Suggestions on a progressive reloader

[novalty]

How's about the RCBS Pro 2000? I never see any comments on this press. It appears to be comparable to the 550, 650 and LNL but I just never see any users chiming in on it? What gives?

RCBS priced the PRO2000 out of the comparable press market range--just like they are doing with their new ProChucker presses. Plus many don't care for the primer strip system--which is why the new ProChucker presses have primer tube like the Dillon and Hornady presses.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I hate to rain on the Lee Classic Turret parade because I have one and love it. It suits my needs perfectly and there just aren't any hiccups. However, in my experience 200 rounds per hour may be a little over enthusiastic. At 4 pulls of the lever per cartridge, that is 800 pulls an hour - about one every 3/4 second if I did the math right. I like to watch the powder fall from the measure through the die into the case and I just can't see that fast. I'm sure if my math is wrong, an engineer will correct me. Don't get me wrong, it's a great press.

I AM an engineer and the math works out closer to one stroke every 4.5 seconds. So by the numbers, 200 is easily doable. In fairness though, not by a newbe and without special prep. Yes, I've done 200 rounds/hr ( after prestageing my material) on occasion but it's not allot of fun to sustain 4-5 round/minute pace without a break. Since I like to reload, my normal run is more relaxed (with a cup of coffee on the bench
To your point, I'd agree that 120-150 hr might be a more realistic benchmark for a new user to realistically plan on.

 

[Huskerguy]

I have the LNL and love it. Friend has a square deal and a 650. He likes the square deal more than the 650. The LNL compares better to the 650 than the 550. I like the extra station on my LNL.

 

[flyrobb]

RCBS priced the PRO2000 out of the comparable press market range--just like they are doing with their new ProChucker presses. Plus many don't care for the primer strip system--which is why the new ProChucker presses have primer tube like the Dillon and Hornady presses.

Based on Midway pricing they are on the high end. To your point about the primer system I noticed they have a tube primer conversion kit for $139 which is currently out of stock.

 

[Rule3]

RCBS priced the PRO2000 out of the comparable press market range--just like they are doing with their new ProChucker presses. Plus many don't care for the primer strip system--which is why the new ProChucker presses have primer tube like the Dillon and Hornady presses.

The main reason is that RCBS does not promote or advertise that press like Dillon does. I had that press for a while and sold it. The primer (APS) strip system is actually very good and very safe, It is very easy to fill your own strips with the loader they provide, But you are correct it never caught on. The machine is every bit as good and reliable as the Dillon. It is expensive though but worth it. The new one with 5 or 7 stations is probably priced to high(plus it is aluminum not cast) and will not compete well with Dillon other than having 7 stations.RCBS customer service/warranty is as good or better than Dillon

I think the Hornady is the better deal going for those that do not want to spend the money for a Dillon.

They all have pluses and minuses.

 

[Rule3]

I have eight dillon progressive presses. I can't honestly say they are the best because I've never used anything else. The square deal b would do a great job for you. So would the 550 and 650.

Have you considered therapy? That is quite the setup!!

 

[springer99]

I AM an engineer and the math works out closer to one stroke every 4.5 seconds. So by the numbers, 200 is easily doable. In fairness though, not by a newbe and without special prep. Yes, I've done 200 rounds/hr ( after prestageing my material) on occasion but it's not allot of fun to sustain 4-5 round/minute pace without a break. Since I like to reload, my normal run is more relaxed (with a cup of coffee on the bench
To your point, I'd agree that 120-150 hr might be a more realistic benchmark for a new user to realistically plan on.

I tend to agree with this also. I've used a LCT press for quite a few years and normally can load at the rate of 150-175/hr., depending on the load I'm working with.

FWIW, I think the right decision on the press you choose here can be made by thinking of how many rounds/hr you think you'll want to load. The LCT is probably the best bang for the buck out there right now for a press with auto-rotating turrets. If your output rate is higher than 150/hr, then you really need to jump into a true progressive like Dillon or the LnL presses. More pricey for sure though.

 

[Snoopz]

Of course this thread will degenerate into blue vs red vs other red vs green debate...

So I'll throw my vote behind the Hornady LNL AP. I've had one for about 7 years now, no regrets.

Never had a Dillion, so I can't comment on their no BS warranty. I have used Hornady's warranty, they have replaced parts I accidentally broke (my fault), no questions asked and no charge, fedexed the new parts to me on their dime.

My experience with the RCBS warranty on my Chargemaster 1500 was just as good. The power adapter died, they sent me a new one, no charge.

Exactly...Got ole Rock Chuckers, 2 ole Pro-7's, Dillon 550, 650
looking at a LNL though jet.com had them on sale... but if you got the $$$ just get a Camdex loads thousands.. (just being funny)..and the debate continues..
I love it...they all do what you want them to do..some better than others and each has it's followers.. have had 0 problems with any ...but probably would go with the 650 haven't had a
LNL to play with...

guess the best to do is find some one who has different presses and see if they will let you "try"
them, that's what I do to people who want to use something different...from set-up to actual reloading.


-Snoopz

 

[AveragEd]

When the arthritis and torn rotator cuffs in my shoulders started telling me that loading handgun ammo on my RockChucker Supreme was becoming uncomfortable about four years ago, I started shopping for a progressive. I had one for shotshells and knew what the technology would do for me. In the end, I went with a Dillon XL650. I still prefer the RC for my rifle handloading.

Yes, you will spend some serious money for one. With five complete tool heads and most of the options they offer, I have about two grand in mine but the thing works great! It ought to, I agree, but so often in life these days, that doesn't always happen so it's nice when it does.

I don't load for speed so I cannot state how many rounds you can turn out in an hour with any loader but at least several hundred per hour is a real conservative estimate. I insert each case and bullet manually so it takes me longer to load a box than someone with feeders for both but I didn't want an electrical cord to route somewhere or that tall tower in my way when reaching to the shelving behind the loader. Again, since speed isn't a concern, I like doing it the way I do.

I know I'll upset some folks by saying this, but based upon my experience with one set of their dies, I would steer clear of Lee products. Otherwise, there aren't many bad reloading products out there.

Ed

 

[joe44va]

My old Rock Chucker II still runs rifle cartridges for me but loading handgun cartridges got tedious. Bought a Dillon RL550B. Great press. If I had it to do over again it would be a 650 but don't believe the need to change is great enough to actually do it.

 

[SLT223]

The Dillion 650 is one the best purchases I've ever made.

 

[Zebadiah]

I have eight dillon progressive presses. I can't honestly say they are the best because I've never used anything else. The square deal b would do a great job for you. So would the 550 and 650.

Zowie!!!!!! Which cartridges are you reloading? I surely would like to know the amount you spent on your reloading room. I envy you; everyone should have a set up like that. You're a dedicated reloader for certain.

 

[dave1918a2]

I have two blue machines. A 450 and a 550. The 450 I bought at a garage sale for $100. The 550 I bought at a gun show for $250 new in the box. Seems the guy won it somewhere. This was years ago, but the 550 retail was over $350 at the time.
The 450 froze up(pinned levers gaulded) and sent it to Dillon. No charge return, looked and functioned like new. You cannot beat Dillon's no BS warranty or customer service. I prefer the manual index as it allows Me to backup if I make a mistake. I have a #2 and a rockchucker for rifle and some handgun I don't shoot lots of. I can heartily recommend Dillon. I currently load 45 colt, 45 acp, 44 mag, 41 mag, 357/38, and 10mm on the Dillons. Takes a while to change and setup calibers, but I'm retired, so it don't matter.

 

[huthike]

Plus one for a Dillon 650.[emoji41]

 

[slayer73]

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[Engineer1911]

I have eight dillon progressive presses. I can't honestly say they are the best because I've never used anything else. The square deal b would do a great job for you. So would the 550 and 650.

I thought I was lazy because I hated changing primer mechanism on my upgraded Dillon 450B. The Dillon 550B is large primer, the Dillon 450 does small primers.

EDIT: If you want to make an RCBS RockChucker really rock, get a handle that is ~10" long. Use the long handle for case resizing, use the short handle for belling case mouths, seating / crimping bullets. You can make 300 rounds per hour of 38 spl with the shorty handle.

 

[daniel lawecki]

Well I'll say this about Big Blue there sure is a lot of talk about warranty. I don't really want to shake the tree. But I'll let you know if I need my warranty Big Red thousands and thousands of rounds loaded. Oh and my press came with grease zerks.

 

[flintsghost]

I have owned and used Dillon 450, 550 and 1000. I also had a Star for a while. I have friends that used Lee's. No one I know uses the RCBS or the Hornaday. Of all the ones I owned, the 550 is still bolted to my bench and serves me well. Not the fastest but serviceable, reliable, and still here after 20 years or so. The others are gone. I also use an old RCBS A2 that I've had forever it seems for my single stage chores and most rifle work.

 

[old tanker]

I'll chime in with that I have a Lee 1000 progressive and a Dillon Square Deal B. I also still use a Rockchucker Jr and a Lyman Spar-T turret press from eons ago. Which one I use depends on what I am loading and how many rounds I need.

As mentioned earlier, the Lee works, BUT it is finicky. You have to pay attention to what is going on. It goes out of adjustment easily and the primer system is pockety. Mine was a gift and worth what I have in it.

The Square Deal works well, but uses proprietary dies. Changing over is not to difficult but it is nearly as cost effective to have another one if a change in primer size is involved.

In practice, the Lee stays set up for .38 Special while the Dillon churns out .45 ACP. When I get ready to load with either one, it is a few hundred rounds at a session.

For small batches, the single stage Rockchucker Jr. is the workhorse. I use the Spar-T to load black powder cartridges as I can mount the powder measure and a compression die along with the normal die set. It lets me do all the steps to process one round from start to finish in sequence.

A friend with two Dillon 550s has several quick change setups for various cartridges, complete with powder measures set for his favorite loads, but dedicates one press to large primers and the other to small primers. When he loads rifle cartridges it's like he needs to feed a machine gun.

 

[Mad_Charlie]

When the arthritis and torn rotator cuffs in my shoulders started telling me that loading handgun ammo on my RockChucker Supreme was becoming uncomfortable about four years ago, I started shopping for a progressive. I had one for shotshells and knew what the technology would do for me. In the end, I went with a Dillon XL650. I still prefer the RC for my rifle handloading.

Yes, you will spend some serious money for one. With five complete tool heads and most of the options they offer, I have about two grand in mine but the thing works great! It ought to, I agree, but so often in life these days, that doesn't always happen so it's nice when it does.

I don't load for speed so I cannot state how many rounds you can turn out in an hour with any loader but at least several hundred per hour is a real conservative estimate. I insert each case and bullet manually so it takes me longer to load a box than someone with feeders for both but I didn't want an electrical cord to route somewhere or that tall tower in my way when reaching to the shelving behind the loader. Again, since speed isn't a concern, I like doing it the way I do.

I know I'll upset some folks by saying this, but based upon my experience with one set of their dies, I would steer clear of Lee products. Otherwise, there aren't many bad reloading products out there.

Ed

You can't possibly be a handloader,,your bench is too orderly.