After 35 years should I upgrade my press?

[Billy Jack]

I have been using an RCBS Rock Chucker Jr. single stage press since 1978, I load a few 270's, quite a few 44's, and more and more 45-70's. It does a job that satisfies me and I enjoy the slow methodical pace of the reloading process.
However, it is slow.
A big day of shooting for me is like last Sunday. I shot maybe 50 rounds of 45-70's at targets to sight-in some new sights. I hunt and will, if lucky shoot 3-4 rounds a month at hogs.
I am not unhappy with what I have, I just like to stay somewhat up to date with current technology and methods.
Am I missing out on anything by not upgrading to a turret press or some type of progressive.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

No need with a monthly round count that low. No reason not to upgrade if you want to, either.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I jumped into reloading head first a couple years ago by buying a Hornady LNLAP as my first press. It may not have been the best decision but I carefully figured out the process and have yet to do anything to cause me or any firearms any harm. But along the way I also figured out that a good single stage press is necessary, if only from time to time. Judging by the calibers you reload and the volume of shooting you describe, I don't think you're missing out on much by not "upgrading." Now when you say "quite a few .44's," are you talking 50, 100, 200 per month or are you talking more like 500 or less per year? If I were in your situation and wished to load 50+ .44's per month, I think I'd consider getting a turret press just for that and keep loading the rifle calibers on the single stage. If you only have one .44 load you could set up that turret and never have to mess with it, just verify your powder charge and seating depth/crimp every reloading session and get at it. For over 200 rounds of .44 per month a progressive might be the way to go depending on how much free time you have.

If you want something to speed up your single stage without getting a turret or progressive, you might want to consider getting a Hornady LNL bushing conversion...if your press allows for the use of 1-1/4 -12 threaded dies. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/858110/hornady-lock-n-load-press-and-die-conversion-bushing-kit Install the conversion bushing (a bit of torque and blue Loc-tite) and put your dies into the LNL bushings http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1165277407/hornady-lock-n-load-die-bushings <---extra bushings. You'd have to adjust your dies but once they're locked in they tend to stay put. Now it won't save you a whole lot of time as some people are eager to point out, but if you like/want to reload several calibers in one session, it can save you a decent amount of time switching dies.

 

[horsemen61]

That is a question you will have to answer yourself did I NEED a Lee classic turret press nope does it make my life easier heck yes

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Lee Classic turret press will speed up your handgun production but for rifle ammo I would stick with the single stage. (180 to 200 handgun rounds per/hour on the turret)

 

[medalguy]

I agree. If it ain't broke......

 

[gamestalker]

I probably shoot 3 or 4 times that much, and I've been perfectly happy using my two singles for better than 30 yrs.. I personally love the hands on, eye's on process of a SS, and the potential precision it's so capable of delivering.


But I'm sure if I had a more demanding ammunition need I would step up to something faster, as least for handgun. I'll never step away from single for bottle neck, exception being for AR type rifles and such.

GS

 

[Kurastduuks]

For that volume I would stick with single stage. I load the vast majority of my ammo on a single stage and have always been very happy with my ammo quality. And I shoot much more than what you described.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I use a brace of singles as well - as I have for the last dozen years. One is set up purely for powder measure and cartridge mouth belling, the other is general duty.

It may not be as fast as some systems, but I trust the result a lot more.

 

[Billy Jack]

Thanks for the great comments.
Guess I'll just stick with what I have. Would like to try the 2 single stage presses method, but I don't have that much room on my loading bench which is also my general workbench.

 

[Dframe]

To answer the basic question. NO. If you like your present arrangement there is NO reason to change it. One of my presses is a Lyman Spar-T that I bought used in 1969. It still functions perfectly and is used regularly. The ONLY advantage the fancier presses offer is speed. If cranking out a LOT of ammunition is a necessity for you, Buy a newer press. If your reloading is of the casual "Time well spent" variety just keep using that wonderful old RCBS,

 

[Potatohead]

I have the LCT and really like it but I really think I couldve gotten by with a single stage and not lost out on much. I batch everything anyway. So Im kind of in the opposite boat.

 

[MADDOG]

Keep going with the one you have. I'm still using a 1984 3 hole Lee Turret Press. I had some problems and I sent it back to Lee. The rebuilt it and sent it back. If they think it's worth rebuilding it's good enough for me. BTW Lee fixed it at No Charge.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

You CAN'T upgrade your press.

You can speed up your reloading. I don't think a turret press would speed things up noticeably though I have and enjoy a T7 for some purposes - mostly to leave dies and especially Redding Instant Indicators setup.

I think the LNL AP is the best buy but I'd suggest buying a 550. If you like it great, if not the turnover can be called a rental fee and it won't be a very expensive experiment.

But you can't upgrade though you can speed up.

 

[Zeke/PA]

My reloading is done with a Hollywood Press that is AT LEAST 50 years old and it has served me very well over the years. I have however a Dillon progressive for loading my .38 and .45 Auto ammo.

 

[arspeukinen]

Keep the RCBS.
I have the cheapest C-frame Lee (it was 30€ new) next to it for random stuff and it's a great combo for rifle/revolver rounds.

If you loaded say 500-2000 rounds in one go then a progressive press would be useful. I use Dillon 550 for "mass ammo" (9mm/.45/.380).

 

[dickttx]

The reason I went from a Lee Classic Turret to a LnL APis because it only takes 105 pulls of the lever to load 100 rounds, rather than the 400 pulls on the LCT. My shoulder really appreciates the change. I didn't really need the additional speed as I usually shoot about 200 rounds per week.
Depending on your volume a LCT might be beneficial for the 44's. You probably would not gain much with the rifle loads.
So, unless you are 70+ years old, or have some other impediment, you are probably in good shape.

 

[JWH321]

I'm going to upgrade my Rock Chucker when it wears out. The folks will be returning from Mars about then.

 

[Billy Jack]

Funny

Luckily I am not 70+...... YET..... only 68!
So I guess I have a year or so to go before my "impairment" sets in.

Sounds like the older reloading stuff still commands respect as do the older firearms.........now if we can just get same for "old shooters".

 

[BYJO4]

For the amount that you reload based on your comments, there is no reason to change presses after all these years. However, if you just want something new to play with then go far it.

 

[GaryL]

You CAN'T upgrade your press.

I think the LNL AP is the best buy but I'd suggest buying a 550. If you like it great, if not the turnover can be called a rental fee and it won't be a very expensive experiment.

This pretty much echos my thoughts. A single stage is nice to have on the bench, and a Rock Chucker would be a very good choice for that. I think you would be surprised at how much you'd like the 550b. You could start using it like a 4 station single stage, and after a few pulls at each station, switch over to 1 complete round per pull. Warning - it's addicting, and there's a risk you'll soon find a need for an auto-unloader.

 

[lauderdale]

Had Hart set on T-7 Now i'am really thinking! Have SDB DILLION,Have completed most all calibers you can do on it/as it is limited, and want to venture out on rifle, Crimp/style which I will have to. Was Given a reality vocabulary check the other day while ask but received some great info.28th Rotater cuff MRI My prob. is patience but learning! I'am hooked and want on the ammo train! I'am about 100 miles from Bass pro. and rcbs,hornadey are plentiful! More research and a lil. prayer.

 

[dickttx]

"Funny

Luckily I am not 70+...... YET..... only 68!
So I guess I have a year or so to go before my "impairment" sets in.

Sounds like the older reloading stuff still commands respect as do the older firearms.........now if we can just get same for "old shooters"."

Billy Jack, that is a looong time for west Texas!!

 

[W.E.G.]

Change nothing.

The progressive press is something that one should get only out of necessity.

Otherwise, it would be like giving up your reliable pickup truck for a school bus.

Why would you drive a school bus unless you needed to transport a mob of urchins?

 

[GW Staar]

Change nothing? Only problem with that mentality, is it ain't real. We change! and not all for the better.

I'm only 64 and 5 years ago, I was happy with my 40 year-old Rock Chucker ....still like it fine, don't every plan on parting with it, but that's not to say I can't add to the fun. What's more useful and fun to do with your hard earned cash after retirement? Buy rocking chairs? Guns, yes, but I had enough of those.....and I didn't shoot them enough mainly due to the fact that I was hoarding ammo, and not shooting it, because it took too much time to replenish it........hey!, That's me.

When you start getting glimpses that you are on the down hill slide, time becomes more precious. I started noticing (and being irritated with) the bottle necks that made my reloading slow. It was still fun, but was becoming less so with so many rounds I wanted to load & shoot, and too little time to get it done.

That's when I researched the hobby a bit and became convinced the guys who were loading on progressives were having more fun!

So I bought a progressive! Damn, that was fun! Using it is even funner!! Buying the goodies to go with it was fun. Then it amplified the other bottlenecks like trimming....doing away with those bottlenecks was fun.

So now, 5 years later, I shoot more....don't worry a lick about shooting up my ammo stash....and I have way more fun replenishing it, one round per stroke of the press. And there's a bonus...I have more time to do other things I like to do too. I call that win/win.

I say keep what you got (you'll still need and use it), but buy what you think will make this last quarter of your life more enjoyable! Indulge yourself...having weathered 68 years...you earned it!