[Crosshair]

Do you and your boss have a relationship that can handle things going wrong outside the workplace?

Yes, I should mention that the company is less than 20 people and the boss is also the owner.

While a disagreement with a coworker over a common interest might be somewhat troubling when you still have to work together, that same disagreement with a boss might be untenable.

We've managed to co-exist with him being a Glock and AR-10 guy and me being a Mini/AK and 1911/revolver guy.

I highly recommend he doesn't start with a progressive. A Lee Classic Cast turret would fit the bill nicely as it can be used as a single stage until he gets the hang of things.

Not gonna happen, besides, as was pointed out, I'm going to start him one stage at a time and then move up to turret press mode and then full progressive. So we only need one press anyway.

Crosshair, I think the information you found about the Pro2000 is...how to put this politely...a bunch of malarkey It seems to be making the press out to be inconvenient and finicky. This is not the case (at least, not with mine). Here are my thoughts on the 4 points from the OP. Apologies in advance for any excessive snark in the following counter-points

Not at all. My boss and I are not set on the RCBS or the Dillon, we are simply trying to find the best press for him to do what he wants. I honestly would like the RCBS for that 5th station for a powder lockout die, but there of course are other factors to consider. If the RCBS is the better choice then that is what we will go with.

1. I have never used a pickup tube. However, I know I can go from tray of 100 primers to 4 loaded 25-primer strips in about a minute using the strip loader that came with my press. The strip-feeding mechanism is neither complex nor non-intuitive, where is this coming from? I have had mine apart exactly once, and that was before I realized I could clean it with a soft round brush or a pipe cleaner - while fully assembled. It is in no way "just awful", and anyone who says it is has never owned a Lee Loadmaster. THAT priming system is just awful.

Thank you for this. As I said before I have never used either priming system so this was one of my big worry points.

2. Yes the powder charge actuation system mounts on the press. This makes caliber changes quicker actually, unless you plan to have a powder actuator for each set of dies you own (which some folks do, I guess, but that seems expensive to me). If the powder system were mounted on one of the dies then you'd have to take the powder actuator off of the die, remove the die plate, replace it with the desired die plate, replace the powder actuator on the new die plate, and then calibrate the powder drop.

OK, I'll have to ask him about that. He may indeed want a powder measure for every caliber for simplicity.

2 cont. And every time you change calibers you don't have to "set the whole system back up". All you have to do is loosen the lock nut, screw the actuator mechanism into or out of the press a few turns (depending on the height of the cartridge you are about to load), re-tighten the lock nut, and then adjust the micrometer on the powder drop to the setting that matches your powder. Here's how it works. At some point you will be working with a new caliber. So you figure out how much of what kind of powder you want to drop, fiddle with the micrometer on the powder drop system until it drops that much, then write the micrometer setting down in your notes. For instance on my press, a micrometer setting of 8.05 drops 35.0 grains of 3031. When you change calibers, you consult your notes for the correct setting for that powder in that cartridge, adjust the micrometer, throw a couple of test charges, and you're ready. Takes a couple minutes.

Kewl, good to have someone who knows exactly how a system works. I'll of course set him up with a Lyman digital powder scale, love mine.

3. I have thrown charges of Bullseye down to 3.5 grains. (9mm). I haven't gone any lower than that because I don't load .380, .32, or .25acp. But I had no problems down at 3.5. All powder measures have trouble with some powders. The RCBS is no better or worse in that regard. But it throws small charges just fine as long as it doesn't especially "dislike" the powder.

OK, very good to know. I'll set him up with several different powders and we'll see what meters best.

4. I consider this a benefit, not a detriment. My right hand stays on the lever. My left hand loads cases, places bullets, and indexes the shellplate. Have you seen videos of folks using a Dillon 550b fast? They look like an octopus!!

Yup, I've watched and sent him videos of both but since I've never used either I didn't know which may be easier. We'll just have to make sure to have plenty of space on the left side of the press. With my Lee Turret using my left hand for everything is fine as long as you have things organized.

OK, I have to go get some stuff done, I'll be back later to respond some more.