Briefly... am saving money. Hope by December to have enough to buy a good progressive press. However, am torn between Dillion SD-B and 550. Want to load .38 Special, .44 Special and .45 ACP (to be used in 625-2 and RIA 1911-A1). Will shoot cast lead bullets. Probably use AA powders as the ball powder meters so very well.

Having problems figuring out the real actual cost of either press set up for the above calibers. I have some nice carbide .38/.357 dies by RCBS that I bought while in seminary (ca. 1980), so I'd only have to buy to more sets of dies for the 550.

Bought 5,000 SP primers w/ birthday discount at Midway. Have some Red Dot, Green Dot and Unique on hand. Have at least 3,000 .38 Special cases and at least 2,000 .45 ACP cases. Alas... have no .44 Special cases on hand.

Will appreciate suggestions/thoughts from those who use progressive loading machines. I am leaning toward the 550 as it would allow me to load cast lead loads for my .30-06 for use in vintage military rifle matches. Sincerely. brucev.

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