Buying a Reloading Press

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BigJakeJ1s

I like you , you have that dillon price book in hand are you sure your not loading on a blue machine? I just hope you having as much fun with this debate as me:neener:

I did count the powder expander but you got it cheaper than me $. Well I guess Ill have to defer to you as to the price I dont have any dillon books around to check. But I wonder how much it cost to change out a lee, or a rcbs-2000 or maybe lnl? I sure hope you have all there price books handy so you can report back as to there cost maybe Ill sell all this "gold" I have here that looks blue and try another color.:eek:
 
RCBS Pro2000
9MM to .45 Auto
Die plate: One per caliber you choose to setup $13.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=636439

Shell Plate: One shell plate can work for many calibers $27.49
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=249478

Star Wheel: You need one for each shell plate:$8.49 http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...aleitemid=1035

Plus whatever dies you are using.

Now to load 38 Super Comp and .223 the 9MM shell plate and star wheel get reused. Same for the .45 Auto shell plate and star wheel when you load 30-06 and .308. So for those caliber changes you only need the $13.99 die plate. Hell, Peter posted in another thread that he reuses the die plate for each caliber.

All the primer stuff you need already comes with the press. Strip loader, different size primer plungers. Takes *seconds* to change from small to large.:cool: No tubes to buy and fiddle with.
 
RCBS Pro2000...
All the primer stuff you need already comes with the press. Strip loader, different size primer plungers. Takes *seconds* to change from small to large. No tubes to buy and fiddle with.
Click to expand...

From what I've seen, I really like the RCBS 2000 (especially its priming system). But I got too good a deal to pass up recently on a LnL AP. I wish it would hurry up and get here...

Bob
 
In your $14 changeover example, you left out the extra powder die ($9, without it you have to readjust the powder die) and the four Forster Lock rings ($3 ea, $12/four). How much time does it take for a complete changeover if you have to change dies in the tool head even if you had lock rings to avoid readjusting? If you're counting, that's the $4 + $10 + $9 + $12 = $35 caliber change option, or 75% more than your <$20 claim.
Click to expand...

I don't really have a dog in this fight, [sorry, Michael Vick] but I'll stick my nose in anyway. All dies come with a lock ring. You only need a *good* lock ring on the seating die and the crimping die. Sizing dies, expanding dies, and even taper crimp dies, can be adjusted in seconds every time you install them, so even Lee's awful lock rings are OK for those. And a lot of us crimp and seat with one die. So instead of $12 for a set of good lockrings, all you need is $3, or $6 if you seat and roll-crimp in seperate stations.
 
They all work. Depends on what you like. It's kind of like the Ford/Chevy or Lambo/Ferarri/Maseratti debates, they all do the same thing differently.

I drank the blue koolaid 25 years back and that was long after I started with a tong tool in the parking lot of my local gun range. I've used them all and have my preferences.

I don't like to reset everything, so all my calibers are set up, easy to swap and the only thing I adjust is bullet seating depth, depending on the round I am loading. So, Dillon works for me. Add to that, a part is getting old and I asked Dillon for a new one and they insisted on sending me several for free.

Any press you buy will work, the important thing is that you buy a press and use it.
 
I recently got into reloading within the last few months. I did alot of research and was going to get an Hornady LnL but since it was out of stock and hard to get parts that were backordred and the reloading class I went to spoke so highly of the Dillon machines I went with a Dillon 550.

From the intitial setup to the actual caliber conversions I found this machine to be excellent. I did spend about 2x more then I had expected getting all the correct tools/gadgets and yes Quick Conversion Toolhead kits that make a caliber change almost instant on the machine. I had never reloaded but after taking several free classes I felt comfortable enough to start right out on a progressive. Customer service has been good in the several conversations and orders I have been in contact with them.

End result I see why Dillon's customers rave over the product.
 
I go through this same argument with myself on a regular basis.

Lee.....Hornady.....Dillon.....RCBS....

Stay with the single stage....get a turret press.....no, go all the way and get a progressive.

I have images of motorized case feeders humming in my head. Tubes stacked with shiny wadcutters.

But being that I am entirely anal when it comes to restocking what I have shot up on my weekend range days, my reloading sessions are usually limited to a few hundred rounds at a time.

A few hundred rounds at a time just doesn't warrant the big boy toys.

Tumble, size and decap on range day evening and reload on a single stage the next morning before I head to work. One hundred and fifty rounds in an hour and five minutes.

I've got 5 or 6 good mornings to recover from the weekend, so a single stage just keeps working for me.
 
cpttango30 said:
Why does someone just starting into reloading need to get a progressive press anyways?
Click to expand...
They don't. But if a person is mechanically inclined, and plans to load and shoot a fair amount of ammo, there's no reason not to.
I work with a guy who does all his reloading one thing at a time watching TV. I figure he must watch a lot of TV.

uk roe hunter said:
Don't Buy A Press. Don't Get Into Reloading..... It Will Take Over Your Life.
Click to expand...
Yesterday I went to the range. Happened to look into the brass bin, and discovered someone shot up a couple boxes of 44mag, and thoughtfully left the brass for me to scrounge. When I got home and sorted the brass, I was dissappointed to discover I must have missed one because there was only 99 of the 44mag. Is there any hope?
 
Why does someone just starting into reloading need to get a progressive press anyways?

I firmly believe that you should learn the basics on a single stage press so you have only one thing at a time to worry about.
Click to expand...
Some people shoot high volume and need to start with something that will take care of their needs. Why buy a single stage and still have to buy factory ammo because it won't load fast enough? The best advice I got when I started was to not start with a single stage. If I had I would have been upgrading in a few weeks. I still use the press I started with and it has no trouble keeping up with my ammo needs.
Rusty
 
Nope, I don't own a Dillon press. I did a lot of research about a year ago and almost pulled the trigger on a LNL AP setup, but decided a co-ax single stage fit my budget, volume and flexibility needs better. My pricing came straight off Dillon's website.

The dillon progressives are well suited to very fast and efficient complete changeovers, so long as your prepared to spend the money. That's one reason they reduce costs in areas like lock rings (no set screw, since once they are set, the idea is to change out the whole tool plate at once). The seating dies are cheaper to make because they don't crimp and don't need a separate adjustment for seating depth and crimping. The powder measures are designed to be swapped out whole with the tool plate and dies, rather than remove/replace/reset, etc. These are all engineering/marketing choices made based on a consistent model: that customers will pay more for the convenience of very rapid/easy changeovers. They even sell the 650 priming mechanism as a whole assembly so that you can change that over more quickly.

As for changeover prices on a LNL AP: (prices from midwayusa)

If you use the expander die that comes with pistol die sets (except Dillon sets), re-setting the powder die is a lot less critical (just make sure PM has full travel and you're done). So you don't need a new powder die for each set ($16 + $3.50 + $9 = $28.50 for the die, bushing, and expander otherwise).

So, we're looking at $14 for four LNL bushings, $9 for a PM metering insert, and $26 for a shell plate. 14 + 9 + 26 = $51 plus dies for a fast changeover with the same capabilities as a 550 (i.e. no powder check, etc). And that gives you the ability to change over the powder measure to another preset value with the push of a button (you don't even have to empty/refill the PM if you use the same powder).

If you want to use the 5th station for a powder check (or you just want to swap out preset powder dies), etc. then it is a little more expensive: 51 + 28.50 ~= $80 plus dies and powder checker.

Where the LNL AP really shines is if you want to change bullet & powder charge for the same cartridge: preset PM insert, LNL bushing, and another preset seater die ($12.50 plus seater die). Quarter turn in and out for the die, and a push button for the metering insert (again, you don't even have to empty/refill the PM).

For a complete changeout, the Dillon is faster: at least $45 more for at most 5 minutes less time... For some folks, $45 for 5 minutes is worth it, and for others, it's not. That's why there's more than one brand of progressive press.

Andy
 
I've only been at this for about 1 1/2 years. I've introduced a few friends to reloading.

For new reloaders, I do not think the inital posting is balanced or accurate information regarding Dillon products. I do not think there is any reason to have to start with a single stage press (I have 2 progressive and 1 single stage).

It is not hard to change the primers in Dillon machines - most folks that own two Dillons do so because they can afford to own two and prefer to set one up for large primers and one up for small primers. I have one friend that is buying his third 1050 - one for each caliber. He has space in his shop and the money to invest so that is how he wants to spend his money. Most of the folks I know only own one machine (most own dillion) and swap the primers as needed. It is not big deal!

There are lots of good machines out there - I hope you find the right own for you!
 
*Note* Yes, I am a blue koolaid drinker.... All of those who don't like the fact that I have a preference after some in-depth research can hit the ignore button :)

With that said, I just started reloading about 10 months ago. My Dillon 550 is one of the best shooting-related accessories I've bought bar-none. The powder measure has worked extremely well for every powder I've put through it, and it is dead simple to switch calibers and even change primer slides.

So far, I've loaded about 1500 rounds on it (that's about 3 months of load development and testing, and three actual days of volume reloading this year). I've learned that if you want to load progressively, you have to work with the press instead of against it. By that, I mean you must understand the limitations of your press and use accompanying devices and components that highlight the strengths.

Two of the most useful accessories for my press are the Uniquetek powder micrometer adjuster, and the Redding competition seater dies. This makes it super-simple to work up quick, repeatable small batches while giving the freedom to switch between bullet types/depths and charge weights without a ton of recalibration effort. For pistol, these make the 550 the 'bee's knees'. If you primarily shoot pistol, I would buy a progressive first. It ain't rocket science - just do your homework.

Recently, I've just gotten into reloading .223 for my AR and AK. Here, brass prep seems to be a ton more involved than pistol, and I've found the need to go out and buy a single stage to complement my setup (which arrives today, btw).

No matter which 'color' you choose, I strongly advocate getting both a single stage and a semi/full progressive if you load both pistol and rifle. I treat reloading not as a money-saving venture (if you don't count the $$$ in equipment I've bought, then I've saved money) but as an extension of my shooting hobby. Figure out which way you want to approach it, and buy appropriately.
 
The best thing about Dillon is the entertainment value of some owners. Just can't help jerking their chains from time to time, just to sit back and watch the reactions. I don't think I've ever heard anybody say Dillon makes less than an excellent product. People do point out, though, that Dillon stuff is expensive, and that other manufacturers offer better features and better deals. Some even dare to say that Dillon products, while good, aren't perfect. Let the screams begin!
 
Im done talking about presses. This conversation comes up at least once a month.

NOWWWWW

When a manufacture can come up with a lubrisizer that can size two bullets at the same time. Then that will be the day the Reloading business changes and forever the new king will be crowned.

Can you imagine being able to size and lube two bullets at the same time.

or what about a progressive lubrisizer.

hmmmmmmmmmmmm
 
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