Buying progressive. Wait for RCBS ProChucker or Dillon 650 / Hornady L-N-L now?

[MN2944]

I've gone back and forth with the merits of a progressive vs single stage for my pistol ammo. Each time I've been ready to make a purchase, I decide to stick with my SS. The new RCBS ProChucker that was introduced at the SHOT show once again caught my attention. It looks like it may address a few of the minor shortcomings of other designs. On the other hand, it is unproven in the real world.

If I'm going to make the move to progressive, do you see enough benefits in the RCBS design to wait, or just go with a Dillon 650 or Hornady LNL-AP that have the proven track record?

 

[JBnTx]

Go with Dillon.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I've had a Dillion 450/550 since 1984, a friend had a 1000 since the mid 70's,my F-I-L has 2 of the 1050 since the late 80's. You can see a pattern here. I have been around several RCBS designs and I would recommend to go ahead and get a Dillion (even a used one) Ivan

 

[Smokin' Iron]

I have had excellent luck with my Dillon 550. What few dealing I have had with Dillon support have been very pleasurable.

 

[akjaeger]

Get the Dillon.
I had a Dillon 550 for over twenty years, last winter the linkage got sloppy from reloading 2-3 thousand rounds a year.
Dillon totally rebuilt it for $69.50

 

[Huskerguy]

You are going to get lots of opinions on this. I have an old pacific single stage that I have done thousands of rounds on. I debated for a long time about going progressive. A friend has an old dillon square D and a new 650 which I have not used. I read and read and went with the LNL. I love it. My friend took some time to get his 650 set up and working right and it is the same with the LNL. I still do lots of loading on my single for rounds I dont shoot as much of - 45, 223, 30-06. Just my opinon but I could be happy with my single stage. It takes more time but there is a trade off. I feel I can control things one single step at a time. I still have literally thousands of 38, 40, and 9mm in coffee cans all sized, primed by hand and most belled ready to load. I did these in batches and you will be surprised at how many you can crank out. I am very busy and when I get time I do several thousand at a time on the progressive. I dont load any more total rounds but instead of lots of small amounts of time I usually sit down for a couple hours of production. I am close to retirement and will have more time. Likely wont have any prob using my single to better monitor and spend more time at the bench because I can. JMHO but there is a certain amount of macho with having a progressive. Each to their own. I can be happy either way. You will too. Best of luck.

 

[growr]

550 Dillon has been on my bench for many years and loaded hundreds of thousands of rounds....you will NEVER regret getting one!!

Dillon Customer Service to me has been the standard by which all companies aspire to.

Randy

 

[Doubless]

I don't like blue... my favorite color is green.

'Nuff said...

 

[galena]

Here's another vote for Dillon. I have a 550B set up for .45ACP, .38Sp, and .40SW and I have a Square D exclusively for 9mm. Several years ago a part broke on my 550B and Dillon replaced it by return mail, in an other moment of stupidity, rather than use the printed directions, I disassembled the auto primer feed...............the Tech on the phone was very patient and understanding (he didn't laugh at my stupidity) and he had me up an running in no time.

I have nothing against the other brands, I loaded lots of rounds on an old Redding single stage press for a long time and I still use an RCBS Jr for bottleneck pistol rounds and my rifle reloads. I just like the speed and ease of the Dillons for high volume reloading.

 

[John R]

Get the Dillon.
I had a Dillon 550 for over twenty years, last winter the linkage got sloppy from reloading 2-3 thousand rounds a year.
Dillon totally rebuilt it for $69.50

Was that cost for shipping?
Never heard of Dillon charging for any parts or repairs.

 

[Twoboxer]

If you are interested in a 5-hole progressive, your choices are Dillon 650, Hornady LnL, and one version of the new RCBS.

If you are interested in more than 5 holes, your choices are Dillon 1050 and the other version of the new RCBS.

If you are doing pistol, you may think that a 4-hole press is enough, in which case you could consider the Dillon 550.

Neither version of the RCBS has been reviewed, and I wonder how many are actually available in retail distribution.

H & D presses all have their quirks, but both companies stand solidly behind them. There's always the possibility that the RCBS presses represent an improvement over both older designs, and historically RCBS has stood behind their products. But it will be a while before you can read what others say about the new Prochuckers.

So the choices are pretty clear . . . 4, 5, or more holes . . . take a risk now on an improved design from RCBS or wait/watch a while . . . and only you can make the choice.

 

[Snolan4571]

Dillon-Dillon- only way to go

RL550B with way over a million rounds. Never paid for a single replacement part.

 

[Old Seabee]

Reload

Hands down Dillon

 

[Harrison]

Been reloading on a Dillon 550 for 20 years without a problem. They have taken polls at the larger pistol matches to see what the various competitors are using to reload. For some reason about 90% use a Dillon. I wonder why?

 

[akjaeger]

Was that cost for shipping?
Never heard of Dillon charging for any parts or repairs.

No, that's the cost for a total rebuild including return shipping. Tight as a new press, all new linkage, primer setup and powder measure.
Pretty good deal.

 

[M1A]

I've used a Dillon 450 (replaced by the 550) for nearly forty years. It is a must for pistol. I use it for rifle to size and seat only. I have done some upgrades over the years and have loaded many 100K's with it. I tend to be skeptical of the new stuff, but that's just me.
It depends a lot on how much you shoot as well.

 

[m657]

Do you like shooting more than reloading bench chores?

About 35 years ago I had never reloaded anything of any kind, nor been around such.

The 450 Dillon had just come out.

It was easy to learn, then step to the 550. After 20 years on that, I traded it off for major down payment on the 650.

After 15 years as a 650 operator, on those few occasions I want to go 'single stage', I know how to do that ON the 650, along with however many strokes it takes to make a reloaded cartridge.

On the other hand, most of the time I'd rather get a perfect round with each pull of the handle.

Not familiar with the other colors, too busy going to the range when not waltzing with Old Blue.....

 

[fredj338]

What is The projected cost of the pro RC? It looks great, but if it's anywhere near a 1050, I would be buying the 1050.

 

[M&PUSER]

Go with the Hornady LNL AP press.

 

[MN2944]

Go with the Hornady LNL AP press.

I've certainly heard of them, but am not as familiar with it. What features do you prefer on the LNL over the Dillon?

 

[varmint243]

I am very happy with my RCBS presses
RCBS has the same customer service and warranty as Dillon

I have
partner press
rock chucker
auto 4x4
ammomaster
piggyback 2

all good presses

Dillon and Hornady also make nice stuff
Lee makes some good stuff for the money, but you have to pick and choose.

 

[ken158]

Green has had a few progressive busts in the past, I have had blue and now have red... But wish I had stayed with blue....

 

[MN2944]

Green has had a few progressive busts in the past, I have had blue and now have red... But wish I had stayed with blue....

I agree with the RCBS past issues on progressives. Despite a nice SHOT show performance, I'd be hesitant to be the BETA tester. Obviously, Hornady has years with the LNL and Dillon has decades. They have the kinks worked out.

What is it that you liked better about Dillon that makes you regret the switch to Hornady?

 

[SLT223]

I agree with the RCBS past issues on progressives. Despite a nice SHOT show performance, I'd be hesitant to be the BETA tester. Obviously, Hornady has years with the LNL and Dillon has decades. They have the kinks worked out.

What is it that you liked better about Dillon that makes you regret the switch to Hornady?

Not to mention there is quite a lot of technical support from the peer group on both of those platforms. I would chose one of the existing models for that reason alone.

 

[Bkreutz]

Been reloading on a Dillon 550 for 20 years without a problem. They have taken polls at the larger pistol matches to see what the various competitors are using to reload. For some reason about 90% use a Dillon. I wonder why?

Close, the statistics from last year on which brand was used by competitors at the the national events in both USPSA and IDPA shows that Dillon is just a hair over 95%

Of course I'm a bit biased, I make 500 -1200 rounds per week depending on match schedules

 

[Twoboxer]

First Prochucker 7 video "review" I've found . . . notable features shown:

- 7 stations for size, flare, powder, lock-out, bullet feed, seat, & crimp.
- A shaped pin that rises through the shellplate to ensure index alignment.

Questions still unanswered:

Will the Primer system be reliable?
Why is there slop in the toolhead? Failure to tighten set screws or design issue?

 

[Bocephus]

Dillon vs Anyone else?
First of all Dillon does charge for repairs. I sent a 550 back to them because the ram was frozen and they charged me $150. Dillon does stand behind their equipment and will ship parts as needed.
Second you will probably pay 80% of the new cost for a used Dillon.
I have used a 550 and 650 for over 20 years and loaded thousands of rounds. The 650 has a great feature in their powder check die. If it beeps I check the load every time and have found some unusual things in the charge.
Loading pistol rounds is a piece of cake. I use both machines to load 223. The 550 does decap and sizing and then through the trim dies. The 650 completes the loading.
They are great pieces of equipment.

 

[Hammerless-12]

Another vote for Dillon. Ive had a RL550B as well as an XL650 since 1995. Very good presses and Dillon service is top notch.

 

[THEWELSHM]

I've gone back and forth with the merits of a progressive vs single stage for my pistol ammo. Each time I've been ready to make a purchase, I decide to stick with my SS. The new RCBS ProChucker that was introduced at the SHOT show once again caught my attention. It looks like it may address a few of the minor shortcomings of other designs. On the other hand, it is unproven in the real world.

If I'm going to make the move to progressive, do you see enough benefits in the RCBS design to wait, or just go with a Dillon 650 that has the proven track record?

RCBS is a fine press, I have a 78 JR3 In SS. See attached though and at least make the comparison with the new proposed purchase.

thewelshm

 

[fredj338]

RCBS is a fine press, I have a 78 JR3 In SS. See attached though and at least make the comparison with the new proposed purchase.

thewelshm

As with anything, it's all opinion. Redding dies & a Lee press, really?
All the manuf back their equip to some degree. The question of cost is more reliability & ease of use when it comes to progressives, not ego as those that won't spend the $$ Would like you to think. Buyer remorse? Sure, buy something that fails you, doesn't matter how cheap it is.
Buy what you can afford, but be prepared to spend more time because of your choice. Hornady took a few shots to get their LNL right, & it's close. It's good to have competition, keeps everyone innovative & honest.