whats the best progressive press?

evel knievel · Jun 1, 2011

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

novalty · Jun 1, 2011

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

ronnie gore · Jun 1, 2011

press

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.

Mack · Jun 1, 2011

The blue one.

kidneystones · Jun 1, 2011

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.

Maximumbob54 · Jun 1, 2011

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.

RufusG · Jun 1, 2011

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.

NFrameFred · Jun 1, 2011

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

Wheelgunner840 · Jun 1, 2011

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

Coaltminer · Jun 1, 2011

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.

CGM · Jun 1, 2011

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 !

scattershot · Jun 1, 2011

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.

jchapm9 · Jun 1, 2011

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

4306 · Jun 1, 2011

Are you sure you NEED a progressive?

wantmoresmiths · Jun 1, 2011

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.

robctwo · Jun 2, 2011

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.

fredj338 · Jun 2, 2011

wantmoresmiths said:
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. .

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.

310Pilot · Jun 2, 2011

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.

LazyKB · Jun 2, 2011

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......

shotslow · Jun 2, 2011

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.

whats the best progressive press?

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads