Which Progressive reloader for pistols?

[jp]

I am looking to by a progressive press to reload my pistol ammo. Which unit would you choose? I thought about the Dillon RL550B. I have 2 small progressive presses now, but they do not fit the bill. Calibers are
38/357mag, 40S&W, 9mm and 45acp.

thx for you time to respond..

JP

 

[superlight93]

Dillon no question about it. And the best customer support I have ever seen.

 

[navyrad8r]

JP,
I hate to say it, but if you shoot alot of pistol just bend over and take it....buy a dillon 1050. my buddy has one and i give him an ammo can of .45 brass and he gives it right back ready to load. he tells me to give him the componenets (primers, powder, projo) and he will do it for me. i always decline (bull headed i guess) and take my sized/belled brass graciously and slug along with my single stage press doing 100 round batches. yes he can do it with .223 as well. he has all the party favors trimmer, case feeder, pocket swager, bullet feeder, and those calenders!! the calenders help you load faster i think. if you cant swing the 1050 get a 650. Just make sure it is a dillon. save some dough and buy it used if anyone ever gets rid of one. The "no BS" warantee is true, excellent customer service. hope this helps oyu are on the right track, just go further.
cheers,
Doc

 

[MQ1]

Dillon!

MQ1

 

[Forum Boss]

I considered Dillon, Hornady, RCBS. I road-tested all of them. If you need power feed, go blue (dillon). If manual indexing is satisfactory (I wanted this for a variety of reasons), give serious consideration to RCBS Pro 2000 basic. For an extra $75.00 or so, RCBS now offers an auto-indexing Pro 2000. (You need to decide which you prefer...)

I went through extensive investigation, loading roughly 300 rounds on Dillon 650, Dillon 550, RCBS 2000, and Hornady LnL. I queried those who emphatically said "Dillon is the only way." None of the persons I talked to had ever used or even touched an RCBS 2000. It uses a strip priming system which is extremely positive and nearly fool-proof. Changing cartridge types is definitely faster and simpler on the RCBS. RCBS rotary powder measure (with micrometer) is more precise than Dillon sliding sytem and doesn't require regular fiddling.

Caliber Change-outs
If rim size doesn't change, I can switch from small primer feed to larger primer feed in about 30 seconds, by changing ONE part -- a threaded pusher plug. If I need to change the shell plate, a total caliber switch, with primer changes, takes a couple minutes. For a variety of reasons, unless you're cranking out HUGE volumes, I believe the strip primer system is better, more reliable and safer. RCBS also now has a nice, simple gravity feed pistol bullet feeder accessory.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnfeTPZeOMQ[/youtube]
One note on the above video -- you can buy CCI Primers preloaded into the strips.

I suggest you try them all. Be sure you understand all that's involved with a Caliber/cartridge/primer size swap with the Dillon. If you decide to "go blue" that's fine. Dillon makes excellent machine. I would consider a 650 if I was loading 1000 rounds a week. But I recommend that folks do their homework and try red (Hornady), blue (Dillon), and Green (RCBS). Customer service from RCBS has been outstanding for me.

 

[jp]

Thx for all the replies , much to think about.. But at least now I know which direction...Once again thanks to all, for all the info...


JP

 

[284driver]

I started with the rcbs. Upgraded to the hornady. Then after realizing that press sucked as well I bought a 650. Wish I bought once and cried once with the Dillon.

 

[284driver]

I got the 650. Probably could have gotten by with the 550 but wanted the case feeder to work with rifle cartridges.

 

[Forum Boss]

I would add that I've encountered quite a few guys who ended up buying TWO Dillon 550s or 650s because of the hassle involved in switching primer delivery systems from small to large (or vice versa). That's completely unnecessary with the RCBS because primer size swaps are so fast. But if you want/need power case feed and power bullet feed, the Dillon is the ticket. It's the workhorse. And I agree that for guys loading very large volumes, the 1050 is probably worth the $$.

 

[jrdragdad]

I would go with the 650. 1050 is real nice but is a high volume machine. the 650 is not real hard to swap out, I can do mine in less than 30 min.
I have some friends that have done multiple square deals for each cal. not sure if they are still available.

 

[NCFrank]

I purchased a Dillon 650 with the case feeder in the mid 90's and glad I did. When I added another caliber a couple years ago Dillon had changed their powder measure linkage and activation rod. The old rod does not work with the new powder measure so I call 'em up and in a few days I have a new activation rod at no $$ to me.

On another caliber conversion the powder funnel's case mouth expansion area was out of round. Again, I call and I have a new replacement in a few days. They did not want or need the other funnel back. Such service speaks volumes.

You can equip the 650 with a bullet feeder (wish I had one) in addition to the case feeder. Once you have everything set up and adjusted with the press it's just a matter of working the handle.

The 1050 is an awesome press but if you are not, on a regular basis, dealing with military casings which have the crimped primer pockets and if not dealing with very large volume, I would not go the extra expense. I bought the stand alone primer pocket swager for the military brass I have but once that pocket is swaged you don't do it again. That swager was $50 when I bought it in mid 90's shortly after I got my press but I had quite a bit a military brass and still do (once fired 5.56/223 and 45acp) but all of it I swaged some time ago so it's just once in a while use now.

I do agree the RCBS powder measure with micrometer adjustment is easier and accurate but the powder measures I own so far have been quite accurate on the amount of powder dispensed. Not using any stick powders here though. It is a little tedious to adjust the powder measure on the Dillon since that station does the expanding and belling as well.

Priming system: RCBS is quicker and easier here. The priming on the 650 is a little more involved but it isn't a big deal. You can purchase an additional priming set up to switch between large and small. I do not have this, I remove the priming system and just change out the disc. Even some 45 brass now uses small primers as I'm sure you're aware. I have 38/357, 9mm, 45acp and 223/5.56.

The one thing I do not like about the Dillon is the price for a caliber conversion and quick change. That bites.

According to your listed calibers I am confident the 650 will meet and exceed your needs and/or wants. I would certainly recommend getting that case feeder. You'll be glad you did. You'll need the small and large pistol discs for your listed calibers. I would also recommend the spare parts kit which contains plastic parts that are subject to wear as they rub against metal.

James

 

[jimbires]

I've got the hornady with the case feeder . I couldn't be happier . I load 8,000 - 10,000 45acp a summer and I haven't had a problem . if I were loading jacketed bullets I'd buy the bullet feeder attachment , just to speed things up a little .this press is easy to set up , easy to run , cheap to convert to load other cartridges , and no problems . I'd buy it again . Jim

 

[VWguy]

I use the Hornady.I cant say its the best or fastest but it can and does load 45-70 as easy as 45 acp. Converting to other calibers is very easy. Primer size change could be seconds ( one screw in and out) if you dont drop anything. Its also easy to use as a progressive single stage. I do this for 6.5x47 and 6br.ect.

 

[Terry]

I noticed no one said Lee. I have 2 of these. At $120.00 each they provide an inexpensive way to load. You do have to learn how to set them up and pay close attention when running them.

Terry

 

[Lesloan]

If all you want to reload is pistol cartridges, the Dillon Square Deal B is hard to beat. Auto indexing and relatively inexpensive.

 

[Sully2]

The wife and I used to shoot a lot of 45 ACP....SO I bought ( at that time) a Dillon 550B. Best decision I ever made. Buy a Dillon!

 

[jp]

Terry, thank you for the input. I already have 2 of the Lee. They work ok. What I do not like about them is: I have to jiggle the case to get it started in the sizing dies. I like my fingers un pinched if there is such a word. After that it works fine. Just no fast paced ammo production.. I believe I will buy the 650XL..

thx Joe

 

[Joe C]

Hello,

I have a little experience with loading pistol ammo on Dillon machines. Over the past 10 years I've loaded well over 500,000 rounds on a 550, 650 and two 1050's in 9mm, .38super, .38special, .357 mag, .40, 10mm, .44special, .44 mag and .45acp. And no that is not an exaggeration...LOL! At one point I actually thought I was getting an RMI (repetitive movement injury) from pulling the reloading handle so much!

I've tried other machines, red, green and orange. I will probably never own a progressive machine that isn't blue. It takes me just under 5 minutes to completely change from a small pistol caliber to a large, including the primer swap out on a 550 or 650. Personally I don't care for the 1050 because it does take a bit to long and there are some issues with whether or not your primers get seated fully.

Primer seating issues can occur with the 650 as well but McMaster-Carr sells a fix for that for under $10.00 so it really isn't an issue. Currently I'm running a 550B and can turn out 4-500 rounds an hour in a relaxed fashion. In the next couple of months I have two 650's with case feeders coming to make things a bit faster around here. Also, if you get the 650 get the aluminum roller handle...trust me, it's worth the money.

If you want a 650 to run like a champ order these parts from:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#needle-roller-thrust-bearings/=hi6frc

5909K31 1 Each Bearing
5909K44 2 Each Washer

If you like a micrometer adjustment for the powder bar, like I do, you can go to this site: http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/page/45029

They sell all kinds of cool stuff.

And then there is the lifetime no BS warranty from Dillon. Ya, they really do honor it as I found out first hand. You can wear a few small parts out during the course of half a million rounds. They have always sent me new stuff when that happens, no questions, no charge.

Hope the info above helps someone out there.

 

[RandyD]

I have been using Dillon progessive loaders since the mid 80's. I used to own a Dillon 550 and upgraded to a 650. Both are quality machines, but I like the 650 much better, since it has automatic case indexing and a case feeder. Recently, I prepped my 650, and had all components staged, and was able to load 1500 9mm rounds in 2 hours and 12 minutes. I am sure the 1050 can load more in less time but since it costs an additional $1000, I'll stick with the 650. I also have high praise for Dillon's customer service.

 

[Rustystud]

I have a Dillon 450B, two 550s and two 1050s. If you are not going to load comercially or in huge volumns of ammo I would go with the 550 or 650 probably leaning toward the 650. The extra station has some advantages, along with the shell feeder and indexing. The Dillon warranty is worth its weight in gold. I have worn out two primer assemblys and two powder measures. Dillon replaced them without any question.

Go Blue for sure.

Nat Lambeth