whats the best progressive press?

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. :D
 
Maximumbob54 said:
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.
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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.
 
thank you

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
 
rmcnelly said:
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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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.
 
310Pilot said:
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.
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Thank you. I've just discovered some similar opinions elsewhere so perhaps I should look at a Dillon Square Deal?
 
Another SHAMELESS PLUG for the Dillon RL550B--Best thing since sliced bread:D
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
 
rmcnelly said:
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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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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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 :D
 
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.
 
Andy Griffith said:
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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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.
 
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.
 
rmcnelly said:
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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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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