single stage or progressive for niche caliber

[6string]

Hi Folks,
If you were set up with both an RCBS single stage press and a Dillon 650, which would you choose for loading a cartridge that would most likely only be an occasionally used "niche" cartridge?

In this case, it would be a .41 Magnum. I load for most of the "usuals" and and few of the "unusual". My typical practice is to load the offbeat stuff on the RCBS.
But, I have a line on a good deal for a 650 conversion kit for .41 Magnum.

Maybe I'm wrong, but the .41 seems to be more or an exploratory cartridge, where playing with different loads reaps a lot of rewards. By contrast, something like 45 ACP is pretty much "Bullseye and a 185-200gr SWC" situation, where the load is largely fixed and I mostly just crank them out.

The former = RCBS single stage
The latter = Dillon 650

On the other hand, the bargain hunter in me says otherwise...

Thoughts?

Thanks!!
Jim

 

[glenwolde]

The problem with .41's is once you start shooting one they turn from "niche" into "everyday" pretty quick. Mine did.

But it somewhat depends on how much brass you have. For a progressive I think you need at least 1,000 pieces or it's not worth the conversion.

Mine went from the single stage (Lee Classic Cast) to the Dillon (RL 550 conversion from a RL 450). But my Dillon is easier to convert I think than a 650?

I'd probably get the conversion anyway if it's a deal.

 

[cracker57]

so if you play around and find a load your gun loves and shoots bug holes, will you still play with different loads. Once I find a load I can't improve on, its to the progressive press to punch out a bunch.
I would get the conversion kit, find a load that can't be improved on with the single stage, than move to the Dillon.
that's my 2 cents worth

 

[rockquarry]

so if you play around and find a load your gun loves and shoots bug holes, will you still play with different loads. Once I find a load I can't improve on, its to the progressive press to punch out a bunch.
I would get the conversion kit, find a load that can't be improved on with the single stage, than move to the Dillon.
that's my 2 cents worth

It's good to have a single stage avaialble anyway, even if you intend to use a progressive for most of your handloading. A single stage's versatility is unmatched by progressive machines and there are some handloading procedures that are easier to do with a single stage. For load development, a single stage is a much better press to work with.

Granted, if you're loading a lot of cartridges with the same load, progressives will save you time.

 

[Yendor357]

Progressives (not the liberal kind like AOC - they’re pretty worthless) are for 9M, 45ACP, and 223; high volume.

Single stages are for Tweakers (not the meth-heads, they’re equally worthless), always looking to develop that magic load.

To cloud the issue further, you can tweak on a progressive. But you can’t really crank volume on a single.

 

[rockquarry]

Progressives (not the liberal kind like AOC - they’re pretty worthless) are for 9M, 45ACP, and 223; high volume.

Single stages are for Tweakers (not the meth-heads, they’re equally worthless), always looking to develop that magic load.

To cloud the issue further, you can tweak on a progressive. But you can’t really crank volume on a single.

True, it's possible to fine-tune loads on a progressive; just much more convenient to do it on a single-stage or turret press.

 

[mtgianni]

How many rounds a week will you shoot it? How many in a month? What is your available time for reloading?

If over 200 a week, get the progressive. If you measure free time in hours and shoot 8 cylinders full a week, stay with single stage. 48 rounds in 45 minutes should be very doable including set up time.

 

[mtgianni]

How many rounds a week will you shoot it? How many in a month? What is your available time for reloading?

If over 200 a week, get the progressive. If you measure free time in hours and shoot 8 cylinders full a week, stay with single stage. 48 rounds in 45 minutes should be very doable including set up time.

 

[weatherby]

A deal is a deal so if you want to shoot more than niche....get it.
If not no reason to get it.
Spock would agree

 

[Krogen]

If the price is decent, I'd go ahead and get the conversion kit. Good to have it waiting in the wings. It doesn't have to be used right away.

I have a Dillon 550 and use it only for bulk ammo. I much prefer a single stage press or even an arbor press for precision rifles. I use the Dillon somewhat reluctantly.

I'm in a bit of a dilemma right now. I need to make another batch of .357 Mag lead bullet cartridges for Lever Action Silhouette. I'm not looking forward to to loading 500 or so cartridges on a single stage press. Use the Dillon? So far, I'm undecided. Analyses paralysis; more likely over-analysis paralysis!

To your question: Buy it!

 

[max]

I would get the conversion and use the Dillon. I am a fan of the .41, but have not fired it in years. I have a number of rounds I loaded years ago. I played around with loads and settled on 7 grains of Unique and a cast swc. I also loaded a few magnum jhp loads and am saving them for something.

 

[gwpercle]

Single Stage .

A progressive is good for Quantity of one load , one bullet , same powder charge ... time after time with no changes . They can be a bear to get everything running right and most mishaps occure with inattention and a Progressive .

If you reload many different cartridges , with different bullets and different powder charges ... go with a single stage ... More versatile and easier and quicker to make changes .

I started reloading in 1967 with a single stage ... I now have 5 single stage presses but have never found the need for a progressive ...
I just don't shoot enough of one thing ... I'm always trying new powders and new bullets !
Good Luck and Load Safe
Gary

 

[oldman10mm]

Have you considered a turret press ? Don't have to remove the die and replace it for the next step, if you need to 'backstep' just rotate the turret. I think turrets are available with 4, 6, or 8 positions. I have 3 Lyman 4 position turret presses.

 

[6string]

Thank you for your considered replies!

I set up and use the Dillon 650 in some non-typical ways.
For example, I’ve installed an expander die with a powder tube and funnel in place of the powder measure.
For rifle cartridges, this lets me use a weighed charge instead of a measured charge. This works pretty well for trying different charge weights of a new powder when the bullet and seating depth settings don’t require fiddling.
It’s not the fastest way to use a progressive, as I have to weigh a powder charge with each handle stroke, but is still quite time efficient.

Other times, I’ll just use the progressive auto-indexing feature to deprime a pile of fired cases, with nothing else done, prior to tumble cleaning them.
It adds more work and time, but I like to clean primer pockets and visually inspect my brass.

And…Other times, it’s just easier to grab a die set and shell holder off the shelf and load one box of ammo using the RCBS.

By the way, I have a modified Lyman .41 cal mold for what was a 210 gr SWC using a gas check. The mold was machined to eliminate the gas check step in the base, making it a plain base bullet.
This will be the only .41 bullet I intend to use for the time being.
(I don’t intend in being gouged for .41 cal jacketed bullets or gas checks!)

 

[dave1918a2]

The 41 will soon become one of Your favorite guns to shoot. If You are getting a good deal on the conversion kit go for it. I tweak 41 loads on My 550. Just change the powder measure. Once You find loads You really like just use that Dillon like You own it.

 

[lrrifleman]

I have both presses, an RCBS Junior and a Dillon 550B. I don't shoot my wheel guns as much as I would like, mostly because I haven't had the time to cast. While I do have a 41, I purchased the Dillon conversion, "just to be on the safe side".

Currently, most of my Magnum ammo, like my precision rifle ammo, are put together on the single stage. But, if I get caught up on my casting, then I will jump onto the Dillon.

Get the conversion kit!

 

[.38SuperMan]

I have a Rock Chucker and a Square Deal B Al’s load all of my rounds I shoot often on the SDBand my niche rounds on the RCBS single stage. I load 357 Magnum, 32 S&W Long, 38 S&W and my 44 special and magnum on the RCBS and 6 calibers on the SDB. Part of the reason is Dillon doesn’t produce dies for 38 S&W and the volume I shoot in those calibers isn’t enough to justify the cost of a caliber conversion and die set.

I also have dies for the Rock aChucker for many of my favorite calibers so if I want to use a different bullet or produce a variation of, let’s say, 45 LC I can run a handful of rounds on the RC very easily and quickly without any fuss.

 

[rockquarry]

I probably shoot no more than about 10,000 rounds of handgun ammo yearly, but continue to do load development with some cartridges using cast bullets. I've had four progressives over many years and got rid of all of them as my volume didn't really justify their use.

My Texan turret press that I bought used more than forty years ago is sufficient for my needs, but I still keep three single stages handy for rifle cartridges: a Co-Ax, a Redding Ultra Mag, and an RCBS Big Max. While the Co-Ax is less versatile than the others, all can be used to load handgun ammo.

Someone just mentioned setup and changeover times and fine tuning progressives. There can also be considerable expense. If I was doing high volume loading with a progressive and loading no more than two or three different cartridges and had load development out of the way, I'd buy a machine for each cartridge - a great convenience.

 

[dwh]

If you’re going to get deal on the conversation kit go for it. You may find that you enjoy the 41 mag enough that you start to shooting it more often. If don’t end up justifying the progressive press setup you can always sell it here.

 

[AJ]

I use a Lyman Turret Press for my loading. I can put two sets of pistol dies in a turret. I have five turrets and can change the head out with one bolt and a shell holder. Works for me. I have used a single station and progressives, much prefer the turret press.