I am looking into purchasing a progressive press for sizing operations only. No priming, powder drop or bullet seating. Is there a press I can buy while not paying for those other features. I load for F-Class, so looking for something that can produce consistent and straight brass. Thanks.
Which Progressive Progressive Press to Buy?
- Thread starter Richard Casey
- Start date
Are you wanting a turret press to leave several different caliber sizing dies set up? I don’t understand needing a progressive for just sizing.
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
^^^^^^^
Wayne
Geronimo Jim
Gold $$ Contributor
Dillon
CaptJim
Silver $$ Contributor
I had a Hornady LNL AP progressive. Built like a tank. I used it mainly for pistol and .223/5.56 higher volume reloading (I deprimed, resized on a Rock Chucker and hand primed off press). I did once set it up with a large caliber resizing die when doing a batch of brass. I quickly discovered that though small, there was an amount of flex in the shell plate that caused variations and actually, the only benefit was that the progressive ejected the brass into a bin.
Since then, I have been using the Rock Chucker for sizing/depriming and a Foster Coax for the loading process. I sold the Hornady since I don't do any high volume work anymore and am happier with my two single stage tools.
You can get Hornady die bushings for single stage presses and have your dies set and change them without having to adjust every time. Of course the Coax doesn't need these.
Bottom line, JMHO, the Rock Chucker is as good as it gets for repeatability in sizing and other heavy press work, and the Coax with its unique shell holder system is the best for the other processes. I still prefer to prime by hand for the feel.
ETA. I think all progressives due to the design will have some amount of flex.
Hope this helps,
CJ
Since then, I have been using the Rock Chucker for sizing/depriming and a Foster Coax for the loading process. I sold the Hornady since I don't do any high volume work anymore and am happier with my two single stage tools.
You can get Hornady die bushings for single stage presses and have your dies set and change them without having to adjust every time. Of course the Coax doesn't need these.
Bottom line, JMHO, the Rock Chucker is as good as it gets for repeatability in sizing and other heavy press work, and the Coax with its unique shell holder system is the best for the other processes. I still prefer to prime by hand for the feel.
ETA. I think all progressives due to the design will have some amount of flex.
Hope this helps,
CJ
The old Hornady Pro Jector has a very solid shellplate retaining bolt and carrier system, stronger than the new LnL. All parts are machined steel.
If all you want is rifle brass sizing and automatic ejection, it's perfect.
Set it up with two sizing dies, partially size on the first, final size on the second, and that way you greatly lessen the force to extract a case from the sizing die, saving wear and tear on the shellplate bolt assembly.
The cases ride on the sub-plate. so for sizing, there is no shellplate deflection on the upstroke of the ram.
I use my Pro 2000 to deprime, prime and neck size. The brass is first sized on a single stage - the shoulder bolt on the Pro 2000 is not designed for repeated sizing of rifle brass.
I'm not familiar with the Dillon system, but they have a forever warranty. Anything breaks, you get a free fix.
If all you want is rifle brass sizing and automatic ejection, it's perfect.
Set it up with two sizing dies, partially size on the first, final size on the second, and that way you greatly lessen the force to extract a case from the sizing die, saving wear and tear on the shellplate bolt assembly.
The cases ride on the sub-plate. so for sizing, there is no shellplate deflection on the upstroke of the ram.
I use my Pro 2000 to deprime, prime and neck size. The brass is first sized on a single stage - the shoulder bolt on the Pro 2000 is not designed for repeated sizing of rifle brass.
I'm not familiar with the Dillon system, but they have a forever warranty. Anything breaks, you get a free fix.
Maybe he wants case feeder functionality. There are times that I setup my 1050 with a case feeder to size and swage 223, and use my 550 to load them.
You could use a Dillon 750 with a case feeder, sizing die, and a power trimmer to do a lot of of the heavy lifting.
To clarify, a progressive to size, possibly small base size and mandrel all in one pull.
Thanks for all responses.
I use a Dillon 650 with case feeder for my case prep. Process is: tumble in corn cob to clean, anneal, lube and dump in case feeder, decap, small base body size, neck size, neck expand, tumble to remove lube, trim and chamfer, prime, then load.
I would go with a Dillon 750 with a case feeder. Will do what you want and will keep its value in the future should you want to sell it.
I use a Hornady locknload, it has made ammo that has won plenty of matches. Many cleans, high x counts. It won’t hold you back, the die itself is more important than the press in making good ammo.
I would only use a progressive if you plan to do a lot of volume. IMO, you need to reload about 400-500 rounds a month, and even at that rate it will take quite a while to break even.
I am only familiar with Dillon. The people are great, service is great, and product is great. There are a couple peculiar things about their presses, but they work and I could crank out about 200-250 per hour on the 650. I didn't have a bullet feeder. A progressive is really handy for multiple calibers if you have a separate station for each caliber, I did. I sold my 650 with the Dillon dies and kept all of my Redding dies I had replaced them with.
Now I plan to reload primarily for working up loads and hunting, with the goal being hunting. I have 2 single stage presses, and use the Hornady LNL bushings. I have an RCBS Summit 2000 and a Gen 1 RCBS Rock Chucker.
OP, I would look into using a dedicated single press for your sizing. While it doesn't include a case feeder, a progressive is a hefty price to pay for that convenience. I'm not trying to tell you what to do with your money though, there is nothing wrong with progressive. But be honest with yourself, if you can afford it and can justify it, no matter how much, buy one with a case feeder. There is no advantage to a turret type progressive without a case feeder. My $0.02
I am only familiar with Dillon. The people are great, service is great, and product is great. There are a couple peculiar things about their presses, but they work and I could crank out about 200-250 per hour on the 650. I didn't have a bullet feeder. A progressive is really handy for multiple calibers if you have a separate station for each caliber, I did. I sold my 650 with the Dillon dies and kept all of my Redding dies I had replaced them with.
Now I plan to reload primarily for working up loads and hunting, with the goal being hunting. I have 2 single stage presses, and use the Hornady LNL bushings. I have an RCBS Summit 2000 and a Gen 1 RCBS Rock Chucker.
OP, I would look into using a dedicated single press for your sizing. While it doesn't include a case feeder, a progressive is a hefty price to pay for that convenience. I'm not trying to tell you what to do with your money though, there is nothing wrong with progressive. But be honest with yourself, if you can afford it and can justify it, no matter how much, buy one with a case feeder. There is no advantage to a turret type progressive without a case feeder. My $0.02
Take a look at the Lee Automatic Processing Press (APP). Not sure what caliber you are processing but it might just be the ticket. Most of the other "progressive" presses do more then you are asking for and you will pay for that.
I use a Dillon 550, Lee Load Master, and a couple of different single stage presses depending on the application
I use a Dillon 550, Lee Load Master, and a couple of different single stage presses depending on the application
I have a Forster Co-ax and a Hornady progressive. Since I have put the progressive together 3 years ago, I never use my co-ax.
I use the progressive in phases, but not needing to take the case out of the press is great. And the Hornady thrower is better than Dillon, overall. But most of the ammo I make on it is individually thrown charges from
my AutoTrickler.
I use the progressive in phases, but not needing to take the case out of the press is great. And the Hornady thrower is better than Dillon, overall. But most of the ammo I make on it is individually thrown charges from
my AutoTrickler.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.