How long to change calibers on your press???

Cupcake · February 29th, 2008, 02:37 PM

And how many rounds per hour can your press put out? Please mention make and model. Some friends and I are thinking of buying in together, and we'll need to do several calibers in a given day. Wondering how much day we'll waste just changing calibers, and how many rounds extra we'd need to reload per caliber-session to offset that time.

Airedale · February 29th, 2008, 03:26 PM

I have two Dillon 550Bs. I don't track rounds per hour but would guess 400-500 would be fairly easy (possibly more). I don't reload for speed or for hours at a time.

Caliber conversion is easy. I have tool heads set up for each caliber I reload. I can switch calibers in less than five minutes without hurrying. If you need to switch from large to small primers, it takes a few minutes more. I have two 550bs simply so one can stay as a .45ACP press and the other .38 Spc, .38 Super, .40 S&W.

I bought both of mine used off Ebay and have had no problems. Dillon has the no BS lifetime warranty but I've not needed it.

Dave

HotGuns · February 29th, 2008, 03:28 PM

That depends.
I've got a Dillon 550b.

If the primers are the same size, say a large pistol primer, then the time will be reduced.

Lets say I am loading .45 ACP. I remove the tool block (3 seconds) and place another tool block with the dies for a .44 in it. (3 seconds). Now I change the shell plate, from one that fits .45 to one that fits .44. That'll take about 2 minutes, counting removing and replacing the buttons. If I have to remove the powder measure and put it on the other tool block, add a couple of more minutes.

Changing primer sizes takes about 5 minutes.

Getting the powder measure to drop the right charge can go anywhere from fast to slow...its just trial and error. Drop,measure, adjust,drop,measure,adjust over and over till you get it right.

Out of all the presses our there, I'd say the Dillon is the fastest to change from one caliber to the other...but like any other there are alot of variables.

I've got 18 tool blocks with different calibers set up, so its a simple matter of changing it out. I also have several powder measures, so that helps reduce the time.

The average reloader can do 450-500 rounds an hour with no problem once they get set up and cranking. Of course, that varies with the operator and their methods.

Sharp · February 29th, 2008, 05:08 PM

I use a single stage RCBS Rock Chucker, and changing dies only takes a matter of seconds. The amount of time it takes depends on how fast you can screw...

aus71383 · February 29th, 2008, 06:52 PM

I use a Redding Ultramag single stage press. I can do 50-100 an hour depending if I'm trying to go fast or not. 50 is a piece of cake. I have a Hornady Lock-N-Load bushing on it so I can switch dies in about a second. I like it....probably not what you're looking for though.

Austin

fatboy97 · February 29th, 2008, 07:30 PM

I have a Dillon 550B and am reloading all small primer, so it is very quick... 5 minutes or less to change out dies and pins, but a few more minutes to change the powder load.

Usually I reload a couple hundred per hour, because I double check everything every 50 or so rounds.

Cupcake · February 29th, 2008, 07:42 PM

I see. I was somehow under the impression that it took from 20-40 minutes to change calibers on the dillon. That's what I get for listening to my idiot friends instead of coming to you guys first.

So then, at what caliber does the primer go from the small one to the big one? (am I even correct that there is only 2 sizes?)

HotGuns · February 29th, 2008, 07:58 PM

It takes considerably longer on the Dillon 650 and 1050.

Small primers are 9mm,.40sw and below.Pretty much everything else is large,like .45ACP,45LC and .44.

Rifle primers can be either size. Large pistol and large rifle are the same size as well as small pistol and small rifle.

fatboy97 · February 29th, 2008, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cupcake

I see. I was somehow under the impression that it took from 20-40 minutes to change calibers on the dillon. That's what I get for listening to my idiot friends instead of coming to you guys first.

So then, at what caliber does the primer go from the small one to the big one? (am I even correct that there is only 2 sizes?)

The Dillon 550B is quick... I've heard that the 650 may take a bit longer to change.

Yes, pistol primers come in two sizes (small and large). I reload 9mm and .40S&W, and both use small primers and they use the same shellplate on the Dillon 550B. Check this site out: Dillon Precision RL 550B Caliber Conversion Cross Reference Chart

I will be adding .38 dies sometime this year and they use small primers as well, but it will require a little more work to change out the shellplate.

Tubby45 · March 1st, 2008, 12:16 AM

I can do a full caliber change on my Dillon 550 in 5-7 minutes including primer system change.

The Lee Classic Turret I can change out in 20 seconds, then calibrate the powder measure.

I use the RCBS Rockchucker as more of a utility press for bullet pulling, reforming brass into other cartridges, etc. Don't ever load on it.

February 29th, 2008, 02:37 PM	#1
Cupcake VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,664	How long to change calibers on your press??? And how many rounds per hour can your press put out? Please mention make and model. Some friends and I are thinking of buying in together, and we'll need to do several calibers in a given day. Wondering how much day we'll waste just changing calibers, and how many rounds extra we'd need to reload per caliber-session to offset that time. __________________ Stupidity is not a crime...so you are free to go.

February 29th, 2008, 03:28 PM	#3
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 5,184	That depends. I've got a Dillon 550b. If the primers are the same size, say a large pistol primer, then the time will be reduced. Lets say I am loading .45 ACP. I remove the tool block (3 seconds) and place another tool block with the dies for a .44 in it. (3 seconds). Now I change the shell plate, from one that fits .45 to one that fits .44. That'll take about 2 minutes, counting removing and replacing the buttons. If I have to remove the powder measure and put it on the other tool block, add a couple of more minutes. Changing primer sizes takes about 5 minutes. Getting the powder measure to drop the right charge can go anywhere from fast to slow...its just trial and error. Drop,measure, adjust,drop,measure,adjust over and over till you get it right. Out of all the presses our there, I'd say the Dillon is the fastest to change from one caliber to the other...but like any other there are alot of variables. I've got 18 tool blocks with different calibers set up, so its a simple matter of changing it out. I also have several powder measures, so that helps reduce the time. The average reloader can do 450-500 rounds an hour with no problem once they get set up and cranking. Of course, that varies with the operator and their methods. __________________ AR. CHL Instr. To achieve world government, it is necessary to remove from the minds of men, their individualism, loyalty to family traditions, national patriotism, and religious dogmas.' Dr. G. Brock Chisolm

February 29th, 2008, 07:30 PM	#6
fatboy97 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Land of 10k Lakes Posts: 858	I have a Dillon 550B and am reloading all small primer, so it is very quick... 5 minutes or less to change out dies and pins, but a few more minutes to change the powder load. Usually I reload a couple hundred per hour, because I double check everything every 50 or so rounds. __________________ Be Observant and Be Safe. Current Collection: Glock G26, G19, G23C, SIG P226-40 TT, Ruger GP-100, and 22/45 MKII Former Collection: Taurus 92SS, SIG P220 TT, S&W 360, SIG P239-40

February 29th, 2008, 07:42 PM	#7
Cupcake VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,664	I see. I was somehow under the impression that it took from 20-40 minutes to change calibers on the dillon. That's what I get for listening to my idiot friends instead of coming to you guys first. So then, at what caliber does the primer go from the small one to the big one? (am I even correct that there is only 2 sizes?) __________________ Stupidity is not a crime...so you are free to go.

February 29th, 2008, 07:58 PM	#8
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 5,184	It takes considerably longer on the Dillon 650 and 1050. Small primers are 9mm,.40sw and below.Pretty much everything else is large,like .45ACP,45LC and .44. Rifle primers can be either size. Large pistol and large rifle are the same size as well as small pistol and small rifle. __________________ AR. CHL Instr. To achieve world government, it is necessary to remove from the minds of men, their individualism, loyalty to family traditions, national patriotism, and religious dogmas.' Dr. G. Brock Chisolm

February 29th, 2008, 03:26 PM	#2
Airedale Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 421	I have two Dillon 550Bs. I don't track rounds per hour but would guess 400-500 would be fairly easy (possibly more). I don't reload for speed or for hours at a time. Caliber conversion is easy. I have tool heads set up for each caliber I reload. I can switch calibers in less than five minutes without hurrying. If you need to switch from large to small primers, it takes a few minutes more. I have two 550bs simply so one can stay as a .45ACP press and the other .38 Spc, .38 Super, .40 S&W. I bought both of mine used off Ebay and have had no problems. Dillon has the no BS lifetime warranty but I've not needed it. Dave

February 29th, 2008, 05:08 PM	#4
Sharp Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: FL Posts: 79	I use a single stage RCBS Rock Chucker, and changing dies only takes a matter of seconds. The amount of time it takes depends on how fast you can screw...

February 29th, 2008, 06:52 PM	#5
aus71383 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,696	I use a Redding Ultramag single stage press. I can do 50-100 an hour depending if I'm trying to go fast or not. 50 is a piece of cake. I have a Hornady Lock-N-Load bushing on it so I can switch dies in about a second. I like it....probably not what you're looking for though. Austin

March 1st, 2008, 12:16 AM	#10
Tubby45 Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: In the reloading room Posts: 1,988	I can do a full caliber change on my Dillon 550 in 5-7 minutes including primer system change. The Lee Classic Turret I can change out in 20 seconds, then calibrate the powder measure. I use the RCBS Rockchucker as more of a utility press for bullet pulling, reforming brass into other cartridges, etc. Don't ever load on it. __________________ Freakshow Manufacturing LLC "You can kill it. We can help." 07 FFL/ 02 SOT

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