rodinal220
Member
I started on a Dillon RL450 and then added single stage and turret presses for dedicated or special use projects.
Some people should not use a progressive press
- Thread starter CMD-Ky
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I attached a small light on the body of my Dillon Square deal B so I can look at the powder and do the reloading standing up.
I Started on a single stage and still do all my rifle reloading on a Rock chucker.
The progressives require more concentration and If you have to stop complete loading all the cases on the machine before walking away.
The 650 I think is also auto indexing also and tuning the primer slide when changing primer size can be a test of your patience at least on my square deal.
Dont give up on the press It should work great for pistol rounds.
I Started on a single stage and still do all my rifle reloading on a Rock chucker.
The progressives require more concentration and If you have to stop complete loading all the cases on the machine before walking away.
The 650 I think is also auto indexing also and tuning the primer slide when changing primer size can be a test of your patience at least on my square deal.
Dont give up on the press It should work great for pistol rounds.
dap22
Member
Like so many others, I started with a Rockchucker and made some great ammo. Got the urge and ended up buying two L-N-L's which I thought would be the balls. They were not what I expected and with respect to those who enjoy tinkering with a machine a great deal, I sold them both. I then experienced a Dillon 550 and found it to be my speed. Not just my speed but at a speed where I feel very comfortable about the quality of each round. I like the fact that I can advance a round when I feel it's right. As mentioned, to each his own.
I ahve been using a Lee Pro 1000 Myself... my 1st Loader..
was a Bit of a Pain at 1st, I started with .223.... Then I did the old KISS method....
1 case at a Time.... slow and stead... and made it a lot easier for sure....
Next I started De-priming and sizing by itself... using the case feeder i can blow through a LOT in a short time....
Then when i load I can focus on Priming, Powder and Bullet...... Im on about 8k rds and not 1 issue
I can do about 100 .223 in 15minutes and a nice easy pace.... Ill do about 200 in an hour with small breakes and what not
Now Ive moved onto .357 loading... Sizing isnt an issue like .223 so will probobly do it all in 1 sitting... But no case feeder.....
I like My Progressive, makes things a Bot faster but not FULL SPEED ahead by any means
was a Bit of a Pain at 1st, I started with .223.... Then I did the old KISS method....
1 case at a Time.... slow and stead... and made it a lot easier for sure....
Next I started De-priming and sizing by itself... using the case feeder i can blow through a LOT in a short time....
Then when i load I can focus on Priming, Powder and Bullet...... Im on about 8k rds and not 1 issue
I can do about 100 .223 in 15minutes and a nice easy pace.... Ill do about 200 in an hour with small breakes and what not
Now Ive moved onto .357 loading... Sizing isnt an issue like .223 so will probobly do it all in 1 sitting... But no case feeder.....
I like My Progressive, makes things a Bot faster but not FULL SPEED ahead by any means
I use a Lee Classic single stage press and have for years. My friend used to use a single stage but desided to dive into Progressive and got him a really nice Dillon 650 I believe. For the past 8 months every time we go to the range we wind up haveing to work on one of his guns due to bullet lodged in the barrel. I was at his house not long ago and there was powder all over the bench and he said primer tube was empty and didn't realize it before he made the mess. I think he needs to slow down but and probably has some but he likes kicking out a bunch at a time.
mdm
Member
I'm not sure I would want to be close to him when he shoots and I sure wouldn't shoot anything he loads.
He is dangerous! There is a low primer alarm on the 550/650 machines so he is either not using it or isn't paying attention to it. I run a 550 and have had a missed primer a couple of times. If you are watching the load in the case as you change stations you will also see the powder dropping out. If he is messing up on these basic things, what else is he screwing up?
He still had "powder all over the bench"! I would't want to be around him while he runs his press either. I'd probably be staying completely out of his work area.
Geist 262 said:
I had the same concern as you. So I put a Powder Check on my Dillon 650
It will beep if there is too much or too little powder in the case.
Here a YouTube of it. Pretty good. http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=UafkPd06_F0&desktop_uri=/watch?v=UafkPd06_F0
Hangingrock
Member
With in reason the operator controls the rate of production and the quality of the end product. If an individual use a single stage, turret, progressive or what ever that’s their decision. For myself I don’t view the endeavor as a hobby. I make the differentiation that I’m a reloader not a handloader. Reloading is a necessary evil as I don’t have deep pockets. I’d rather be shooting than reloading.
Thank you for the diagnosis and the lack of intent to insult. That being said I'll stay with the turret and away from therapy with medication. I will also live pleasantly with my "diagnostic" lack of ability.
A machine is a tool and I have found the tool with which I am comfortable and that I enjoy using. I also prefer sharpening my mower blades with a file rather than a grinder, I prefer a manual transmission to an automatic. Will either of these preferences further validate the diagnosis that you have found for me or am I to find myself yet another slot within the latest DSM?
To the other replies to my original post, I appreciate the suggestions. For now, the Dillon will collect dust. When i retire, very shortly at 70, I will give it another try. Perhaps, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, I will be cured of my disability.
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HighExpert
Member
I load on a 550B and have for more than 25 years. That being said, I agree that there are some who are ill suited to operating a progressive. For that matter, there are some who should never be alone with things that go bang. I have taught quite a few over the years to reload and have run upon some who just don't have the mental concentration to ever be safe reloading with anything. Just like any other activity some are good at it and some don't have it. I know for a fact that I would not be worth a darn at cave diving so, I don't do it.
They use neoprene chutes for that don't they?
thanks CMD-Ky for posting your experiences.
I immediately understood where you're coming from. Your decision to maintain pleasure in your hobby is a valid one. It takes some awhile to finally figure out that in the long run, most stressful things are not really worth doing over and over.
I immediately understood where you're coming from. Your decision to maintain pleasure in your hobby is a valid one. It takes some awhile to finally figure out that in the long run, most stressful things are not really worth doing over and over.
PhotoBiker
Member
Great post.
Put another way, we should know our own limits.
I have a Hornaday single stage, it is/was my intention to start with the single stage and then add on a progressive to crank out handgun rounds, keeping the single stage as a dedicated rifle station. Thing is, I can "crank out" way more handgun rounds with my single stage throughout the week then I can shoot in a weekend.
I too like to be able to see the powder I've thrown. I weigh each rifle load and throw my handgun round, pulling the first and last in a block and weighing, visually inspecting each case as I go.
At some point, I may get that progressive, once I have a much better understanding of how they operate. For now, however, I'd good with my current setup.
Put another way, we should know our own limits.
I have a Hornaday single stage, it is/was my intention to start with the single stage and then add on a progressive to crank out handgun rounds, keeping the single stage as a dedicated rifle station. Thing is, I can "crank out" way more handgun rounds with my single stage throughout the week then I can shoot in a weekend.
I too like to be able to see the powder I've thrown. I weigh each rifle load and throw my handgun round, pulling the first and last in a block and weighing, visually inspecting each case as I go.
At some point, I may get that progressive, once I have a much better understanding of how they operate. For now, however, I'd good with my current setup.
This original post was intended to simply state my experiences. I thought that some others may have found that moving upward to a progressive press did not fit their own peculiarities and that they, then, may give up hand loading in frustration. I know that I was close.
My move to a turret fit me, I found it somewhat faster than a single. It also provided me with the complete control of each step of the process that I prefer and in a way that suits me. I hope that some found my experience and post helpful.
My move to a turret fit me, I found it somewhat faster than a single. It also provided me with the complete control of each step of the process that I prefer and in a way that suits me. I hope that some found my experience and post helpful.
MK75
Member
Exactly correct. I have thousands and thousands of rounds through my 650.
Took me a while to get the feel for it, and now I am teaching my wife. It really comes down to doing what you are comfortable with.
dmazur
Member
And how, exactly, did you manage that feat?
Mine shoots all the .45ACP I can reload, and leaves me alone without complaint when I retire to a session at my 550B.
I have suggested she might like reloading, but she just smiles and declines.
(She likes the flies I tie, too, but just smiles when I suggest she could help tying...
)rockdoc806
Member
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I reload on a Lee single stage. When I first started, I thought I would eventually progress to a Lee Turrent Press. I'm now 76 yrs. old and still using that same Lee single stage press. I too can reload more ammo than I can shoot, so I guess I'll stay with the single stage. I reload 9mm, 38 special, 40, 45acp, 30-30 Win and 270 Win. I enjoy the reloading as a hobby and find it very relaxing. To each his own.
stargeezer
Member
30 years of a RCBS Rock Chucker with about 3 years of loading 7-800 rounds of 45ACP a week when I shot competitively. Then I passed that press on to another soul and bought a RCBS turret press a couple years ago and was amazed at how a simple step made things so much more efficient. After using it for 6 months I had a small windfall come my way and I decided to buy a Dillon XL650 with all the trimmings for my most shot calibers.
While I totally agree that there are those who should not tackle a progressive press due to short attention spans, being easily distracted, or who are just not mechanically inclined. But if you have a normal set of brain cells and are willing to work through the startup grief that accompanies anything more complicated that a toaster, a progressive press is just not that tough.
Others have mentioned putting lights on the press so you CAN see into each piece of brass, also the powder checker is a failsafe addition. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen reloading stations setup with just the machine a the bare minimum of accessories - why do we buy every little gadget to put on a scoped AR15 (you know what I'm talking about), but we fret over spending $40 for some LED lights or a gizmo that's going to beep at us if we get a short or over charge? I freely admit that I have sometimes been too frugal like this, but I've learned, accessories are not a waste of money.
One gizmo that is often overlooked is the shell gages that allow you to drop a finished round in and in a instant you see if your round is too long or short or if the shoulder is too far forward etc. They run about $30 and save you minutes per check with calibers.
Next you have to realize that it will take a couple thousand rounds to get comfortable with it AND you are going to made a couple hundred of those that will require being disassembled for one reason or another. Rounds that you run that a die loosened up on or the dreaded primer flip that causes grief until you figure out just the right feel of every step.
After a few weeks of wondering if you made a mistake, one day you'll be in there cranking away and realize that you've hit the right pace, that everything is going smooth and you're making good ammo. You'll find the pace is slower than you thought it should be and there's plenty of time to check everything.
While I totally agree that there are those who should not tackle a progressive press due to short attention spans, being easily distracted, or who are just not mechanically inclined. But if you have a normal set of brain cells and are willing to work through the startup grief that accompanies anything more complicated that a toaster, a progressive press is just not that tough.
Others have mentioned putting lights on the press so you CAN see into each piece of brass, also the powder checker is a failsafe addition. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen reloading stations setup with just the machine a the bare minimum of accessories - why do we buy every little gadget to put on a scoped AR15 (you know what I'm talking about), but we fret over spending $40 for some LED lights or a gizmo that's going to beep at us if we get a short or over charge? I freely admit that I have sometimes been too frugal like this, but I've learned, accessories are not a waste of money.
One gizmo that is often overlooked is the shell gages that allow you to drop a finished round in and in a instant you see if your round is too long or short or if the shoulder is too far forward etc. They run about $30 and save you minutes per check with calibers.
Next you have to realize that it will take a couple thousand rounds to get comfortable with it AND you are going to made a couple hundred of those that will require being disassembled for one reason or another. Rounds that you run that a die loosened up on or the dreaded primer flip that causes grief until you figure out just the right feel of every step.
After a few weeks of wondering if you made a mistake, one day you'll be in there cranking away and realize that you've hit the right pace, that everything is going smooth and you're making good ammo. You'll find the pace is slower than you thought it should be and there's plenty of time to check everything.
carbuncle
Member
Despite much advice to start with a turret or progressive, my first press is a Lee single stage and I find it very enjoyable. I'll go progressive eventually, but I'm in no great hurry.
Posted from my car phone.
Posted from my car phone.
I did progressive loading on a Square deal from 1990 to 2002 and found it very productive for cranking out good pistol ammo. I then purchase a single stage when I became interested in loading 308 and 223 and very much enjoyed the pace and precision of single stage loading. I sold my progressive in 2005 and never looked back. Last year I purchase a Lee turret and have really enjoyed the the process of loading on a turret press, but I must add that I still do several operations on the single stage. I enjoy the process of reloading and I'm never in a rush. I treat it as my time to do my hobby.
sage5907
Member
I have been reloading on a single stage RCBS Rockchucker for about 45 years. I do every step very methodical and weigh each individual powder charge. For me there would be no advantage in having a turret press because I shoot mostly bolt action rifles. I enjoy the process and it's not important to me to take shortcuts. I do think there is a place for more automated turret presses and procedures and that is for shooters who have autoloading rifles and pistols and don't weigh each individual powder charge.
Almost 40 years ago, I started with an single stage RCBS Partner, then some years later went with a progressive unit. About ten years ago, I returned to the single stage Partner (although I also picked up an RCBS Rockchucker somewhere along the way. I simply realized that I enjoyed taking my time, examining each round as I changed the dies for each step. Sometimes things you enjoy doing, just shouldn't be rushed.
There's one safety issue that you can't compensate for on a progressive. And that's screening for neck tension. Poor tension can lead to setback, which is the safety issue.
On a SS press you can feel when the case neck doesn't resist the expander. And to a lesser extent, you can feel when a bullet seats too easy. (It's actually easier to feel while expanding, so pay attention!).
On a progressive, you are sizing, expanding, and seating 3 different rounds, all on the same stroke.
On a SS press you can feel when the case neck doesn't resist the expander. And to a lesser extent, you can feel when a bullet seats too easy. (It's actually easier to feel while expanding, so pay attention!).
On a progressive, you are sizing, expanding, and seating 3 different rounds, all on the same stroke.
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