Help & a couple Questions

[toxic111]

OK, first thing first, my buddy broke our reloader trying to size some cast bullets... No big deal, except it is a Lyman turret press (older style) and they dont' make or have parts for it any more. So if anyone has one they are wanting to get rid of cheap I am all ears..


The next thing, since we can't get parts for it, we are thinking about getting a new press. So after doing a little bit of research we are looking at the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme (with the piggyback 4 system) or the RCBS Pro 2000.

We are also looking at the Dillon AT500 or Square Deal B.

Since we have been reloading for a couple of years now, we have all our dies that we need for a single stage press. But are starting to reload for handguns (I have a .40S&W) and my buddy has a .223 that will get fed lots through the summer on gophers. So I like the thought of a progressive. Cost is an issue too, so we might look at ones we can just upgrade.

So I am looking for opinions and ideas, so any comment will be helpfull!

[denton]

Don't overlook the Lee Classic Cast... made of cast iron, and, at $60, seems to be as strong and well designed as any alternative.

[Rocky Raab]

If you want to go progressive, there's no better choice than Dillon. That AT-500 is kind of a hybrid. It's set up as a sort of manual progressive where you do one cartridge at a time through each die in order. The shell holder has the four most common sizes on it, so you use the correct one and cycle the case through each die, rotating the shellholder manually each step. It can be converted to the 550 model with a kit if you want to do that later.

The Square Deal B comes set up with ONE set of dies. If you load thousands of -let's say- 38 Special, it's fine. But it's a pain to switch calibers and it only does pistol-size rounds.

If I broke (!!!) my press today, I'd order the AT-500.

[toxic111]

Thanks Rocky.. that is where I was thinking.. the Dillon is about $100 more than the rockchukcer, but everyone is saying go with blue.. lol

[Catfish]

Check your funds and see if you can come up with enough money for the 550 Dillon. I`ve been loading on on since the 1980`s and would buy a better press if there was one on the market. I have tool heads set up for a bunch of different round, both rifle and handgun and 2 tool heads set up for a couple of rounds that I want both a FL and neck sizer. I fired alot of groups under 1/2 moa with ammo loaded on it. I will make one more suggestion. If you are going to be loading cast bullets for your handguns get Dillon dies. Wax builds up inside the dies with cast bullets and they have to be cleaned every so often. With Dillon dies there is a snap pin on the top of the die that can be pulled out and the insides of the die pushed out the bottom and cleaned without ever takeing the die out of the press. Over the years I`ve loaded with about every kind of dies on the market, and will still use most, but I`ll only use Dillon for loading large volumes of cast bullets.

[Jack]

If I were gonna buy a progressive, I'd get a Dillon, no question about i.

[TreeDoc]

In the long run the AT500 will cost you more to get it converted to a 550B if you plan to do so than if you were to buy a 550B right off the bat. If you can't swing a new 550B then I would strongly suggest you shop the ebaY aisles. There is always tons of Dillon stuff being sold off and I have found some screamin' deals on components for my 2 550B's. I have also witnessed some great prices on entire 550 presses....so good I almost bought them to turn them locally but I have so much Dillon Blue in my shop I just couldn't do it!

[toxic111]

Thanks TD.. Right now I can't swing the 550B, as they are over $600 up here... even the AT is over $300.. more than the budget actually allows, but I thought it would be the best way to get started.... But I will check ebay.

[Rocky Raab]

I just learned something yesterday at a gun show.

The local Dillon distributor ays that the AT-500 will be discontinued soon. (Lack of sales, as always). Service and the warranty will continue, of course. But it won't be in the catalog.

[toxic111]

hmm... don't know if that is good or bad.. I might have to do some more thinking..

[highthrill]

D 550 for sure......

sc

[toxic111]

Well after some thought & discussion with my reloading partner, we got the old press fixed for about $70. Some welding and machine work and she is as good as new.