I started with a Hornady 007 press. Luckily, at work we had zinc plating capability.

I plated the link arms, and while I had it apart, I moly greased all the pivot pins etc....

The reason I am happy I did this is that press has not been used for anything, except collecting dust, since I got my Dillon 550B. At least the 007 has not rusted solid!!

I did side by side accuracy comparisons of ammo using the two above presses after the 550B arrived.

IMHO the consistency of progressive press loaded ammo is far more accurate than single step hand loaded ammo.

I attribute this mostly to the powder measure on the 550B being operated by the long throw of the 550B's operating handle. It is very easy to get consistent results, which is necessary for repeatable ammunition.

About a year ago, I was helping a gent at work make this decision. Much to my surprise, when we added up all the stuff you need (not want) to load pistol ammo, there really wasn't much difference in price between a Dillon Square Deal and a good single stage press. IIRC, the difference amounted to about a box of JHP ammo.

He decided on the single stage press. The advantage of the Dillon and other progressive presses are generally the speed of loading. If you clean primer pockets, that kinda evens the speed thing out. Also, the Square Deal doesn't use standard dies, I'm not sure if you can get bushings to adapt them to a 7/8-14 thread used in standard presses.

One suggestion: if Dillon still has them available, their AT-500 was a press that uses standard dies, stripped of all add on gadgets. You'd have to buy the primer feed system (IIRC) and a powder measure, but you could, if you wanted to, turn it into a progressive press over time.

I've got a Dillon 300 set up for .45 ACP and like it. Yeah, I've gotta rotate the shell plate and manually operate the primer & powder systems, but it's less stuff to go wrong. I still load the rest of my stuff on a 1968 Lyman Spartan.

I haven't been into reloading very long. I read a ton of stuff before I finally made up my mind what to buy. You've got a lot of good information in this thread. In the end it will have to be you and you alone who will have to sift through it all and make up your mind. I went with the Dillon 550B and couldn't be happier. Hope you'll be happy with whatever you finally decide on.

Learning and lower quantities; single stage. Too lazy to swap dies; turret. Massive quantities; progressive.

Reloading isn't a chore, it's a way of life.

Like any hobby as you progress in knowledge, experience and time in the hobby you commit more money to it.

Nobody is likely to suggest a new shooter go buy a $2500 custom 1911 as their first gun.

Why do you want to reload?
To save money? For what? To shoot more or just to spend less on ammo? (most find you shoot more and don't really "save" (as in left over) dollars when you reload).
For some kind of ammo you can't buy? (Lead in a 9mm for indoor range use perhaps) Light target loads?
For better ammo, as in accuracy?

Each and every press type and brand has a reason for existing - so each can be 'sold' to you if we only talk the positives. Like cars - more room? Better mileage? Easier to park? Better warranty? Better handling? Bigger trunk? Or do you want a truck instead?

If you're loading pistol you want a true progressive. Its nothing to blow thru 200 rounds on a trip to the range and to go there once a week. A progressive can load that in 1/2 hour or so, vs 4 hours or more for a single stage.
IMO progressives are safer - once you set the powder charge it's darned hard to double charge a case or leave one empty.

I'd spend a bit more upfront and get a press with more die positions/stages. My Loadmaster has 5 (like a dillon 650) and I use everyone of them. The pro 1000 / dillon 550 has 4, which of course can work, but for the small upcharge ($50-100) it's well worth it.

The loadmaster, starting from nothing to loading 9mm cost me about $350. I know more now than then so would do it a bit differently (skip the lee scale for example) so perhaps $400-450 would get you loading.

A dillon 650 locally is $750. A lot of money for something you're not sure you're gonna like. But if you reload a lot it's not much more money. I'm sure you'll add $150 to that price (scale, bullet puller, tumbler) so it's gonna end up twice the price of the loadmaster.

If money is an issue then get the lee. it works fine with some tweaking, but the info is out there on the net and it's better IMO to know your press intimately than with say, the square deal B dillon that comes ready to run - if anything goes awry you're lost as to what/why/how. And things will go awry with any and every press. Machines get dirty, out of adjustment, wear, break. It just happens.

I'm saving for a 1050 super. Guessing the cost to be $1900 range. Why? I"m getting into rifle reloading and it can automate some steps that I have to do manually. It can also load 1200 rounds an hour (vs 400 with a loadmaster). I"m finding i'm shooting more and want to shoot more yet.
I've shot 3000 rounds of 9 and 38 this past year and am working on reloading 1000 30-06 and plan to get into 45 and 223 next year. The savings on the 30-06 is over $500 alone. I've saved over $600 this year on 9/38. So while the dillon it pricey it will pay for itself in 2 seasons and last me a couple of decades. But it's not something any newbie should buy!

BUY QUALITY!

I would suggest a kit. Perhaps a RCBS Rockchucker single stage kit with the additional equipment needed for reloading.

Read two books, what does not soak up from one author will possible be better covered by the other.

After you learn how to reload with rockchucker you will know when it is time to move up.

I still have my Rockchucker, but now use a Redding T-7 turret press, the perfect match to my two Dillon 650's. (My second press was the Dillon 550)

Reloading is fun and it requires a learning curve for any press. Get a press that will last a lifetime. If you want to trade up some day it will retain much of its value. When I sold my Dillon 550 I accually lost $10...try doing that with a Lee machine. This is kinda like buying a Smith and Wesson over a Taurus.

Read those books!

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ineedannudernewgun

I personally think a Lee Turret Press is perfect for beginning pistol loading. Perfect middle ground of single stage and progressive. Best thing for me is no need to "move up". 250 rounds an hour is perfect to me

For me its the RCBS for resizing lead bullets and the Hornady LNL AP for the rest. both great presses.

thewelshm

My vote goes to the Dillon 650 which runs just under $700 not including Dies. IMHO it's the first and last you'll ever need. I did not buy it until 30 years after I stared reloading, and now regret waiting so long to upgrade. I love the damned thing!

I also own a RCBS Rock Chucker and still use it for 38-55 and 45-70 but all other calibers get done on the Dillon 650.

This thread brings back old memories.

novalty,

Newbies NEED to read too, their addition to the marketplace has

added to the component and ammo shortages.

Now with another mass shooting at Ft Hood,

Watch for MORE LEGISLATION and more FIREARMS SALES,

History will repeat itself for sure.

Grab what you can, if you haven't already, ya can't load without components.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

You are correct moonman, and I stand by my old statement in this thread from over a year ago-- we have a search feature on this forum that works well. Plus we have a notable thread feature at top of this section.

Moonman, I am concerned about the subliminal message in your post. Are you saying we NEED MORE LEGISLATION ON FIREARM SALES?

novaltny,

I'm not saying we need more legislation, BUT YOU WATCH, there

are some who never MISS A POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY to stir up

GUN CONTROL activity.

Also,

The newer generation prefers INSTANT GRATIFICATION, they don't have time for fancy SEARCH and RESEARCH.

They want their ANSWERS NOW!!!!

Just think if they could TWEET or FACEBOOK here.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO