load testing

[Chetc]

i have a Dillon 550B that i have set up for my 9mm loads, when i am doing load testing the 550b does not fill the bill effectively, example have to remove the powder measure and ect, been thinking of getting a set on the Lee 4 dies set and use my other non progressive presses, i have 1 few powder measures and presses laying around that are set up on my benches. it is a little costly initially but was thinking it might be the way to go, anyone else in the same boat.

thanks
Chet

 

[BigBore45]

Since the powder shortage i have been loading almost all on the lee classic turret because i am changing and testing powders. Once i find a powder charge combo i like i am hesitant to switch over the dillon because i'm already set up on the lee and only load 500-1000 rounds. setting up the dillon is time consuming and i really have to have alot to load for me to set it up.

 

[41 Mag]

I have around half a dozen powder measures, about that many or more presses and one progressive out of the bunch. ( course I have been picking it up a little here and there for 30+ years too)

I ALWAYS work up new loads for both handgun or rifle using the single stage press and one of the other measures. It is far faster to change the weights and such of the charges and when I find what works it is noted and can easily be set to the measure on the progressive.

I posted this pic in another thread or three of my range set up, but it works equally well setting on the end of a table here at the house,

If you do a bit of looking you can usually find a decent price on the powder measures on fleabay. I picked all but one of my Uniflows up there for less than $40 delivered. These also came with both large and small drums. Just don't get hung up on one and pay more for it than you can get a new one for. I would do a search for them and then throw in $30 or so bucks on it depending on the condition and if I won fine if not fine. Sometimes there are a dozen or more going at one time so you can sometimes find what you want for what you want to pay.

For a second press for little jobs it is hard to beat one like that little Lee pictured above there. It might look cheesy, and well it is, but the one pictured has loaded several thousand rounds of ammo and will still do what is needed from it. I think I picked a couple of them up for around $30 on sale from Midway. I also use the Lee priming tool as well for these type jobs as it is just as fast as trying to use the ram prime type. I mean your not actually looking to load up 2-300 rounds just for testing out a load, and for amounts of a hundred or less these type set ups are far faster IMO than adjusting everything else on my progressive.

Figure a set of the Lee shell holders for around $20, a set of Lee dies for about the same, the press, powder measure, and a priming tool, if you got it all would run less than $150. That's if you bought most of it brand new. You can hardly take your wife or sweetie out to a good dinner and movie for less anymore.

 

[Blue68f100]

It's not uncommon to have multiple set of dies. Most use a SS to workup there loads. Once found, they move over to the progressives for higher production rates. There are only a few occasions where you can use the same dies without resetting them.