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Newb Here - need help with progressive press info

I am approaching this from a viewpoint that I have already spent enough money on ammo in my life to have gotten the best press out there years ago. So why not keep the money I will spend from now on in my own pocket.
1st off welcome to the forum, some of the best shooter in the world are here to learn from.
@Lbrewer42 the last sentence makes me chuckle.
Forever I only owned 1 rifle, figured it would do everything I needed it to.
Then a few years ago I noticed 1 rifle had grown into
2-45acp 2- 380auto, 2 AR15 in 223 and a couple more bolt guns.
So I tell me wife I need a progressive press in order to feed our firearms.
"We'll save money I tell her."
"She goes for it!!"
Here's the funny part I spent $850 on Dillon's
550C. I have extra toolheads for 223, 45, 380
And powder drop, 1 pistol, 1 for rifle.
Boy did I get proficient I got to where I was producing 400-450 rounds an hour.
Here's where it gets hilarious...
I'm sitting on enough ammo I dont know if I'll ever shoot it all. Lol
Moral of story, a 550 will load all the ammo you'll ever need.
And you aren't going to save any money!!

FWIW--The 550 has a dust cover on it.
My rockchucker stays lubed uncovered along with a good beam scale.

Brett
 
I've loaded thousands of handgun rounds on my Lee Loadmaster,only thing I didn't like about it was the primer system so I went to hand priming.Loading up 500 38Spc. on it today.
Handgun rounds I prefer Lee dies they work for me,everything else I've went to Redding.If by chance you go with Dillon get the case feed to go with it,you'll never keep up with it
loading cases in by hand,still got to get the bullet feed for mine.Lee loadmaster
in the background.

I had a problem with the original priming system on my Loadmaster - flipped or crushed primers - but I replaced the system with Lee's upgrade several years ago and haven't lost a primer since. Worth checking out.
 
I would rather not start reloading on a progressive.

Get a cheap single stage to learn the the basics before you dive into a progressive.

Reloading might look simple, but very little things can turn into big trouble.


I would also start with a bottle neck rifle cartridge with out crimping.
 
A progressive press is at its best when reloading pistol ammo. Not so much with rifle ammo. Think about it. Let’s say your reloading 30/06 brass. First you must lube the cases. At Stage 1 the die will size and de-prime the case, now remove the case from the press in order to trim to length, clean primer pockets, flash hole, put in vibrator to clean off lube then prime and replace the brass in the press. Stage 2 will add powder. Stage 3 will seat the bullet.

IMHO use the progressive for pistol ammo. You can really crank out some rounds. Get a single stage press for the rifle ammo.
 
I only recently decided to start reloading. I am sick of the ammo shortage.

After hours of research into press types, I have decided I want a single progressive press for reloading the following:

Pistol: 9mm, .40 S&W
Rifle: 30-40 Krag, 30.06, .223.

I am interested in knowing actual press model numbers that would allow for reloading all of the above.

Does someone in this community reload some of the above on just one press that could give me some advice?

I am looking for the most economical way of doing this. After all, to me this is about having ammo and saving money doing it.

Thanks for any help.
i gotta agree with the other guys recommending a single stage first. I d get one of those kits- you need that other stuff anyway- load for awhile on the single stage and then get a progressive later if you decide you still want one. Youll be glad you did
 
Another vote for a single stage first . I have been using Rockchuckers, etc. for 30 plus years...Just two days ago my Son gave me a New Lee Loadmaster for .223 . I opened the box to check it out ,checked out the paperwork and then watched a video on youtube to get an idea of the whole process . Looks to me that I need to get about 500 cases prepped to make it worth setting up . Maybe in the dead of winter I will open that box again. Just my first impression .
 
The Dillon 550 can easily be used like a single stage. It does not advance the case mechanically. You have to do it.

You can place a case in the first slot and load just that single case after 4 pulls of the handle. Then once you figure it out maybe try two cases at once.

Soon enough you will be in a groove and you will crank out match grade ammo.

Uniquetek even makes an adaptor to actually turn a 550 into a true single stage. One die. Standard shell holder. https://www.uniquetek.com/product/T1553
 
I disagree with getting a single stage first unless you don't plan on doing a lot of shooting. Also I never understood buying something with the intentions of replacing it. You're just increasing expenses. I use my Dillon as a single stage when loading my long range loads (1,000 yards) and a progressive for everything else. That's the beauty of it. It does both. I gave away the rock chucker soon after getting the Dillon.
 
Again some great points here about the finer points starting out on a single stage and preforming one step at a time. The progressive preforms many steps with one pull of the handle setup being the key. You might learn better on the single stage I know I did. This hobbie is all about your attention to detail and being consistent. For me these were learned on a single stage press. Enjoy the ride.
 
If you have never reloaded learn to reload on a single stage after a year or two get a progressive.
 

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