Roller handle for press

[Collo Rosso]

Have loaded on a Dillon 550 and a RCBS rock chucker for years. A bit ago I sized about 300 300blk cases on the 550. The next mourning that big muscle at the base of the thumb on my right hand was very sore and tender. I couldn't load or make a fist for 2 weeks. Never had anything like that before! I then sized 250 5.56 cases on the rock chucker seeing if it made a difference. It did, didn't think I was going to be able to finish. Wound up swapping the handle to the left side and using just my left hand. My right hand was cramping so bad I couldn't use it to load the case. Sucks getting old.
Anyway, anybody go to a roller handle from Dillon or Inline for something like this and find it easier on your hands?

 

[Doriangray6]

Dillon sells a roller handle that works with several of their presses and Inline Fabrication sells several roller handles for Dillon and RCBS presses.
A friend of mine has both a Dillon progressive and a RCBS Rock Chucker press and has roller handles on both and says they really make a difference when doing big batches of reloads so I've been considering upgrading my presses with them.

 

[kraynky]

I put a roller handle on my 550 about a month after I bought it (30 years ago) and I've never experienced any discomfort using it. I'm quite happy with the press and the roller handle. It seems to spread out the pressure point on my hand. Good investment.

 

[Nightowl]

I really like the Inline better than the Dillon. The Inline has about a 4 inch offset which give much more room to make the downstroke while sitting, as I do. My neighbor has the Dillon roller handle on his, but his is a standing set up with the Strong mount. It works fine for his set up. I was experiencing sore hands with the standard ball set up when reloading for 3-400 round session. The roller handle makes a huge difference in comfort.

 

[FivePews]

I put an Inline Fabrication roller handle on my Dillon XL750 right off the bat and have never had an inkling to change it since. No problems with my hands when using it. I remember that the "ball handle" that came with the Dillon felt unnatural to me and was irritating my rotator cuff (handle was too high and low during loading). I'd guess the roller is 3 or 4 inches lower when the handle is in the up position, and 3 to 4 inches higher when in the down position. Good stuff for old guys!

My left hand is the one that cramps up like crazy while placing bullets in the turret. Wish I could pick up a bullet feeder, but they don't work with wadcutters.

 

[Model52guy]

View attachment IMG_3014.mov
I don’t have a rotator cuff in my right shoulder any more so I built this

 

[Collo Rosso]

Thank you all for the replies. My 550 sits on a Dillon mount and the RCBS on a Inline. I stand when I reload. Will be ordering a roller handle, just don't know which one. Both presses will eventually have one.
That is sweet Model52guy! Been doing pneumatics for 40 years and have thought of something like that, Trouble is I'm stuffed in a small laundry room because we still have 2 adult children at home.. but that's a whole other problem...

 

[Skeet 028]

Rolle handlesssfor presses are worth using for cerrrrrain. That sid in long time loading batches of ammo....Take a bit of time off...even 10 minutes or so..The progressives make up for the breaks you take anyway. I use 'em on my 550,750 1050s and the Spolar shotshell PW loaders and even the T-7 .turrets

 

[Leonard]

Many years ago installed one on my Rock Chucker, like it much better than the original handle.

 

[fordson]

I have roller handles on both my RCBS PRO 2K & my Dillon xl650. Works well for both. Would recommend using them over the OEM ball type handle. Both are In-Line.

 

[gym cat]

Coincidence--- Senior here. Went to the hand doctor for same reason, lots of reloading, turning wrenches, weight lifting, tennis (still do a fair amount) took ex-rays, right thumb has arthritis gave me a thumb brace and perscribed Celebrex. He talked about Aleve and issues with kidneys, hot water soaks are good. I also have roller handles on my 1050 and 550, I also use a thick piece of foam pipe insulation which I feel helped a lot. Take breaks after loading a few hundred rounds, you do not want to get into chronic hand pain situation.
Just my experience.

 

[Collo Rosso]

If you go by USPSA, I'm a super senior! That's depressing... Carpel tunnel both wrists doesn't help either.
I played at both presses with where the roller handles would be and felt the ergo handle from Inline was not what I was looking for. With both on risers, at the down stroke both knobs were just above my hip. Read a review were they found the ergo handle to high on the downstroke and it killed leverage. Wasn't sure reaching farther in at the top of the stroke was ideal either. I felt the position of the knobs was fine, it's the knob itself beating my palm up. I wound up ordering the standard height handle for the RCBS and a Dillon roller handle for the 550. They'll be here next week and we'll see how they work out.