Looking for progressive

[Boogsawaste]

Have been tossing around the idea of getting a progressive lately.

I don't own or have any interest in any rifles period.

I only own 38/357 guns and while I bought others I've since sold them and really don't have any interest in any others.

My set up now is a lee classic turret. I prime on a single stage with an old auto prime II.

What I'm looking for is an auto index (sorry, that's just I want, no compromise), would like to be able to use my powder cop (not 100% and it's out on the square deal). I don't have to prime on the progressive so I've even been considering a loadmaster or pro1000.


Budget is less than $400. I'd like to find used if possible to keep the price down even more. I saw a square deal for less than $200 that I should have jumped on but didn't and it's gone. Still am about that.

What's everyone's thoughts?

 

[Bkreutz]

Well, with your budget, you've pretty much eliminated Dillon. There's a reason that Dillons rarely show up used, and when they do, the price is very close to the new price. With their lifetime warranty that transfers to any new owner (no matter how many). I can't recommend any progressive at the sub $400 price. The one time price of a good progressive is a small amount when you consider how long a good one will last. Good luck on your hunt. Maybe you'll come across a used Square Deal which would be ideal for your described needs.

 

[Boogsawaste]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. Maybe I should just keep saving up and see what pops up in the mean time. I'd really like to stumble across another used square deal again.

 

[FlyFish]

The Hornady LnL AP would seem to satisfy all of your requirements. I've had mine for a few years now, using it to load a dozen or more pistol calibers plus .223. All other rifle cartridges I load on my old Rockchucker. It's always worked fine for me and I've been thoroughly satisfied with my purchase. (Please let's not get into a red vs. blue thing).

 

[ROK]

The Hornady LnL is available from Amazon for less then $400.00 frequently. And sells out very fast. I bought one last week, $405 including sales tax, to my door.

 

[novalty]

Believe there is a Dillon Square Deal B on Facebook Dillon Precision Owners group out of Pueblo, CO for $320 shipped with choice of caliber already set up.

 

[Rule3]

Based on what you stated, the Hornady LnL AP seems to fit.

 

[fredj338]

Buy the LNL. Doesn't sound like you'll need a case feeder, the priming system works well enough but not perfect, but then few are. Auto indexing, not needed but if you want it, fine. I'm a Dillon guy, but paying more for the case feeder ready 650 seems pointless, even though, IMO, a much better press.
Your LCT is a better press IMO, than either lee progressive. If I felt the need to prime off press, then I just don't see the point of a progressive, which is to do less work. Decapping then priming off press, just stick to our LCT, you aren't improving anuthing, work wise or speed wise.

 

[Boogsawaste]

Everyone, thank you for your opinions. Lots of food for thought and I appreciate it.

The whole reason for this is my brother wants to learn to load and he really enjoyed trying out my turret. So much so that I am going to surprise him and pass it along to him. Figured if I do that I'd like to step up to a progressive while I'm at it. Problem is, like most, I'm not made of money! Especially when replacing a reliable little press like I already have.

Got some thinking to do.

Edit. I guess I can look for a non auto index also. So much for no compromise! Haha

 

[drummer007]

Since you only plan to load 38/357, I would recommend a Lee LoadMaster. You can buy them reconditioned from Lee for very attractive prices, You can have one quickly changed die turret setup for 38 and a 2nd one setup for 357. They have auto-index, auto prime, powder measure, bullet feeder and case feeder capability. I use one for 38/357 and think it is a real bargain.

MidwayUSA has them new complete with dies and all feeders and priming for $248 + shipping.

There are lots of online videos on proper setup. Once properly setup they seem to have a 500 to 700+ rounds per hour output.

 

[dave_g]

I have a Loadmaster and a Dillon 650. My Loadmaster has trouble with small primers. 1 or 2 out of 100 will get flipped or sideways. (cleaning out the priming assembly every 200 rounds or so seems to help) Drove me crazy so I bought the Dillon. I still use the Loadmaster for 45 acp though as it does fine with large primers.

The Lee requires a lot of fiddling to keep it running smooth. If you don't mind crushing a few primers and adjusting things from time to time it's a good enough press.

 

[Vortec MAX]

I am glad your post is about reloading presses. I thought you were looking for another progressive president for a second.

Can't help you much with the press. I am still rockin' the Rock Chucker.

Mike

 

[uechikid]

I know you want to stay below $400, but right at $400 you can get a new SDB delivered from either Dillon or Brian Enos.

 

[federali]

As you're confining yourself to one caliber, the ease with which a progressive press may be readily converted for different primer sizes is probably not important to you. Now that I have extensive experience with the Dillon 550, if I were to add another progressive, I'd look at this aspect first. All progressives are machine made, accurate, etc. Dillon, of course, stands by their product, as does RCBS.

 

[MyDads38]

Have been tossing around the idea of getting a progressive lately.

I don't own or have any interest in any rifles period.

I only own 38/357 guns and while I bought others I've since sold them and really don't have any interest in any others.

My set up now is a lee classic turret. I prime on a single stage with an old auto prime II.

What I'm looking for is an auto index (sorry, that's just I want, no compromise), would like to be able to use my powder cop (not 100% and it's out on the square deal). I don't have to prime on the progressive so I've even been considering a loadmaster or pro1000.


Budget is less than $400. I'd like to find used if possible to keep the price down even more. I saw a square deal for less than $200 that I should have jumped on but didn't and it's gone. Still am about that.

What's everyone's thoughts?

By "Lee Classic Turret Press" do you mean the 3 hole turret press? If what you're looking for is auto index, you should get the Lee 4 hole Classic Cast Turret press. I still have my old original 3 hole turret press and use it, but I upgraded to the 4 hole Classic Cast Turret and use the deluxe 4 die sets for pistol cartridges. Add the Lee Safety Prime and one of the Lee powder measures (I have an Auto Disk for each set of dies-no change-overs) and you are ready to go!

The 4 hole Classic Cast Turret press has auto-index installed, and it can be removed and the press used as single station or manual index. Press is only about $112 from online sources and comes with 1 turret. Add the Lee Factory crimp die to your existing set and done!

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

I have a Lee Pro 1000 and love it.I have turned out 25,000+ flawless Rounds with it.It takes a bit to get it setup and to get the feel of it but once You do it really turns out the Rounds.With the Lee Powder through expanding die and pro Powder measure charging the cases is a breeze.I just make general Range Ammo so I have no need for a $1,000 Press with all the Bells and Whistles.

 

[dannyabear]

By "Lee Classic Turret Press" do you mean the 3 hole turret press? If what you're looking for is auto index, you should get the Lee 4 hole Classic Cast Turret press. I still have my old original 3 hole turret press and use it, but I upgraded to the 4 hole Classic Cast Turret and use the deluxe 4 die sets for pistol cartridges. Add the Lee Safety Prime and one of the Lee powder measures (I have an Auto Disk for each set of dies-no change-overs) and you are ready to go!

The 4 hole Classic Cast Turret press has auto-index installed, and it can be removed and the press used as single station or manual index. Press is only about $112 from online sources and comes with 1 turret. Add the Lee Factory crimp die to your existing set and done!

This is the correct answer for you............If you want to spend $400, get 2 of them.

 

[Boogsawaste]

By "Lee Classic Turret Press" do you mean the 3 hole turret press? If what you're looking for is auto index, you should get the Lee 4 hole Classic Cast Turret press. I still have my old original 3 hole turret press and use it, but I upgraded to the 4 hole Classic Cast Turret and use the deluxe 4 die sets for pistol cartridges. Add the Lee Safety Prime and one of the Lee powder measures (I have an Auto Disk for each set of dies-no change-overs) and you are ready to go!

The 4 hole Classic Cast Turret press has auto-index installed, and it can be removed and the press used as single station or manual index. Press is only about $112 from online sources and comes with 1 turret. Add the Lee Factory crimp die to your existing set and done!

I have the 4 hole cast iron model like you mentioned. One turret has a uniflow and set up for 38's and the other has a regular auto disk and set up for 357's. Never mind the boxes and such. Took the pic when I was moving and there's boxes and general mess everywhere. I welded up the riser out of old stretcher parts from work and made a bracket to mount the bin on it from some other random metal off of junked medical equipment from work. Since the pic I've bent up my own reverse rotation index rod and made one of those little case ejectors that spit loaded rounds into the bin. I'm a tinkerer by nature.

Only reason I was thinking of getting a new press is on post #9. Otherwise it's been a solid press for my purposes. Figured if I got another press I'd try something different.

 

[Boogsawaste]

By the way, thanks again for everyone's reply. Appreciate the feedback.

 

[Skeet 028]

Wow..I've used progressive presses for years. I once bought a Loadmaster. Realized life was too short to have to play with a press to get it to work. I still have it here to remind me that it was a BAD decision. Bargains ARE out there. Just bought a (2nd 650)Dillon 650 press yesterday.. Got it for 350..set up for 9mm. And since I have quite a few thousand 9mm cases I just gotta use that press. Seriously..if you need a progressive get the Dillon SDB since you are only doing 38/357. You won't be sorry. Then just for peace of mind buy a single stage like a used Rockchucker..easily found even at gun shows for 50 bucks or so.