Buying a progressive press?

[silhanek]

Last year I bought the Lee Anniversary Kit and I'm now looking at getting a progressive to load .45ACP and others eventually.

I've figured that I can get setup on a Lee Loadmaster for not much more than $220 and to purchase a Dillon RL550B it will cost about $400.

The Lee has a 5 hole turret vs. Dillon's 4 hole turret. How important is that? With the room, I would probably buy the factory crimp die instead of crimping in the seating stage like I'm doing now on the single stage press.

The Lee press has an auto-index. How important is that? I like the idea of it indexing automatically. It just seems like that is a feature that would help eliminate error such as a possible double charge.

I'd be ordering a Lee press from Midway and only live about 5 miles from Dillon's store. Dillon has the advantage of being so close, but Midway is also an excellent comany that I've ordered from many times. Right now I am leaning towards the Lee Loadmaster since it is cheaper and has the 2 options I asked about above. Is the Dillon really that more reliable or am I missing anything that would justify spending twice as much for the setup? I think both products are great, but I just can't decide yet.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Uncle Don]

The Dillion is easier to set up and get working. It doesn't auto index but many people like it because it's a good press and is simplistic in it's design. It's expensive to buy and to change calibers.

The Loadmaster is a finiky press to set up. It's more inexpensive and not to bad for caliber changes in complication or by cost. If you follow some basic rules (there is a list on Glocktalk reloading sticky by Koski) that outlines it clearly, you'll be fine. THere are also video's on Lee's website that show how to set up the press properly. Once done, it pumps out ammo at an amazing rate and just keeps chugging.

I have one and don't ever clean or even look at the priming area which is the part that many have trouble with. To me, it's the best value in a progressive loader because it runs at least at the rate of a Dillon 650 but far cheaper than a 550. Setup is the key and if you follow the above advise, you will probably come to the same conclusion. If you are one who often breaks things or has trouble with mechanical devices, you would need the helping hand of Dillon and their lifetime warranty. I argue however that people who need the warrantly constantly shouldn't own a progressive press anyway. If you search, the people that laud the warranty the most are also the ones who usually say "It was my fault, but they replaced it anyway". Lee also has great customer service and will help you out, but you share some responsiblity. With Dillon, you have no responsibility and have paid up front for them to take it for you. It's a personal decision.

 

[ccw007]

I started with Lee Turret press with auto indexing. I then moved a Dillon 550. I cannot say anything bad about the quality of the 550 press they are rock solid and worth the money. Setting up for new calibers cost more with the Dillon too so keep that in mind.
I loved the auto indexing and missed it so I sold the Dillon since I was going to be shooting a lot less for the next two years and went back to a Lee Turret Press with the Auto index. Well, that was two years ago. I just posted a topic about Hornady's customer service because their Lock-N-Load press has the auto indexing. Personally, I do not want to go back to a press without the auto indexing because it is one less thing to remember. I also want to move to a press with a case feeder, which I think you can get on the 550 now. If the 550 were auto indexing, I would buy another one without question. Now I just need to make my mind up if I want a Dillon 650 or Hornady Lock-N-Load for a little less money.

 

[silhanek]

Thanks for your replies guys. This is going to be a hard decision. I've searched the forum and it is hard to get good info because with the Lee vs. Dillon, people are usually opinionated strongly one way or the other. Besides the price, it did seem like the Lee had a slight edge for what I wanted because of the 5 hole turret and auto-index.

 

[Piney Woods]

The lack of auto-indexing on the Dillon hasn't been a disadvantage for me. I have two 550s, both of which have the attached bullet tray on the left side. While I'm pulling the handle with my right hand, my left hand is on the bullet tray. Then, when the handle goes up, just a flick of my left thumb rotates the shellholder to the next position. Doesn't take more than 1/4 second or so.

 

[3rdpig]

I've been using a Loadmaster for a few months. While I don't own a Dillon press my best shooting buddy has two 550's, I've run them and I like them, they're a quality press made by a quality company.

Uncle Don is spot on in his assessment of Dillon and Lee, their presses and company philosophy. I'd like to add that when there's a problem to be solved, you can guarantee that Dillon will have a wonderfully engineered product, beautifully made and very expensive. Lee will have something simple and inexpensive. Look at the way they both designed case feeders for a perfect example of what I'm talking about.

I'm mechanically inclined, I can follow instructions and I've got experience and skill running machinery. For me the Loadmaster produces ammo that's as good as ammo produced on any other machine and it produces it faster and for a whole heck of a lot less money.

But if someone wants to donate a Dillon press to me I'd happily set it up and use it!