Opinions of Progressive presses?

[ducks-and-bucks]

I have been single stage reloading handgun rounds for a while now, I've done several thousand. Not that it bothers me doing it single stage, but I want to get a press to do it faster now. I looked at the conversion kit to add onto my rcbs rock chucker press I have, but I would rather just have a different press set up for it.

Need to load for the following: I have already have RCBS and Lee dies for the following:

40 cal
45 acp
9mm
44 mag
45 colt
460S&W
454 Casull
44 special
357 sig
357 mag
38 special
380 acp

Which progressive press do yall recommend?

 

[fl3gun]

Dillon 650, all the rest are wanna Be's. personally i have a 1050 and would not trade it for the world

 

[Cort]

I am blue through and through. My Dillon 550 turns out pistol ammo fast enough for me. I use Dillon dies, RCBS dies and Lee dies with no problem once they are set up.

Some where there is a thread on progressives. You might do a search on the forum and see what you find. Lots of folks like the Hornady Lock-n-Load so you might look at it.

Cort

 

[azshooter]

I don't think you could go wrong with any of the major brands today, they are all pretty bullet proof.
I used a Dillon 550 for years till i broke down and started using 1050's.
also have a Hornady lock & load now it works pretty good to.

 

[BigDMT]

If you don't mind a single stage press, then you'll probably really enjoy a turret press if you don't want to spring the big bucks on a nice progressive press. A good solid turret press can still knock out 200-300+ pistol rounds per hour once you get a good rhythm down.

Redding T-7 Turret press is very nice. You could set up all of your dies and powder measure in the turret wheel, then all you have to do is size, expand, prime, throw charge, and set bullet on the case by hand to seat/crimp.

Plus with 7 holes in each turret wheel, you could set up one powder thrower and 2 sets of pistol dies in each wheel.

Lyman's and RCBS's turret presses seem nice too, but have never tried them.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Dillon Dillon Dillon Dillon

 

[BigDMT]

Yeah I was just checking that out too. Very nice. I always thought they cost more than that? For that price, I might have to get one myself.

Looks like all orders from Dillon are backed up 6-8 weeks though. And prices on ebay are higher than normal if you want to bid on one.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The dillon is a great choice. I notice you want to load a lot of different cartridges. I went with an rcbs pro 2000 for that reason. Cost of cartridge change is a little cheaper and faster. Either way you should be happy.

 

[Bogusname]

I have a 550. Love it. You will not beat their warranty either. If you get a 550 you can use your old dies. You will just need to get a powder die for each tool head , unless you are patient enough to set it up over and over again.

 

[infantrytrophy]

Here is a link to a true comparison and evaluation of Dillon, Hornady and Lee progressive presses:
http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

I do not want to hear cheerleading ("XXX is the only choice!!") - I prefer a carefully-considered and well-documented evaluation that will allow me to reach my own conclusions. The evaluation in the ink above is just the type of thing you need to get a good idea of the features of each press covered in the evaluation. You will have to decide which press is a better value and which fills your needs, based on your own requirements.

I ended up choosing the Hornady LNL AP press and have been very happy with it. This press was chosen for two reasons:
1 - A used press (from a friend) became available to me at a very good price, and
2 - The evaluation posted above allowed me to conclude that both the Hornady and Dillon presses were quite capable of filling my needs, and either would have been a good choice.

Since you (the original poster) will load for many different calibers, you should pay particular attention to the time and effort required for specific-caliber setup and for caliber changes. How quickly can you change dies (or tool heads, for the Dillon) and shell plates? How long does it take to adjust the powder measure, and is a micrometer-type adjustment available? What about other adjustments, for example the case-activation part of the powder measure?

Is price important? Check prices for fully-configured systems, including the automatic case feeder. My take was that the Hornady LNL AP system was substantially less than the Dillon 650 system, but check for yourself as prices change. You might be able to find a good deal (like I did) on a used press.

Good luck,

Randy

 

[Lapua40X]

I haven't used a progressive reloader for fifty years or more but I do recall, when an agency I worked for required that we reload rather than purchase new ammo, being introduced to a rugged machine that withstood a lot of abuse and never missed a click. "Star" reloader .... you might want to include that one in your list of comparisons.

 

[mgx1138]

Another vote for Dillon... every year my 650 turns out a high volume of amazing quality rifle match ammo in .223, 6mmAR and in .308.

 

[smoooth]

Love my Dillon 450, not as fancy, but price was right and still able to to 300-400rds/ hr.

Saw a NEW 550 for $390 a the local gun shop 2 days ago, 650 was $590.

 

[digrazir]

I have a Dillon 550b and a xl 650 on order. You can change calibers very quickly on the 550b and on the xl 650 it's a little bit more involved. The xl 650 will be dedicate to 9mm and 40 S&W and the 550b for everything else. I am very satisfied with Dillon products and I personally would not consider buying anything else. Ray

 

[jimbires]

I'm happy with my Hornady , seems to be well made . I have the case feeder too . Jim

 

[NCFrank]

I've owned a Dillon 650 with case feeder since early 90's, very satisfied with the press and its operation. If you go with the 650 you'll want the case feeder.
Once you are familiar with the press doing a caliber change is no big deal. Great customer service and lifetime warranty.

The one thing I don't like is the cost for complete caliber conversion. Currently about $200. Caliber conversion kit - $77.95
Quick change kit: Die head, stand, powder die and powder measure - $107.95

 

[digrazir]

There are 3 different elements to changing calibers on a Dillon. Number one are the dies which you already have. This is for the 550b: Number two is the tool head and powder measure. Number three is the caliber conversion kit which consist of a shell plate, shell plate locator pins and a powder funnel.. For the 650 due to the auto feed there are 3 more pcs which are also caliber specific. You can go on the Dillon website and and check it out. You can also call Dillon and they can guide you thru on exactly what you would need to order to get yourself up and running. Ray

 

[m500]

The ultimate reloader site has alot of videos showing them in action.

http://ultimatereloader.com/

 

[broncomike]

I had two 550B 1 setup small primer 1 for large. When i stopped shooting IPSC matches i sold 1 of them. When they say no BS warranty they mean it.
Go blue . 8)

 

[Terry]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/351321/lee-pro-1000-progressive-press-kit-45-acp

I own two of these, they work well.

Terry