Press recommendations??

Status
Not open for further replies.
It’s a great hobby, and props on getting your son in on the fun too.

I would first get a member or very experienced reloader and buy them lunch and have them walk through the process and pluses and minuses of each company and press types.

My thoughts are you start by doing every operation of the loading process separately. Now, this means you can do it in batches on a single stage press or one piece of brass at a time on a progressive. Or you can do it my favorite way and use a turret press., which the shell remains in the shell holder and the turret moves the dies around to do the next operation. I have used a few older Spartans, T7, Lyman AA8, and the Lee Classic Turret. Don’t think there is a bad one for pistol calibers. My Lee Classic is setup for 9mm and 45ACP. I use my T7 for 45LC and 45/70 loads cause I need a couple extra steps due to loading lead bullets. My son has the Spartans and loads 38 and 41mag for his shooting needs.

Single stage presses are very useful and if it’s the first press purchased it will never be outgrown. Always good to develop loads or setup for a dedicated resizing and priming press. I always suggest a turret press, they can operate as a single stage or be utilized as a turret, all dies setup and you just rotate the turret without removing the shell. The T7 from Redding is the one all others are measured by. Next to that is the Lyman All American 8. It’s a very good pistol caliber press. And then RCBS or older T Mag turrets. Then you have the Lee Classic Turret, or LCT. It can be used as a single stage, just remove the center rod then you can still manually advance the turret by hand. Yes, there is some moving of the turret, but it’s easily adjusted for since it is consistent. Turrets are $17 a piece.

Personally, I use the T7 and Lee Classic Cast Single Stage the most. I resize and prime on the LCC, and the T7 does everything else. I love the process of reloading, yet can still load enough to keep my 45 Colts fed. If I was going to shoot 2-3 hundred rounds a week of semiauto calibers in bottom feeders, the LCT would be brought out of retirement. If more than that was shot weekly, then I would get a Square Deal Press.
 
Soonerpesek said:
Are you saying that crappy machines that are CHEAP are the way to go...?

I would rather pay more for something solid, with a great customer service, than base my choice on the lowest cost.
Click to expand...
Dillon’s customer service is not that great! that’s why they have calendar girls
 
Soonerpesek said:
Are you saying that crappy machines that are CHEAP are the way to go...?

I would rather pay more for something solid, with a great customer service, than base my choice on the lowest cost.
Click to expand...
No, I am saying that there are a lot of very nice competitors that aren't as ridiculously priced as a Dillon - and I used to own one
 
George P said:
No, I am saying that there are a lot of very nice competitors that aren't as ridiculously priced as a Dillon - and I used to own one
Click to expand...


I guess where the rock I live under is, I don't see a large discrepancy in price among equal machines.
But, my rock, my opinion....:)....As is yours.
 
Soonerpesek said:
I would beg to differ,
The FEW times I have had to deal with them has been a pleasure...
The Calendar Girls do hurt any matters, tho...!;)
Click to expand...
I will beg the Calendar Girl. I had issues with my Brand New Dillon, I emailed them, 8 weeks later, a email response. I took care of the issues with a hammer and bench vise.

And I would still buy from them because the quality is that good
 
Soonerpesek said:
I guess where the rock I live under is, I don't see a large discrepancy in price among equal machines.
But, my rock, my opinion....:)....As is yours.
Click to expand...
Gotta love a blue FanBoy....................seems those who love them will not tolerate any disparaging remarks. I HAD one..........notice the HAD; the primer feed system on mine sucked; too many misfeeds, jams etc. Then again, the auto primer feed system on most progressives are the weakest link. Dillons seems to be the worst when compared (first hand) to Dillon, Hornady, RCBS. I have no experience with Lee or Lyman
 
George P said:
Gotta love a blue FanBoy....................seems those who love them will not tolerate any disparaging remarks. I HAD one..........notice the HAD; the primer feed system on mine sucked; too many misfeeds, jams etc. Then again, the auto primer feed system on most progressives are the weakest link. Dillons seems to be the worst when compared (first hand) to Dillon, Hornady, RCBS. I have no experience with Lee or Lyman
Click to expand...
I have to agree with your fan boy statements. I like dillon because they are cool... and on the rare occasion that someone goes into my reloading room, I was the room to say Dillon Professional reloder.

on a quality vs. price note. I did not like Lee stuff because I thought it was for trailer reloaders. Then I started using their stuff... WOW is it good! Got my trailer on layaway!
 
Mark_Mark said:
I have to agree with your fan boy statements. I like dillon because they are cool... and on the rare occasion that someone goes into my reloading room, I was the room to say Dillon Professional reloder.

on a quality vs. price note. I did not like Lee stuff because I thought it was for trailer reloaders. Then I started using their stuff... WOW is it good! Got my trailer on layaway!
Click to expand...
My only experience with Lee was their really cheap and crappy shotshell reloader; I'd buy expensive factory before reloading on one of those again.........But then, I started when the internet wasn't around and gun rags were all you had to go by.
 
George P said:
Gotta love a blue FanBoy....................seems those who love them will not tolerate any disparaging remarks.
Click to expand...


Soonerpesek said:
But, my rock, my opinion....:)....As is yours.
Click to expand...


I don't seem to see anything disparaging about that remark, yet it seems those that refuse to admit they are in the upper tier of equiptment, have to badmouth the company and the consumers....HAHAHA.
Like I stated-----------I'm entitled to my opinion, just like you are entitled to yours...
 
One 550 was all I needed after a few years with the RC. That is, until I bought my first 1911 and that meant the hassle of switching out primer systems so I bit the bullet so to speak and bought another 550 set up for large primers. The machine on the right is a 94 vintage while the left one was bought in 08. Around 40K loaded by both so far.

Bill
IMG_1259.JPG
 
Archangel14 said:
Hi all. Long time off this forum. I'm looking for a recommendation for a new progressive press. My son and I are getting into some target shooting and I think it would be a great Father-Son endeavor. We'll be reloading mainly handgun caliber ammo, but I imagine a machine that can handle a rifle cartridge may come in handy down the road. We won't be loading thousands of rounds a month or anything in that capacity. I figure a few hundred rounds every couple of months. I'd like to stay under $1,000, but don't mind spending money on a quality machine. I already have some Lee dies, but won't mind having to get new proprietary dies, if needed. Any suggestions? Thanks!!!!
Click to expand...

I started on a Lee Turret. I've since upgraded to a Dillon 750. The Dillon is everything people say it is and more. Nothing wrong with the Lee and I still use it for cartridges I don't shoot as much, but I'd strongly recommend the Dillon with the case feeder.

Take your time and pay attention to every station before you move on and you'll be fine.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Nickjc
  • Locked
  • Poll
Press recommendation
Replies
19
Views
855
oldreloader
oldreloader
M
  • Locked
Which Seater Die for Dillon Press?
Replies
12
Views
2K
Master Blaster
Master Blaster
B
  • Locked
Press choices
Replies
11
Views
549
Certaindeaf
C
B
  • Locked
Reloading Press Question
2
Replies
42
Views
2K
BlayGlock
B
K_Dubbya
  • Locked
Progressive Press
Replies
23
Views
1K
jmorris
jmorris
Back
Top