I am looking to buy a progressive press and would like to hear some good and bad about presses. I load for 9mm,45acp,38/357,41mag,44mag,454cassul, and would also like the press to be able to handle .223. I have been reloading for about 3 yrs. with a single stage press and want to be able to increase my production. I mostly reload 357 and 45 and want to be able to pump out a lot of good practice ammo for those calibers. The others I shoot but not on a weekly basis. I am considering a Dillon 550 or 650 as I have always heard good things about these presses and customer service. Is the 650 worth the extra money. How fast can a caliber change really be done? How much ammo can you really produce in an hour? I am also considering a Hornady lnl ap and would like to hear what the owners think about these presses. Are these presses worth the money or should I just buy 4 Lee progressives and leave them set up for specific calibers? I originally bought a lee aniversary kit but have slowly upgraded some of my equipment like the scale and powder measure. Are the powder measures on their progressives as finiky about feeding powder like H110. That powder practically locks up my Lee measure and if the progressives measure are like that I won't even bother with them. Thanks in advance.
Need Opinions on Progressive Presses
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shovelwrench
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A good upgrade might be a Lee 4hole turret, not quite full progressive. But over 100rds an hour.
The loadmaster works well but is quirky at best and comes with VERY poor instructions. Once your used to them and get em running well they are a great press.
The Lee auto disk pro does'nt jamb up with H110 like the regular autodisk, the Lee progressives come with the pro. I believe the turret presses still come with the regular autodisk.
To run .223 in a progressive you'll need carbide dies (unless your only neck sizing), I believe they are available in .223 but I could be wrong.
I have no experience with the other presses you mention.
The loadmaster works well but is quirky at best and comes with VERY poor instructions. Once your used to them and get em running well they are a great press.
The Lee auto disk pro does'nt jamb up with H110 like the regular autodisk, the Lee progressives come with the pro. I believe the turret presses still come with the regular autodisk.
To run .223 in a progressive you'll need carbide dies (unless your only neck sizing), I believe they are available in .223 but I could be wrong.
I have no experience with the other presses you mention.
DOEBOY1
Member
i have a hornady progrsive pre lock and load and i love it just recently got back into reloading after 3-4 years. i would say the biggest problem with a progressive press is speed trying to do too much at one time. although my press has been wonderful it has rusted on some parts and the quality of my loads has decreased ie.. when the pin that pushes the powder drop arm is stuck in the upright position instead of returning by spring pressure to the down position an reseting the powder load. that being said if you just loaded 50 shells you now have to worry about how long the powder drop arm was up and if you set the bullets in uncharged cases that have already fell in with the first 50 or so. so your attention must be on the process at all times. no more solving the worlds problems while repeating the same process over and over. thats the down side. but i love my press. hornady, rcbs, dillion all have great customer service. my brother bought a dillion at a yard sale that was un useable for near nothing call dillion sent it to them they fixed it no charge. to me that is unheard of i would get a self indexing dillion press in a heart beat if i didn't already have a hornady. a note about rcbs i didn't lube one my cases correctly and pulled the rim off the shell long story short i had to remove the punch pin and stem leaving the expander in the case. after pounding the case out of the die i had crushed the expander. i called rcbs with credit card in hand and a heavy heart wondering what i would have to pay for that little peice of metal so i could finish reloading my wife's 270 shells. well talking to the lady on the other end of the phone was a treat she just laughed and said we'll send your another no charge thank you. i wish i could remember her name. but my experience was a good one every time i call one of the name brands. i would also consider a shell drop with a powder check station i know dillion has one but not sure about hornady's powder check. so progressives i love but you've got to watch them the whole time good luck doeboy
Ignatz
Member
I have a Dillon 550 with conversions for 32 S&W long, 9mm, 38 spl, 40 S&W and 45 acp. I just slide in a complete toolhead with the dies/powder measure and then install the shell plate for the specific caliber. Very fast...unless your changing from large to small style primers. Changing the primer set up takes 10 minutes or so.
To me, changing the primer sizes is the only thing that will slow you down. I'd love another 550 so I can dedicate one for small primers and the other for large.
To me, changing the primer sizes is the only thing that will slow you down. I'd love another 550 so I can dedicate one for small primers and the other for large.
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Money spent on a Dillon is money well spent. The customer service is legendary. I've got a Dillon 300 that I bought (1980?) after it spent about 18 months in commercial ammo production (bankruptcy). Took care of a couple of minor issues Dillon fixed in later designs and have had no further issues.
wheelgun28
Member
If you have the money the Dillon is a great press. I have a 650 and most all the bells and whistles. I also have six complete tool heads and a few extra powder measures. I load 38/357, 40 S&W, 44mag, 45acp, 223, one spare head for perhaps 308 or ? I bought much of it used via places like eBay. You can still get some good deals if you wait for them.
gunsmith11
Member
I have a square deal and it is wonderful, i would not consider anyother brand just based on how good its been, and there superd customer service
Wee Hooker
Member
I'll likely get blasted for this but here goes.... I started with a Lee 3 hole turret and made thousands of rounds on it over the years. Paid for itself in the first 6 months. Eventually went to Lee 1000 /full progressive. The lee 1000 was faster than the turret ( but not 3x faster.) Still it produced 1 round per stroke, fed my cases and was inexpensive to add on to. The upgrade was enjoyed. Liked it so much I bought a second to speed up the process ( Left one set up in 38 , the other in 45) All my Lee's paid for themselves in the first year of ownership and made me allot of good quality ammo. A few years back I bowed to pear pressure to "upgrade" to a Dillon. I bought a Dillon Square deal with 3 cal conversions and sold all the surplus Lee presses. To be honest, I deeply regret the move. Ammo quality is no better/consistant than any of my Lee's. Die sets/changeover parts are unique to this machine, limited in choice and expensive. The Dillon primer system (i.e filling little straws) as well as caliber/primer changeover is a PITA and harder than Lee's system. I also found the primer system more finicky/prone to failure than Lee's. Lastly, The 1000's fed my cases. The SD does not. As far as quality, I've had two "stop production" failures on the square deal in one year. (Admittedly, they took excellent are of me when the parts did break.)
My current plan is to sell the Square deal package and go back to Lee. Not saying that the Lee 1000 is better than a Dillon 550/650 but for me, the payback on the 550/650 is just too long. Besides, I'm getting to old to worry about bragging rights. I'll buy what I like.
My current plan is to sell the Square deal package and go back to Lee. Not saying that the Lee 1000 is better than a Dillon 550/650 but for me, the payback on the 550/650 is just too long. Besides, I'm getting to old to worry about bragging rights. I'll buy what I like.
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shovelwrench
Member
I have a Dillon 550 which will load handgun and rifle ammo. I load for 6 handgun calibers. All dies are mounted in their own tool head,3 of them have dedicated powder measures,a 4th powder measure serves the other 3.
Someone already stated how easy the caliber change is one a 550. My understanding on a 650 the change of the primer system takes a bit longer. When I change from large to small primers I use this time to thoroughly clean this area of the press,so it may take me a bit longer to change over.
You will find that some people like Dillon,some Lee,some Hornady.
Just like some people like Ford,some GM,some Chrysler.
Then there is the $$ involved,Dillon is more then Lee. Then there are the extra toolheads,powder measures,etc. In my opinion the toolheads would be a must,extra powder measures a bit of a luxury. It took me several years to justify the $$ for the extra powder measures. However I did find them online for less than Dillons price. Just depends how deep your pockets are I guess.
If you know of someone nearby who has a progressive machine ask to see it in action. In my case I took my brothers advice for the Dillon, at the time he was shooting IPSC and he had 2 of them one for each primer size.
OK I probably got a bit long winded but hope this helps you.
Someone already stated how easy the caliber change is one a 550. My understanding on a 650 the change of the primer system takes a bit longer. When I change from large to small primers I use this time to thoroughly clean this area of the press,so it may take me a bit longer to change over.
You will find that some people like Dillon,some Lee,some Hornady.
Just like some people like Ford,some GM,some Chrysler.
Then there is the $$ involved,Dillon is more then Lee. Then there are the extra toolheads,powder measures,etc. In my opinion the toolheads would be a must,extra powder measures a bit of a luxury. It took me several years to justify the $$ for the extra powder measures. However I did find them online for less than Dillons price. Just depends how deep your pockets are I guess.
If you know of someone nearby who has a progressive machine ask to see it in action. In my case I took my brothers advice for the Dillon, at the time he was shooting IPSC and he had 2 of them one for each primer size.
OK I probably got a bit long winded but hope this helps you.
The Dillon 550 is about as good as it gets.
shovelwrench
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Tell Sackett
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You asked for opinions and you are sure "nuff gonna get them! 
I use Dillon stuff now. I wouldn't (this is where opinion comes in) have a progressive press that didn't auto-index. It would seem to me to have less potential for a double powder charge.
Although, it can still be done!
I have a Dillon XL650 and several Square Deal presses. I also have a Lee Classic Cast Turret Press with 4 hole turrets.
The Hornady L-N-L AP is a good machine from all I have heard. The motion, turning while moving both up and down, seems a little odd to me, but folks that have them swear by them.
The Lee progressives have had a poor reputation for quite a while. Not sure how their progressive equipment is now but I'm not in the market for one either!
There are a TON of folks that have the Dillon RL550 and are happy with it. It doesn't auto-index but will load every caliber you have mentioned. Again, folks that have them love them.
All in all, I know that customer service plays a part in the decision to purchase a press. All I can say is that Dillon's customer service is second to none!
Disclaimer: this post is full of opinion!
I use Dillon stuff now. I wouldn't (this is where opinion comes in) have a progressive press that didn't auto-index. It would seem to me to have less potential for a double powder charge.
Although, it can still be done!
I have a Dillon XL650 and several Square Deal presses. I also have a Lee Classic Cast Turret Press with 4 hole turrets.
The Hornady L-N-L AP is a good machine from all I have heard. The motion, turning while moving both up and down, seems a little odd to me, but folks that have them swear by them.
The Lee progressives have had a poor reputation for quite a while. Not sure how their progressive equipment is now but I'm not in the market for one either!
There are a TON of folks that have the Dillon RL550 and are happy with it. It doesn't auto-index but will load every caliber you have mentioned. Again, folks that have them love them.
All in all, I know that customer service plays a part in the decision to purchase a press. All I can say is that Dillon's customer service is second to none!
Disclaimer: this post is full of opinion!
shovelwrench
Member
You asked for opinions and you are sure "nuff gonna get them!
I use Dillon stuff now. I wouldn't (this is where opinion comes in) have a progressive press that didn't auto-index. It would seem to me to have less potential for a double powder charge.
Although, it can still be done!
I have a Dillon XL650 and several Square Deal presses. I also have a Lee Classic Cast Turret Press with 4 hole turrets.
The Hornady L-N-L AP is a good machine from all I have heard. The motion, turning while moving both up and down, seems a little odd to me, but folks that have them swear by them.
The Lee progressives have had a poor reputation for quite a while. Not sure how their progressive equipment is now but I'm not in the market for one either!
There are a TON of folks that have the Dillon RL550 and are happy with it. It doesn't auto-index but will load every caliber you have mentioned. Again, folks that have them love them.
All in all, I know that customer service plays a part in the decision to purchase a press. All I can say is that Dillon's customer service is second to none!
Disclaimer: this post is full of opinion!
AHHH YES OPINION
Kiddin of course
I'd love to have a powder check die on the Lee...
The Lee progressive prooblems are mostly the instructions, and the user ability.
My limited expearance is with a Dillon 550. After using it for a couple of months I have found no faults with it. Once it's setup I can produce 100 rounds of .45ACP in under 15 minutes. With at least 4 primer fill tubes I could probably do 350-400 an hour if I stayed right at it.
Caliber changes are about 10 minutes and large to small primer change about the same.
I had the 550 recommended to me and am not sorry I made the purchase. I am close to having made enough reloads to have the equipment pay for itself in about 2 months. I reload 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP.
Best of luck with whatever you choose.
LTC
Caliber changes are about 10 minutes and large to small primer change about the same.
I had the 550 recommended to me and am not sorry I made the purchase. I am close to having made enough reloads to have the equipment pay for itself in about 2 months. I reload 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP.
Best of luck with whatever you choose.
LTC
Waldo
Member
I guess everybody has presses they like or don't like. I have had a Dillion since the early 1980's. Got it wholesale before they went factory direct. At the time they were the best way to get a progressive. Star made a machine that was very expensive. There was a company named C-H that made one with multiple die stations but I am not sure you would call it a progressive. Lyman had a turret tool but it was not a progressive. Ponsess Warren was coming out with a metallic press but I never saw one. The point of all this is that Dillion pioneered progressive presses for the hobby handloader. RCBS, Lee and Hornady are late comers. They had been in business for years and did not make a progressive until they saw how well Dillion was doing. I think if it was not for Dillion I would still be trying to load a whole lot of .45 ACP on a single stage RCBS press. I have always been treated very well by Dillion. I always buy Dillion, just as my way of saying thank you.
Thanks for everyones input
This is the kind of stuff I wanted to hear. I like getting real opinions from people who own these presses because it is a big investment that I only want to do once. God willing, this will be a tool I use for decades and I want a quality set-up. I was leaning toward a 650 because it auto-indexed but there are a lot of +1's for a 550 and I could use the money saved to buy more toolheads and caliber conversions. Thanks everyone and keep it coming.
This is the kind of stuff I wanted to hear. I like getting real opinions from people who own these presses because it is a big investment that I only want to do once. God willing, this will be a tool I use for decades and I want a quality set-up. I was leaning toward a 650 because it auto-indexed but there are a lot of +1's for a 550 and I could use the money saved to buy more toolheads and caliber conversions. Thanks everyone and keep it coming.
Tell Sackett
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There is another reason to consider an XL650. 5 stations. Now, remember, it isn't the only one that has 5. The 5th station is a must, again in my opinion, for serious reloading.
In the extra station, depending on how you look at it, you have the ability to have a powder check die. It isn't going to tell you a lot but it will tell you when you have a squib or an excessive charge. There are several on the market and I only know about the Dillon. It sounds an alarm and then it is up to you to remove the offending case. I wouldn't be without one in a press that could produce up to 1000 rounds an hour!
Again, this post is opinion laced!
