I started on a single stage RCBS press. I enjoyed loading and after a while made some good ammunition on it. I thought I wanted to produce more in less time and bought a Dillon 650. This was a disaster for me. There was so much going on and I was easily distracted by difficulty with both de-caping and priming. I hated it. I was starting and stopping, pulling cases to look at them, forgetting where I was. I began making mistakes. [The problem was my own mind not the machine.] I retired the Dillon and bought a Redding T-7. I am going slower, looking and handling each case individually at each stage but I am very pleased and having fun once again. Just a thought for those who, like me, are unfit mentally to use the progressive press. Moving "backward" to a slower production rate can renew the pleasure of the hobby.
Some people should not use a progressive press
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gpurp
Member
I thought everyone could run two progressive presses at the same time cranking a handle with each hand. 
Seriously now I don't have any desire to go progressive at this point in my reloading career. I'm really anal about my reloads especially when family and friends shoot them. Dropping the powder charge is probably my biggest concern. I want to see it with my own eyes before a bullet is seated. Dunno, call me weird.
Seriously now I don't have any desire to go progressive at this point in my reloading career. I'm really anal about my reloads especially when family and friends shoot them. Dropping the powder charge is probably my biggest concern. I want to see it with my own eyes before a bullet is seated. Dunno, call me weird.
SC_Dave
Member
Nothing wrong with that at all IMO. You should enjoy reloading and if that is what you like then it's all good.
When I first got started on a progressive I felt the same way. It was a little overwhelming. I finally decided to load one round at a time on the progressive to help me get used to it. I ultimately added a RCBS Lockout die to reduce the number of things I had to look at. After a while I guess I developed muscle memory and the hand-eye coordination, a rythym I guess you could call it.
Not trying to talk you in to trying the progressive again, but this is how it worked out for me. Load away my friend!
David
When I first got started on a progressive I felt the same way. It was a little overwhelming. I finally decided to load one round at a time on the progressive to help me get used to it. I ultimately added a RCBS Lockout die to reduce the number of things I had to look at. After a while I guess I developed muscle memory and the hand-eye coordination, a rythym I guess you could call it.
Not trying to talk you in to trying the progressive again, but this is how it worked out for me. Load away my friend!
David
witchhunter
Member
Bought a Lee 1000, I was impressed with the rate of output...but hated using it, too confusing. I gave it to my son, he can load pistol rounds for me. I will buy the components, I enjoy the old Rock Crusher, it is relaxing, not stressful.
To each his own. Some shooters I have the utmost respect for have loaded on nothing more than a Rockchuker for decades and they can shoot the daylights out with their guns. I like my LnL AP because it lets me crank out 100 rounds in a leisurely 5 minutes with 3 seconds between pulls (and I like to load only 100-200 rounds in a session). That gives me time to check each station as I bring the handle back and before pulling the handle again. Just like casting, rhythm is everything and if you do the same things each time, so long as there are no hiccups, it goes by quickly.
beatledog7
Member
I load low volume at a very deliberate pace because I'm cautious and because I enjoy the process. I can imagine a time when a progressive press might find its way onto my bench, but for now my single stage is serving me just fine.
you eventually learn how the handle "feels" when it runs correctly. Any deviation in the feel indicates a problem. It takes time.
above all, visually verify every powder level in the seating station.
I weigh a charge, measure crimp and length every 20 rounds.
edfardos
above all, visually verify every powder level in the seating station.
I weigh a charge, measure crimp and length every 20 rounds.
edfardos
TheSaint
Member
No harm in using the old-school method. Some people are really anal or perhaps want the cheaper start-up cost of the single stage unit. I ended up going progressive for time savings and I'm not super-duper picky about each round, having purchased a lock-out die to ensure proper powder drops. This is one progressive loader that won't be snobby towards the single stage. Hey, we're all enjoying a wonderful hobby, no need to be a fanboy for one brand or method over another. Quality is quality, enjoy!
I thought everyone could run two progressive presses at the same time cranking a handle with each hand.
Seriously now I don't have any desire to go progressive at this point in my reloading career. I'm really anal about my reloads especially when family and friends shoot them. Dropping the powder charge is probably my biggest concern. I want to see it with my own eyes before a bullet is seated. Dunno, call me weird.
I feel the same way. I was planning on going progressive, but, like you, needed to make sure powder was in each round and not double charged. I'm pretty happy as long as I have components. .
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Caliper_Mi
Member
Started with a Lee Turret. Moved up to Lee 1000's (bought all three used at a gun show, was smart enough to start on the turret!)
I've now got a bullet feeder for both Lee Turrets (9mm and .45) and just got shell plates for .38/.357 and .223... Sure, the whole thing is a contraption to make Rube Goldberg proud, but it also lets me generate rounds at a pace much closer to how I shoot them! I'll have to see how it goes with rifle cases, but for straight walled pistol cases... I should also say that I am a mechanical engineer by training, so setting it up was fun, running it is fun and I admire the guy who dreamed this whole thing up because it is such a marvel yet also quite simple.
Oh, and what's this about seeing the powder charge? You can on Lee. I visually check that on my progressive, right before the bullet is seated.
I've now got a bullet feeder for both Lee Turrets (9mm and .45) and just got shell plates for .38/.357 and .223... Sure, the whole thing is a contraption to make Rube Goldberg proud, but it also lets me generate rounds at a pace much closer to how I shoot them! I'll have to see how it goes with rifle cases, but for straight walled pistol cases...
I should also say that I am a mechanical engineer by training, so setting it up was fun, running it is fun and I admire the guy who dreamed this whole thing up because it is such a marvel yet also quite simple. Oh, and what's this about seeing the powder charge? You can on Lee. I visually check that on my progressive, right before the bullet is seated.
Try separating the process and not load from fired case to finished round. The press runs easier, there is less going on, and rates only suffer a little.
Because I prefer to clean my cases between resizing and loading and I got fed up trying to work the bugs out of the priming system (long story), I resize and clean cases at one time, store them away, then prime the cases by hand and reload them at another time.
While you can make batches as big as you want, I generally resize and clean cases shortly after shooting. Small batches go quick, just a few minutes/100 including changing over the press to a different cartridge. (No primer system change makes that go quick).
I can hand prime 100 cases in about the same time as it takes to fill a primer tube and when reloading I can concentrate on the powder feed and bullet seating.
Separating the processes is easy with my Hornady L-N-L as dies are placed individually in the press but could be done on a Dillon with either a second die plate or screw dies in and out like would have been done on a single stage press.
Once you get the separated processes ironed out, you can re-combine them if you want.
I originally bought my progressive press more for a mind expanding experience than for producing lots of ammunition. I was disappointed at first with all the little glitches and stoppages on the press. Once I modified my process, I am very pleased with the press. Small or large batches are a breeze now.
But, reloading is an enjoyment for me.
Lots of folks think I am crazy to separate the processes on a progressive press, but it works for me and I still make more ammunition than I can shoot.
There are others do it similar to what I do.
jolly roger
Member
I'm kinda weird...I will take my old Dillon 450 and run cases through it sizing and expanding, prime with a RCBS Universal primer tool and powder with a Redding or Uniflow...then seat the bullets on a Redding single stage...I've seen no need for upgrading and I feel it's safer this way. Have a Lee Classic Turret also which is nice. Still use the little lever prime on that...I find I make plenty of ammo combining some "automation" with some old school loading.
788Ham
Member
I've got an RCBS Rockchucker I bought way back years ago, single stage. Yes, it takes longer to load a 100 rd box of ammo, but I'm so used to this one, and too old to want to start with something new.... this'n will do me fine.
One78Shovel
Member
I use my Dillon 550B as a single stage press for rifle loads. When I started with 30-06 and using IMR-4064 for my Garand load, the powder did not meter well in the Dillon powder measure and it was jacking up the flow. Flake powder and Dillon measure are in conflict lol..
Bought a LnL powder drop and now I load just one die. De-cap and size all brass-trim-process then back to the Dillon to seat the primers. After all is primed I use 2 loading blocks. Neck down the cases in the block allows you to inspect primers as you handle them for the Powder drop. Then with one block go back to the press and just work on station 3 of the press. Seat and crimp if desired.
Do the same for 223 round too
-178S
Bought a LnL powder drop and now I load just one die. De-cap and size all brass-trim-process then back to the Dillon to seat the primers. After all is primed I use 2 loading blocks. Neck down the cases in the block allows you to inspect primers as you handle them for the Powder drop. Then with one block go back to the press and just work on station 3 of the press. Seat and crimp if desired.
Do the same for 223 round too
-178S
I don't mean this as an insult at all and am just trying to be helpful, and I do have a lot of experience with a 650. It's my humble opinion that you likely have OCD and that medication and psychotherapy would be of help. Your lack of ability to keep up with the relatively-simple operation of a 650 is diagnostic.
MichigammeDave
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I've got three old single-stage presses, a Lee turret press and a Lee hand press. And, for some reason, I usually end up going with one of my Lee Loaders. I've got them for 30-06, .308, 30-30, 7x57 and .357 Mag, and find it relaxing and enjoyable to load one round at a time and do it perfectly.
Much like my philosophy regarding tying flies or building a leader streamside - if I haven't got time to tie, I haven't got time to fish.
Much like my philosophy regarding tying flies or building a leader streamside - if I haven't got time to tie, I haven't got time to fish.
I run everything all the way through for my straight walls. when I first got the progressive it took me about 30 minutes to decide I needed to run one at a time all the way through to learn what I was doing. I really only concentrate on the powder charge before seating a bullet although I still seem to always catch the primers before they get to low. I sometimes run out of cases but I just leave that hole empty & keep going. Only thing it cost me is one more pull of the leaver which is faster then fixing it & taking the chance of forgetting what I was doing.
I tried the addition of a bullet feeder but decided it want for me. It caused more problems & slowed me down.
I also still do my bottle neck on a SS. It just doesn't seem work while to do on the progressive at this time.
I tried the addition of a bullet feeder but decided it want for me. It caused more problems & slowed me down.
I also still do my bottle neck on a SS. It just doesn't seem work while to do on the progressive at this time.
I have a progressive and I don't use it for high volume output. I just take my time. The only reason I got it in the first place was it was the only one available. My turret press had been on backorder for months and the date kept getting worse. Don't get me wrong, I'm satisfied with it.
Arkansas Paul
Member
Can't you get a powder indicator device for the Dillon 650? Then it would tell you if something was askew with the powder charge.
That's strange. I'm minoring in psychology and I've never heard of the Dillon 650 diagnostic exam.
kayaks
Member
I got frustrated with my progressive press several times, before getting settled with it. I did give up the idea of resizing/depriming the brass as part of the process. Added LED lights that helped with verifying the powder charge. It pays to go slow with these things.
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