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Reloading Press selection / Removable-quick change press mount selection:
I was originally leaning towards Inline Fabrication Quick Change Ultramount for Dillon 650/550 and Lee ABLP/Pro 4000 and 2018 version Pro 1000. Then I sold the 650 with case feeder when wife and I were looking at needing to sell our house to move to another state to care for my aging parents and I narrowed my press collection from 15 presses to Dillon 550 (To load rifle calibers) and ABLP (To load pistol calibers).
Thankfully, we didn't have to move but 12 of 15 presses were gone and over 90% of my reloading components were liquidated also. So I considered getting 750 with case feeder to replace 650 and even thought about FA FX-10 which was "Coming Soon" vaporware for over a year, so I lost interest.
Then Six Pack Pro/Pro 6000 was released (And you all know about my involvement as beta tester for Lee Precision) followed by 2023 Breech Lock Pro 1000 both with new priming system. Now that SPP got all the early production identified issues resolved with updated parts (Calvin sent me updated carrier cover/priming pin, slower twist index bar and new design 5 tube case feeder with case retaining gate to essentially address the last remaining issue of case feeding that was not press related - I will update in both SPP/Pro 6000 and 2023 Pro 1000 threads), both SPP/Pro 6000 and 2023 Pro 1000 are running reliably to where I am happy with SPP/Pro 6000 enough to not need Dillon 750 anymore. (ABLP/Pro 4000 kit was PIF to my sister/BIL who moved to Texas and wanted to start reloading) And 2023 Pro 1000 is fast becoming my favored press again for fast load development/caliber changes and when I started processing thousands of military crimped .223/9mm brass, Calvin sent over new Deluxe APP with primer pocket swager (So I may end up using Deluxe APP for fast universal depriming, primer pocket swaging, priming and leave SPP/Pro 6000, 2023 Pro 1000 and Dillon 550 set up for testing/load development/progressive reloading).
And since Lee Precision is now offering standing discount on all my purchases, it didn't take much pondering to go with Lee Bench Plate system since most of my presses are now Lee Precision (SPP/Pro 6000 kit, 2023 Pro 1000, Deluxe APP and Dillon 550). Another reason for choosing Lee Bench Plate over Inline Fabrication Ultramount is my Husky bench from Home Depot has height adjustable top so I can easily adjust for stand up reloading and comfortable sit down reloading.
Bench plate was mounted to Husky portable castered adjustable height bench with metal plated under the bench top for reinforcement and nylon locking nuts. Dillon 550 will be mounted dedicated on secondary portable castered reloading bench.
UPDATE: Reloading setup cost total (We are fast approaching $4000 already):
Bench Plate placement location was intentional as I wanted the reinforcement bottom plate as close to the bench metal frame (Black welded steel frame) to minimize stress on the wooden bench top
With small footprint of the Bench Plate, most of bench top is usable with presses removed for AR upper/lower assembly, mounting of scope on MTM Tactical Range Box, etc.
I was originally leaning towards Inline Fabrication Quick Change Ultramount for Dillon 650/550 and Lee ABLP/Pro 4000 and 2018 version Pro 1000. Then I sold the 650 with case feeder when wife and I were looking at needing to sell our house to move to another state to care for my aging parents and I narrowed my press collection from 15 presses to Dillon 550 (To load rifle calibers) and ABLP (To load pistol calibers).
Thankfully, we didn't have to move but 12 of 15 presses were gone and over 90% of my reloading components were liquidated also. So I considered getting 750 with case feeder to replace 650 and even thought about FA FX-10 which was "Coming Soon" vaporware for over a year, so I lost interest.
Then Six Pack Pro/Pro 6000 was released (And you all know about my involvement as beta tester for Lee Precision) followed by 2023 Breech Lock Pro 1000 both with new priming system. Now that SPP got all the early production identified issues resolved with updated parts (Calvin sent me updated carrier cover/priming pin, slower twist index bar and new design 5 tube case feeder with case retaining gate to essentially address the last remaining issue of case feeding that was not press related - I will update in both SPP/Pro 6000 and 2023 Pro 1000 threads), both SPP/Pro 6000 and 2023 Pro 1000 are running reliably to where I am happy with SPP/Pro 6000 enough to not need Dillon 750 anymore. (ABLP/Pro 4000 kit was PIF to my sister/BIL who moved to Texas and wanted to start reloading) And 2023 Pro 1000 is fast becoming my favored press again for fast load development/caliber changes and when I started processing thousands of military crimped .223/9mm brass, Calvin sent over new Deluxe APP with primer pocket swager (So I may end up using Deluxe APP for fast universal depriming, primer pocket swaging, priming and leave SPP/Pro 6000, 2023 Pro 1000 and Dillon 550 set up for testing/load development/progressive reloading).
And since Lee Precision is now offering standing discount on all my purchases, it didn't take much pondering to go with Lee Bench Plate system since most of my presses are now Lee Precision (SPP/Pro 6000 kit, 2023 Pro 1000, Deluxe APP and Dillon 550). Another reason for choosing Lee Bench Plate over Inline Fabrication Ultramount is my Husky bench from Home Depot has height adjustable top so I can easily adjust for stand up reloading and comfortable sit down reloading.
Bench plate was mounted to Husky portable castered adjustable height bench with metal plated under the bench top for reinforcement and nylon locking nuts. Dillon 550 will be mounted dedicated on secondary portable castered reloading bench.
UPDATE: Reloading setup cost total (We are fast approaching $4000 already):
- Bench - Home Depot Husky portable castered adjustable bench $250
- Scale - Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 $350
- Check weight set - Troemner 200 gr to 0.5 gr ASTM Class 6 $28
- Calipers/Standards - Measuring tools, check weights and pin gages ~$200
- Scope ring/mount torque wrench - Tekton 10-150 in lb $60
- Brass tumbler - Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler $175, Branson ultrasonic cleaner $PIF
- Reloading press - Six Pack Pro/Pro 6000 kit $340 (5 tube case feeder with case gate $39), Dillon 550 $665, 2023 Pro 1000 $235 (5 tube case feeder with case gate $39), Deluxe APP $133 (Primer Pock~et Swage for APP $60 MSRP)
- Quick change press mount - Bench Plate $28 + Blocks $13
- Portable press - Hand press $53 (For powder work up at the range using processed and primed brass)
- Range box - MTM Tactical Range Box $60 (Range reloading/tool/cleaning storage)
- Powder measure - C-H 502 $141, Deluxe PPM $66
- Powder measure stand - Lee Precision $40 (Portable/Range reloading)
- Reloading equipment/tool storage - Husky 36" 12 drawer rollaway $700 (Work in progress - Finalizing drawers to be picture ready)
- Reloading component storage - Wire shelving unit 48"x18"x72" $130 (600 lbs per shelf)
Bench Plate placement location was intentional as I wanted the reinforcement bottom plate as close to the bench metal frame (Black welded steel frame) to minimize stress on the wooden bench top
With small footprint of the Bench Plate, most of bench top is usable with presses removed for AR upper/lower assembly, mounting of scope on MTM Tactical Range Box, etc.
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