Progressive Press Choices ?

[rockquarry]

I have the Lee Classic Cast Turret press as my main "single stage press". I do not use it in semi progressive mode, but rather batch operations (resize all and bell all, prime, charge, seat and crimp. The press is well built and seems like it will last a long time, as it's made from steel and cast iron as opposed to aluminum. The turrets are aluminum and are 4 hole.

The joyous thing about the Lee turret press is the ability to set all your dies up once and then change in a second to another cartridge. That is the main reason I bought it, as I got tired of screwing dies in and out of my RCBS Jr press after 30 years of doing it.

High volume handgun cartridges I load on my RL550. Everything else goes through the Lee.

The explanation is appreciated. I don't need another press, but others may have interest in the Lee turret press. If it works well, it would likely be a good tool unless you're loading a very large number of cartridges.

 

[SweetMK]

I have a Remington 700 Sendero in 300Win Mag,,.
It is very accurate!!

BUT,, I found a slightly different use for the Dillon 550B.

If I load the ammo for the 300 Remington on the Dillon, the gun shoots slightly more accurate.

My guess is that the loader will load 50 rounds so fast, that all of the loading characteristics are virtually identical.

If I load the same ammo on a single stage press, it takes much longer.
Some of the steps in reloading may even occur on different days.
So, I feel there is some truth to my belief that loading all the ammo for the 300 in an hour or two results in more accurate ammo, compared to loading the same ammo over a 3 day period.

I tried this on a Remington 7mm-08 Varmint Special.
That gun did not respond similarly to the progressive press, BUT, I am convinced that I have never found the right load for the 7mm-08.

 

[33jayman]

I like Dillon presses. I have tried a Square Deal and I believe that to be best for one caliber. I have a 550 and a 650XL. When I was shooting SASS matches along with my wife we averaged 5000-8000 rounds a year of .38 Special. We started with the 550B and that was kind of like a second career loading up that many rounds per year. Then we upgraded to the 650XL with everything but a bullet feeder. If your primer tubes were pre loaded, your powder dispenser full and your case feeder topped off you could easily do 600 rounds an hour. We only loaded .38 Special on the 650XL.

I did load .32H&R, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .45 ACP, .44 Russian, .44 Special, .44 Magnum & .45 LC on my 550. If you have tool heads for each caliber that are all set up it is really easy to jump from one caliber to the next on the 550. The only thing that takes a few minutes is switching from small to large primer.

If I had to pick just one press to keep, it would definately be the 550 but if I only reloaded one caliber then the 650XL would be my choice.

Good luck with your search.

Jayman

 

[9mmPatriot]

I really like my Lee Loadmaster, sadly Lee quit making them. I was going to buy another.

 

[smoothshooter]

The first progressive press I bought and the only one I have (lol) is a RCBS 4X4 from like 1985. You can't find shell plates for it and it has several little issues. It's served me well but suffice is to say it's time to move on.

Does anybody have any experience with the Hornady loc and load ? I'm not a super high volume reloader so I don't need blazing speed. And I don't want to pump major money in all the gadgets and gizmos either.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Thnaks

Go with Dillon and don't look back.
Lots of progressive presses coming up for sale since high cost and low availability of components have greatly reduced the need for high-volume ammo production.

 

[Green Frog]

I own two progressive presses, an original Star Progressive (38 Spl only) and the Dillon 550 my late father built by "upgrading" his very early 450. I load on everything from 310 tools up through single stage presses like Dad's old RCBS Jr to a venerable Lyman All American turret.
Unfortunately I no longer get to shoot ammo by the thousands (or even hundreds) so I tend to stay away from the progressives, but if I get to shoot a bunch of 38s the Star will get the nod, and the other most likely round, the 32 H&R, I'll use Dad's Dillon. In the unlikely event I decide to load a bunch of 44s or 45s, I'll reconvert the Dillon as needed.
Froggie

 

[smoothshooter]

I've had four progressives in the last twenty-five years and finally discovered I never really needed any of them, but I wanted them. I never used them for rifle ammo, even .223, and probably shoot only around 10,000 rounds of handgun ammo a year. Simple without gadgetry and slow, my 1960s Texan Turret press that I've used for over forty years works fine for my needs.

ONLY 10,000 rounds per year???
WOW!

 

[rockquarry]

I own two progressive presses, an original Star Progressive (38 Spl only) and the Dillon 550 my late father built by "upgrading" his very early 450. I load on everything from 310 tools up through single stage presses like Dad's old RCBS Jr to a venerable Lyman All American turret.
Unfortunately I no longer get to shoot ammo by the thousands (or even hundreds) so I tend to stay away from the progressives, but if I get to shoot a bunch of 38s the Star will get the nod, and the other most likely round, the 32 H&R, I'll use Dad's Dillon. In the unlikely event I decide to load a bunch of 44s or 45s, I'll reconvert the Dillon as needed.
Froggie

I've never had a Dillon, but if I loaded many rounds of handgun ammo, that's probably what I would buy. I've had two Stars and, as most of us know, the original Dillon design was based on the Star. To be competitive in the market, the Dillon was not made of machined steel and aluminum parts like the Star, but I'd guess the Dillon works about as well as the Star. I've not had that much experience with progressive machines, but the Star had the best priming system I've seen. It was not a weak point like it is on some tools. Maybe Dillon's priming is just as good.

 

[rockquarry]

ONLY 10,000 rounds per year???
WOW!

According to the claims of many, 10,000 rounds of handgun ammo isn't very much. I really don't know about the number of rifle rounds I load annually. If I'm doing a lot of load development, maybe 3,000 - 4,000 rounds. With only moderate load development, probably half that. I've been handloading since 1965 and load development has always been the most intriguing and enjoyable aspect of the hobby. However, along the way, I've found out about barrel life; quite a few of mine have been rebarreled.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Go with Dillon and don't look back.
Lots of progressive presses coming up for sale since high cost and low availability of components have greatly reduced the need for high-volume ammo production.

My best friend bought a used Dillon 450 several years back, he mentioned it here in the reloading forum. In 24 hours, he got an e-mail from Dillon Letting him know he was under warranty no matter that he bought it used. He upgraded to the self-primer and case mouth activated powder drop and has been making several thousand rounds a year. He manually changes dies every time.

Ivan

 

[glenwolde]

My best friend bought a used Dillon 450 several years back, he mentioned it here in the reloading forum. In 24 hours, he got an e-mail from Dillon Letting him know he was under warranty no matter that he bought it used. He upgraded to the self-primer and case mouth activated powder drop and has been making several thousand rounds a year. He manually changes dies every time.

Ivan

The funny thing is when I converted my Dillon 450 to a 550 I recovered almost half the cost by selling my stripped 450 frame on eBay! Some guys prefer the old fixed die head. Go figure.

I just use the Lee auto-disk powder measure on my tool heads for an inexpensive case mouth activated powder drop. Though I no longer rely on the spring-driven return. I rigged the chain included with the Auto-disk to the Dillon so the disk is driven back rather than just depending on the spring. The spring failed me.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

If I load the ammo for the 300 Remington on the Dillon, the gun shoots slightly more accurate.

I wonder if it's because the toolhead can float slightly, which helps center the die. You would tend to think that a progressive press could never load ammo as well as a single-stage but you are not the first person I have heard say otherwise.

 

[Transamconvert]

I have the same press. Is yours the auto 4x4 or the manual? (The auto turns the shell plate with each pull. )
The plates do come up on ebay. Also I dimensioned one and figured the clearance for different cartridges and gave the prints to a local shop who said they could cnc a plate for $100 if I really couldn't find one.

Anyway I am waiting for the Lee 6000 to be available before I decide to upgrade you may want to look into it also. If you do decide to get out of the rcbs press I'd definitely be interested in scavenging some parts. If you decide to stick with it maybe we can trade notes I've gotten a lot of the little bugs worked out over the years.

 

[Miracle Man]

We'd be interested to hear about the "lot of bad" you've heard about Dillon.

I'm relatively new to reloading, I only got started around 2018. I started with a Lee Classic Turret and used that for a couple of years. Then after trying out a friends Dillon RL550B, I was sold. I found a used one locally on armslist that came with a ton of accessories. I've loaded over 20K rounds on the Dillon since I got it and it has performed flawlessly. Dillon support and warranty are exceptional. I'm very happy with my Dillon and don't think you can go wrong if you go that route.

I'm going to say 8 - 10 years ago I had been eyeballing a Dillon 550 I believe ? And I got on a gun website, AR forum perhaps ? And there were a few guys on there dogging Dillon. Cheap, hard to setup, hard to maintain, so on. I don't remember all the specific complaints ?

But it's like anything else, some love it, some hate it. But I can say from all I've heard on here I'm going to look hard at a Dillon again.

 

[Miracle Man]

I have the Lee Classic Cast Turret press as my main "single stage press". I do not use it in semi progressive mode, but rather batch operations (resize all and bell all, prime, charge, seat and crimp. The press is well built and seems like it will last a long time, as it's made from steel and cast iron as opposed to aluminum. The turrets are aluminum and are 4 hole.

The joyous thing about the Lee turret press is the ability to set all your dies up once and then change in a second to another cartridge. That is the main reason I bought it, as I got tired of screwing dies in and out of my RCBS Jr press after 30 years of doing it.

High volume handgun cartridges I load on my RL550. Everything else goes through the Lee.

That's where I'm at. I'm not a super high volume reloader by any measure. Few thousand rounds a year. I don't keep track perhaps 5/6 thousand all calibers combined. But

My RCBS 4X4 I have to manually index the shell plate. I have to snap the primer feeder into place. It's just wore out from so many years of use and won't align right with the shellplate on the downstroke. It often won't load the primer unless I hit it several times.

And like you say I'd love to be able to just change from 357 mag to 9 mm by just popping in dies and switching shell plates and rolling.

I'm getting lazy in my old age. I like about everything Lee so I'll give there progressive a look.

 

[Miracle Man]

I have the same press. Is yours the auto 4x4 or the manual? (The auto turns the shell plate with each pull. )
The plates do come up on ebay. Also I dimensioned one and figured the clearance for different cartridges and gave the prints to a local shop who said they could cnc a plate for $100 if I really couldn't find one.

Anyway I am waiting for the Lee 6000 to be available before I decide to upgrade you may want to look into it also. If you do decide to get out of the rcbs press I'd definitely be interested in scavenging some parts. If you decide to stick with it maybe we can trade notes I've gotten a lot of the little bugs worked out over the years.

I'm not in any giant hurry to buy I'll take a look at the Lee. I'd definitely be interested in a 9mm shellplate for the 4X4. Mine is a manual.

 

[78bagger]

Dillon 550 for handgun and RCBS rockchucker for rifle. I can turn out 1-200 an hour on the Dillon, but I try to check the powder charge every 5 or 10 rounds. Depending on the powder I'll find either that every charge is perfect or there can be a .1 to .2 variation due to type of powder. Ball powder is like water while other types meter like corn flakes

 

[Hairtrigger]

I have owned Hornady progressive presses since 1982
I still have two of them. From time to time I have bought blue presses because I read about how good they are but I always sell them and keep my red presses. You can spend more than a red press, you cannot get better warranty or phone support than what Hornady offers
A lot of my friends that have blue presses are the kind of guys that buy all the trinkets and gadgets to add on and all they want to do is yank the handle back-and-forth and see how fast they can reload. My friends that have red presses are what I would consider ammo craftsman and want high quality ammo and speed is not the primary concern

 

[Racer X]

Anyway I am waiting for the Lee 6000 to be available before I decide to upgrade you may want to look into it also. If you do decide to get out of the rcbs press I'd definitely be interested in scavenging some parts. If you decide to stick with it maybe we can trade notes I've gotten a lot of the little bugs worked out over the years.

the new Lee "six pack" ? It looks promising.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The model number on a Dillon, is an estimate of the rounds per hour that you can load. With 10 loaded primer tubes, spare can of powder at the ready, bullet tray full and spares ready. I would load 1000 rounds in 2 hours on my 450. My Father-In-Law has two Dillon 1050 (one for 45 ACP + one for 38 Special), I've done a thousand per hour is very easily.

One of the hardest things to get used to is: EMPTYING THE SPENT PRIMERS so often! Or before you know it they are overflowing all over the floor.

One of the necessary upgrades for "production" loading is, the Roller ARM. (I used the old Dillon "ball" arm on my RCBS Rock Crusher for the 1 1/2" of extra leverage!)

Ivan

 

[Skeet 028]

I've had 'em all at one time or another. still have a CH Mk III or IV. and a L&L. Never got the L&L to work correctly. It's sold and going this week. I also have had the Lee's...if you like to tinker instead of load get a Loadmaster. I have a brand new one that's going on the bay. The Star was a great machine but too expensive and no parts..not easily converted. Even had the RCBS progressives. I've had about every Dillon. They've been pretty good machines. And because of their No BS warranty RCBS and others had to toe the line too. I remember when they didn't. At this time I have a SDB in 38 w/9mm 40S&W dies as well as 44 mag. Have loaded a couple thousand 38s lately but the press is so small it is going. Have 2 550s L&S primer...2 750s L&S primer and a Super 1050 set up in 45 auto. The 1050 is the car's meow but I have about 8000 45s loaded and hardly shoot them any longer. Of them all I like the 750s the best. I also have a Dillon AT500/Basic. I load Large rifle on. Works like a 550 without the bells and whistles. Never lost money on any Dillon and only bought others to upgrade caliber conversions and extras when I bought estates...selling what I didn't need. I was a seller of reloading machines in the past especially progressives. Repaired 'em too. Generally the biggest problem with a progressive machine is the operator. No matter what you get...learn all you can about it. As far as the new Lee...wait for a couple years. Let 'em get the bugs out...hopefully...maybe. Fair designs...poor execution

 

[ArchAngelCD]

@Miracle Man,
I forgot to mention, you said that the entire RCBS press you have is loose. If you really like your press but for it's age you can send the press back to RCBS and they will re-condition the press. Most times they won't even charge you for the service.

I'm only suggesting this because I'm not sure if you like your press or you just want something new. It's just another direction you can explore.

 

[dogdoc]

Dillon 550. Using them for 35 years. Also have Dillon 650s. I have had the Rcbs 4x4 years ago. No comparison. Dillons are simple. If you can't keep one adjusted you likely don't need to be progressive handloading as all progressive presses occasionally need some mechanical aptitude. If you kept a 4x4 running, a Dillon will be nirvana for you!

 

[Protocall_Design]

I have loaded on all the presses made at one time or another. Been using Dillon 550Bs for probably 30 years now. For a simple, 'just works' press, this is it. Super easy caliber changes. I have 4 of them, just because. If I wanted more automation, I would go to a Dillon 750 with case feeder. I load 10 to 15 thousand a year easily enough on the 550s.

 

[lppd4]

Dillon is the only way to go customer service is second to none. I have an older 1050 and it is bad aaash. 100 rounds in 6 minutes is common

 

[Skeet 028]

If I wanted more automation, I would go to a Dillon 750 with case feeder. I load 10 to 15 thousand a year easily enough on the 550s.

As PD says more automation the 750 is probably the best. 1/2 the cost of a 1050/1100 and nearly as productive as a 1050. Another thing too...You can load singly on most of the Dillons...even a 750. Although they call the 550 a progressive it is a semi...just because you have to turn the shellplate. Think in advance. I sold a bunch of 650 Mec machines in the past. You had to turn the shellplate on it like the 550... there were a few people who just couldn't accomplish that task. I really had problems with the Mec 650s...no problem with the 550

 

[John_M52]

My father had a pair of Star Reloaders. He and his buddy designed a toggle and pully linkage that automatically turned the turret and ejected the finished round with each handle press. He sold both of them years ago rather than giving me on (insert angry face). I spent many a rainy Saturday loading shells into the feeder tubes and listening to the crank/plunk every time he pulled the handle. I'm wondering if this was the first "progressive" press? They applied for a patent on the attachment but they never made any money off it.

 

[Transamconvert]

I'm not in any giant hurry to buy I'll take a look at the Lee. I'd definitely be interested in a 9mm shellplate for the 4X4. Mine is a manual.

The only difference in the plates is the auto is tapped for the driving screws. You can use one or the other fyi. I don't have an extra 9mm plate but can make you a print to give to a local machine shop if you want.

I don't know how different the priming systems are but I'll assume they're pretty similar. You can undo the two screws holding the primer arm plate to the press and adjust it's position to align it better with the shell plate hole. Also, mine must be kept very clean. A bit of powder in the wrong place won't let the arm go home and I'll get misalignment. I sweep it with a little brush periodically and a couple drops of oil on the plate helps too.
Another hack is to notch the primer tube where it goes into place. There's too much room here and I was getting jams and double feeds until I did this. I also hold the tube in place with a rubber band so it doesn't want to walk up. Fixed my primer feeding 100%.

 

[tmd17]

... I'd love to be able to just change from 357 mag to 9 mm by just popping in dies and switching shell plates and rolling....

I have owned and used Lee, RCBS, Lyman, and Dillon equipment. I sold my Dillon 650, to much trouble for me. I still have and use my Dillon 550 a lot, as well as my old Rock Chucker.

But what really shines for me in 38 special and 9mm are my two Dillon Square Deal B's. They are compact and give me a production rate that I am happy and comfortable with. Since I DON'T change up dies on them, I can set them on the bench and in minutes be turning out rounds. I really like the simplicity of the press. It is auto indexing and a relatively cheap set up. The major down side to the Square deal is the propriety dies.

Bottom line for me, for a specific pistol round I have no qualms recommending a Dillon Square Deal B!

 

[Miracle Man]

I have owned Hornady progressive presses since 1982
I still have two of them. From time to time I have bought blue presses because I read about how good they are but I always sell them and keep my red presses. You can spend more than a red press, you cannot get better warranty or phone support than what Hornady offers
A lot of my friends that have blue presses are the kind of guys that buy all the trinkets and gadgets to add on and all they want to do is yank the handle back-and-forth and see how fast they can reload. My friends that have red presses are what I would consider ammo craftsman and want high quality ammo and speed is not the primary concern

That's more what I am. Speed is not a major concern. Quality is #1