multi-stage press: OP follow-up

[SquarePizza]

So my original thread blew up in a bad way, so I wanted to make a new post to explain where my head WAS at before I wrote the original post, and where it is NOW.

Where I was:
Originally I didn't want to get into a large expense simply for two calibers, so I turned to the lee progressive. Internet reviews were luke-warm at best, but the trouble with internet reviews is that you never know the experience level of the reviewer. Often times I believe negative reviews reflect operator error.

I originally threw the idea of dillons out the window because you see the huge setups with all the do-dads and the sticker price is well north of $650. Again, for two calibers I wasn't excited to jump on that price tag.

Where I am now:
I turned to these forums because I believe it is a collection of some of the most knowledgeable pistol caliber reloaders out there, so you guys said Lee's can suck and I believe you.

Furthermore, following up on the dillon 550 recommendation, I found that a bare-bones dillon is fairly reasonable at $460 bucks. Since the lee is $200ish, I am only doubling the cost which is a lot less of a jump than I thought I would have to make if I went blue. The hornady progressive is not completely off the list yet either, a gander mtn is going out of business near me and I think they had a few left on the shelves.

I am sorry that my thread turned into a red vs blue press argument, but I would like to sincerely thank those that came into the thread to offer me their experience and suggestions.

 

[Twoboxer]

Honestly, you'll be happier with the Dillon 550. The only considerations are it is a manual index, 4-hole press. The manual index is not an issue unless you want at some point to add case and/or bullet feeders. They don't make a lot of sense on a 550, and a bullet feeder requires a station (or "hole").

The Hornady is a 5-hole auto-index press like the 650. It is significantly cheaper than the 650, unless you add case feeders in which case their prices come closer together. The Hornady can require a bit more tuning than the Dillon, but not nearly as much tinkering as that Lee you were considering.

In any case, since you are doing 2 calibers and don't sound like a candidate for case/bullet feeders, the 550 is a great choice.

GLHF and stay safe.

 

[revolver_ph]

I ran two 550's for many years. The first one started out as a 450 in the 80's. They are good machines. I now run a Hornady LNL.

You could not go wrong with either machine.

If one could take the best features of each that would create a great machine.

 

[chief38]

And just a little more will get you the Dillon 650 which is an auto indexing press - which I personally think is a huge upgrade! YMMV.

 

[fredj338]

Just don't buy a Lee progressive to save $200. Avoiding that much frustration, well it is only money.

 

[Carrier]

I have used a friends 550 and for me did not like it. I don't like the way it works with manual indexing. Without a case feeder the LNL for me is faster and easier to use.
If you want you can run only one case around at a time or use it as a progressive.

 

[fredj338]

I have used a friends 550 and for me did not like it. I don't like the way it works with manual indexing. Without a case feeder the LNL for me is faster and easier to use.
If you want you can run only one case around at a time or use it as a progressive.

Btw, same for the 550. FWIW, auto indexing isn't really faster, maybe a few rds per hour. I ran my 650 w/o feeder for a couple months. It might have given me 50rds per hour more over my 550. All the speed is in the case feeder, eliminating one hand motion. You index the 550 as you seat a bullet or wait for the press to index & seat a bullet, same speed really.
If one must have auto indexing, then the LNL is slightly easier to run than a 650 as the 650 is designed ground up to sue a case feeder. So a better bet for someone who NEVER wants the case feeder.
Where the 550 works well is the reloader that tinkers with diff calibers & loads. The case stays at stn 2 for removal to manually throw charges or whatever. Just a diff approach. Way too much fan fare over auto indexing IMO.

 

[Carrier]

Btw, same for the 550. FWIW, auto indexing isn't really faster, maybe a few rds per hour. I ran my 650 w/o feeder for a couple months. It might have given me 50rds per hour more over my 550. All the speed is in the case feeder, eliminating one hand motion. You index the 550 as you seat a bullet or wait for the press to index & seat a bullet, same speed really.
If one must have auto indexing, then the LNL is slightly easier to run than a 650 as the 650 is designed ground up to sue a case feeder. So a better bet for someone who NEVER wants the case feeder.
Where the 550 works well is the reloader that tinkers with diff calibers & loads. The case stays at stn 2 for removal to manually throw charges or whatever. Just a diff approach. Way too much fan fare over auto indexing IMO.

Yup agree with you but its the manual indexing that I just didn't like. The speed isn't the main issue with me. My freind also has a 650 that he didn't get a case feeder for. He was ready to get rid of it until getting a case feeder now he would never get rid of it.

I bought a case feeder for my LNL and having some issues with it. I still say the LNL is better than the 550 if a case feeder isn't going to be used.

 

[DRAINSMITH]

Yup agree with you but its the manual indexing that I just didn't like. The speed isn't the main issue with me. My freind also has a 650 that he didn't get a case feeder for. He was ready to get rid of it until getting a case feeder now he would never get rid of it.

I bought a case feeder for my LNL and having some issues with it. I still say the LNL is better than the 550 if a case feeder isn't going to be used.

You say you are having problems with your case feeder. What kind of problems are you having? I have both the old style and the new style, and all four of mine work without a problem. Let me know what problem you are having and I will talk you threw the fix.

 

[gojones]

Yup agree with you but its the manual indexing that I just didn't like. The speed isn't the main issue with me. My freind also has a 650 that he didn't get a case feeder for. He was ready to get rid of it until getting a case feeder now he would never get rid of it.

I bought a case feeder for my LNL and having some issues with it. I still say the LNL is better than the 550 if a case feeder isn't going to be used.

I was not aware that the 650 was offered without a case feeder.

 

[MyDads38]

I am going to offer my opinion here. I purchased a Pro 1000 in 9mm last fall, got it on sale for about $139 w/free shipping. I bought it, honestly, to see if there were really that many problems/issues and if I could get it to work as supposed to. Well, I did. Yes, took a little effort to get it set up, but once set, it ran very well as long as I did my part. Even for just a 3 station press, it was pretty consistent with C.O.L. I am now thinking of trying a Dillon Square Deal B, because it is a 4 station and I've come to like seating/crimping in separate operations. I like both presses for the auto indexing. The Lee comes with a case feeder when purchased. My reloading bench and all presses have been in storage, having moved twice since last october. I'm finally setting everything back up in a permanent reloading room.

I have used Lee products since 1980, along with most of the other manufacturers also. I also think at least some of the bad reviews for the Lee progressives are from those who don't take the time to set them up properly from the start. I certainly would like to see Lee come out with a 4 station progressive, to replace the pro 1000.