Bought a Lee, Should I have gotton a Dillon?

[redneck2]

I hear a lot of people say that the CT is great for load development and when they need to go into mass production they go to the progressive.

You guys make this WAY too complicated.

A turret is a 3 or 4 station press that holds one round

A 550 is a turret that holds 4 rounds

If I want to use my 550 like a turret, I can. If I want a round every stroke of the handle, I can.

If you want to develop loads, use the 550 like a single stage or turret. I just made up some loads for my .357 Herret this last week end for deer hunting. Loaded them one at a time with hand weighed charges. Nice thing about the 550 is the manual index so you can pick whatever stage you want.

Now I wonder, am I wasting countless hours reloading when I could be shooting? Also I am about to start reloading 223, my AR can really spit those out. Will this mean more uneccesary hours on my press?

Any thoughts on this?

Answer would be (a) yes, and (b) yes

I still don't understand why some guys think you automatically have to start on a single stage. Use your 550 like a single stage until you get comfortable, then move to progressive for pistol. I still load about all my rifle single stage on the 550. I knock out a BUNCH of 45's and 10mm's as a progressive loader.

 

[GaryL]

Loaded them one at a time with hand weighed charges. ... Use your 550 like a single stage until you get comfortable, then move to progressive for pistol. I still load about all my rifle single stage on the 550. I knock out a BUNCH of 45's and 10mm's as a progressive loader.

I do exactly the same thing (one at a time - hand weighed) when I load my 30-06 hunting ammo vs production for shootin' ammo.

Bought a Lee, Should I have gotton a Dillon?

Really, you have to answer that for yourself. You have a good press at a good price. If it meets your needs, then the answer is no. If it doesn't, then the answer is maybe - there are a number of good presses at different price points. I have a Dillon 550b, and I like it - it works well for me, but I might like a Lee, or a Hornady, or some other progressive style press just as well. Like many things mechanical, each press has its quirks, which are irritating to some and non issues to others. As much as some like to push one brand over another, when you cut through the BS, it often seems to come down to the little things that make the difference for most people. (Not unlike releationships with SOs).

I have no doubt that the 550 wins in RPH. I was curious what the average person loads on a 550 at a comfortable pace.

Seriously, I think it will be in the 300-450 range, and depending somewhat on the caliber. When I did my hunting rounds, those were probably ~50/hr, hand weighing each powder charge. I setup the press to load a little light, did station 1 to size and prime a batch of 50, station 2 to charge a spare case with powder, dumped the powder on the scale and trickled in the last 0.2-0.3gr, and poured into a prepped case. After a quick visual inspection (a lighter works great ) I fed them into station 2 and moved them on through to seat a bullet and factory crimp. That part goes really quick once you get the rhythm down.

 

[darwin-t]

I would be suspicious of the 500 rounds per hour on the Dillon. I'm not saying that it isn't possible, but they probably are talking about the time they are sitting there pulling the handle, not including filling primer tubes, etc.

I use a Loadmaster and chucked the case feeder and case inserter. I put the cases directly into the shellplate. I'm getting ready to make another video of me running rounds through it. I timed how long it took to load 500 rounds, but to tell you the truth I don't even remember how long it took. It seems like it was 70 or 80 minutes and this included filling the powder measure, primer trays, etc. I don't worry about it. Haste makes waste.

Unless you are spending way too much time loading the number of rounds you need, I wouldn't worry.

I just bought components for 2,000 rounds of .45ACP. I literally saved enough from this one run to pay for my press.

IMHO reloading is a balance between cost, and speed. A Dillon 1150 would be a lot faster than what you have, but would the extra money be worth it?

For me the breaking point was pulling a handle four times per round or once. I'm happy with my LM.

 

[lil ski]

I would be suspicious of the 500 rounds per hour on the Dillon. I'm not saying that it isn't possible, but they probably are talking about the time they are sitting there pulling the handle, not including filling primer tubes, etc.

500 rounds per hour is not that hard to do (I put all my loaded rounds into a big bin and not in small boxes it saves time). It takes practice you will not do that your first time out I have been using mine for almost 10 years. Every one here has the right idea do you need to go fast. I like shooting more than reloading. I have used a few presses in my time and have yet to find one that I would call a POS. Personally I like Dillon they have treated me very well when I have needed a part or just had a question. Just My 2cents

 

[Sistema1927]

Reloading is therapy for me.

While I can crank out ~ 200 rounds an hour on my Lee Turret Press, I normally slow down to a rate of around 125. I imagine that if I had a Dillon I would also operate at less than full throttle.

To each their own as to whether time spent reloading is wasted. To me it is a needed respite from the daily grind.

 

[ilbob]

500 rounds per hour

Is fast with any press. I wonder if he is considering the prep time such as filling primer tubes.

 

[darwin-t]

buenhec,

Which press do you have? If it's a Loadmaster we need to figure out what's slowing you down.....

I don't use the case feeder, it is more of a drag than an aid. Even with 4 tubes it only holds about 100 rounds.

 

[SilentArmy]

You can fill a Dillon primer tube in under 2 mins from a flip tray even after a triple espresso and a red bull! I keep at least 5 tubes filled when i load and just listen for the beep to refill! I have never used any other priming system than the Dillon and a lee autoprime but the Dillon tubes load so fast, It does not slow me down a bit. 1000 rnds/hr on the 650 is a realistic pace.

 

[VonFatman]

If you were seeking production and the press you purchased is not capable of the production level(s) you sought, you made a poor decision.
If you can afford a Dillon. And you think the Dillon will fulfill your needs, then buy a Dillon and dump the Lee.

Bob

 

[woo18]

I am in the same predicament. The problem is that a Lee Turret is a good starting press, but you can advance to progressives within a couple of months. I am going to get myself a 1050 for Christmas.

 

[pakmcc]

dillon lover

I've use a single stage for years, and I used a full progressive earier in life(12 ga. shotgun) when you have a mess up on a full progressive you first have to unload the machine and then fix the problem and then start all over.
when I starting looking for a progressive, I keep all these things in mine.
I finally brought a Dillon 550B and I couldn't be happier. I load 12 rifle cal. and about 15 pistols cal.
For 9mm, .45 auto and .40 cal., I can load about four to 500 per hour. I'm including filling the primer tubes.
But, this has got to be the most versital machine on the marker. I reload berdan brass, and boxer.(ok, I use a lee auto loader for priming the berdan cases) but I set the depriming pin a little higher and just got to town.(some times I have to resize, and trim first.)But then I can start at the powder station. The set up is easy and quick. The most time is spent(in a new reload) is setting the powder measure. After it's set, it stays there. I've never seen a powder thrower throw powder that good. once you set it, it's a done deal. Rifle or pistol. Yes, the rifle powder moves about .01+ or-, but that's not a problem with me. (I'm shooting pulled bullets in .308 in FAL's. CETME's, M1A's FR-8, SR K-31's and a bunch of Ishapores.) IF you set 8 gr.s of unique, It will throw 8 gr.s of unique till H**l freezes over.
Almost all my problems with the dillon have started with the NUt behind the handle(Me).
I don't want the 650, more money and a little more complacated and yes, It's faster. I've got a friend who shoot praite dogs. He's got a 650 and it stays set up for .223. He shoot about 4 to 6,000 rounds a year of .223.
ANd yes, he's on his 5th barrel on a REM. 700 rifle. But him and a friend might shoot 3,000 rounds on one trip to west TExas.
Pat

 

[Lloyd Smale]

to answer the original question is easy. YUP!

 

[James41]

Your Lee Turret system is a good little unit for doing small runs, but if your gonna try and keep up with an AR-15 your gonna need something more suited for the job.

I had a Lee Loadmaster which i got rid of quickly as i found i spent as much time trying to unjam it and replacing those "cheap plastic parts" as i did actually loading. It looked good and it was cheap, but just couldn't keep the thing going.

I purchased a Dillon 550b and have not regretted it one bit since i did. At first i was doing 9mm, 40SW, and 45 acp, but i have added an AR-15 to the collection too and the Dillon handles the AR-15 just fine.

I know there are people doing 500 + per hour on the 550b, but i have found that if i just loaf along at 200 to 300 an hour i don't wear my self out and make far fewer mistakes in the process, and those mistakes i do make are a lot easier to catch at 250 rounds an hour than 500.

The Dillon 550b is a great machine and the no bs warranty is great. If you plan on being in reloading for a long time you can't go wrong with a 550b.

 

[RustyFN]

Your Lee Turret system is a good little unit for doing small runs, but if your gonna try and keep up with an AR-15 your gonna need something more suited for the job.

You must be doing some serious shooting. After case prep ( something you have to do no matter what press you own ) I can load 500 rounds of 223 in two hours on a Lee Classic Turret. That would be 2,500 rounds loading M-F two hours a night. Way more than I shoot.
Rusty

 

[James41]

Well ya, i have to plead guilty of going overboard a lot of times when i get out on the range. There is just something about a semi auto that gets me going... I have a lead foot on the gas pedal in the car and i guess a lead finger on the trigger...

Like today for instance i went out for a quick round or two at the range and went through 300 rounds with the AR and 200 with the 45. Now i get to spend the next couple of days rebuilding my inventory... I know... sick ain't it. What else can i say...

 

[bfox]

I can load 500 rounds of 223 in two hours on a Lee Classic Turret. That would be 2,500 rounds loading M-F two hours a night. Way more than I shoot.
Rusty


Rusty
I believe you can do this but ,
doesn't that make it like pulling the handle on a LCCT once every
5 seconds ? If you are only pulling it 3 not 4 times .
Maybe I am doing the math wrong its late .
You must have some Big a$$ arms .

I have a LCCT and a couple Loadmasters and a SDB
Never timed myself .

Bill

 

[woodfiler]

similar situation

I bought a press and had similar problems as stated earlier, fiddling, adjusting,
breaking plastic parts, and not getting close to the suggested output
per hour.

The second time around i did a little more research and talked to
more than a few reloaders and visited 2, both had Dillons, no bashing here.
One of them had both a 550 and 650.

I bought a 650 with a casefeeder. It was more than i had intended to
spend, but as the price of ammo increases, the shorter the payback
period becomes.

I would suggest a Hornady or Dillon.

wood

 

[CZ223]

To quote my daughter

Duh. Not trying to be mean here. I know there are a lot of Lee lovers out there and I get it. I own two Dillons and I won't lie and say I never have had a problem, I have. They have all been minor and when they are working properly, which is 95% of the time, due mostly to lack of proper maitenance I suspect, they can easily turn out 500 rounds an hour. Comparing Dillon to Lee is like comparing a Kia to a Toyota. There is no comparison. Both the Kia and the Lee will get thejob done but the ride won't be as nice and you wil probably spend a lot more time in the shop than you like.

 

[RustyFN]

Rusty
I believe you can do this but ,
doesn't that make it like pulling the handle on a LCCT once every
5 seconds ? If you are only pulling it 3 not 4 times .
Maybe I am doing the math wrong its late .
You must have some Big a$$ arms .

bfox, the cases are preped and primed. All I am doing is powder charge, seat and FCD. That is at a comfortable pace and not rushed.

Comparing Dillon to Lee is like comparing a Kia to a Toyota. There is no comparison. Both the Kia and the Lee will get thejob done but the ride won't be as nice and you wil probably spend a lot more time in the shop than you like.

Well I can't argue because I have never used a Dillon. It sounds like you have used the classic turret and the dillon. I know my classic turret is pretty smooth so I can only imagine what the Dillon is like. My problem is I have plenty of time to reload and I enjoy it so I'm not in a hurry, some of us like spending time in the shop. Now if the ammo quality was different I could see your point. The Dillon doesn't make any better quality ammo than the Lee so I can't see spending two or three times more money just to make it faster, JMO.
Rusty

 

[mc223]

I really like my RL-550, But I would rather be at the range shooting my better than your ammo. I value my range time.

 

[RustyFN]

I really like my RL-550, But I would rather be at the range shooting my better than your ammo. I value my range time.

Me to. I don't lose range time because of reloading. Glad your ammo is better than mine, you must be loading on a Dillon.
Rusty

 

[mpmarty]

I've had my Dillon 550B for over twenty years. I also have a Rockchucker from RCBS, and Lees' cheapest single stage "C" press with the pretty wood handle.

I find the 550B is the best progressive I've ever used and I've used a bunch of different units belonging to club members.

That said, I will quickly state that in most calibers I use LEE dies for collet neck sizing, factory crimping etc. I use the Dillon or RCBS bullet seater dies in station three and of course the Dillon expander / powder drop in station two. I also use the LEE lead hardness gauge on my cast bullets to be sure they are properly blended for their intended use (rifle hard, 10mm less hard, 45acp softer yet).

I very much like the LEE equipment I have and feel it is equal to any on the market and less expensive. In the case of the collet type neck sizer and factory crimp die there is no other maker offering these innovations to my knowledge.

In using their turret and progressive presses however I am less than impressed.