I a new member and I would like to ask what recommendations for a progressive press. I already have a lyman turret press thats 30 years old,and I would like to update. I was thinking of a Lee Pro 1000, hornady loc-n-load, or a dillon square deal b. Any suggestions would be greatly appreaciated.
Need help on progressive press
- Thread starter ricklfd
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rfwobbly
Member
There are really very few to choose from. In no particular order they are...
• Lee turret
• Lee Loadmaster
• Dillon Square Deal
• Dillon 550B
• Dillon 650
• RCBS 2000
• Hornady LockNLoad AP
You will not be happy with the Lee Pro-1000. It was great in its day, but is cantankerous by modern standards and completely over-shadowed by the newer competition.
- The Dillon Sq Deal is ONLY for pistol and uses special dies
- The Dillon 650 is optimized for those wanting 1000 or more in a single loading session
I highly suggest you go to UltimateReloader.Com and see all the presses in action and understand their ins and outs, ups and downs. They are all equally presented on a level playing field on this site.
Understand, there is NO single "perfect" press. They are all optimized for a particular segment of the reloading hobby and volume of ammo. The trick is to discover where you fit in the hobby and THEN find the press designed for that niche and rate of ammo output. I.e. the Dillon 650 is a fabulous machine, but if you only need 100 rounds per week it's a bit of over-kill. Like using a blow torch to light cigarettes.
And please remember: You get exactly what you pay for. If a press is $200 cheaper, then you're getting exactly $200 fewer features. And "features" is the entire key. Some people are quite happy to drive a car without hub caps. Or, don't let someone from Minnesota tell you you MUST have heated seats, when you live in Arizona. Follow?
Hope I've helped.
• Lee turret
• Lee Loadmaster
• Dillon Square Deal
• Dillon 550B
• Dillon 650
• RCBS 2000
• Hornady LockNLoad AP
You will not be happy with the Lee Pro-1000. It was great in its day, but is cantankerous by modern standards and completely over-shadowed by the newer competition.
- The Dillon Sq Deal is ONLY for pistol and uses special dies
- The Dillon 650 is optimized for those wanting 1000 or more in a single loading session
I highly suggest you go to UltimateReloader.Com and see all the presses in action and understand their ins and outs, ups and downs. They are all equally presented on a level playing field on this site.
Understand, there is NO single "perfect" press. They are all optimized for a particular segment of the reloading hobby and volume of ammo. The trick is to discover where you fit in the hobby and THEN find the press designed for that niche and rate of ammo output. I.e. the Dillon 650 is a fabulous machine, but if you only need 100 rounds per week it's a bit of over-kill. Like using a blow torch to light cigarettes.
And please remember: You get exactly what you pay for. If a press is $200 cheaper, then you're getting exactly $200 fewer features. And "features" is the entire key. Some people are quite happy to drive a car without hub caps. Or, don't let someone from Minnesota tell you you MUST have heated seats, when you live in Arizona. Follow?
Hope I've helped.
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BYJO4 said it about the threads. I started on a Lee single stage, went to a Lee Pro1000, now a Dillon Square Deal. I will say that the Dillon is more press than the Pro1000. But worth the extra $$? For me, yes. But not for everyone. My biggest complaint about the Lee is that I don't really like any of their priming systems. But they make some good stuff.
rfwobbly
Member
Per day? Per week? Per year?
Is this 200 each of 3 different calibers?
Will rifle EVER be in your future?
You have to get specific.
Is this 200 each of 3 different calibers?
Will rifle EVER be in your future?
You have to get specific.
raddiver
Member
I have the t-mag turret. I upgraded to the Hornady LNL AP.
there was nothing wrong with the turret press, but having to touch once for each stage was annoying me. But its how i cut my teeth learning to reload so it served its purpose.
As far as rate, keep in mind i was learning and slower than i would be now. It would take me about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to do 50 rounds.
With the Progressive i kick out about 150 in the same time. This is still slow by many others testimonials (but this is me, not the machine).
Im sure someone who is seasoned on the t-mag will have better hourly output than me.
My monthly volume is about 300-500 rounds.
FWIW
-Raddiver
there was nothing wrong with the turret press, but having to touch once for each stage was annoying me. But its how i cut my teeth learning to reload so it served its purpose.
As far as rate, keep in mind i was learning and slower than i would be now. It would take me about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to do 50 rounds.
With the Progressive i kick out about 150 in the same time. This is still slow by many others testimonials (but this is me, not the machine).
Im sure someone who is seasoned on the t-mag will have better hourly output than me.
My monthly volume is about 300-500 rounds.
FWIW
-Raddiver
rfwobbly
Member
Will rifle EVER be in your future?
If "no" then the Square Deal is a possibility. Don't discount a used SD because a Dillon has a lifetime warranty, even if you found it on the bottom of a lake. These regularly go for $200 to $275 used on this web site.
Or the Lee Turret.
If rifle is a "yes", then you're down to....
• Lee Loadmaster
• Dillon 550B
• RCBS 2000
• Hornady LockNLoad AP
The Lee presses are a good buy. Where they 'cut corners' on their scales and powder measures, but the items do work. For a student or budget conscience buyer, they can be good deals.
If your volumes are likely to grow, other family member is likely to join in, or you're likely to be using this for 20 years, then the Hornady, RCBS or Dillon is going to be the better buy simply because you won't be needing to upgrade scales or powder measures over the long haul.
The Lyman T-Mag is what I call a "traditional turret". It simply allows you to hold up to 2 complete die sets over a single ram. So it's little more than a fancy single-stage. If you had only 2 calibers, then you could leave the press set up. But you have so many calibers, you'll be swapping dies in and out anyway. Therefore the feature represents more of a "convenience" than a "higher output". Say for instance in a 2 hour session, you might save 5 minutes. Look at the Redding T-7 presentation on UltimateReloader.Com because it's the same thing.
If "no" then the Square Deal is a possibility. Don't discount a used SD because a Dillon has a lifetime warranty, even if you found it on the bottom of a lake. These regularly go for $200 to $275 used on this web site.
Or the Lee Turret.
If rifle is a "yes", then you're down to....
• Lee Loadmaster
• Dillon 550B
• RCBS 2000
• Hornady LockNLoad AP
The Lee presses are a good buy. Where they 'cut corners' on their scales and powder measures, but the items do work. For a student or budget conscience buyer, they can be good deals.
If your volumes are likely to grow, other family member is likely to join in, or you're likely to be using this for 20 years, then the Hornady, RCBS or Dillon is going to be the better buy simply because you won't be needing to upgrade scales or powder measures over the long haul.
The Lyman T-Mag is what I call a "traditional turret". It simply allows you to hold up to 2 complete die sets over a single ram. So it's little more than a fancy single-stage. If you had only 2 calibers, then you could leave the press set up. But you have so many calibers, you'll be swapping dies in and out anyway. Therefore the feature represents more of a "convenience" than a "higher output". Say for instance in a 2 hour session, you might save 5 minutes. Look at the Redding T-7 presentation on UltimateReloader.Com because it's the same thing.
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While I reload about 1500 rounds a month, I regularly shoot 5 different calibers as you indicate that you will also do. This means I'm loading several hundred rounds and then changing dies. I wanted a press that was quick and easy to make these changes on. I also had no need for case or bullet feeders as these require more adjustments and increase the time needed to change calibers. I finally bought the Hornady LNL AP which has met all my needs. It takes me 5 to 7 minutes to change calibers and I can load 300 rounds an hour without pushing myself.
Read this: http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf
As mentioned before, go to www.ultimatereloader.com
You can see how each press operates and fine tune you choice.
My primary press is the LNL. However, I also own a Dillon SDB that is used rarely.
Good Luck!!
As mentioned before, go to www.ultimatereloader.com
You can see how each press operates and fine tune you choice.
My primary press is the LNL. However, I also own a Dillon SDB that is used rarely.
Good Luck!!
Lost Sheep
Member
Turret vs Progressive
Single stage presses are amenable only to batch processing and all other turret presses, while capable of continuous (straight-through) processing are not as adept at it because you have to index the dies around the one cartridge case by hand.
Some progressive presses also index by hand, but they still perform multiple operations simultaneously and produce one round per stroke of the operating handle.
I hope that relieves any confusion about Turret vs Progressive.
By the way, I agree with the comment about the Lee Pro-1000. Last year (July 2010) I retired my two Pro-1000s in favor a Lee Classic Turret. I have no regrets.
Regards,
Lost Sheep
Note that the Lee (either the Deluxe or the newer, and superior, Classic) Turret presses are not true progressive presses. They only do one operation at a time. However, because they have automatic indexing of the dies (which can be disabled at will) the Lee Turrets are amenable to continuous processing, much like progressives. (Continuous processing processes a single cartridge case through all stages of the loading operation from empty case all the way to finished, loaded round before beginning with the next cartridge case.)
Single stage presses are amenable only to batch processing and all other turret presses, while capable of continuous (straight-through) processing are not as adept at it because you have to index the dies around the one cartridge case by hand.
Some progressive presses also index by hand, but they still perform multiple operations simultaneously and produce one round per stroke of the operating handle.
I hope that relieves any confusion about Turret vs Progressive.
By the way, I agree with the comment about the Lee Pro-1000. Last year (July 2010) I retired my two Pro-1000s in favor a Lee Classic Turret. I have no regrets.
Regards,
Lost Sheep
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Check on Dillons site but I don't think you can load 32 auto on a square deal. Not sure about the 650 or 550 though. A Lee Pro 1000 is a good press for the money IF you use an Auto prime and not the one on the press. I've got an old one I still use for 32 and have the case feeder on it and it is quick if your not priming on it.
If you are thinking sometime about loading for rifle then the 550 would be a good one. It's semi auto as you have to manually index it but mine does a great job.
If you are thinking sometime about loading for rifle then the 550 would be a good one. It's semi auto as you have to manually index it but mine does a great job.
dmazur
Member
I see that Dillon is offering a "stripped" RL550B as a BL550 -
Dillon BL550
According to Dillon, this is the RL550B without the automatic primer and powder mechanisms.
I would think that this might be an attractive alternative, because it lets one spread out Dillon's "sticker shock" by buying into a RL550B in pieces. It looks like the cost of building one by adding the primer / powder mechanisms later is around the same as ordering one as a complete unit, so there isn't a cost penalty for building as you go.
It would be considerably slower, as you have additional movements to perform.
I have no experience with a BL550...I just ran across it in the latest catalog. In reading recommendations for progressive presses, it seems to be left out. Perhaps because it is a relatively new item (?), or perhaps because it just isn't considered a complete solution by the reloading community.
Anyway, it is something else to puzzle over...
Dillon BL550
According to Dillon, this is the RL550B without the automatic primer and powder mechanisms.
I would think that this might be an attractive alternative, because it lets one spread out Dillon's "sticker shock" by buying into a RL550B in pieces. It looks like the cost of building one by adding the primer / powder mechanisms later is around the same as ordering one as a complete unit, so there isn't a cost penalty for building as you go.
It would be considerably slower, as you have additional movements to perform.
I have no experience with a BL550...I just ran across it in the latest catalog. In reading recommendations for progressive presses, it seems to be left out. Perhaps because it is a relatively new item (?), or perhaps because it just isn't considered a complete solution by the reloading community.
Anyway, it is something else to puzzle over...
I bought in short order a Lee Pro 1000 and then the Deluxe Turret. I load only .40 S&W on the progressive and .45LC and .454 Casull on the Turret. I size and deprime on a Herter's No. 3 single stage for both and then clean brass. I am faster with the Deluxe Turret at the moment, but still getting used to all the things to check as the progressive does powder/bell, seat and factory crimp in the three hole plate. I believe the progressive will blow away the turret before I am done and hope to hit 500-1000 rounds at a sitting compared to a hundred at a sitting for the turret. I like the Lee stuff and my cash outlays go to bullet, primers and powder.
I don't see much to tinker with on the progressive cause I am not changing calibers. And since I prime with an RCBS hand primer tool (safest to me) I don't have ANY issues with the Lee's weakest link (and all the progressives weakest link as far as I'm concerned). I have $177 in the Lee progressive including collator and $70 in the Deluxe. And $30 in the .45/.454 dies. Good value there for me and how I use them.
I don't see much to tinker with on the progressive cause I am not changing calibers. And since I prime with an RCBS hand primer tool (safest to me) I don't have ANY issues with the Lee's weakest link (and all the progressives weakest link as far as I'm concerned). I have $177 in the Lee progressive including collator and $70 in the Deluxe. And $30 in the .45/.454 dies. Good value there for me and how I use them.
codefour
Member
RCBS Auto Pro 2000
I opted for the RCBS Pro 2000. Yes, it is a little more expensive but IMO well worth it. I had tried Dillon 550B and 650, but I did not care for them. The Dillon rods that activate the powder measure and primer arm seemed clunky, finicky, and inprecise.
Once you get used to the APS strips, you will never go back. It is so nice having preloaded CCI strips and they only average 5 to 7 more dollars per 1,000. It is well worth it to avoid loading tubes. The primer strip loader is faster than tubes once you learn to use it, very easy. The Pro 2000 caliber change is the easiest in the industry. Try and change a primer punch from small to large on a Dillon and it takes way too much time and work. The powder measure is top notch on the RCBS as well. It never drifts.
I am not a big fan of Lee progressive presses. I have to admit, I have never used one. I only played with a display in the store. I would rather use a good single stage Rock Chucker over a Lee progressive. The Lee's appear appear gimicky.
I know everyone has their oppinions, that is just mine. You will not be dissapointed with a Pro 2000.
I opted for the RCBS Pro 2000. Yes, it is a little more expensive but IMO well worth it. I had tried Dillon 550B and 650, but I did not care for them. The Dillon rods that activate the powder measure and primer arm seemed clunky, finicky, and inprecise.
Once you get used to the APS strips, you will never go back. It is so nice having preloaded CCI strips and they only average 5 to 7 more dollars per 1,000. It is well worth it to avoid loading tubes. The primer strip loader is faster than tubes once you learn to use it, very easy. The Pro 2000 caliber change is the easiest in the industry. Try and change a primer punch from small to large on a Dillon and it takes way too much time and work. The powder measure is top notch on the RCBS as well. It never drifts.
I am not a big fan of Lee progressive presses. I have to admit, I have never used one. I only played with a display in the store. I would rather use a good single stage Rock Chucker over a Lee progressive. The Lee's appear appear gimicky.
I know everyone has their oppinions, that is just mine. You will not be dissapointed with a Pro 2000.
KansasPaul
Member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2011
- Messages
- 194
I am a huge fan of RCBS - in my experience, their customer service is top shelf. I have a RCBS progressive that is the model prior to the Pro2000. I purchased it used and I'm pretty happy with it. I researched the Hornady and Dillon presses as well. My issue revolved around cost. Each different caliber requires a new shell-plate and they are about $20-30 each. You can't use Lee dies in the Hornady (dies are not long enough). When I added up all the costs for caliber changes I figured I needed to spend another $200 to the price of the press. Stay away from the Lee Progressives - but consider the Lee Classic Cast Turret press - you will save a bunch of money and speed up your reloading. If you go progressive the Dillon 550, HornadyL-n-L or RCBS Pro2000 are all great.
I do not hunt but load lots of rifle. Except for 223 Remington blasting ammo, my rifle is loaded on a single stage press.
I have a Hornady Lock N Load and a Dillong SDB.
Like OlldStumpa, I realize at one time and clean my cases. I hand prime as opposed to priming on the progressive because the press mounted priming systems and I do not get along.
I charge the case, seat the bullet and crimp on the progressive.
The L-N-L is a bit more flexible than the SDB. My SDB is set up for 9x19 but I am planning a 45 ACP version. Cartridge change will by swapping out the entire set up press.
rscalzo
Member
The powder measure rod is never a problem. the primer feed can get a bit finicky if not cleaned every so often. It actually works better when broken in and the parts smooth out. I believe they changed the design in later years which may have helped. I have no problems with the machine and would love to get a second 550 set up for the other primer size.
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