. Match accurate dies include Redding, Dillon, Hornady, RCBS. I have a weakness for Redding's match seater. Not all crimp dies are equal. Years ago I compared roll crimp side-by-side with profile crimp in magnum and Maximum and Super Mag ammunition. Accuracy about same, although roll crimp generally provided tighter extreme spreads.

Some open body presses work fine for handgun ammunition, but stretch when FL sizing bottleneck rifle. Note that while the Redding Ultra Mag is not an "O" press, it's massive leverage system doesn't need it.
David Bradshaw

[Paden]

Nov 9, 2013 12:26:41 GMT -5 bradshaw said:

....Not all crimp dies are equal. Years ago I compared roll crimp side-by-side with profile crimp in magnum and Maximum and Super Mag ammunition. Accuracy about same, although roll crimp generally provided tighter extreme spreads...

David Bradshaw

For point of clarity, not argument, about terms which might prove potentially confusing to some readers: The Redding "Profile Crimp" die comes in two different flavors, depending on the cartridge for which it's intended. For .45 Colt it provides a roll crimp. For cartridges that headspace on the case mouth, such as .45 ACP, it provides a taper crimp.

I can't speak to the taper crimp version, as I haven't loaded any to date. But the roll crimp provided by my Redding Profile Crimp die in .45 Colt is a thing of extraordinary beauty!

[AxeHandle]

+1 0n RCBS and Redding. Old Rockchucker as primary with a Redding Ultra Mag standing by to load those long cases that won't fit in the RCBS press. I have owned and used a Dillon 550 for volume stuff since the early 80s. I always read Redding's description of their "Profile Crimp" as a roll/taper crimp die. That is to say it applies a taper crimp AND a roll crimp. I picked them up for all my big bore stuff. Seems like RCBS makes a crimp crimp die with a similiar description..

[boxhead]

The Lee Classic Cast is a heckuva press. I swapped out my 35 year old RCBS for it. For a thrower I would go Hornady and for a scale the RCBS 5-10 (if you can find one) or a 10-10. Throw in a Hornady priming tool and you are good to go.

[500fksjr]

I use a Rockchucker for everything and I keep astock a head as you say...When I get 200 or so empties I set down and stage them out over 2-3evengs and soon there all done again...Some want speed but I enjoy reloading as much as shooting...fwiw

[paul105]

I'll throw in my 2 cents. First, let me say that I hate reloading, I do it because it allows me to shoot a lot. I have two RCBS Rock Chucker presses. One is set up with the Hornady Lock-N-Load Press Conversion Bushing and a bunch of Die Bushings with fully adjusted dies. I acquired that press in the early 70s. The second one is a backup and is still in the box.

I also have two Dillon Square Deal B presses (these are for handgun calibers only), one dedicated to the .357 and the other to .45 ACP. Two Dillon 550 Bs, w/multiple tool heads/die setups and powder measures round out my compliment of time reduction machines.

As mentioned above one Rock Chucker dates back to the early 70s, and one of the 550s is an early 80s version. Point of reference I started in the early 60s with a Lyman 310 tong tool in .357 and the original Lee loader in 6mm Rem.

I have an old Ohaus 10/10 (Now RCBS I believe), 2 RCBS Little Dandy's (w/all rotors), An RCBS adjustable powder measure, and a Lyman Powder Measure.

I have several case trimmers -- Forster, Lyman Electric, RCBS Electric, and Lee's for all calibers I load.

If I was limited to one press, it would be the Dillon 550B. The beauty of the 550 B is that you can use it can be used as a single stage press and it accomodates both rifle and handgun calibers. With extra tool heads (dies already setup) you can change calibers in a minute or two.

I would add The Hornady lock-n-load powder measure which has quick change metering assemblies for about 10 bucks which would allow you to change preset charge weights quickly.

Add a good scale and some caliber specific Lee case length gauge/case trimmer (which in my experience you are unlikely to need for handgun cases) and your good to go.

A good caliper is a very useful accessory.

One last thought, it is really nice to be able to go to the basement and leisurely load 100 rounds in 15 or 20 minutes.

FWIW

Paul

[paul105]

Delete -- Double Tap

Paul

[newrugersafan]

I have a progressive press that I use when I want to load a bunch of handgun rounds but for rifle and small batches of handgun rounds(50-100) I use a Redding T-7. It gives me the strength and accuracy of a single stage but allows me to avoid changeing dies for each process. I use a Hornady powder thrower mounted on a stand when useing the Redding. I also use a RCBS 5-10 scale but if I was to change anything I would try one of the electronic powder thrower scale combos probably the Chargemaster.

Mike

[Deleted]

My progressive is a 550 Dillon too, but I did have to replace my single stage Hornady 007 a few years back because I just plumb wore the old one out. Hornady and I divorced over the cost of repair parts, although they maintained their presses never had a life time warranty. I bought a Redding Big Boss, and have been totally happy with it. I simply don't buy major tools that don't have a lifetime warranty anymore. Hornadys primary reason seemed to be because they changed the press color a few years earlier (to bright red), so therefore my press was discontinued.

[contender]

Well, the question was about single-stage presses. I'll throw in my meager opinion for an older RCBS Rockchucker. I own two of them, and use them a lot. But when I want volume,, I have a pair of Dillon SDB's, a 550 & a 650.
But the Rockchucker still commands a lot of use.

[Deleted]

I use single stage a lot for load development myself. I'm an incurable experimenter and it's quicker to change the SS around whilst experimenting.