Press for processing brass

[JB.IC]

Looking to upgrade my single stage press for processing brass. Only two stations are needed: FL Resize(without expander) and Mandrel. This is for rifle brass.

Was thinking about a Dillion but they seem to be over featured for what I’m looking for.

Again this press is only going to be used for FL Resizing and Mandrel. Processing up to 600 pieces at a time; multiple times a month.

 

[Sheldon N]

A Dillon 550 is where I would point you. I'd also suggest depriming prior to the FL die, seems to run smoother and keep your FL die cleaner that way. No extra work since you can run 3 stations at once, deprime, FL, mandrel. That's how I run all my rifle brass.

600 pieces could be done in an hour or a little less.

 

[JB.IC]

A Dillon 550 is where I would point you. I'd also suggest depriming prior to the FL die, seems to run smoother and keep your FL die cleaner that way. No extra work since you can run 3 stations at once, deprime, FL, mandrel. That's how I run all my rifle brass.

600 pieces could be done in an hour or a little less.

I definitely de-prime in its own step. I’m not getting into the weeds of what I do for reloading. Just want a press that will let me do two operations with one stroke.

I’ll check out the 550 again.

 

[FishDr]

Sheldon N has given a good recommendation, and I whole heartedly agree. Don’t want to get into your weeds (lol), but the 550 would allow a lot of flexibility and modularity for various calibers or if things change in future. With the extra station, you could also trim, chamfer, debur (if desired) all in one step. Dillon, Lee, others make a powered unit that will perform this function admirably.

 

[JB.IC]

Sheldon N has given a good recommendation, and I whole heartedly agree. Don’t want to get into your weeds (lol), but the 550 would allow a lot of flexibility and modularity for various calibers or if things change in future. With the extra station, you could also trim, chamfer, debur (if desired) all in one step. Dillon, Lee, others make a powered unit that will perform this function admirably.

When I read about the Dillion trimmer, it doesn’t mention deburr or champer. I’m guessing you own one?

I have a Giraud Power Trimmer.

 

[Deleted member 113831]

If you are just processing brass then this should work: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/814175/lee-classic-4-hole-turret-press

Also, in the past, I've used the Lee collet die as a combination mandrel / decapping die, after sizing with a full length die with the expander removed. I did all my precision stuff that way until I got my Forster dies.

 

[FishDr]

When I read about the Dillion trimmer, it doesn’t mention deburr or champer. I’m guessing you own one?

I have a friend that has one where I used to live. Made processing 223 bulk a breeze. I am currently using a Lee deluxe powered Quick trim and a Quick trim die. Much less spendy, but just as effective. Never used the Giraud - I’m sure it is much nicer.

Also, in the past, I've used the Lee collet die as a combination mandrel / decapping die, after sizing with a full length die with the expander removed. I did all my precision stuff that way until I got my Forster dies.

This is exactly what I do. Works great!

 

[JB.IC]

I have a friend that has one where I used to live. Made processing 223 bulk a breeze. I am currently using a Lee deluxe powered Quick trim and a Quick trim die. Much less spendy, but just as effective. Never used the Giraud - I’m sure it is much nicer.

This is exactly what I do. Works great!

If there’s a trimmer that also champhers and deburr off a press station then I’m interested. But like I said, I can’t find any information that the Dillion 1500 champhers and deburrs. It only mentions trimming.
My Giraud does it all but as a separate process.

 

[FishDr]

The Lee deluxe quick trim and quick trim die will do all three at once. You have to power the unit with a drill/screwdriver/ etc. I use a small screwdriver motor. Holds +/- .001 length no problem. Several YouTube vids demonstrate it if I recall.
You are correct ab the Dillon. It will trim but not chamfer.

 

[ZY100]

Depends on your budget, but a 650 with a case feeder is hard to beat.....won’t ever touch the brass other than load the case feeder. It’s a bit of a cost for just processing brass, but if you also want to load a lot of pistol ammmo, blaster ammo, and even match ammo ( a few of us do....different discussion) etc, then its not as big of a leap.

YMMV, and depends how valuable your time is...
ZY

 

[JB.IC]

Depends on your budget, but a 650 with a case feeder is hard to beat.....won’t ever touch the brass other than load the case feeder. It’s a bit of a cost for just processing brass, but if you also want to load a lot of pistol ammmo, blaster ammo, and even match ammo ( a few of us do....different discussion) etc, then its not as big of a leap.

YMMV, and depends how valuable your time is...
ZY

Times so valuable I’m thinking about getting a CP2000 and AmmoBot. That’s my budget.

 

[FishDr]

Send your recipe to Copper Creek

 

[Sheldon N]

Times so valuable I’m thinking about getting a CP2000 and AmmoBot. That’s my budget.

Why not go with a 1050 and set it up so you can both load and process brass? I run my 223 bolt ammo on a 1050. Screw a FL die and a mandrel in for when I am processing brass, take them out for when I'm loading ammo. Don't need to change toolheads between ops.

I'd be nervous going full automated, maybe for brass processing but not for loading. Processing is so fast on a 1050 with a case feeder you could do 600 cases in half an hour or so.

If you're talking about that much ammo the real time bottlenecks are loading the ammo and shooting the ammo.

 

[JB.IC]

Why not go with a 1050 and set it up so you can both load and process brass? I run my 223 bolt ammo on a 1050. Screw a FL die and a mandrel in for when I am processing brass, take them out for when I'm loading ammo. Don't need to change toolheads between ops.

I'd be nervous going full automated, maybe for brass processing but not for loading. Processing is so fast on a 1050 with a case feeder you could do 600 cases in half an hour or so.

If you're talking about that much ammo the real time bottlenecks are loading the ammo and shooting the ammo.

I load my ammo with an arbor press. Not interested in loading ammo on a progressive. Only care about processing brass

 

[JB.IC]

Drove up to Dillion’s manufacturing plant and picked up a 650. After thinking about it, I don’t need automation compatible press. That would have been over kill