Progressive press questions

[bigtubby]

I am thinking of stepping up to a progressive press, I only load 3 handgun calibers (.38spec, .357 and .44spec) at the moment. I have been using a RCBS rockchucker supreme and like it just a bit slow. What would you recommend? how much time to change calibers? will I save time or just spend it setting up another caliber? I don't plan on loading any rifle calibers just revolver ammo. I was thinking of the Dillion 650 is that more than I need?

 

[alde]

I have a Dillon 550 and love it. I use it to load all my handgun and rifle rounds up to 30-06. It only takes a few minutes to change calibers. The 650 is a great press but you really don't need it for what you want to do.

I'm a real slowpoke when I load and do about 2-300 an hour.

 

[john16443]

I believe a Dillon is more than you need, and the costs and time associated with caliber changes are significant. BTW, I reload on a Hornady LNL AP and have nothing against Dillon, or any other brand of equipment. Let's take a step back and revisit what and how much you are reloading.

You've been at it for some time on a single stage, and other than being a slow process, have been happy with it.

You currently load for 3 pistol calibers, and may load for more in the future.

You most likely load each of the calibers on a consistent basis, and ease of caliber changes (time and effort) are important to you.

You most likely have all the other related reloading equipment and don't need anything more than a press.

If all or most of the above statements are true, save your money and buy a Lee Classic turret press, Pro auto measure powder dispenser, Safety prime system (unless you want to prime off the press), a few extra turrets (one for each caliber) and an auto disk riser. You may or may not need another die for powder dropping. In any case, it's all less than $200 delivered to you.

Caliber changes take 15 seconds of less and cost about $10 for a turret. Press is auto indexing OR single stage. Production will easily be doubled or tripled over your current single stage press.

You'll have enough money left over to buy another gun while producing good ammo. fmreloading.com is a good place to start.

 

[bigtubby]

John, I answered yes to all of your statements and will check into the Lee turret press.

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

I second the lee classic turret. I just started reloading, .38 spec only at the moment, but I'm up to about 150 rounds an hour. It's a neat little set up.

 

[GT1]

Unless you are shooting 1,000-2,000+ rounds a month you don't really need a progressive.

A Lee classic turret is a great press, I have one.
I have a Dillon 650(A whole lot of press, and a whole lot of $ for it.).

That Lee classic(Make sure to get the classic version!) turret will whip out 100-200 rounds an hour at a relaxed pace. A couple evenings a week will start piling up a lot of ammo. Extra turrets are less than $10 and change out in a minute or two once you have the dies set up in them.

Get the pro auto disk(I like the adjustable powder bar for it, a $7 option. ), and the little riser adaptor for it to clear the safety prime(that you'll also want to buy, it does large and small priming).
That is about $150 for the best reloading press value on the market, hands down.

 

[bigtubby]

I guess I would need two sets of .38 spec dies? 1 for .38 and 1 for .357 set up on separate turrets?

 

[john16443]

I guess I would need two sets of .38 spec dies? 1 for .38 and 1 for .357 set up on separate turrets?

If you already have a set of dies for each caliber, you're good to go. If you are using the same set of dies for both of these calibers, then getting another set of dies on a separate turret would be what I suggest. Lee has different 38SP and 357 dies.

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

I'll be doing the same thing, getting another set of dies and turret that is, once i wanna start reloading 357.

can't really explain how much i like the classic turret... it's just awesomely easy to use.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I too thought about getting a progressive press but I am retired and have the time to reload. I have a Lyman turret press that I like. I reload in stages. After cleaning my brass I will do nothing but resize and expand the case mouth. I will work on this till I maybe get a thousand or two done. Then I go and watch TV and hand prime. I get to see a lot of good movies doing this. Then when I need some ammo all I have to do is throw my powder charge seat my bullet and crimp. What I like about doing it this way is number one safety. I drop my powder charge look in the case to check powder level and rotate the press to seat the bullet. I think I have less of a chance of getting a double charge. Another thing I don't get near as tired of setting there at the press. Every 50 rounds I will get up and walk around eat a snack or post on the S&W forum. The way I look at it if I can make sure I get powder in every case and don't get a double charge in any case I will be OK. Doing all the other stuff I can relax and not be so concerned about safety. Don

 

[RIKMAN]

I have two Dillon 550B's. Best way to go.


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[Fkimble]

I'm like Rikman, I have 2 Dillion 550's. One set up for small primers, the other set up for large primers. The small has heads set up for 38 spc, 357 mag, 9mm and 40S&W. 38 and 357 use the same shell plate, just swap out the die set, 30 seconds. 40S&W and 9mm use the same shell plate so another 30 second caliber swap. The large primer machine usually stays setup for the 45acp. Have a shellplate and die head for 41 mag but usually load the 41 on the RCBS Rockchucker due to lower volume runs done in batches. Clean couple hundred , then size, then expand, prime and seat bullets one operation to the whole batch at a time.

 

[dirty gary]

Have a 550 with 8 quick change head assemblies. I prep all my brass in advance including priming with a Rockchucker - never really liked the priming system on the 550. The quick change head assemblies are a bit pricy at around $100, but changing calibers is a 5 minute chore. I've loaded on a 650 and a 1050, they're all great machines, but the 550 is more than adequate for my needs (32 auto to 45-70)

 

[Hammerless-12]

Listen, Ive been reloading for almost thirty years. If you love shooting you most likely will really get into the re-loading. I know because Ive been there, am there. Theres nothing like making your own ammo, and shooting better with your own ammo than that excpensive (store brought) stuff others pay big bucks for. If you love shooting as much as most folks that own guns do, then DO NOT mess around when it comes to purchasing the tools for your relaoding bench. A little story about presses. I used to shoot allot with a good friend. He got me into the re-loading. He owned a Lee turret press. I used his until I brought my own. We spent almost as much time fixing that thing than we did loading. Get the Dillon and dont be shy about it. I purchased my first Dillon (RL550B) back in about 1994 or 1995. It has loaded tens of thousands of rounds with out one problem. Since my shooting picked up speed and I was getting into some comp. shoots I decided I needed to also get the Dillon XL650. That XL650 is a very good machine, but it does need a few adjustments once in awhile, takes a little more time to convert calibers and cost allot more. Another friend has the Hornady LNL and he seems to love it. I can and will speek up for Dillon anytime I can because I do believe in thier products. I also believe in thier "no BS warranty". I have needed to call them on several occasions about some minor problem and they absolutly do in fact stand behind thier products. Not only do they stand behind the products they sell, they know reloading. So when you call the toll free number you will speek to a person and that person knows what you are talking about. Yes you will spend some money, yes you may need to buy a bunch of accessories, yes you will love it. The ONLY way to look at this is as a lifetime investment. You most likely will own guns for the rest of your life, you will be shooting for that same time hopefully. I hope I will be. Oh and my buddy that used to use that LEE stuff, well he finally got is own Dillon. And NO I dont work for Dillon. So get on that phone and call them 1-800-223-4570. You will never look back with any regrets. REMEMBER "you get what you pay for". Enjoy your reloading.

 

[DGT]

I started with a used Lee Progressive press but wasn't impressed with the quality. I had used RCBS presses and liked them but then I looked at a Forster Co-Ax Single Stage Press. I was impressed and bought one. I love it. Switching from one die to another takes about 2 seconds. Automatic centering jaws eliminates looking for the right case holders. I've had mine for about 4 years and still think it's great. You should at least look at one.

 

[robctwo]

Hornady LnL over 200k through mine. I like the auto index.

 

[fredj338]

I am thinking of stepping up to a progressive press, I only load 3 handgun calibers (.38spec, .357 and .44spec) at the moment. I have been using a RCBS rockchucker supreme and like it just a bit slow. What would you recommend? how much time to change calibers? will I save time or just spend it setting up another caliber? I don't plan on loading any rifle calibers just revolver ammo. I was thinking of the Dillion 650 is that more than I need?

Certainly more than you "need", few handloaders "need" any progressive press. If you want one, that is enough. A 650 w/ case feeder is capable of 800rds/hr, few of us shoot that much ammo. It is more complicated to change over, especially w/ a case feeder. The 550B w/o the complexity of a case feeder, still does 400-500rds/hr. I load on both, find the 550B all I have ever really needed in a progressive press. I only bought the 650 because I could, but I don't need it & I shoot about 800rds a month currently, but used to go thru 3000/m. I would be ok w/ a LCT, but the 550B is a better tool & you'll never out grow it, even if you do shoot 3K rds / m.

 

[blujax01]

I believe a Dillon is more than you need, and the costs and time associated with caliber changes are significant. BTW, I reload on a Hornady LNL AP and have nothing against Dillon, or any other brand of equipment.

....

John, I invite you to come over to my house and try my XL650. I'll put on a pot of coffee, we'll go over a couple of tips and tricks and then I'll turn you loose on my machine.


Significant cost? Yah, sure.
Significant time changing calibers? Not at all.
Complicated to use? Uh, no.
More press than any one man needs? Absolutely!
The sheer pleasure in operating such a finely tuned, well-made machine? Priceless!

 

[Beans]

Sitting on my reloading bench is the orginial RCBS single stage press I obtained in 1970. Keeping it company is a Lyman Spar-T, a Dillon 550 and 2 Dillon 650's. Each press has it own job and they all get used.

I started using Dillon in 1984. If I was limited to only one press I would have to choose the Dillon 550. It could do everything the other press do.

 

[JIMBO1950]

I currently use a hornady lnl progressive and absolutly reccomed it! I also use a lee turrent press for loading 223 and it works great!!! I am curious if any uses a Lee progressive press ? Lee makes 2 different ones and would like and feedback on them that you may have as i may
buy one. I do find that with Lee dies that i cannot keep a consistant
cartridge lenght, but with the rcbs dies it stays perfectly set .