using a progresive press for competition reloads ?

[rebs]

How many of you guys use a progressive press for accurate reloads ?

 

[rwj]

I use a Dillon 650 in progressive mode when loading semi-auto ammunition, convert it to a single stage for bolt gun. Too much variation when simultaneously performing multiple operations for me...

 

[Rick300]

I have an old Dillon 450 that produces ammo as straight as any other press

 

[Iowa Fox]

I have an old Dillon 450 that produces ammo as straight as any other press

Same here.

 

[Ned Ludd]

How many of you guys use a progressive press for accurate reloads ?

Member Scott Harris here posted a very well-written and detailed "How To" guide on the use of a progressive for F-Class reloads. He and his family have used these reloads with great success, winning a lot of matches, so the process can work, but it largely depends on the dicipline. If interested, I'd suggest that you contact Scott for a copy of the method.

 

[kawsam62s]

I use a xl650 progressive for everything except powder charging and bullet seating

 

[Rsadams]

I have a 550c that makes pistol ammo as good as my single stage but at a quarter of the time.... .223 loads for an automatic are pretty darn good also but for rifle I still resize my on the single stage press and run them through the Dillon to drop powder , seat and crimp after doing the brass prep work.... For large bolt rifle there is only two dies so I just do them on the single stage press still... Dillon is worth the money in my opinion especially for pistol....

 

[rsmithsr50]

as USUAL poor definition of the question.
DEFINE THE WORD COMPETITION.
probably not benchrest.
but yes easy on most pistol comp
service rifle
maybe f class if a wide load node is found.

 

[XTR]

as USUAL poor definition of the question...

maybe f class if a wide load node is found.

Not so much, you still weigh charges on a scale and fill at the powder station. It works quickly and well if you’re set up for it.

 

[Ranger007]

Member Scott Harris here posted a very well-written and detailed "How To" guide on the use of a progressive for F-Class reloads. He and his family have used these reloads with great success, winning a lot of matches, so the process works. I'd suggesting that you contact Scott for a copy of the method.

I am sorry. Scott Harris posted a thread here in AS or some other platform?

 

[Ned Ludd]

I thought it was here...I've seen it, but I didn't save a copy. Pretty sure you can get a copy if you PM him here.

 

[Ranger007]

I thought it was here...I've seen it, but I didn't save a copy. Pretty sure you can get a copy if you PM him here.

Thank you very much. Will do sir.

 

[XTR]

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/th...illon-550-prometheus-2.3901176/#post-36760921

 

[Sniper338]

I got it all.. negativo. Single stage on rifle ammo.

 

[Cuando]

Dillon 550's have proven they can make great ammo by guys like Tubb and Whidden.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I use a Hornady Lock N Load Progressive press with the exception of my primer seater.

 

[1911nut]

I use a Dillon 550 with a tool head for each cartridge.
My 222 and 219 Wasp shoot very tiny groups at 100 being full length sized on the Dillion with Redding bushing dies. I seat the bullets with a Wilson seater in an arbor press.

My Varminter and Swift gets sized and bullets seated in the Dillion, they’re consistent 1/4 minute guns.

I like not having to move dies out of the press, I had problems with maintaining the die setting. I just load the toolhead and change the shell plate. The tool head floats in the press and the shell holder has some movement, does the “floating “ help center things up ? some think so. I don’t know, it’s a setup that works for me.

 

[memilanuk]

Most people running progressive presses for any kind of 'precision' ammo are running two (or more) tool heads, typically modified to a) float the dies independently and b) lock the head into the frame. One, to decap, size, expand, and one to charge and seat. Annealing done before tool head #1, trimming or other case prep between tool head #1 and #2. Priming done either off press, or while using tool head #2, depending on your approach/opinion on the matter. In theory, hand-seating primers should be better that mashing them in with the primer slide. In practice... not sure I shoot well enough to tell the difference.

If someone doesn't feel like spending $5k on a Prometheus, you can get pretty comparable function out of an AutoTrickler + AutoThrower mounted adjacent to your progressive press.

Honestly, if you haven't actually *ran* a setup like this, it's different enough from the OEM config as far as consistency and precision that you might want to hold off on the "single-stage til I die" fervor.

Been kinda jonesin' for a case feeder, at least for brass prep. Never really liked the 550's tendency to "crap where it eats" as far as decapping/priming at the same station, but I've heard mixed reviews about the 650's priming system in terms of consistency with regards to what we're looking for. Now that the XL750s are out in the wild... with decapping at station #1 and 550-style primer seating at station #2, plus case feeder... pretty sure I know what I want next Add it to the long list of 'wants', as what I have now works pretty damn well

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Its all in how small your competition requires you to shoot. Rsmithsr50 summed it up. And i never have understood why youd use a progressive as a single stage. I run my 550 like it was designed- never crossed my mind to do a secondary operation on it. I can crank out loaded ammo as long as i want to feed it and it shoots fine- but its not a benchrest press and i have accepted that. Its like working your ass off to become a chef thats the best in the business then your boss coming to you “oh youre the best chef there is, but can you farm?”

 

[Bamban]

High power 2, 3, and 6, progressive leaders are plenty good. The 650 has 2 powder measures, split the charge between 2. The other 650 I grafted a BR powder measure. The turret press is just for making Mexican Match when I shot the 14 types.