April 27, 2007, 03:50 PM | #1 |
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New press or piggyback?
Hi guys,
I have an ancient Rockchucker Dad bought some time back inthe 70s. We used it to reload many thousands of rounds, and when Dad died I brought it over to my house and have been using it since I got back into shooting. As I start shooting more and more I find myself wishing I could get through reloading a little more quickly. I usually do 100 to 200 at a time and switch between .38 S&W (for the Webley MK IV), .38 SPL, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and occasionally .222 and 22-250. I'm also thinking about a .45 auto, which would of course eat ammo at least as quickly as the wheelguns. Probably quicker. I've seen the Piggyback conversion for the RC mentioned, and see them for sale used on eBay occasionally. Used prices seem close to reasonable. The new ones are almost as much as a new Dillon progressive, and I don't think they'll fit my old Rockchucker anyway. Opinions seem to differ on the Piggyback, so I'll ask this: Given the choice between adding a Piggyback to the old press, or picking up a new Dillon 550 (about $329 locally, last time I looked), which will I be happier with in the long run? I'm not worried as much about money as I am hassle reduction. I'll pay more for less messing around, especially for changing from .38 to .357 to .44. I'm kind of leaning toward the Dillon, but am unsure of how much extra I'll be spending on accessories that I wouldn't with the Piggyback (or vice versa). If I do get the Dillon I may just leave the Rockchucker set up for short runs like I do for the Webley - I don't shoot it much. |
April 27, 2007, 05:31 PM | #2 |
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If I were you, I'd get a new machine, and keep the Rock Chucker set up for those little jobs that require a single stage. The best of both worlds.
And the Dillon 550 now has the option of adding a casefeeder if you so desire.
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April 27, 2007, 05:44 PM | #3 |
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Get a progressive.
I'd look seriously at a Hornady Lock-N-Load or a Dillon 550. |
April 27, 2007, 07:05 PM | #4 |
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Lee Classic Turret--most economical iron/steel auto-indexing turret press.
With the Dillon, before you know it, you'll have $5-600 into it and still won't be done.
Get a Lee Classic Turret Press--the best cast iron and steel auto-indexing press available today. See a great discussion of it here-- http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2...ress/index.asp Buy one here, with everything you need--if you don't need dies, that lowers the price that much more-- http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products.../KempfKit.html With this machine you'll be able to easily load 200 rounds / hour, a production rate that you probably never could achieve with a single stage press like the Rock Chucker. Good press, but slow. If you shoot 3-400 rounds per week the cheapest way to go, and the most solid press, is the Lee Classic Turret. |
April 27, 2007, 07:45 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
I have two 550s and they each came w/everything the machine needed to operate. |
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April 27, 2007, 07:56 PM | #6 |
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"Nonsense. Bought new, it will come with everything it needs to load except dies and components."
Actually, I agree with benedict. The press is one thing. But, then you'll want the strong mount, different handle, loading tray, etc...
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April 27, 2007, 08:44 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
The Classic Turret is auto-indexing and built like a tank! For about 150 bucks the thread starter would be several notches above where he is now, with money to spend on components or even another gun. |
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April 27, 2007, 08:52 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
I went to the range today - or what passes for one now, anyway. Indoor 12-lane 25 yard range, $6 per half hour. Went through almost 50 rounds in the Webley before I encountered my very first squib load. Then another 100 or so through the S&W M-28, trying to see if Federal primers fix the misfire issue I've noticed when firing DA (they do). I think it's got a light mainspring. OK, the primers don't FIX the problem, but they mask it well. Anyways, while I was shooting I got to thinking about how much I really reload. Yeah, a couple hundred here and there, but mostly fairly small batches and not weekly, more like monthly. I figure I'll wait on it for now. If I start shooting substantially more, or pick up an auto, I'll probably get a progressive and keep the Rockchucker mounted for the rifle & Webley ammo. Of course if Santa or my darling bride bring me a new press for Fathers Day, my birthday or Christmas, I'll probably go ahead and use it. |
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April 27, 2007, 10:27 PM | #9 | |
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You don't need a strong mount and the standard handle is fine. Neither of mine has the roller handle and only 1 has a strong mount - because the seller bought it that way; not because I thought it was necessary. "Loading tray?" Get real. That's for single-stage presses..... The 550 comes with a tray for the cartridges; bullet trays may be handy, but hardly necessary. |
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April 28, 2007, 07:51 AM | #10 |
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NEW PRESS or Piggyback?
Go with a new press!
I had one of the 1st Piggybacks that RCBS came out with. The darn thing was nothing but a buch of springs and gadgets THAT DIDN'T WORK. My advice is to get a real progressive press and use the old single station for sizing.... |
April 28, 2007, 09:02 AM | #11 |
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"Want" and "need" are different concepts."
Well, Number6, I guess you're right. Can't argue with that. BUT, as DBotkin stated in a round-a-bout way, as there's a Harley-Tax there's a Dillon Tax. Lots of accessories to buy to make your reloading experience a little easier. And that's the context of what I'm trying to convey. Seems to me that you might be a little bit too legalistic or don't understand that there's very few Harley riders out there that owns a bone stock bike... ""Loading tray?" Get real. That's for single-stage presses....." Well, I guess this makes me wrong again...I'll be more careful on not crunching the eggshells....
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April 28, 2007, 09:43 AM | #12 | ||
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Quote:
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April 28, 2007, 01:38 PM | #13 |
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The first question is will your Rockchucker take a Piggyback? Does it have the removeable nut to accept larger dies on top, that is where the PB mounts.
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April 28, 2007, 02:11 PM | #14 |
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I don't have much more than $600 in my 650, w/case feeder.
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April 28, 2007, 04:20 PM | #15 |
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removeable nut to accept larger dies
YES!
The Rockchucker has the removeable nut. You can use the HORNADY L-N-L system on it after you remove the "not". Heat, a hammer and, a good wrench will be required. |
April 28, 2007, 05:42 PM | #16 |
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For what you pay for the Dillon, you can get a Hornady LnL, get some free bullets and be better off than if you'd of bought either the RCBS Piggyback or a Dillon 550. Here's a comparison of the LnL against a 650:
http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillon...Comparison.pdf I didn't write this, but found it to be a very fair and objective evaluation. If you don't want to spend the kind of money the 550 or Hornady LnL costs, I'd look real hard at the Lee Classic Turret presses. BTW, I've owned a 550 and got rid of it for the Hornady LnL and I also own the Lee Classic Turret. The Hornady smoked my 550 and the Lee is what I load my low to medium volume milsurp ammo on because of the inexpensive caliber changes, plus I keep my LnL free for high volume cartridges. Regards, Dave |
April 28, 2007, 08:14 PM | #17 |
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I got a NEVER-USED 550 for fifty cents on the dollar from a guy who:
1. Got married; AND 2. Took up motorcycles right after buying the press. His loss; my gain. Had I NOT been so fortunate, I'd almost certainly have purchased a new Hornady LNL. True progessive for the same or less money; easier to change powder settings and 1,000 free bullets - what's not to like? |
April 28, 2007, 11:47 PM | #18 |
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Piggybacks
There have been four versions of the Piggyback. The first two were horrible. Starting with the Piggyback III, however, the problems went away. These use the APS strips which are excellent. I own two. EXCELLENT machines.
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April 29, 2007, 01:59 PM | #19 |
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When I bought my 650, Hornady had not yet started selling their Dillon knock-off casefeeder for more money than the Dillon case feeder from which the knock-off was knocked-off.
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