Progressive press what to know? what to get?

kmw1954 said:

We have had the conversation before and I think over the years that I have been here that I have demonstrated that I do not have a brand preference. I do believe at times that ego plays a part in what we use.

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Yeah, I think at least one “what press” thread a week is pretty standard. I am sure that is the case for some. I still use tractors around the farm that were made in the 40’s and 50’s because they still do their intended job and history has shown me they are more reliable. Mostly because they lack any printed circuit boards, integrated circuits and associated electronic sensors, actuators, modules, etc.

If I didn’t think the Dillons had less issues than the others (anyone that claims to have never had an issue is either not telling the truth or have not used them much) I would have sold them and kept the others. I am the guy that like to spend less and get more. Not about ego at all, not like I could wear one on my wrist like a Rolex, to “show off”. Assuming anyone would be impressed with a well used 35 year old press anyway...

I too use single stage presses, actually spend more time using them than progressive presses, just not loading as many rounds. I’ll post my opinions on them at the next “what SS?” thread, that should be along Thursday.

TEXASJD said:

I shoot 10mm a good amount I carry one and have 3 others, using single stage press (2 Rock chucker's) loading hand gun ammo will give the blues.

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Well now you have to decide how much money you want to spend for how much you want to reload and how much time you want to spend while doing it. There are many on here with far more experience with progressive presses that I but you will still have to figure out what’s best for you.

Quite happy with my Hornady LNL.
I like having a station for the RCBS lockout die.
I Don't have a case feeder but do have a bullet feeder.
With an LNL it is easy for me to feed cases with my left hand while my right hand pulls the lever.

Reeferman said:

Well now you have to decide how much money you want to spend for how much you want to reload and how much time you want to spend while doing it. There are many on here with far more experience with progressive presses that I but you will still have to figure out what’s best for you.

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That's pretty much it in a nutshell.

I keep trying to express that I do not need a 4X4 Dually/Diesel to pull my 15' aluminum fishing boat.

kmw1954 said:

That's pretty much it in a nutshell.

I keep trying to express that I do not need a 4X4 Dually/Diesel to pull my 15' aluminum fishing boat.

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Yea but you know it’s just so much easier

Somebody's comment about ego involvement (who's?) is straight-up comical! Most of us spend hard-earned dollars on what works based on informed opinions and experience. Dillon.

If you are mechanically inclined and don't think twice about working on your own car, then it is an easy thing to keep a Lee pro 1000 running.

They turn out the same quality ammo as a Dillon. They cost (during normal times) slightly more than a Dillon caliber change. Yes. The whole press.

If you are not mechanically inclined, and/or do not like tinkering.... Stay away from the Pro 1000. Spend the extra money and get a Dillon. It will just work, and the company will treat you right. No Experience with Hornady, have never actually seen one to play with it.

Herman B said:

Somebody's comment about ego involvement (who's?) is straight-up comical! Most of us spend hard-earned dollars on what works based on informed opinions and experience. Dillon.

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Yes it is rather comical the way some Dillon owners repeatedly opine about their tool. It's kinda like the small child that goes about bragging," I got a cookie and you didn't!". That is EGO.

Now I have 2 progressive presses and neither one has been touched in almost 2 years. Actually I haven't loaded any more than 50 of anything in over a year and what I have loaded has been done on a turret or single stage press. So please by all means explain to me why I need a Dillon Press.

kmw1954 said:

2 progressive presses and neither one has been touched in almost 2 years. Actually I haven't loaded any more than 50 of anything in over a year and what I have loaded has been done on a turret or single stage press. So please by all means explain to me why I need a Dillon Press.

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You don't need one. And after much research and soul searching neither do I. But if one arrived free in loading room I would leave it there. With what I use it would sit idle.

kmw1954 said:

Now I have 2 progressive presses and neither one has been touched in almost 2 years. Actually I haven't loaded any more than 50 of anything in over a year and what I have loaded has been done on a turret or single stage press. So please by all means explain to me why I need a Dillon Press.

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If I only loaded 50 of anything in a year, I wouldn't bother reloading. As such it seems you're not in the demographic for a single stage let alone a progressive press. Try reloading 1000 a week on a single stage. At the end of the day a press is just a tool like any other. If you have need for a press then one that comes with a lifetime warranty and holds its resale value is a good investment, but as long as the press you have works reliably and as efficiently as you need then it doesn't matter what brand you get.

See that too is were both of you have jumped to an inaccurate conclusion.

I stated that I haven't loaded on either progressive in almost two years and there is a reason for that too. Up until last winter I had enough loaded ammunition to last a year and then first the virus struck and then I came out of retirement and started working PT at an outdoor range. Great fun! I worked all year Wed- Fri and occasionally on Saturdays. Those were 9.5hr days. Range is closed on Mon.-Tues. so come the weekend I did not feel like going back to shoot unless a friend or the wife suggested we go.

I then found rifle shooting and purchased my first centerfire rifle, a 223 Savage Axis and started shooting and loading for that. All done on the small turret and single stage press mostly doing load developments. 20/40 at a time,

Which also brings us up to date. I am now down to about 200 9mm, 250 45acp and 100 380. I have more than enough primers and powders for all and will be starting to work on those loads once again. All will be done on the progressive presses.

packetloss as I have stated many more times than once over the years including in this thread, if I was loading and shooting 1k rounds per week it would not be done on a small progressive press. But I do not shoot 1k rounds every week so I do not need that press to make that production rate. Personally I do not know anyone that is shooting 1k rounds every week or 52k rounds per year. You might, I don't.

Is this the Ford/Chevy/Dodge argument??

Whatever works for you, is what you should purchase and use.

I can get a Dodge pu, same year, same features, for less than a Ford. But I buy Ford because they’ve always worked for me. But I have been pulled outta some nasty stuff by a Dodge. In fact my Dodge fan friends always make sure to take pictures.

Personally, a Rockchucker worked for me for 30 years, until I started loading volume pistol ammo.

The first progressive I found was a Dillion so I own a Dillion. But if it had been a Hornady LNL, that would be bolted to my bench.

Ego? I don’t flaunt my press, or my components. Nobody needs to know what I own.

kalielkslayer said:

Whatever works for you, is what you should purchase and use..

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Really that is all that needs to be said.

Again I have repeatedly said I don't use your equipment and you don't use mine so why should I care what you use or how you use it. Just as I am pretty sure your taste in guns is not the same as mine.

Hornady works for me, matter of fact, i bought my first progressive hornady over 30yrs ago, still use it today. That one is set-up to run just 45ACP 200gr FN loads. I also have several other hornady LNL AP`s on my benches, and no issues with their presses in 30+yrs. I like the fact that i can buy what i need for the hornady brand locally the same day (until the chyflu hit). But even a few shops in the neighborhood still have some hornady stuff in stock, but i`m well set up and dont need anything press related. I cant do that owning dillon`s, because nobody stocks dillon products in my area, therefore the reason i went with hornady. A couple places even carry most of the hornady small press parts you may need, in stock on the shelf. At the end of the day, it comes down to what your budget is, how much you`re willing to spend, how much ammo you will be making/shooting. Lee is the cheapest to get into with reloading, and it will serve the lower budget and lower volume reloader`s just fine. I happen to like Lee`s factory crimp and the their taper crimp dies. But i`m not a fan of their presses, but that dosent mean you shouldnt be. Buy what suits your needs. And there is LOTS of youtube videos out there too. Not all are that good, but there ARE some you can learn from.

If you buy a dillon, ebay will be your best friend when it comes to all those aftermarket pixie dust magical updated parts to replace on your new dillon press.

kmw1954 said:

Now I have 2 progressive presses and neither one has been touched in almost 2 years. Actually I haven't loaded any more than 50 of anything in over a year and what I have loaded has been done on a turret or single stage press. So please by all means explain to me why I need a Dillon Press.

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I didn’t say you need one, for that matter I didn’t say the OP needed one either but how is the above helpful to the OP?

TEXASJD said:

I'm not new to reloading but new to loading for handguns. I have been thinking about getting a progressive press for handgun rounds and don't know much about them, what would be a good one to start with?

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Would it be good to start with one he’s not going to use for a few years? Is it bad to start out with a good one?

jmorris said:

I didn’t say you need one, for that matter I didn’t say the OP needed one either but how is the above helpful to the OP?

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The quote you refer to was not directed at you in any way so I do not understand how you thought it was.

How is that helpful? Simple by once again showing that there is a better or alternative solution to every problem.

This thread has turned into a circle jerk so I'm finished.

I figured the question was just that. No reason to run off, state the case for your favorite, that’s all the OP asked for.

We know he already has single stage equipment and wants a progressive to load for a “good amount” of shooting. Kind of hard to come up with a “better” with so little information but no need to get frustrated.

The “whatever works for you...” I think is his question, progressive press wise. Kind of figured he was wanting to hear from people that own and use progressives because he doesn’t own one and doesn’t really know what will work for him. All he knows is that loading handgun ammo with his two RC’s gives him the blues. There are a lot of people that would be happy loading with 2 RC’s, the OP doesn’t seem to be one of them.

jmorris said:

I figured the question was just that. No reason to run off, state the case for your favorite, that’s all the OP asked for..

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By this point I believe I've made my position pretty clear. I have relayed my own personal experiences and detailed the reason I use what I use. I have nothing more to add to the question asked. See no need to continue to defend my views or opinions. If no one agrees that is fine I will live another day and continue with what I am doing and the reason that I am doing it, don't need permission or approval.

That we will. See you next week.