I've had access to two 550s for years but no longer. I'd like to spend around $200-250, excluding dies of course, so I only expect to do 100 or so an hour. I tried searching this site but no help.
THANKS TO ALL ! . . . dan

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HIS Trains 'a LEAVIN

Lee progressive?

There are videos of them in action on youtube, and I gotta say they look impressive.

Lee Loadmaster Loading 9mm Luger (HD) - YouTube

/c

Lee progressive presses tend to be rather problematic, can't recommend them. I suggest you consider a used Hornady Pro-Jector, the fore-runner to the Lock n Load AP. A good, solid press which has auto indexing, and will easily out-produce a 550. They come up from time to time, usually around $250-300. I have had one for about 25-3030-45 years, still like it. Make sure it has the primer tubes, the only part no longer available.

Lee Classic turret. Best value on the market for the noncompetitive shooter. 150/hr.

Ditto on the Lee Classic Turret. Set your dies once and never have to mess with them again, unless you WANT to change something. I deprime/resize on Station 1, reprime off-press, then flare and drop powder with a Lee Pro charge bar setup, WAY better than the older Lee Auto-disk setup. Then seat and crimp normally.

When starting with primed brass, I can load about 300 rounds an hour if I stay focused and don't take a lot of breaks. The best part is that I can drop powder in all the cases I'm loading, check all powder levels at once under a good light, then go on to seat bullets. As they come out of the seat/crimp die I drop them down a rubber tube into a waiting ammo can.

PapaJohn! I've seen that photo before! Where's the cat? Gotta' recommend the Lee Classic Turret.

Here's a review. Real Guns - Lee Classic Turret, It's Not Just For Kids

You said you only expect to load 100 rounds/hour but with a Lee Classic Turret Press you can safely load between 180 to 200 rounds/hour. For the price you can't do better IMO. For $199.95 you can buy the Lee Classic Turret Press Kit and I highly suggest the upgrade to the PRO Auto-Disk powder measure. For an additional $12 it's a much better tool than the standard powder measure.

Add a scale, set of calipers, a good load manual or 2 and components and you're all set...

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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The only other suggestion I could make is this: Since you are familiar with the Dillon 550, check out their entry level press that can be upgraded to an RL550 over time.

Here: Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders

On this press, you can use a Lee powder measure with their dies installed. One cheap solution until you get enough money to convert to the Dillon. It will basically work just like an RL550 as far as setup and loading. Priming will have to be done off of the press though. Something to think about though. This same press can "grow" with you, so to speak.

You cannot go wrong with the Lee Classic Cast Turret Press that AA suggested either. Kempf is a "local" store for me, less than 50 miles away, and will have everything you need in stock.

Even moulds when you get ready to start casting!

I like Dillon products. While I do own other brands as well (RCBS) I feel the Dillon is a better product and along with their no BS guarantee, you simply can't go wrong. New, they cost more than you are looking to spend, but you could buy one used on Ebay. You need not be concerned if a small part is missing or if it is not 100% because Dillon will send you anything you need to fully refurbish it, free of charge. They are truly a great Company.

Chief38

Since Dillon has such great customer service and that awe inspiring "no BS warranty," sounds like the person who had the two 550's that you had access to, needs to start getting a lot of parts replaced--about a press worth. On a more serious note, the Lee Turret would probably be where I'd start my search if your demand requires more than the volume of a traditional single stage. If you want to spend closer to the max of your budget I'd get a Redding T7 turret.

Save your money a bit longer or use a credit card and buy the 550. You will regret it if you don't, and you will end up selling what you buy at a loss and buying the 550 anyway.

Lee Classic turret. There is no better deal out there and it will outlast you.
The only reason to get more press is if you are arthritic, into shooting sports/need 5000+ rounds a month, etc...
The Dillon 550 is overkill unless you need lots and lots of ammo, and to set it up will be double or more the price you want to spend unless you have dies and the accessories for it now?

Don't get me wrong, I'd have one if it auto-indexed. I am going to have a XL650 some day, soon hopefully.

I gotta go with the Lee Classic Turret. I just upgraded from their Turret Press to the Classic and I love it. Works very smooth and everything good said about it in the above posts is true. Great price for a great press. Lee's customer service is outstanding also. Great company. MidwayUSA has the best prices on Lee equipment.

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I have a Dillon and an RCBS single stage. The single stage, I find, is better for low volume, high quality loads (i.e. max loads, hunting loads, BP rifle,etc). I use the Dillon for my CAS loads and plinkers. I don't regret having either.

The RCBS starter kit is right in where you need to be. For most calibers, used (older edition) manuals or the Internet will suffice for looking up loads. You don't say what or how many calibers you'll be loading. If more than a couple, the Dillon could get expensive fast. If only one, the Dillon starts to look better. Do you have a powder scale, bullet puller (you WILL need one eventually), etc.,or are you figuring that into your budget? Incidentally, Dillon's use regular dies in the 550.

Be careful about E-bay==some of the prices are higher than through someone like Brian Enos (great guy!). Buy from him and you save on shipping. Your best bet is to buy locally, used.

If money was a real issue, I would search the local papers for a used one (Dillon). Real deals can be found, if you are quick==they sell fast. If you can, wait, save up and buy a used one. Keep saving up and if nothing comes up, then buy a new Dillon. Their CS makes it worthwhile==I've used it twice. No charge for parts, delivery within 2 days and one delivery was on a Sat!
:For what it is worth, the only problems I have had with reloading equip. was with Hornady. Coincidentally, the only bad CS I've ever had from a major manufacturer was also Hornady!