Which press to get

[Jhamblen86]

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.



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

I will agree with you. I have only about 500 rounds reloaded under my belt. But I will say this, just by my shear nature I am very cautious when I step into something new. Hence why I started with a single stage. I had considered getting the dillon basic loader and build to it as I gain experience.

 

[boatbum101]

As stated there WILL be a learning curve with a progressive press . I've got a Dillon 1050 set up for 45acp & a SDB setup for 38 special . Other handgun & rifle calibers I load on a Redding T 7 turret press . I still compete in Bullseye so the Dillon's work for me as I shoot alot of 45 & 38 rounds . I can load a seasons worth of 45 or 38 in a day .

 

[BruceM]

This question only has "one" answer: DILLON!

Right!

I see all manner of threads in this Forum which were started by people of this persuasion. They range from questions concerning how to determine OAL, how to interpret load data, how to find data, if ammo needs to be torn down after a mass quantity of OOPS and "was it a squib or a double?". In fact, they can't determine the answers to simple questions but have the capability to do the wrong thing en mass. Most of these are from relatively new hand loaders who have limited knowledge of what they are doing but want to turn out large quantities of ammo by following a recipe without the required due diligence. The worst thing is that these folks don't know what they "don't know" but still want to forge ahead at the best possible speed. Gobs of production capability teamed up with a thimble full of practical knowledge & experience is a bad combination. It doesn't guarantee a bad experience but it does put all the required pieces in place.

Dillon makes primo equipment for experienced folks with a need to manufacture the large quantities of ammo required to feed their competitive shooting sport but for a newbie, not so much.

Bruce

 

[Wee Hooker]

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

+1, In fact , do a search and you'll likely find +101. They are that good.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Unless you plan on developing a need for serious volume there is nothing a Dillon 550 will do for you that the Lee Classic Turret can't do just as well for a whole lot less money. The only thing I've heard of anyone breaking is the plastic part that activates the auto indexing on the square rod. And the only way to break that is to really short stroke the arm and in a rush just slam everything around. The Safety Prime is super easy to use and refill and the primer arm really does a good job of seating primers. Since you aren't trying to do everything at the same time as on a progressive you can actually feel the primer seating good or bad. Since I added the Double Disk kit to the Pro Auto I find it easy to dial in a powder volume and it's easy to record what cavity on what disk for next time. Really the only thing I don't care for is the "universal" seating stem for bullets that really need a flat stem. That's my only remaining complaint. If they would offer a flat stem like the rest of the companies offer that complaint would dissolve. And if you don't like the carbide factory crimp die then don't use it. Instead buy another seating die and use it to set the crimp in the forth station.

 

[g17]

I'd go with your gut instinct. If it's a dillon 550 you want, save and get it. Another option is a Hornady LNL AP which is also top notch. You'll never go wrong buying right the first time. Learn the machine well and pay attention and you'll do fine.

 

[Rule3]

This forum is very pro Dillon as if there are no other brands to consider. Don't get me wrong, it is top of the line equipment but you also must factor in the cost of conversion to other calibers when you want to load those.

All the equipment out there will make ammo. How much do you need and how much do you want to spend is up to you.

On other forums with reloading sections, that are much larger than this one, you will not find the Dillon bias as much as here.

RCBS, Hornady, Lee all make presses that work.

 

[Jhamblen86]

I understand that at 150 rounds per month may not be much at this time. But I will be increasing that number by about 3x. I will be moving into reloading 45 and 9mm. With that said would a turret press still fit my needs?

 

[muzhunter]

I have a Hornady lock n load. It has 5 stations allowing the use of a powder check. I think the Dillion 550 only has 4 stations. The Dillion must be indexed by hand the Hornady auto indexes.

I load 45 acp, 38 spl. 357 and 44 mag. on the Hornady and have been very happy with the system. Plan on using it for
223. Another thing to consider is caliber changer over cost. I think the Hornady is much less than the Dillion.
I'm sure you would be happy with either

 

[Jhamblen86]

I have a Hornady lock n load. It has 5 stations allowing the use of a powder check. I think the Dillion 550 only has 4 stations. The Dillion must be indexed by hand the Hornady auto indexes.

I load 45 acp, 38 spl. 357 and 44 mag. on the Hornady and have been very happy with the system. Plan on using it for
223. Another thing to consider is caliber changer over cost. I think the Hornady is much less than the Dillion.
I'm sure you would be happy with either

Thank you, I never thought about that extra station being a major safety benefit.

 

[all357mag]

Wait and get the Dillon. It's the best.

 

[jtcarm]

That is one nice bench lhump.

I'm researching as well and have narrowed the choices to the LnL AP or the Dillon. I am getting back into reloading after a long hiatus and time will be crucial for me.

I think muzhunter is right, from what I've read, the LnL will be cheaper to switch calibers. It looks like the die adjustment stays set as well.

The cost of the Lee progressive is tempting but it looks like quality is questionable.

 

[novalty]

This forum is very pro Dillon as if there are no other brands to consider. Don't get me wrong, it is top of the line equipment but you also must factor in the cost of conversion to other calibers when you want to load those.

All the equipment out there will make ammo. How much do you need and how much do you want to spend is up to you.

On other forums with reloading sections, that are much larger than this one, you will not find the Dillon bias as much as here.

RCBS, Hornady, Lee all make presses that work.

I'm on a couple other reloading forums, and I would disagree about the Dillion Fan Club. Seems like they are drunk on "Blue Koolaid." I don't have anything against Dillion equipment, but get rather upset when someone post that they are looking to get started reloading and they get responses like.

"Dillion is the only way to go." or
"One Word: Dillion." or
"Dillion: No BS Warranty." or
"Buy Dillion first, cause you are just going to loose money on any other press, because you are going to buy a Dillion eventually."

Really irks me when the OP says they are just getting started, are on a budget, only are going to load a couple boxes a month, and get told to "Go Blue." I'd love to have a Blue Press that makes umpteen rounds an hour, but I couldn't afford to feed it components for very long.

Sorry rant over.

 

[indiandave]

Right!

I see all manner of threads in this Forum which were started by people of this persuasion. They range from questions concerning how to determine OAL, how to interpret load data, how to find data, if ammo needs to be torn down after a mass quantity of OOPS and "was it a squib or a double?". In fact, they can't determine the answers to simple questions but have the capability to do the wrong thing en mass. Most of these are from relatively new hand loaders who have limited knowledge of what they are doing but want to turn out large quantities of ammo by following a recipe without the required due diligence. The worst thing is that these folks don't know what the "don't know" but still want to forge ahead at the best possible speed. Gobs of production capability teamed up with a thimble full of practical knowledge & experience is a bad combination. It doesn't guarantee a bad experience but it does put all the required pieces in place.

Dillon makes primo equipment for experienced folks with a need to manufacture the large quantities of ammo required to feed their competitive shooting sport but for a newbie, not so much.

Bruce

I couldn't disagree more with this post. I learned on a Dillon. A Dillon SDB. You can load one round at a time. Sort of like a single press. When you are more sure of yourself you can use it as a progressive. Worked for me.

 

[novalty]

I couldn't disagree more with this post. I learned on a Dillon. A Dillon SDB. You can load one round at a time. Sort of like a single press. When you are more sure of yourself you can use it as a progressive. Worked for me.

The Dillion SDB is a good press, even though Dillion has proprietary dies. However, the SDB isn't what most Dillion fans recommend to people asking, generally it is the 550B or 650.

 

[sarge1967]

I have a Dillon SDB it is a great press if you only want to reload pistol rounds. In my opinion reloading rifle rounds on a progressive press is tedious. So is single stage reloading so I personally only load pistol rounds.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I understand that at 150 rounds per month may not be much at this time. But I will be increasing that number by about 3x. I will be moving into reloading 45 and 9mm. With that said would a turret press still fit my needs?

If you buy the additions for the Lee Classic Turret then I still say yes. And you will still be under the cost of a Dillon 550 or Hornady LNL AP.

If you are talking any other brand of turret press then I say no they will not fit your needs.

 

[Bushido]

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?

I have been very happy with my Hornady Lock N Load Auto Progressive. It seems very fast, accruate and repeatable. I don't know that it is more accurate and precise as a single stage, but I could use it as a single stage too. Look at them all and then decide what you want. Sometimes you can catch them on sale or with free bullets, etc... Once you get what you want, you will be happy with it. They are all pretty good and do the job. Good luck.

 

[Rule3]

I understand that at 150 rounds per month may not be much at this time. But I will be increasing that number by about 3x. I will be moving into reloading 45 and 9mm. With that said would a turret press still fit my needs?

Here is my opinion for what it's worth (nothing)

I use the Lee Classic Turret. I load, 32, 380,38,357,357 Fed Mag 41 mag44,44mag, 45 acp,45 Colt, 223, 30-06, 30 carbine. Maybe forgot one or two.

I have never broken anything on the press, not even the little square nylon .05 cent thing.
All Lee Dies. All dies have a separate turret, change over is 5 min at most
I shoot every week sometime twice. I do not need 500 rounds an hour. I can easy do 100+ per hour and that is slow and methodical.

So, it works for me.

What most new reloaders do not consider is all the extra stuff you will need to pay for.

A GOOD scale (most important item in reloading)

Calipers

Manual's

Extra shell holders or turrets how ever the press you buy works

Dies

Mistake Hammer (bullet puller)

Brass, bullets, powder, primers

I probably purchased all the above and dies, turrets for less than what the Dillon Press alone cost (give or take)

Lee is very helpful as to customer service.

No their equipment is not Dillon or RCBS or Hornady but it works and works well. Dillon is no better than RCBS or Hornady. They all have no BS warranty and all are top of the line. Folks have their opinion, just like which car or truck is the best.

Yes, I can afford a Dillon or Hornady but do not have the room and got started with Lee so I stayed with it. I used my money for the other stuff, as above and guns

Yes, I can afford an Acura but drive the same in a Honda.

Only you know what will be bets for your needs and budget
Just saying reloading costs more than just the press, especially if you load other calibers.

I have posted this review many times before.

Real Guns - Lee Classic Turret, It's Not Just For Kids

 

[mkk41]

Another vote for the Dillon 550. Save up and watch the auctions. I almost bought a second one at a flea market for $100 , but called a friend and let him have it.

I love mine. The quick caliber change is so slick. I have complete set-ups for .38 Special , .45 ACP and .41 Mag and haven't had to readjust anything in years.

Dillon tech support and lifetime no-BS guarantee is tops.