my favorite piece of equipment I've ever bought was an RCBS charge-master. it made loading a charge much faster and easier. before I had an RCBS 505 scale that I still use on precision loads. but the RCBS charge master has my life much easier. I was wondering what equipment everyone else has bought that made life easier or just works flawlessly.
favorite equipment
- Thread starter souther33
- Start date
jwrowland77
New member
The Hornady Auto Charge and Auto Progressive.
Progressive presses are the machines I have bought that help the most.
I have also built many automated machines that save time like, tumblers, case sorter, roll sizer, annealer, bullet caster, bullet sizer and automated progressive presses that save tons of time when combined over doing everything manually and generally do it with better precision than by hand as well.
I have also built many automated machines that save time like, tumblers, case sorter, roll sizer, annealer, bullet caster, bullet sizer and automated progressive presses that save tons of time when combined over doing everything manually and generally do it with better precision than by hand as well.
USPSA will tell you...
2014 survey of USPSA handgun nationals:
83% handload their own ammo
of those 83% that handload, 95% use Dillon. Hornady 2%, Lee 2%, RCBS 1%.
What this means? Those that shoot for competition and NEED quick & accurate loads good enough to win competitions rely on Dillon.
I started on a Hornady LNL progressive (I didnt know any better!). I now used a Dillon 650. The hornady just collects dust! There is no comparison between the precision of design between the two. Ive had so many issues with the Hornady. I had to call them 10 times since I owned it 3 years ago for random issues that sprang up and had to get replacement parts. Ive NEVER called Dillon. Im not hating on the Hornady LNL, it works fine. I laughed at an advertisement they had saying they are the "fastest caliber conversion press" on the market today. It takes me a good 10 mins to change calibers and get things working in tune with the LNL. I can quickly change the Dillon 650 in under 60 seconds.
Everything about Dillon has more thought put into it. Many people dont know this, the same guy Dillon who created the reloading machines also invented the Mini-Gun! You know that gatling gun from the movie Predator & Terminator 2?
I am a USPSA, 3-Gun, & IDPA competitor. I shoot/reload ~1,500 rounds/ month.
2014 survey of USPSA handgun nationals:
83% handload their own ammo
of those 83% that handload, 95% use Dillon. Hornady 2%, Lee 2%, RCBS 1%.
What this means? Those that shoot for competition and NEED quick & accurate loads good enough to win competitions rely on Dillon.
I started on a Hornady LNL progressive (I didnt know any better!). I now used a Dillon 650. The hornady just collects dust! There is no comparison between the precision of design between the two. Ive had so many issues with the Hornady. I had to call them 10 times since I owned it 3 years ago for random issues that sprang up and had to get replacement parts. Ive NEVER called Dillon. Im not hating on the Hornady LNL, it works fine. I laughed at an advertisement they had saying they are the "fastest caliber conversion press" on the market today. It takes me a good 10 mins to change calibers and get things working in tune with the LNL. I can quickly change the Dillon 650 in under 60 seconds.
Everything about Dillon has more thought put into it. Many people dont know this, the same guy Dillon who created the reloading machines also invented the Mini-Gun! You know that gatling gun from the movie Predator & Terminator 2?
I am a USPSA, 3-Gun, & IDPA competitor. I shoot/reload ~1,500 rounds/ month.
I spent so much time researching and selecting my equipment that I can truly say that most parts I own are my favorite equipment.
- Loading up in single stage batch mode: Redding T-7 turret press
7 Stations on 1 head hold currently 2 sets of dies for 5 calibers. I can go through batches without having to dial in the dies again and again. There is zero wobble with this 30 lbs press.
- Cleaning brass: Frankford wet tumbler with SS pins.
I love the windows on both sides of the barrel. A quick glance tells me when the brass is clean without having to open it up. The brass looks like new inside out.
- Priming with hand tool: The Stainless Steel Benchrest Quality Primer Tool from 21st CenturyShooting is top notch. I can prima pretty much as fast as using the primer tube on my press but with 10 times better feel and micrometer depth adjustability. http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/S.S_FQUY.php
- Dies: Redding Competition Pro dies are hard to beat. Especially the seater and crimp dies with micrometer.
- Powder measure: RCBS ChargeMaster. Extremely accurate and convenient.
- Die lock rings: Hornady! I can use a wrench on them, they don't damage the die threads like the Redding rings and I don't have to fiddle around with a stupid rubber ring either.
- Loading up in single stage batch mode: Redding T-7 turret press
7 Stations on 1 head hold currently 2 sets of dies for 5 calibers. I can go through batches without having to dial in the dies again and again. There is zero wobble with this 30 lbs press.
- Cleaning brass: Frankford wet tumbler with SS pins.
I love the windows on both sides of the barrel. A quick glance tells me when the brass is clean without having to open it up. The brass looks like new inside out.
- Priming with hand tool: The Stainless Steel Benchrest Quality Primer Tool from 21st CenturyShooting is top notch. I can prima pretty much as fast as using the primer tube on my press but with 10 times better feel and micrometer depth adjustability. http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/S.S_FQUY.php
- Dies: Redding Competition Pro dies are hard to beat. Especially the seater and crimp dies with micrometer.
- Powder measure: RCBS ChargeMaster. Extremely accurate and convenient.
- Die lock rings: Hornady! I can use a wrench on them, they don't damage the die threads like the Redding rings and I don't have to fiddle around with a stupid rubber ring either.
Hard to say what order, but I'm not planning on parting with them as they make my life easier, and loading enjoyable.
Charging rifle cases. Rcbs chargemaster
Trimming rifle brass: cts bench mounted trimmer
General rifle case prep: rcbs case prep center
Media separator that works great for rifle brass: dillon cm 500
The manual trim pro, trickler, and ohaus 505 scale are not getting much use these days.
Charging rifle cases. Rcbs chargemaster
Trimming rifle brass: cts bench mounted trimmer
General rifle case prep: rcbs case prep center
Media separator that works great for rifle brass: dillon cm 500
The manual trim pro, trickler, and ohaus 505 scale are not getting much use these days.
Not quit, this is an example of false thinking and misstatement of fact. It is too broad a statement to necessarily be correct. You have to remember that there is only one winner in the competition so the statement "99% or the majority of the losers use Dillon equipment" is just as correct and also misleading. Also it does not state what percent of those where sponsored or provided equipment by Dillon. Companies tend to want there name associated with winners of these type of events.
If I had to take a guess as to the distribution of reloading equipment (presses) on the benches of the MILLIONS of re-loaders, I would guess it goes something like this:
Out of 2,000,000 reloaders:
Lee - 30 % = 600,000
RCBS - 50 % = 1,000,000
Hornady - 10 % = 200,000
Dillion - 5 % = 100,000
Others - 5 % - 100,000
I have both Lee and RCBS on my bench, so do I count as one re-loader or two? Some have three or more different brands on their bench, how do you count them? And what about all those that reload shotgun does MEC have the majority of the press market there, yes?
So the statement that 95 % of re-loaders do not want or have Dillon equipment might be just as correct as your statement about competition shooters as well. Be VERY CAREFUL when you start to throw statistic around or they might bite you in your reloads.
Have fun, stay safe and my favorite is my RCBS Charge Master 1500.
Jim
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Dillon did not invent the modern Mini-Gun. General Electric did and most were manufactured in the 1960s. By 1975, manufacturing of spare parts ceased and by 1985 the parts were exhausted. The existing Mini-Guns in US military inventory fell into disrepair. About 1990 Dillon obtained some Mini-Guns and spares from overseas. Dillon repaired and improved the design of these guns and the US Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, who depended on Mini-Guns found out about what Dillon was doing and invited them for lunch. Dillon began to repair and replace the guns for the 160th and in 2003 Dillon was certified to supply the rest of the US military with newly designed and built Mini-Guns.
My Lyman 55 powder measure is the single tool that I love most, never lets me down. With it and a Lee Classic Cast - and a Lee Pro-1000 that is used only for size/prime/flare, I load more than the guy above with the Dillon and I do it across more than a dozen different calibers.
Shot 900 rounds on Easter.
Shot 900 rounds on Easter.
JIM243.
you are using circular reasoning to discredit the statistics I posted. A, Therefore B. B, therefore A. blah blah blah.
you obviously do not use Dillon or probably never had the opportunity to use such. I smell jealousy. I'm sure you probably have never competed in shooting sports either.
I can tell you first hand that so few people are sponsored by Dillon that it does not change people's minds to use their products in the competition world. Even so, those who are good enough to actually be sponsored by a reloading press company are most likely sponsored by ammunition manufacturers and therefore using them, and thus not included in the statistic of those hand loading their own for competition.
99% of losers use such and such? Really are you kidding me? Shooting sports are not a Zero-Sum Game. There are prizes for those who are not 1st place. I was ~20th place in a USPSA Multigun Nationals and walked away with ~$800 is prizes. I went home feeling like I won.
I have first hand personal knowledge of what many of the BEST shooters in the world are using. I shoot and compete with and against them. Who are you? Many articles are written about competitors who use what and why. Why would anyone care to read and believe in such things? Maybe because they were tested by expert hands and went through many trails before they were chosen as the best equipment to use when it matters. Its the same reasoning as to why people typically run to buy "mil-spec" or whatever the military is using.
You are warning me about false statistics when you, yourself are throwing bogus numbers out there, based on your minimal theoretical knowledge of the industry as a whole. Are the majority of people who reload actively in shooting competitions? I doubt it. I wish more people competed.
I presented actual numbers documented from one of the most prestigious shooting competitions in the world. Most of the people here read and take people's opinions and make educated decisions to buy things based on that information. I'm presenting more than just "guesses on distribution". You present an uneducated guess, based on feelings. I presented actual numbers by actual experts/pros. It should be taken as a very valuable piece of information for people to use and to make better informed decisions. You on the other hand tried to pick it apart and discredit good information and later throw out guesses. That is just sad and unnecessary.
---------------------
OOPS
ok I may have overstated that Dillon invented it. I should've said he practically re-invented it. He improved the overall design. That's incredible for that type of mechanical weapon system! Same credit should be given to Dillon for being a mechanical genius to see through the issues and fix them and make them better.
you are using circular reasoning to discredit the statistics I posted. A, Therefore B. B, therefore A. blah blah blah.
you obviously do not use Dillon or probably never had the opportunity to use such. I smell jealousy. I'm sure you probably have never competed in shooting sports either.
I can tell you first hand that so few people are sponsored by Dillon that it does not change people's minds to use their products in the competition world. Even so, those who are good enough to actually be sponsored by a reloading press company are most likely sponsored by ammunition manufacturers and therefore using them, and thus not included in the statistic of those hand loading their own for competition.
99% of losers use such and such? Really are you kidding me? Shooting sports are not a Zero-Sum Game. There are prizes for those who are not 1st place. I was ~20th place in a USPSA Multigun Nationals and walked away with ~$800 is prizes. I went home feeling like I won.
I have first hand personal knowledge of what many of the BEST shooters in the world are using. I shoot and compete with and against them. Who are you? Many articles are written about competitors who use what and why. Why would anyone care to read and believe in such things? Maybe because they were tested by expert hands and went through many trails before they were chosen as the best equipment to use when it matters. Its the same reasoning as to why people typically run to buy "mil-spec" or whatever the military is using.
You are warning me about false statistics when you, yourself are throwing bogus numbers out there, based on your minimal theoretical knowledge of the industry as a whole. Are the majority of people who reload actively in shooting competitions? I doubt it. I wish more people competed.
I presented actual numbers documented from one of the most prestigious shooting competitions in the world. Most of the people here read and take people's opinions and make educated decisions to buy things based on that information. I'm presenting more than just "guesses on distribution". You present an uneducated guess, based on feelings. I presented actual numbers by actual experts/pros. It should be taken as a very valuable piece of information for people to use and to make better informed decisions. You on the other hand tried to pick it apart and discredit good information and later throw out guesses. That is just sad and unnecessary.
---------------------
OOPS
ok I may have overstated that Dillon invented it. I should've said he practically re-invented it. He improved the overall design. That's incredible for that type of mechanical weapon system! Same credit should be given to Dillon for being a mechanical genius to see through the issues and fix them and make them better.
I owned Dillon presses decades before I shot competitively.
They work just as good as others and yes others load ammo just the same, assuming your using the same dies. IMO Dillon's load faster with less problems than other progressives and a lot faster than a single stage but with more problems (never had a case feeder, bullet feeder or primer feeder problem on a SS).
They work just as good as others and yes others load ammo just the same, assuming your using the same dies. IMO Dillon's load faster with less problems than other progressives and a lot faster than a single stage but with more problems (never had a case feeder, bullet feeder or primer feeder problem on a SS).
My favorite was my first press (and still attached to the bench, along with several others). That was my Lyman Spartan. Simple press bought in mid 70's as a kit, and everything is still in service except the scale which someone walked off with from my shop (yes, I have numerous visitors).
Next in line would be my Redding Big Boss II, for the super slickness of operation and ability to handle anything.
Next would be my Lee Turret, for the genius of engineering and execution of design (plus I supply some contract parts to Lee (I own a powder metal parts making business)).
Next in line would be my Redding Big Boss II, for the super slickness of operation and ability to handle anything.
Next would be my Lee Turret, for the genius of engineering and execution of design (plus I supply some contract parts to Lee (I own a powder metal parts making business)).
9mmSkeeter
New member
My lee challenger single stage press has been good - but what I'm most impressed with is my Lyman pistol dies. Never a problem, both steel and carbide. I've had problems with the other "big three" (rcbs/Lee/Hornady)
I got some more used lyman dies in the mail today - two sets to be exact - and it just furthers my love for these dies. Worth the little extra money for overbuilt dies and heat treated molded decapping pins.
I got some more used lyman dies in the mail today - two sets to be exact - and it just furthers my love for these dies. Worth the little extra money for overbuilt dies and heat treated molded decapping pins.
Geezerbiker
New member
My in-line Fab mount for my RCBS press. Reloading is so much better when it's up where I can see it. Also it's nice not to have the arm of the press not hit me in the crotch...
Tony
Tony
JeepHammer
Moderator
I still have my RCBS Rock Chucker.
Until they invent a more rigid, accurate press, I'll keep it.
I have a Lee Turret Press.
Which GREATLY speeded things up when I cranked out 'Plinking' rounds.
Not quite as accurate as a Rock Chucker, but great for small runs when you are just loading a few new powder/bullet change samples to see how they run.
Caliber changes consist of new turret and shell case holder.
...Easy under 30 seconds.
For 'Production' I use a Dillon XL650 which I have about TWO MONTHS in the last two years 'Tinkering' on to get running,
It's always SOMETHING not quite right with that Dillon...
Changing Shell plates, feed ramps, feed inserts, case feeder nipples, ect. is EXHAUSTING if you aren't doing several at a time
(The reason the Lee Turret got mounted on the new bench)
And if you switch primer size when you change caliber,
It's dinking with the internal tube for the primers, pulling the primer assembly and changing the feeding disk, changing the primer punch under the ram head, ect.
Not to mention using primer pick up tubes for the correct size primer.
Busy work to get a full caliber change, but with enough accessories, it will load almost everything I shoot, which is saying something...
From large cases to small cases takes at least a half hour, if not more,
And that's only if you have run the caliber before and have the dies already set up, an extra powder charge thrower already set up, ect.
-----------
This is correct as far as I know, which is about '94 when I stopped working on them.
General Electric was contracted to build a modern 'Gatling Gun'.
Singer (sewing machine people) made a bunch of the small mechanical parts, while GE provided gear cases and electric motors, and was the overall contractor.
The first version was the GAU2,
Which is what you see the most of in movies and such.
It was much smaller/lighter weight than the later Dillon Areo 134/134A
Failure with the GAU2 was normally accredited to the guys running well past the cyclic rate of fire recommended, which was a maximum of 3,000 Rounds Per Minute,
The field troops found out very quickly how to burn almost 6,000 Rounds Per Minute, wearing the gun out and breaking parts.
(When someone is shooting at you, you crank up the cyclic rate of fire! We were glad to fix them...
When you break them in training, we get a little frustrated.)
There is nothing quite like the damage done when something breaks, jams up in something cycling 3,000+ rounds a minute, the breakage was often catastrophic.
The original parts contract was for 7 years, so anything we could get was left over from Viet-Nam or shortly after,
And it's strange getting parts in boxes marked
'Singer Sewing Machine Company'...
(which Singer hasn't made sewing machines for decades,
The name lives on, but Singer makes missile parts now.
The GAU series was supposed to be for special operations troops/aircraft,
But field grunts being who they were, mounted them on everything from tripods to trucks & boats just as fast as they could acquire them.
Following the lead from WWII convoy troops, the guys in Viet Nam built 'Gun Trucks' to support convoys,
The update in Viet Nam was the addition of 'Mini-Guns',
Which they used to great effect!
They can be found sticking out the side of the old 'Specter' (Spooky, Puff The Magic Dragon) propeller driven aircraft in various bore/caliber...
The bigger brothers of the little 7.62 GAU 2 & 134 have been built in 20mm M61 'Vulcan', 25mm GAU12 and even the big daddy of them all,
The 30mm GAU8/8A tank buster the Air Force built the A-10 'Warthog' jet airplane around.
The Navy has the Phalanx (M61 Vulcan 20x102mm) & GoalKeeper (30mm GAU8, GAU12U/GAU13A, 30x173mm)
Some are driven by electric motors, others driven by hydraulic motors.
I don't know if it's a myth or not,
But there was supposedly a 5.56mm version built also.
Never seen one, just heard the stories.
Until they invent a more rigid, accurate press, I'll keep it.
I have a Lee Turret Press.
Which GREATLY speeded things up when I cranked out 'Plinking' rounds.
Not quite as accurate as a Rock Chucker, but great for small runs when you are just loading a few new powder/bullet change samples to see how they run.
Caliber changes consist of new turret and shell case holder.
...Easy under 30 seconds.
For 'Production' I use a Dillon XL650 which I have about TWO MONTHS in the last two years 'Tinkering' on to get running,
It's always SOMETHING not quite right with that Dillon...
Changing Shell plates, feed ramps, feed inserts, case feeder nipples, ect. is EXHAUSTING if you aren't doing several at a time
(The reason the Lee Turret got mounted on the new bench)
And if you switch primer size when you change caliber,
It's dinking with the internal tube for the primers, pulling the primer assembly and changing the feeding disk, changing the primer punch under the ram head, ect.
Not to mention using primer pick up tubes for the correct size primer.
Busy work to get a full caliber change, but with enough accessories, it will load almost everything I shoot, which is saying something...
From large cases to small cases takes at least a half hour, if not more,
And that's only if you have run the caliber before and have the dies already set up, an extra powder charge thrower already set up, ect.
-----------
This is correct as far as I know, which is about '94 when I stopped working on them.
General Electric was contracted to build a modern 'Gatling Gun'.
Singer (sewing machine people) made a bunch of the small mechanical parts, while GE provided gear cases and electric motors, and was the overall contractor.
The first version was the GAU2,
Which is what you see the most of in movies and such.
It was much smaller/lighter weight than the later Dillon Areo 134/134A
Failure with the GAU2 was normally accredited to the guys running well past the cyclic rate of fire recommended, which was a maximum of 3,000 Rounds Per Minute,
The field troops found out very quickly how to burn almost 6,000 Rounds Per Minute, wearing the gun out and breaking parts.
(When someone is shooting at you, you crank up the cyclic rate of fire! We were glad to fix them...
When you break them in training, we get a little frustrated.)
There is nothing quite like the damage done when something breaks, jams up in something cycling 3,000+ rounds a minute, the breakage was often catastrophic.
The original parts contract was for 7 years, so anything we could get was left over from Viet-Nam or shortly after,
And it's strange getting parts in boxes marked
'Singer Sewing Machine Company'...
(which Singer hasn't made sewing machines for decades,
The name lives on, but Singer makes missile parts now.
The GAU series was supposed to be for special operations troops/aircraft,
But field grunts being who they were, mounted them on everything from tripods to trucks & boats just as fast as they could acquire them.
Following the lead from WWII convoy troops, the guys in Viet Nam built 'Gun Trucks' to support convoys,
The update in Viet Nam was the addition of 'Mini-Guns',
Which they used to great effect!
They can be found sticking out the side of the old 'Specter' (Spooky, Puff The Magic Dragon) propeller driven aircraft in various bore/caliber...
The bigger brothers of the little 7.62 GAU 2 & 134 have been built in 20mm M61 'Vulcan', 25mm GAU12 and even the big daddy of them all,
The 30mm GAU8/8A tank buster the Air Force built the A-10 'Warthog' jet airplane around.
The Navy has the Phalanx (M61 Vulcan 20x102mm) & GoalKeeper (30mm GAU8, GAU12U/GAU13A, 30x173mm)
Some are driven by electric motors, others driven by hydraulic motors.
I don't know if it's a myth or not,
But there was supposedly a 5.56mm version built also.
Never seen one, just heard the stories.
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