Which press to get

[Jhamblen86]

I'm looking to move up in the world. I was given a lee single stage press. The amount I load, it's not very efficient at all. I will be moving into 45acp and 9mm very soon as well. I like the dillon 550 but don't have the cash but I'm saving to get what I want. Is there another brand you recommend or should I just get the dillon?

 

[novalty]

The Lee Classic Turret would be a good press for you to check out.

 

[rsrocket1]

If you really want the Dillon, save up for it and get it. You'll get there sooner than if you bought an intermediate press.
I have a Hornady LnL AP and love it. I couldn't imagine pulling that lever 800-1000 times to get 200 rounds loaded, especially for handgun rounds that I'll probably shoot faster than I could load. When I got back into shotshell loading this past year I directly went for a used Mec 9000 because I knew progressive was the way to go when you just want to "crank out the ammo". I was glad I did.

That being said, if saving for a 550 was the goal, I'd much rather wait and "suffer" a little longer to get what I wanted. You'll still be able to shoot and you'll appreciated what you have more.

Dillon has a great reputation for service and has a history of supporting their products.

 

[Jhamblen86]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Do you recommend maybe getting the basic turret 550 or buy the 550 with everything on it?

 

[RichardF]

I had an RCBS Turret press for a short time and switched to a Lyman turret because of the priming mechanism. Know nothing of any other presses. Have really enjoyed my Lyman! Reasonably priced too.

 

[Saugus]

I would recommend to save up and buy the Dillon 550B. I have this model and love it. I'm quite certain this will be the last press I ever buy.

 

[H Richard]

Buy the Dillon after you save up. You won't regret it. I've had mine fo rover 25 years, and didn't convert it to the "B" version until a couple years ago (Fail safe powder measure linkage). Dillon has a no BS guarantee and they mean it. When you get it read the manual a couple times and make sure you know the set up procedures. Get enough heads to set up your dies for every caliber you will be loading, that's the beauty, very simple change over. I still do not have the automatic powder measure sensor, or the case feeder, and can easily put out 400 rds. per hour.

 

[novalty]

To follow-up on my previous suggestion for the Lee Classic Turret. I should have asked how far you are away from saving up for a Dillon 550, or Hornady LnL AP? If it is something that will be a long ways off, I would still suggest the Lee Classic Turret, given the price of today's factory ammunition (when you can find it) as a result the fear surrounding firearms--waiting to buy a big progressive may be even longer if you are still having to buy factory ammo to meet your shooting needs.

 

[Jhamblen86]

To follow-up on my previous suggestion for the Lee Classic Turret. I should have asked how far you are away from saving up for a Dillon 550, or Hornady LnL AP? If it is something that will be a long ways off, I would still suggest the Lee Classic Turret, given the price of today's factory ammunition (when you can find it) as a result the fear surrounding firearms--waiting to buy a big progressive may be even longer if you are still having to buy factory ammo to meet your shooting needs.

At this point I'm only two paychecks away from getting the dillon. If it wasn't the end of the Christmas season I would already have it.

 

[novalty]

At this point I'm only two paychecks away from getting the dillon. If it wasn't the end of the Christmas season I would already have it.

You will probably have a little learning curve on the Dillon, as could be expected with any press. Would recommend you keep in mind prices for: dies, components, caliper, manuals, scale, etc. You wouldn't want all your investment to go into the press itself, then play the waiting game to save up to actually get the rest of the items required to load.

 

[lhump1961]

I have the Lyman turret and am very happy. A turret holds all the dies at once so you can load in whatever manner you choose. Although I can't load the volume of the progressive, I can load about 100-150 hour, doing my loading in two stages. If you did the whole process at once you should be able to do a little more. Keep in mind that these production #'s don't include the time consuming process of CASE PREP! I use a Thumbler's Tumbler and that is a job all in itself...although worth it I think.

I've never run a progressive and I am sure they're great....but there is a lot going on at the same time and it seems that it would be easier to have something slip by. I don't have near the experience of some members here and have only been loading for a short time comparatively. I didn't feel it was necessary to get a progressive but that's just me.

I am not a competition shooter and can easily load my needs on a turret press while enjoying the flexibility it provides in the loading process...at less than half the price of a progressive. JMHO.

 

[BruceM]

How long have you been loading and how many rounds do you shoot per week?

Bruce

 

[Old Seabee]

Press

IMHO Get the Dillon & then no regrets.

 

[Jhamblen86]

I am currently reloading and have everything thing I need minus the turret/progressive press. I shoot about 150 rounds of 44mag a month. But I'm wanting to get into 45acp and 9mm which is why I'm looking to go to a turret/progressive press. I do need a trimmer and tumbler though.

 

[BruceM]

At 150 rounds per month, you do not need a progressive press IMO. Get yourself a good turret press or even an "O" type single stage such as a RockChucker. It shouldn't take you more than a couple of hours to load three boxes of ammo. Progressive presses are more difficult to set up initially. Further, there is also more exposure for an OOPS for a beginner with a progressive press IMO.

I am currently reloading and have everything thing I need minus the turret/progressive press.

It seems that the thing you don't have is by far the most important thing: Knowledge and experience. Reloading is a repetitive job but the polar opposite from assembly line work in many ways. A mistake can create an extremely dangerous and/or expensive situation.

Learn how things work and how to work efficiently before worrying about speed and production rates. If you don't, you'll essentially become an non-thinking automaton just pulling the handle and cranking out ammo-be it good or not so good. The "git'r done" attitude in the endeavor can bite back.

The nature of your statements suggest that you have little experience actually producing ammo by hand. Do yourself a favor and learn to walk before you run. Once you're experienced and knowledgeable, jump into the deep water with both feet and buy the Dillon Progressive Press. Or then again, you can try to learn math with a pocket calculator without doing it long hand. We lots of examples of that currently in the general population.

Just something to think about.


Bruce

 

[SMSgt]

You guys are making me and my Lee hand press very lonely.

 

[LAH]

I am currently reloading and have everything thing I need minus the turret/progressive press. I shoot about 150 rounds of 44mag a month. But I'm wanting to get into 45acp and 9mm which is why I'm looking to go to a turret/progressive press. I do need a trimmer and tumbler though.

If you're going to shoot a bunch of 9s & 45s you need a progressive. If you're going to load more than one caliber you need something with interchangeable tool heads. While Dillon isn't the only one you could use, it is a good choice.

 

[dwpmusic]

We all have opinions and I'm just like anyone else with mine. I was in the same boat you're in a few months ago. I called myself checking out a bunch of equipment and finally went back to what I wanted in the first place--a Dillon 550B. I got every bell and whistle they sold with it. You don't really have to do that to get the press. Althought I'm not loading the 500-600 rounds per hour that they say it will do, it's nice to know I have the capability to do it if I want to. The quality is great as well as the customer service. You'll come to the correct decision for you. Good luck with your personal decison.

 

[mosquito]

This question only has "one" answer: DILLON!

 

[RussellD]

There were two bargain priced Dillons that were just sold in this forums for sale section. Like half retail price...dont get in a hurry.