I would strong recommend going straight to a progressive especially with all these tutorial videos available now.. I've done it. A single stage to do the entire process is a massive waste a time especially just for plinking. Just run 1 shell at a time through the progressive till everything is running smooth and you can understand everything

I bought presses in the following order
1) Progressive
2) Classic Turret
3) Single Stage

For a pistol shooter who shoots quite a bit, like getting into IDPA, getting a single stage for their only press is a huge mistake that can cause the new reloader to quit in frustration. It is just too slow for loading hundreds of cartridges.
If they have no mentor and don't trust their ability to understand and follow directions, then the Lee classic turret might be a simpler start.

However, I have mentored several reloaders who started right out on the Dillon and never regretted it. I was there to verify their press and procedures, and give them a "no, no" when they got the urge to skip steps and let safety get slack.

Biggest problem I had with beginners was not with their learning the press, but simple stuff like not wanting to use a scale to recalibrate the powder measure when changing lots of powder because "they thought it would be OK."

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Science plus Art

25 years ago, I had a Hornady (I think that is what it was) progressive press - it was okay.

When I got back into shooting earlier this year, I went with the Dillon Square deal. It is a very good press and I have no regrets. I am also borrowing a Dillon 550 press from a friend which is an older unit. One of the parts failed on it, I wrote Dillon, they sent the part out right away. Can't beat the service and support.

Both machines are rather easy to setup and use and no one should fear the "complexities" of a progressive press. Not to be rude, but if you can handle a gun, clean the gun, and take it apart and put it back together again, you should be comfortable with a progressive press.

Part of my decision to go with Dillon had to do with availability of reloading components locally. No one around here stocks all the stuff so I had no choice but to go with mail (internet) order. From that point, I looked around to see who was getting service and Dillon stood out pretty loudly.

Just my 2 cents

Chris

Auto indexing and price made the choice easy for me. The Dillon 650 is a great machine but cost sent me to the Hornady LNL and I am happy with it.

There is no BETTER progressive press than any one that Dillon makes. There are some that are as good, and some with different features, but none better. That being said, a progessive is not for everyone. Some folks just never get a grip on "righty tighty and lefty loosey" and if that is you, don't get a progressive press. If you have mild mechanical skills, and have a modicum of attention to detail, then you can use any of them.

My first progressive press was a Square Deal that I got used for $150. Son #1 has it now and is loading on it. The next one I bought off of ebay and it was a Square Deal as well but cost me $200. Then, there was a guy that wanted to sell his last Square Deal B press and I bought that for $150 and our son in law is loading 40 S&W on it. At this time, I have an XL650, a Square Deal B, a Lee Classic Cast Turret Press and several single stage presses.

Each has its use and purpose. If you are going to be shooting a lot, there is nothing like a progressive press. If you aren't going to shoot as much as all that, the Lee Classic Cast Turret is a great choice.


The biggest thing is to get started reloading and do it now. There isn't too much pressure on the hobby now but let a liberal congress get back in or some other political catastrophe happen and the supply of ammo is going to dry up again. Then where will you be?

I will have ammo. Hopefully, so will you......................

thanks gunners for all your help
i still have alot of stuff to buy -but the heart of my reloading system has arrived

Happy Landings

evel knievel

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Atta Baby, Evel!!!

You're going to love it.

And just think, all you had to do is mortgage your firstborn! For some, that may not be a bad choice! hahahaha

Take your time in setting it up. Did you get a strong mount? If not, make sure the lever will make a full stroke where you mount it. That turkey goes back under the table a ways and can cause you some trouble if you aren't too careful!

Let us know how things go!

You don't even know yet how good you did! I have owned a Dillon 550 for about 5 years. My best guess is that I've loaded about 15,000 rounds in 3 calibers. Every time I've called Dillon to ask a question, I've talked to a fellow who reloads his own ammo. No 'tech support in India' with these guys. Only advice now; if you've never reloaded, find a buddy near you who can help you set up. It will be so very much easier than going it alone at this stage.

Hey - I'm in Ohio if that's near you. Be glad to show you the little bit I know.

Ya ever notice that when people talk about progressive presses Dillon seems to be the brand that every other make is compared to? Brand X has a little better priming set up than the Dillon. Brand Y is less expensive than a Dillon. Brand Z has just as good customer support as Dillon. I still use an old Dillon 450 and I have to admit I occasionally find myself thinking about the Hornady LNL. There are things about it that seem very well thought out to me. However if the new generation of presses are getting good it’s because Dillon set the bar so high. How many remember the old inline progressives?

If a newb wants a progressive, the 550B is about perfect. It can easily be run turret syel, one round at a time until you learn the process. Then you can start using it at anytime to load upto 500rds/hr, not that diff if you are coord & organized. Then you don't have to buy one later. Although, IMO, there is always a need for a good SS press. I load on a 550B & 650 & still use my SS press often.

My 'vote' is for a Dillon 550B.

The "best" progressive press is without question the Dillon 1050.

However, it is not necessarily the best choice for everyone.

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NRA Pistol Instructor

I have the dillon 550B and love it. It has made thousands of troublefree rounds.

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20 years Mil, 18 yrs Sac P.D.