Help finding a progressive press...

[Sniper338]

After case prep and priming 2000 pistol rounds yesterday on a single stage press and hand primer.... I came to the conclusion that I need to get a progressive press for handgun rounds... I've done many many more thousands of rounds one step at a time with a single stage press over the years now and it's just getting to me too much... I dont have the time to do it that way anymore...

What I need is a progressive press that will accept RCBS dies... I wanted a dillon, but from what I understand you have to use the dillon dies, and I'm not spending more money on dies that I already have...

Last time I looked RCBS progressive presses took a primer strip.. and I dont want to be filling primer strips.. I want to go go go...

Best I can figure is a hornady progressive press?????

 

[fguffey]

I was told it was all a big misunderstanding when I was told I had to use Dillon dies, I said I was not starting over and I use a lock out die so seating and crimping on separate stations is out of the question. They informed me I could use my dies and seat and crimp on one position.

F. Guffey

 

[Jdne5b]

You only have to use Dillon dies with the Square Deal B (SDB), and those are specific to ONLY the SDB. Regular Dillon dies can be used on most standard presses.

The Dillon 550 is a good choice, Hornady Lock n Load is a slightly better choice, and the Dillon 650 is very close to the Hornady depending on who you ask, and what features they value the most.

Any of these will accept your RCBS dies.

This "Which Dillon" information might help you decide which is best for you.

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html

 

[chuckbuster243]

You will not go wrong with a Dillon 550 or 650.... The no BS warranty is just that. I have loaded all kinds of rifle and pistol on my 550 and could not be happier. If I have a issue I call and its taken care of. If you want a little better precision whidden makes toolheads and you can hand throw powder charges. Matt

 

[Sniper338]

whew! I saw prices... you pay for what you get I guess... honestly if I had a progressive press 500 loaded rounds a month would probably be the rate at which I load pistol rounds... decisions decisions..

 

[Joe R]

Sniper338 said:
After case prep and priming 2000 pistol rounds yesterday on a single stage press and hand primer.... I came to the conclusion that I need to get a progressive press for handgun rounds... I've done many many more thousands of rounds one step at a time with a single stage press over the years now and it's just getting to me too much... I dont have the time to do it that way anymore...

What I need is a progressive press that will accept RCBS dies... I wanted a dillon, but from what I understand you have to use the dillon dies, and I'm not spending more money on dies that I already have...

Last time I looked RCBS progressive presses took a primer strip.. and I dont want to be filling primer strips.. I want to go go go...

Best I can figure is a hornady progressive press?????

I have a Hornady LnL press and a Forster Co-ax.

If you're planning on using the progressive press for pistol rounds, then go for it. It is a good press and there are lots of good things to like about it, price and functionality being among the top. However, if you're thinking about using it for long range precision rifle ammo, then I would advise you against it. A progressive press cannot do precision long range ammo. Believe me, I tried. tried and tried again.

Joe

 

[Corey Schwanz]

I use a Dillon 550 for all of my high volume pistol loading. It will accept any standard 7/8 dies. As mentioned above, the SDB is the only one that needs special Dillon dies.

If you think you want a casefeeder and may want to use it for rifle loading, look at the 650. The 550 also has a case feeder option but it only works for pistol cases and makes loading rifle on it a bit of a pain.

Hornady LNL is another good unit and comparable to the 650 in terms of features. I know Hornady stands behind their products pretty well, but the No BS Guarantee from Dillon is just that. They don't care if it broke on its own or because I was being dumb. Free part is in the mail after one call.

If I preload my primer tubes, I can push out 400-500 rounds in less than an hour with no trouble. I would only recommend a progressive for high volume, "low accuracy" required stuff. You can load decent ammo on one for sure but for any precision loading, stick to the single stage.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I went through all this a few years ago. Here is what I came away with. If you plan to crank out a bunch of one cartridge get the Dillon. If you want to do smaller batches of multiple cartridges so you will be changing set ups alot, get the RCBS. I did not like the Hornady as it turns as the ram goes up and that sucks for seating bullets on rifle cases. The RCBS is the friendliest to load rifle on IMO. I went with the RCBS do to its cast iron construction, ease of changing cartridges and its easy to load rifle cases on. I have not used it in a year, and have been thinking of selling it With the research I did, I found most will recommend Dillon because it is the big name in progressives, but they have never used any other press. There are some good videos on youtube comparing the presses.

 

[Sniper338]

From the research I have found this afternoon I may as well buy the dillion 650 with all the bells and whistles for the same price as the hornady with all the bells and whistles... $1200 easy any way you look at it.... It's only going to be used for handgun rounds... I do all rifle rounds single stage, because of precision needs...

 

[3dogs]

Get the Dillon, if you don't like it you can sell it and get your money back
Jim

 

[timeout]

whew! I saw prices... you pay for what you get I guess... honestly if I had a progressive press 500 loaded rounds a month would probably be the rate at which I load pistol rounds... decisions decisions..

Now you're thinking! ;D

 

[Matt in Virginia]

fwiw,
The RCBS 2000 would be my choice. You can order the conversion for tube primers if you don't like the APS. I will say the APS system is SAFE and at worst you might have one primer go off. Though I never have in 125,000 rounds or so... Anyone who runs a Dillon long enough will have a ring on the ceiling above the press. The tubes can and do go up. They are thick enough to protect you as long as nothing extends over the top of the tube. However, it IS LOUD... I saw the rings for the first time during an unofficial tour of Nosler. They load daily test rounds on Dillons...

I really like the RCBS 2000. It is a lot of cast iron for the money. I figure it is likely the most I've ever gotten dollar for dollar out of any reloading gear. That said I started to buy a Dillon 650 when I was 19 until I ran into an EXPERT who had never loaded on anything other than an RCBS Jr. who talked me out of it. He did teach me how to load as a kid and hence held sway over those early decisions. In my mid-twenties I bought an RCBS 2000, along with the lock out die(Best money you'll spend) and starting spending more time shooting than loading. Honestly wish I'd bought the Dillon 650, however, the RCBS 2000 is an excellent press. Love the micrometer powder measure.

In the last 13 or 14 years I've loaded on other presses and regret not buying a Dillon Super 1050 from the start. Yes you have to pay for parts that break, however, it is in a class of it's own... I intend to buy one setup for .45 ACP and one for 9x19. I'll leave the RCBS 2000 for .357 Magnum, 44 Magnum, .454 Casull, .475 Linebaugh, and 10mm Auto... The ONLY way to run is a separate toolhead setup with your dies permanently installed AND with it's own lock out die for each chambering. The powder micrometer allows you to dial into a number quickly. A better design than Dillon imho... The only junky part on the 2000 is the linkage for the powder measure. When you get a 100,000 rounds or so through it, it starts to twist on extension. RCBS is just as easy to work with as Dillon. They have a NO BS warranty as well, however, it has to be experienced as they don't advertise. I literally had the lady on the other end telling me about extra parts I needed to replace when I called about the powder measure linkage. They sent a box of parts, with extras, and all at no cost... In short you won't be disappointed by either company...

Regards, Matt Garrett
Chesapeake, Virginia

 

[jlow]

From the research I have found this afternoon I may as well buy the dillion 650 with all the bells and whistles for the same price as the hornady with all the bells and whistles... $1200 easy any way you look at it.... It's only going to be used for handgun rounds... I do all rifle rounds single stage, because of precision needs...

That's what I decided for the same reason a few years ago and never looked back. The XL650 would be your best choice and buy the case feeder because you will regret it and buy it again later.

 

[zipollini]

Don't know what you are loading but have you checked these guys out yet ?

http://www.freedommunitions.com/#&panel1-2

I was going to get a Dillon 650 and load 1000s of 9mm range ammo for practice but quickly found that it would be more economical (and less work) to buy directly from Freedom Munitions. A 50 round box of 115g 9mm FMJ for $ 10 ??? Can you beat that ? I can't. I work in a gun store and we are selling our cheapest range ammo for around $ 15 plus tax.

 

[m500]

Check out the ultimate reloader site. Lots of well made videos showing them in action. Remember, if you plan on loading cast bullets, you will want a case feeder, as most bullet feeders won't work with cast bullets. The RCBS does not have an available case feeder.

http://ultimatereloader.com/

 

[brian427cobra]

For pistol only go with a Dillon 650, casefeeder, and Brian Enos as it should be kit, add some extra small primer tubes, my first 100 rounds of 9mm took me 30 minutes, the next 400 took me 30 minutes, I have cranked out 2000 rounds in 2 hours 20 minutes, sorry to say but the LNL can only dream of those speeds, best thing I did was dump it for the 650.

 

[Sniper338]

Cost me about $9.50 a box of 50 to reload 9mm, 40, 45, 357 sig.... still a savings.... plus its me time and relaxing time... not always about money..

 

[Jdne5b]

I size and seat bullets for my FTR gun on a LnL. It works pretty well. So dont let people say its not good enough. Now.. I wouldnt try to usw the powder measure for precision, but sizing and seating is no problem. Low volume pistol also gets done on the LnL.

I load plinking .223 and all my 9mm on my 1050. I love the 1050. I actually like reloading on it.

You wont go wrong with that 650.

 

[JamesnTN]

I've used and still own almost every brand mentioned. And hands down the Dillon is the way to go. There is no other press on the market that's for non commercial use that'll pump out pistol and or rifle ammo as quickly and precisely as the Dillon. Now I'm talking high volume and not precision accuracy loads. As mentioned the lifetime no BS warranty is worth the extra $'s over anything relatively close to the Dillon. As a,ways spend the money up front do it right and you'll be happy if you go cheaper it'll only cost you more in the long run.

 

[zipollini]

Cost me about $9.50 a box of 50 to reload 9mm, 40, 45, 357 sig.... still a savings.... plus its me time and relaxing time... not always about money..

Are you amortizing the cost of the press and accessories into the equation also ? I work at a range so brass is free and I still can't beat $ 10/box when I add in the cost of the press over 10K rounds.