Suggestions on a progressive reloader

[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.

 

[BearBio]

Got a Rockchucker for my "exotic" calibers that I don't use much; Dillon for the more popular (at least to my friends lol). Had a Hornaday==biggest *** I've ever had. Sold it at a loss and bought a Dillon.

Nuff said!

 

[fredj338]

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.

All true but the oft miss quoted "cheaper" price of the LNL. IF you never want a case feeder, then the LNL is quite a bit cheaper than a 650. If you price a LNL with all the cae feeder parts, shell holder, PTX, it's less than $75 of a 650. You may save a bit more if you can catch a LNL on sale. Dillon never goes on sale, but sometimes you can get a deal.

 

[fredj338]

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

Without a case feeder, not sure how you get $2K, but certainly buying extra powder measures adds up quick. I have two, one for pistol, one for rifle. A lot cheaper & yo uhave to verify powder charges anyway.

 

[10mmauto]

I have a Lee Classic Turret and do most of my reloading on it. It is my favorite press. However, I am not in a position where I load in great quantity regularly. I also have a Dillon Square Deal B and a 650.

If you really need to load in quantity regularly and can afford it, get the 650. If it is just a money thing, you can't go wrong with the SDB.

 

[PPCSHOOTER]

WELL , I STARTED OUT ON A ROCK CHUCKER. PROGRESSED TO A 550B. HAD A FEW SDB'S. THAN BOUGHT A 1050. THEY SEEM TO MULTIPLY.

ASK YOUR SELF SOME QUESTIONS.

1. HOW MANY DIFFERENT CALIBERS ARE YOU GOING TO LOAD?
3 OR LESS A SDB IN EACH. MORE THAN 4 A 550B WITH CONVERSIONS.

2. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU GOING TO CHANGE THE LOADS BY CALIBER? EASIER TO CHANGE 550B PRESS FOR ME.

3. WHAT IS YOUR GOAL? MAXIMUM ACCURACY? COST SAVINGS?
ACCURACY 1050 ALL THE WAY ! SAVINGS SDB.

I LOAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT CALIBERS. A 1050 IS SET UP IN EACH 9MM, .45 ACP &.38SPL. THESE ARE WHAT I SHOOT IN COMPETITION. THE 4TH PRESS ARE FOR ODD CALIBERS,40, 44, 45LC,223, 38SUPER.

BUT I'VE BEEN CALLED A MAD SCIENTIST, WHEN I'M TESTING GUNS AND AMMO ON THE RANSOM REST. ALSO BEEN CALLED A WHACK JOB PLUS MANY OTHER THINGS I WON'T POST HERE. JP
.

 

[daniel lawecki]

Mid South LNL $389.00 LNL Ammo Factory $1223.38

 

[smokindog]

Absolutely love my two LNLs. I keep one SP and one LP.

Sometimes you can get that $389 with free shipping. They come with 5 quick change bushings too. Another nice thing is you can get them in local retail stores should you need something spur of the moment or want to inspect things before purchase. The Ft Worth Cabelas does a Reloading 101 almost every Sunday and you can actually use one.

The customer service is outstanding. I've had a couple things replaced and it was very easy to do. They emailed me a shipping label and everything.

If you want the ammo plant, keep your eyes open for an $10XX deal that runs periodically.

Also, by planning ahead, you can find shell plates for high $20's to low $30's.

You won't be sorry, it's a great product.

Mid South LNL $389.00 LNL Ammo Factory $1223.38

 

[AveragEd]

Without a case feeder, not sure how you get $2K, but certainly buying extra powder measures adds up quick. I have two, one for pistol, one for rifle. A lot cheaper & yo uhave to verify powder charges anyway.

Well, that was the grand total. Don't overlook the fact that each tool head has its own set of dies, powder measure and powder checker die. I also bought all the caliber conversion kits, their spare parts kit, tools, tool holder and the roller handle along with some other stuff I can't recall right off hand. That handle, by the way, went into my parts box pretty quickly as it locks your wrist, hand and arm in one angle throughout the handle's rotation where the standard ball handle permits your hand to rotate on the ball, which is a lot more comfortable for me.

Ed

 

[aktrp]

I have a Hornady LNL and it runs like a champ. I just ordered a bully adapter bullet feed system to make it even better. I have nothing but great things to say about it. Whatever you get. Get a good mount. I like inline fabrication, and a roller handle is nice.

 

[Goblin]

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

Nice clock!

 

[M16]

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

I've considered it, and I need it. But can't afford it. I spend all my money on reloading equipment. It's a vicious cycle. Thanks!

 

[AveragEd]

It was. But now it looses time like it is its job even with a new battery so I am shopping for a replacement.

Ed

 

[Tom S.]

A few thoughts from a long time reloader (over 50 years). Any brand progressive press will work. Beyond that however is how well do they work, how well do they hold up, and how well does the manufacturer stand behind them. At the bottom of the line, Lee progressives are inexpensive and can produce ammo as high in quality as any other press. The warranty though suggests their downside. Lee warranties them for a year. For the cost savings, you give up the lifetime warranty others offer, and resale value on a used Lee is like the resale value on a Ford Pinto. Plus, from personal experience, as the Lee gets older, you'll spend more time dinking with it to fix little things that get out of adjustment, especially if you change calibers often. Next step up are the big names, RCBS, Hornady and Lyman. I'm lumping them all together as each represents a step up from Lee, both in quality and warranty, yet still fall a little short of Dillon. All three offer great warranty service, and like the Lee, all three are capable of producing gold star ammo. Unlike the Lee, they will hold their value slightly better, and will generally require less fiddling with, even as they age. Then comes Dillon. While many scoff at the Kool-aid reference, the fact remains that Dillon users are fiercely loyal to the brand, and with good reason: Dillon pioneered the no BS warranty and stand firmly behind it. And while their products aren't 100% idiot proof, they come closer than other brands. Proof of their quality can be found in the fact that you can buy one of their presses, use it for 20 years and sell it for more than you paid for it. Further proof is the number of posts you will find that say "I switched from brand x and finally bought a Dillon.". That's not to say it never happens in reverse, just that you'll find the ratio of probably in the neighborhood of 100 to 1 in favor of the Dillon.

Over the course of my reloading career, I've used presses from Pacific, RCBS (Junior and Rockchucker), Lee (Turret and Pro 1000's) and Dillon (650XL). As I started off this post, any of the manufacturers progressives will do what they are intended to do. In the end, it's like buying a car to drive from New York to California. Any brand will get you there, it's up to you what kind of style and ride you want. And just like cars, everyone has their favorite.

 

[varmint243]

I have a RCBS Auto 4x4, a Ammomaster, and a Piggyback.
I love my green and am very happy with my presses.
Please note that they did take a bit of tinkering to get them running smoothly.
RCBS customer service is second to none.

 

[old&slow]

A glass of the Blue Kool-aid for me.
I've never used a Lee or a Hornady so can't give a honest opinion about them. But I have been using a Dillon 550 since the late 80's. A couple years ago I purchased another 550 just so I could have one set-up for small primers and one for large primers. I have no idea how many tens of thousands of rounds I've loaded on it.. I use a RCBS for most of my rifle loading.

 

[Bkreutz]

It was. But now it looses time like it is its job even with a new battery so I am shopping for a replacement.

Ed

Go to a craft store and buy a clock movement, they are cheap and easy to replace. that way you can keep the S&W dial.

 

[CookE]

I read all these with great interest. I still believe whatever works best for you is the best one out there. I bought my first DILLON IN 1979. It was called the RL1000 AND THE ENTIRE MACHINE WAS STAINLESS STEEL. My serial number on it was 124. Mike Dillon still had the lifetime warranty on the RL1000, a few years back when a lot of the commercial reloaders started using the 1050 he had to take off the lifetime warranty, but he kept it on all the other loaders he makes. At one time I had 4, 1050's and a 550. I had very little trouble with any of the Dillons. I loaded between 2 & 3 million rounds on them over the years. If I needed a part I could call them on a Monday and have the part on Thursday, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. I ALWAYS DEALT WITH A YOUNG MAN THAT HAS WORKED FOR DILLON FOR YEARS, "ERIC HARVEY", HE WILL REALLY GO OUT OF HIS WAY TO MAKE YOU HAPPY ANY WAY HE CAN, BUT SO WILL ALL THE OTHER GUYS THAT WORK FOR MIKE. I just happened to get started with Eric so I always asked for him when I called for help. You might pay a little more for a DILLON, but in the long run you won't be sorry that you did. You will come out ahead in the end. Well, that's my 2 cents worth, I don't know if I said much that helped anyone or not, but I tried.......WHEN YOU GET TO BE MY AGE, (5 YEARS OLDER THAN DIRT) AND SIT AROUND ALL DAY AND LOOK AT THE 3 WALLS (I USED TO SAY 4 WALLS UNTIL I REALIZED I CAN'T SEE THE WALL BEHIND ME) NOT BY CHOICE, BUT BECAUSE OF HEALTH REASONS, THERE'S JUST NOT MUCH TO DO ANYMORE..........THIS IS FOR THE YOUNG GUYS IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU WANT OR SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO, DO IT WHILE YOU ARE YOUNG EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO BORROW THE MONEY TO DO IT. THE REASON IS BECAUSE IF YOU WAIT TO DO THE THINGS WHEN YOU RETIRE OR GET OLD YOU PROBABLY WON'T FEEL LIKE DOING THEM OR YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THEM....................GO BLESS...............CookE..

 

[Hawker Man]

650 buy once and cry once...........
650 then don't look back................
Oh, buy it from Brian Enos and save the shipping!!!!!

 

[smoothshooter]

I have never personally owned a Lee press, but one of my relatives has bought several over the years and I have used them quite a bit when we reloaded ammo together.
In my opinion, all their single stage presses, dies, and priming tools are very good. I especially like their priming tools.

The progressive presses are another matter. While they work pretty well most of the time, I think the progressive concept pushes the envelope a little too far for their methods of using marginal-looking thin-walled aluminum castings and plastic parts. The dinky little dogtag chain that was used in at least the older models was particularly cheap looking, but admittedly worked fairly well.

I have a Dillon 550 for a progressive and really like it. Will buy a Square Deal B soon as well.

Go with a Dillon and never look back.

 

[10mm_Shooter]

Dillon, Dillon, Dillon