hey gunners
im new to reloading and im saving to buy the whole set up
for 357sig and 40cal reloading i not really looking for the cheapest just a great set up for a rookie i got a lot to learn but i think i will be a cool hobby

Well suprised it hasn't post yet, but Dillon is the name that is suggested for progressive presses, generally the 550B.

plus 1 on dillion, i have 4 of their square deal presses, they fix them for free no matter what happens to them, two of mine are over 25 years old and still cranking out the ammo.

The blue one.

my own 2 cents...

started reloading just last week. thought long and hard about the hornady lock-n-load and the dillon 550. eventually bought the hornady from midwayusa. after spending a few hours setting up and tweaking, getting the requisite components, i have been able to make and shoot 200 rounds (real newbie/rookie) of 38 special, with no misfires, squibs or double charges but, i paid meticulous attention to each step and have only done a hundred rounds at a time. maybe i would have been better served by a turret, or even a single-stage press given the rather small batches that i make at a time. 50 rounds cost me about $8 plus time, opposed to $17 retail. it has not saved me any money so far, only increased the amount of shooting that i do. appears to be somewhat habit forming as well.

I want to throw another option out there: If you aren’t looking for maximum volume production and just want to end the frustrations of single stage or just avoid single stage all together then I would start with a Lee Classic Turret. It comes very close to being progressive and you can get into a rhythm and really crank out some ammo if you are set up right. It is basically a regular turret design but it auto indexes to the next station on the up stroke. There is no option for a case feeder, bullet feeder, and you are limited to four stations, but I make very good ammo on mine. You can also remove the indexing rod to convert it to a single stage press. The turrets are easy to remove and you can leave your dies set up in them. Lee also sells plastic cases that fit with the turrets with dies loaded. There are tons of YouTube videos you can find showing operation. The big blue press is a top notch product with a bullet proof warranty but everything about it can cost you a second mortgage in set up fees. Also be aware the Square Deal uses Dillon specific dies. The RL550 is an amazing machine though, don’t think I’m bad mouthing it.

I looked very closely at the Dillon and the Hornady, and wound up picking the Hornady based on the extended cost including all the caliber changes, plus they were giving away free bullets at the time (maybe still are).

I'm happy with my choice. Follow the setup instructions carefully, and keep it clean and it should run like a champ.

I also recommend going to midwayusa and reading all the reviews. Folks put a lot of effort into relating the pluses and minuses.

Hard to beat the Dillon and their service. Two 550's and an RCBS RockChucker sitting on my bench . . . .

Add another vote for Dillon here. I used three SDBs for many years and 10s of thousands of rds. I have since sold them and now have a pair of XL 650s. As said, their customer service is unmatched. Absolutely a no BS warranty even on used machines.

The only drawbacks on the SDB is that it is limited to pistol rds. only, and must use Dillon dies. They are very good dies, but I like having options. Their other models like the 550 series and the 650s can be used with dies from any other manufacturer. You can also load rifle rds. with them.

Well built machines, that will last you a very long time.


Now, since no one has mentioned it yet, the very first thing you need to purchase is a good reloading manual. I like the Lyman 49th edition. Read all the info in the front of the book before buying anything. Better yet, read several different guides, I am sure you have friends who will loan you one or two to read.


Good luck, and be safe.


WG840

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Freedom above all else.

My SDB has been serving me well for 20 yrs. Dillons guarantee is hard to beat, I've loaded over 200,000 rds. on mine, if you're gonna do rifle calibers as well, the 550B. Still nothing wrong with a single stage press, that's how I learned back in '73.

I have had two SDB's for the last 22 years. I only reload pistol calibers. I have yet to outgrow this machine and, cannot imagine I ever will.

I can't recommend single stage or turrets.....They do the same as a progressive, only a lot slower !

Yet another vote for Dillon. I've had my 550B for 25 years or so, and if I ever break anything, I just call Dillon and the part is on its way, no charge. Best customer service I have ever encountered.

As a side note, I had a Lee progressive before I got the Dillon, and was constantly fussing with it. It would reload ammo, but it was a pain to work with. Seemed kinda flimsy to me, too. Might as well buy what you're gonna end up with.

My vote is for Dillon also! I own two of them, both over 20 years old.

Are you sure you NEED a progressive?

You can't go wrong with either the Dillon or Hornady. I currently use the Hornady, but have thought about buying a Dillon to keep set up for .45's. Keep in mind that the Hornady is a true progressive, meaning that it automatically advances the cartridge to the next station with each pull of the handle. This feature helps to eliminate the possibility of a double charge of powder. I believe you need to step up to the Dillon 650 before you get a true progressive press from Dillon. I seem to recall that the lesser Dillon presses need to be indexed by hand. So be sure you are comparing apples to apples when you compare price. The other advantage the Hornady offers is the ease of caliber changes. I load 9mm, .38 special, 40 S&W, .45ACP, .41 Magnum, and .44 Magnum. The Hornady is a better fit for me since I change calibers fairly often. One last point, is the famous Dillon "No BS warranty". For some reason Hornady doesn't make a big deal regarding their warranty, but they are every bit as good as Dillon in this department. Any time I needed a replacement part, it was always sent out that day or the next, and always sent at no charge. The customer service people have always been very courteous and helpful. Oh and by the way, almost every time I needed a replacement part, the broken part was my own fault.

I have the Hornady LnL. A couple of my buddies bought it as well. I've never run a Dillon, but I wouldn't buy a press without the auto index, so it's a 650 if it's blue.

I'm just over 154,000 mostly pistol through mine. Needed some work around 85,000 and got it done for free.

The 550B is a true progressive. What makes a press a progressive is not the autoindexing but the ability to produce one round of ammo w/ each pull of the handle as it "progresses" thru the stations. The 550B is probably the most simple progressive to use & keep running. The fact that you manually advance gives the reloader more control over each step. Go slow, go fast, fix a jamb, much easier on the 550B. Nothing keeps you from having a squib or dbl charge but the reloader. I've seen them both on autoindexing machines. Yes, you have to pay attention, just a bit more on the 550B. The caliber changes in the Dillon IMO, far easier as all the dies are in a removeable tool head that never comes loose & can be swapped out in the time it takes to pull two pins & remove the powder measure.
I have run a pair of 550B for 20yrs+, recently sold one & bought a 650. Great machine for someone that wants a case feeder & high volumn w/ little fuss. Most just don't need that complicated/expensive a setup though. The SDB is a good little press, but won't load rifle ro certian handgun like 357sig & you must use Dillon dies.
A Lee CT is simple & cheap & can get you 150rd/hr sustained. The 550B or LNL w/o case feeder, upto 450rds/hr sustained. If you want more speed, the autoindexing doesn't give you that, the case feeder does. The case feeder on the LNL works ok, sometimes requires tweeking, same for the one for the 550B. The 650 runs smoother, better 2 speed moter on the feeder but more expensive. The LNL w/ feeder will do 600rds/hr sustained & the 650 800rds/hr. I keep saying sustained because many reloaders time 100rds then tell you they can load 1200rds/hr & it just never works that way. You have to fill primer tubes, fix small case feed jambs, primer jambs, etc. So load for one hour straight, that is your round count for an hour.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I have an old Hornady Pro-Jector (the predecessor to the current LnL AP, which is a refined through evolution version of my old press). I also know Mike Dillon (primarily through our mutual interest in old warplanes, and having both been based at SDL for many years). Dillon makes a great press, and has outstanding customer service. Hornady also makes a great press, and has outstanding customer service. The LnL is the equivalent of the Dillon 650 in operation. The difference comes in price (Hornady is quite a bit less expensive than Dillon) and ease of caliber change (the Hornady LnL is faster and easier to change caliber, in my experience, especially if going from large to small primers, or vice versa). The Hornady is also less expensive if you want to make relatively fast caliber changeovers, as a complete set of LnL bushings is quite a bit less expensive than a Dillon toolhead for each caliber you want to load. I've found changing calibers to be not too difficult or terribly time-consuming on my Pro-Jector, which requires screwing each die in or out, once the dies have been set up properly. However, the LnL setup does appeal to me. I am considering buying a new LnL for multi-caliber use (mostly .38/.357, .44 Magnum, 9mm and .500 Magnum) and leaving the good old Pro-Jector set up as a dedicated machine for .45 ACP, which I load a lot of. Changing calibers on my old Pro-Jector isn't too bad, but it's a snap on the LnL. My vote is Hornady, but sure wouldn't be offended if you choose Dillon. Either will serve you very well.

My Dillon 550B arrived yesterday. I have been reloading for about 30 years with a RCBS Rock Chucker (single stage). It was great for rifle, and still is, which I primarily shot for years. This past year I have been shooting more hand guns, .38 special and .40 S&W. The wife and daughter joined in. I can't keep up with the demand. Last month I reloaded 400 each of the .40 and .38. I don't want to shoot them! I don't want to go through that single stage process again. I went with the Dillon because two engineering buddies have them, a 650 and a 550 and are happy with their choise. I had looked at the others also. The 550 got the nod over the 650 because of cost and the belief that it can keep those two women satisfied. I know, I know......

I have heard nothing but good about Dillon. But the original expense was WOW, and by the time you buy extra calibers

I got the Hornady. Their service is excellent. Make sure you get a generation 2 Hornady powder measure with the progressive. It has a vertical return spring while the older ones have a long diagonal spring. You can not buy the lower powder assembly for generation 1 powder measure and the new ones won't work with generation 1. I have a generation 1, along with 3 lower powder assemblies. I tried to buy a fourth and was told by Hornady the new models could not be made to work with the generation 1 powder measure.

I like my Hornady progressive a lot. I load only handgun calibers on it. I also have a single stage and Lee Turret presses. I use them.

I would recommend getting a cheap single stage to learn on. You will use it after you get the progressive. I don't use enough rifle rounds to make the set up changes worth while. If you are going to only load 357 sig and 40, perhaps the progressive is all you need. And the Dillon raises in the consideration

All my rifle calibers are loaded on the turret and single stage RCBS. I bought the RCBS from a friend for $25. I told him it was worth more but I did not need it that bad. It was true, I had the Lee Turret. But, it certainly is worth $25 for a RCBS Rockchucker.

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old not on active duty Marine

Last weekend, I went to reload some 38s on my 550. I'd never done it before (always loaded 45's) in the past. Couldn't find my small primer cup and plunger.

Called customer service, they took my request, told me "no charge" It'll be there in a day or two. Could I use another arm? Told him "no, I've got the old one'. He said if I had two, it would be faster to change calibers. So, I said "OK".

Ordered it Friday and it got here Tuesday (3 day weekend).

To be honest, I had heard they were good but, like many people, I had been putting off calling (dreading it?). Much, much better than my experience with Hornady! (Rude, charged me for parts they didn't send,I had to call repeatedly)

Use it for 45 Colt, 38 spl, going to 45 acp and 9mm or 38 Super.

Load my BP rounds, "weird" cartridges (454, 38 S & W, 44 spl)= that I only load 100 or so at a time= on my RCBS.

Barbouka case illustrates the need for a progressive, and can justify the cost of a Dillon based on demand. I have nothing against Dillon it's reputation preceeds itself just on customer loyalty and reviews & warranty coverage. However, for me I couldn't justify the cost based on demand. I picked up a pre-owned unused RockChucker, and for shooting a couple hundred rounds a month during the summer months in Maine, I can keep up with my supply without any problems. Using my Cabela's bucks to purchase supplies, I figure somewhere between 1000 and 1500 rounds the equipment will have paid for itself.

If you do a search, you will find that there have been some pretty good threads giving nothing but good reports on the blue or red machines (Dillon and Hornady).

I've got one of the first generation LNL-AP's Hornady made- and I've got a 5 gallon bucket 3/4 full of spent primers to prove I've used it a bit. I did have a sub-plate crack (it wasn't the press's fault- it was from using for a task it wasn't meant to do! Don't ask...) but they sent me a new sub plate no charge! All I can say is they have been greatly helpful and they've also got great customer service and stand behind their products. Also, if you need a shellplate that isn't listed in their catalog or on a site- send them a piece of brass and they will make it for you- they did for me for .56-50 Spencer for a reasonable fee.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

I heartily second the Lee turret. I have a Hornady LNL progressive, love it. Also have an RCBS that works well too. The Lee turret is the one that gets used mostly for small batches of a couple hundred rounds. The progressives are much more trouble to change caliber, especially when you change primer size. The turret is also easier for a beginner because it's only doing one thing at a time, with a progressive you're doing five things at once. If yiu start with a turret, & buy a progressive later, you will find yourself still using the turret a lot. But to your question, when I bought my Hornady, I did a lot of research comparing the Dillon & Hornady. I have never regretted choosing the Hornady. Good luck with your decision.

If you want the best, buy Dillon. When you buy Dillon you are getting the best equipment plus you are getting the best , most no b/s service in the industry. These folks actually do what they say they will and they get it done FAST. As Kimber raised the bar when it comes to 1911's so did Dillon when it comes to Progressive presses and related equipment. I have 2 550B's and a Square Deal. I've been using the 550B for many years without a single manufacturing defect. Same on the SD. The only problems I've encountered were normal wear and tear and they shipped the parts asap.

Add a RCBS Rock Chucker press and you will have as fine a reloading set-up as you will ever need.

My 2 cents would be to go with a single stage loader since you are new to reloading, I'm also new into reloading rifle caseings I think a progressive press is more for veterian reloaders

I learned on a Lee progressive.

I bought the Hornady.

If you buy a progressive press you can load one bullet at a time until you are comfortable loading two, and so on until you are running a full plate.

If you buy a single stage, you will load each round one stage at a time. You will hate reloading pistol in any volume.

I'm also thinking about getting into reloading for handgun rounds only. What about the LEE PRO 1000? This price certainly can't be beat:

https://factorysales.com/html/xcart/catalog/lp1000.html

Is there something to look out for here?

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--Rick

thanks gunners i just ordered lyman 49th i hope to be making bullets this summer even walmart is getting pricy the 357 sig aint cheap i got a 40cal barrel on the way im gonna start reloading 40 then when im comfortable try the 357 sig
theres just so much to learn my head is spinning
this web site is great info thank you thank you thank you

Lee makes a lot of good equipment at reasonable prices; however, this use an instance which will usually prove the old adage that you get what you pay for, with a corollary that one can buy a lot of trouble and frustration for a lot less than true satisfaction. I will say no more regarding this particular press.

Thank you. I've just discovered some similar opinions elsewhere so perhaps I should look at a Dillon Square Deal?

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--Rick

The Dillon Square deal has only one tiny problem- it will not, and cannot be engineered or rigged in any way to accept standard 7/8"x14 dies.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

Another SHAMELESS PLUG for the Dillon RL550B--Best thing since sliced bread
I use a Bonanza Co-Ax for the M-1 Garand and the long-range rifle, but the Dillon does all the 5.56mm, .45ACP, .44 Magnum and .357 Magnum stuff. My annual pistol cartridge expenditure is >40,000 rounds. The Dillon feeds the sickness with less time expended than anything else I have used. I have complete quick-change sets for all pistol calibers in my Bullseye & Silhouette favorites. Most importantly to me, the dillon makes what I believe are the highest-quality reloads of all, with excellent dimensional control of the cartridge through the steps, and a nice plus is the accurate and repeatable powder measures. Do I have more $$ invested? Yep. It only costs a little more to go first class. Easiest and most trouble-free setup you will find, best construction materials and hands-down the best warranty and Customer Service. Smith & Wesson could learn a few things from Dillon in Customer Service attitudes. Whatever you choose, pay attention while you work. It may get to the point where you think you can do more than "just" reload ammo, but a double-charge is easily done with a slip of your attention. Big trouble then
Best of luck. It will still be fun.
Arman4461

Unless you like fixing things more than reloading, I owuld pass on either Lee progressive. SOme guys get them to run ok, but many more sell it & buy a better made progressive like the LNL or Dillon. If you want to go cheap, go with the Lee CT. It's far less finciky, although the priming system has always been finicky. You do get what yo upay for when it comes to guns & reloading. I have broken more Lee gear than I now own. It just isn't made well, poor QC. Unless you are 80, you gear will out live you. I still have my first ss press form 35yrs ago, my first Dillon 550, converted to 550B is still going strong some 20yrs+ later, but @ my friends house. Buy quality once & never be disappointed, or buy the Lee, then look at it as waisting $200 you could have spent on your LNL when you buy one later.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I'm the odd man out, I've got an RCBS Pro2000 and wouldn't trade it for any other color. Change overs are quick and easy and I don't need any spare parts kit. You rarely hear about RCBS excellent customer service because the product speaks for itself

A lot of recommendations here for the Dillon 550. Be aware the Hornady LNL is more akin to a Dillon 650, just sayin'. Both are great from what I can tell, have no experience with Dillon, very satisfied with Hornady, both have excellent customer service, as does RCBS. I've heard a lot of bad about Lee's progressives. Just stands to reason, something selling for half or less isn't up to the same standards.

Please bear with me as I'm learning. What is the advantage to standard dies over the Square Deal dies? If it is price, at this point I don't think I will be changing to different calibers, but who knows where this would lead.

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--Rick

My 16 yo Dillion 550B is still cranking out pistol rounds. By now judging from the amount of primers I have boughtt over the years (i buy 5K - 10K) at a time, it has produced well over 100K rounds and is still chugging along. Dillon has replaced the very few minor parts that have worn out (for free) sort of the progressive press equivelent of needing to replace windshield wipers every once in awhile.

I have friends that have tried to save bucks by buying other progressive presses, and after awhile, they wish they had spent the few extra bucks on a Dillon, that, or they didn't reload alot of rounds to start with. The majority of IPSC/USPSA, IDPA, ICORE and other competitive shooters that load A LOT of pistol rounds do it on a Dillon.

if you get the square deal, it will only allow you to load handgun cartridges, and dies made by other manufacturers will not work, only dillon ones, and then only the ones for the square deal. that made me pass up on it. the 550b allows for use of standard reloading dies from other manufacturers.

As a couple of others asked, are you sure you need a progressive? The amount of ammo needed to be loaded will dictate your preference. I vote for the Dillon if you do need one. If you only shoot 50 to 100 rounds at a time a couple times a month you could get by with a single stage press very easily, and save a few hundred dollars. Remember, the press is the big item, but you still need a scale, calipers, primer pocket cleaning tool, case neck deburring tool, priming tool, case vibrator (cleaning option) and there will be a few other misc. items.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thank you. I'll only be loading handgun calibers.

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--Rick

The Hornady LNL AP is the one I would recommend - like any press there is some setup and quirks to learn into.... I can do 300 rounds an hour at a smooth pace without trying too hard. I really didnt care about the cost difference but Im happy with my choice and glad i saved the money and put it to better use.

This article tipped it in favor of the hornady, doesnt seem to have been written by a hornady fanboy either - http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

The conclusion from the comparision
"Is the Dillon three times the press as a Lee, functionally speaking? No, although it is the better machine. Is the Hornady twice the press as the Lee, functionally speaking? Darn close – maybe more so. Does the Lee allow for powder check and separate seat/crimp stations? No - if that's a show-stopper for you, you have to take a Dillon or a Hornady. The Dillon should, in principle, make more accurate ammo than the Lee – and the Hornady should be a little better than the Dillon). How much more, and how much that matters, is an issue for each shooter. After some soul-searching, I have switched to the Hornady. Compared to the Lee, it‟s smoother, the powder system is better, the case feeder is more reliable and versatile, and it‟s a true five-die setup. Compared to the Dillon it‟s cheaper and faster to do calibre changes, and smoother to operate. I‟ll miss the Dillon – finely-made equipment is a joy to have around..."

The first portion of the article is very funny.... its make Dillon look like the APPLE of the reloading business.

With the money I saved I also bought a Lee Classic Turret press (100 rounds/hr). I absolute love the Lee Classic Turret and use it for high power precision ammo where speed of reloading is not as important. I use Lee dies for all calibers I load (even on the hornady) along with some specialized crimp dies for big calibers. Lee dies all work fine and PTX is included in their dies.

I brought a Dillon RL 550 B way back in about 1994 I think. WOW is that the machine. I liked it so much I brought a Dillon XL650 and use it only for my 45 ACP and 44 mag. loads. I am on call 24/7 and do not want to spend all my time reloading or fixing a reloader. I have not made one call into Dillon about a problem with either machine. And they have both loaded a TON of ammo. Someone else said it best, and I believe this whole heartedly, you get what you pay for. I started out with an old Pacific single stage, and thats is a good way to get familiar with the reloading hobby, but it is NO way to make ammo fast. I was very skeptical of loading my rifle ammo with the "progressive press. But one day I tried it and put that ammo to the test at 300 yards. Can you believe it shot as good as my single stage bests target rounds. So yes. the 650 loads 45 and 44 and the 550 loads everything else.
I would say to ANYONE that loves to shoot and range time, get the Dillon, and never settle for 2nd best. I veiw this as a lifetime hobby, in other words, I will be shooting my guns until the day I die. So looking at it from this perspective the Dillon is cheep.
Stay FAR away from the Lee's, built way to cheep and will never hold up if you shoot allot. I know because all my cheep buddies want me to "fix" em so they can get back on the range. And they even have the balls to ask to "borrow" the 550 for a couple days. Aint happenin.
No one I know has the "Lock & Load" Hornady around here, so I cant comment on that one. I do know Hornady does make quality stuff.
Good luck in whatever you purchase, and a hugh WELCOME to the reloading hobby.

As someone who used to own the Hornady LNL, I don't agree with the review at all. While the press was OK, it had frequent problems with the shell plate springs, case feeder, and auto-indexing. I ended up selling the press and was happy to be rid of it.

I bought a used blue press, had Dillon rebuild it, and it's been 100% flawless. The Hornady can be picked up at a very attractive price right now, but I can't recommend it after my lemon of a press. Buy something that is blue and be done.

THis is a frequent issue w/ the LNL. I have abuddy that bought one, he is a machinist by trade. He has done all kinds of tweeking to get his to run near 100%. It's now a pretty good machine for him, but having run it & the 650, the 650 is a better rig IMO. It is also what I bought when replacing one of my 550B. Better priming system, far better case feeder & I like the tool heads for caliber changes, but admit to leaving this one setup for 45acp at the moment.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

For years I swore by my single stage and at turrets and progressives. Most owned by friends seemed more trouble than they were worth.
The Dillon 550B is just the opposite. Very consistant and reliable. Caliber changes are a snap with the interchangable die blocks/tool heads . Set 'em and forget 'em. Haven't had to adjust my .38 Special or .45 ACP settings in years. Dillon's video makes set up and getting started so simple , and their customer support is impeccible.

40 years ago I started reloading on a Lee reloader .
The type you use a hammer to drive the case in and out of the die .
Over the years I have owned , Lyman and RCBS reloading presses .
In 1989 I bought a Dillon 550B . When I am not shooting matches I shot about 200 - 300 rds a week . I am loading pistol and rifle ammunition on that press .
I have also used my friends other brands reloading presses.
The Dillon 550B is BY FAR the best press of the bunch .
Once the press is "charged" with primers and powder it takes me about 41/2 to 5 minutes to load 50 rounds of 45 ACP .
With the exception of one part of the primer feed mechanism that I destroyed (replaced by Dillon at no cost to me) my
550B never needed the warranty service from Dillon.

Good morning
Get a 550 Dillon. If you hunt and be patient you can come up with a good used press in the caliber or possibly multiple calibers you want. Last one I bought cost me $250 with numerous accessories. They are garenteed and Dillon is good to help.

OK Im going to break the chain of thought here...I don't think the Dillon is a good chice for a beginner. Sorry. Don't get me wrong I own a Dillon and plan on buying another, but... for a beginner I really believe you are best off with a single stage press (Lee Aniversary kit). Buy it load 1,000-5,000 rounds, get you head around everything then go for a progressive. I believe you will learn more an better, as trying to concerntrate on 4 things at once with a progressive is a bit too much for a learner. But as for a progressive, Dillon gets my vote. Love my 650.

OK Im going to break the chain of thought here...I don't think the Dillon is a good chice for a beginner. Sorry. Don't get me wrong I own a Dillon and plan on buying another, but... for a beginner I really believe you are best off with a single stage press (Lee Aniversary kit). Buy it load 1,000-5,000 rounds, get you head around everything then go for a progressive. I believe you will learn more an better, as trying to concerntrate on 4 things at once with a progressive is a bit too much for a learner. But as for a progressive, Dillon gets my vote. Love my 650.