Keep Rockchucker After Dillon 550 ?

[Cardinal]

I had been loading on an RCBS Rockchucker for about 7 years, but I just switched to a Dillon 550.

I am totally impressed with the 550. The volume of rounds it cranks out is amazing to me. However, I am just as impressed with the quality of each of the 4 stages. I really do not see any way in which a single-stage performs any single function in the process better.

My question is whether anyone can suggest a reason to keep the single-stage (other than that it might be useful to have a backup)?

Thanks

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[ConcernedCitizen]

I'd keep it for larger rifle calibers.

 

[DizzyJ]

Keep it for other jobs such as decapping and so forth. Trust me. You'll be glad you did.

If not, I'll take it off your hands for $50

 

[Crohnos01]

I have a rockchucker I use all the time even though I have a Dillon 650, a Hornady LNL, and a MEC Grabber for shot shells (I may have an addiction problem)

The single stage is what I use for my large rifle calibers and load development in handgun rounds. Nothing sucks more than to Ioad a couple hundred rounds in short time on your progressive that your handgun doesn't like.

 

[Retired Guy]

I've had my 550B for a very long time but I still have a single stage press. Sometimes when you're working up a load and just want to load 10 rounds, it's easier on the single stage. Especially when the 550 is set up for .44 Mag and you want to load 5.56.

 

[jordanka16]

I still have a rockchucker, a lee single stage, turret and hand press. I still find a use for all of them, I still use my rockchucker for load development on new cartridges I get, before I get the expensive caliber conversion, or for the few cartridges that dont have a 550 conversion, you never know you might want to shoot .577 snider someday.

 

[BSAshooter]

I agree with everyone above. I've got 2 Dillons, but still use my Rockchucker for reloading small lots of ammo.

 

[KKG]

Yes, to all of the above plus:

At some point your Dillon is going to do something like not loading the bullets properly or not feed the primer or maybe a powder charge gets doubled or ......

That just one of the times you will find a need for a Single Stage Press.

 

[Cardinal]

Thanks. All good reasons to keep it, so I will.

 

[BWH]

A rock chucker will never let you down. Nothing has the feel of finese like the RC. I will never sell mine.

 

[JimBob]

I still use my RC for all of my large rifle cartridges, like the 30-06 and 338Lapua. It is also my go to tool for pulling bullets. I could not imagine life with it.

 

[Cardinal]

Thanks again for the replies. I should also have mentioned that I currently only load pistol calibers. I will keep it.

 

[bbbass]

I should also have mentioned that I currently only load pistol calibers.

Information is like hugs. Don't be stingy!!

 

[Member 5605]

Always keep the old workhorse. Good for bulk resizing when you don't want to do it on a progressive.

Time to invest in exchangeable press base plates.

 

[jordanka16]

Always keep the old workhorse. Good for bulk resizing when you don't want to do it on a progressive.

Time to invest in exchangeable press base plates.

Indeed, the inline fabrication quick change base plate system is fantastic. Takes less than a minute to swap presses, and it is rock solid.

 

[Stomper]

Information is like hugs. Don't be stingy!!

Are you sure about that?





Some of us give hugs like this....

 

[bbbass]

Are you sure about that?





Some of us give hugs like this....

I see English is not your first language... more like goo goo, gah gah!

 

[JimBob]

Indeed, the inline fabrication quick change base plate system is fantastic. Takes less than a minute to swap presses, and it is rock solid.

Plus 1 on Inline Fab QC Base. I have a plates for both my Dillons, the RockChucker, my MEC, and my bench vise. Saves space and is much more convenient.

 

[ageingstudent]

Thanks again for the replies. I should also have mentioned that I currently only load pistol calibers. I will keep it.

Yeah if you aren't in a hurry to sell it and you have room keep it. Even for pistol only there's a lot of utility to be had from a ss press. Decapping first to prep (clean) and store brass in large quantities that you want to use later, sizing and forming brass for that "odd" caliber that you might fall in love with someday, perhaps sizing cast bullets someday for your handguns so you can shoot more and spend a little less...lots of reasons to keep the ss around. Keep the Dillon set up for quality production where it really shines (less changing = better consistency) and use the ss for detail work.

M

 

[Cardinal]

Thanks for all of the good ideas. I have the Inline Fab quick change already, so the Single stage will stay hanging in a bracket on the wall until I need it.