It's time for a progressive press. Which one is the right one?

[lookylou]

Anyone have experience with the RCBS Pro 2000? Seems like when these "which one is best" threads get going its always Dillon vs. LNL.
What about the green one?

[winchester243]

Anyone have experience with the RCBS Pro 2000? Seems like when these "which one is best" threads get going its always Dillon vs. LNL.
What about the green one?

Here's a pretty fair writeup of the Pro 2000.
http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=26

I personally like mine, very happy with the priming system and I like the 5th station for a powder lock out die. Powder system is good and easy to reset. Die plates are cheap and make caliber changes quicker.

But I've used neither a LNL nor Dillon so I can't comment on which is better. Personally I think any will serve well just get the one with the features you like best. For me it was using the primer strips vs primer tubes that made the difference.

[HisSoldier]

I have an RCBS Pro200, I bought it and an auto index add on. I love the fact that it has a cast iron frame, I'm a machinist, a shop owner, and just couldn't ever buy an aluminum framed press. I also like the fact that changing calibers takes just 3 or 4 minutes. Some folks say one shouldn't go right into a progressive press, well, it was well over twenty years since I'd done any loading at all on a single stage press, and I had no trouble at all getting the Pro2000 up and running. I load .45 ACP, .380 ACP, 9MM and 7.65 Parabellum.

[WESHOOT2]

I have zero priming problems with my XL650; none. I use Federal, Winchester, Remington, and CCI primers, both small and large (and an occassional Small Rifle here and there).

I have ten powders measures (because I sold five), and they meter correctly, except Unique and 700X.
Nine are mounted on toolheads that also carry die-sets and powder-check stations; they all work, too.
I only have a few Dillon dies, but I have a few. I have many dies.

My press does not spill powder; it does on rare occassion flip an empty case upside down from its casefeeder; I have broken at least eight cranks and numerous link arms.
Dillon sends me new ones.

I had gotten a RAN (return authorization number) in '02 or '03, I forget when, to have the press rebuilt, but surgeries changed my plans and I never sent it back.
I continue to use it (admittedly at a lower count than before, probably less than 100,000 rds per year now).
Yes, I have many many primer tubes.

I have other presses, too.

Just a 'tool' thing; I want a tool to do certain specific processing functions like a single-stage, and to make extreme quality 9x19, 9x21, 38 Special. 357 Magnum, 40 S&W, 400 CorBon, 41 AE (yes I figured out a way to do it), 44 Magnum, and 45 ACP ammo fast.
It seems to work.

[Hodges87]

I purchased a Dillon Square Deal B for reloading with my Stimulus check. I'm new to reloading and it was a breeze to setup and use. Buy a Dillon you won't regret it!

PS I love when Uncle Sam pays for my Ammo & Supply's, lol

[Sturmgewehre]

Having used both and owning a Dillon 650 an two 550's... I would say get the one that tickles your fancy. They're both rock solid systems.

Until someone comes up with a vastly superior mousetrap I'm sticking with Dillon. I don't see the L-n-L being that vastly superior mousetrap... not even really better at all. It is cheaper and to many folks cost is more important than brand, which is a very viable concern.

If I buy another press, it won't be a L-n-L it will be a 1050.

If the L-n-L were available 15 years ago when I got into reloading I would have probably given it a try. But over the last 15 years Dillon has treated me EXTREMELY well. They've sent me free parts I've lost or broken in moves from residence to residence... no questions asked. They've always shipped their stuff quickly and I've always gotten what I've ordered. If I've ever had a question, they've always been easy to reach and have been quite helpful. It's customer service like that which keeps people like me and just about every competitive shooter in the country singing the praises of Dillon.

I am officially brand loyal to them, and will be until the day I die.

I'm sure there are folks that feel the same way brand X.

So, go with the press that suits your needs from a financial perspective. You won't be sorry you purchased either... that much I'm fairly confident of.

As for powder accuracy, I've never had a problem with consistent loads in my 550's or 650. I mostly reload .45 ACP and 9mm and the charges are quite consistent with 231 and Bullseye, my primary powders.

As for easy adjustments... the OEM powder bar leaves much to be desired. That's why I have this.

[Sturmgewehre]

PS I love when Uncle Sam pays for my Ammo & Supply's, lol

What makes you think Uncle Sam paid for it? Did Uncle Sam work your job for you? All he did was rob you of 28% (depending on tax bracket) of your income, then gave you a couple of deductions which he refunded to you.

If Uncle Sam wanted to tickle me pink, he would let me keep 100% of my income and tax me only when I purchased something like a reloading press.

But that's a whole different discussion.

The SDB is a GREAT little press. At one time I thought I would have like 5 of them in a row all preset for a caliber. They are quite affordable and work very-very well.

[Hodges87]

Sturmgewehre, I've never seen one of them before. Is that made by Dillon?

[Sam06]

I am a die hard Dillon fan! I have a 550 and a 650. The 550 I got was used and an older one. When I had a part break I went to their web site and found they had changed the design of the part. I called Dillon to see if they had any old types around the guys says to me "No whats your address" I give it to him, he sends me a whole new Powder dispenser complete, express. Dillon just suckered me good right there(LOL). That guy should get a raise. They are a great company and they Stand behind their stuff. OBTW you don't have to used Dillon dies in their press. I reload 38 SPL with lee dies. You just have to have the Cart conversion kit and tool head.

I bought a Lee 1000 when they 1st came out, what an abortion. It broke me from progressive reloading for years. I Bought a AMT AUTO Scale when they 1st came out, it broke me from trusting an auto powder despenser for years. I learned my lesson get the best and check around. If you cannot afford it save your $$ till you can. Then get a quality machine and one thats is backed 100%= Dillon. AMT and Lee just laughed at me when I was in trouble with their garbage. The guys at Dillon care and are on the phone. They know their stuff you will not be talking Hamid in Bombay when you call them. Thats my 2 cents worth.

Gov stim check is a 0% one year loan to the Gov.

[Sturmgewehre]

Hodges87,

Here's a full review I wrote a while back. I posted this here too but can't seem to find the link.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=5024349

[Hodges87]

Thanks, I definatly have to buy one of those. I was reloading 115gr then I switched to 124gr so I adjusted my powder charge and I was thinking to myself their has to be a quicker (but safe) way to do this

[shepherddogs]

I like the Hornady LNL a lot. I used single stages and a couple of Lee turrets before I got it. Let me tell you, when you move from the Lees to the LNL you think you got a space shuttle. Everything is smooth and precise.

[jsflagstad]

I would have recommended a Lee Loadmaster until you said you didn't want to have to tweak it of mess with it. I have a Dillon 650 as well as a Loadmaster and when they are both tuned in and running they are both great. If I had to pick one for being more trouble free once up and running, I actually would have to pick the Lee as it never screws up priming like the 650 does. On the other hand the Lee setup was a bit more involved. I bought the Lee just to see what it was like and it was only about $200 with dies, glad I did as it has been a good unit. I have more tool heads for the Lee probably because they are cheaper but again, they are both great products.

JSF

[the machinist]

I bought a Lee pro 1000 back in 1986.. I have loaded a few thou. 44mags on it and have never had a problem, I switched it to .223 last week and its still running perfect..For the money you cant beat it..

[Sturmgewehre]

What does your 650 do to "screw up" priming?

I've been running a 650 for quite some time and I've never once had a problem with the priming system. It's never failed once to prime a cartridge. I've never had it jam either.

[jsflagstad]

It doesn't happen a lot, but it will sometimes miss primers and on occasion they will get flipped over and installed upside down. Haven't figured out how or why, but it happens more with small pistol primers than others...

[Waldog]

Just to add fuel to the fire! Read this; http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillon...Comparison.pdf

It's nicely done!

[Sturmgewehre]

It doesn't happen a lot, but it will sometimes miss primers and on occasion they will get flipped over and installed upside down. Haven't figured out how or why, but it happens more with small pistol primers than others...

Ahh, the old flipped over primer problem. I've found that this is an issue when the drop tube system (common with all presses that use this system). The primer(s) get flipped during the process of transferring the primers from the pick-up tube to the feed tube on the press.

I rarely have the problem because of how I do things.

First, always make sure all primers are ready to be transferred. Sometimes one or two primers stick in the pick-up nipple. I poke these out with one of the tool head pins before fully inverting the pick-up tube. Next, I make sure the pick-up tube is perfectly (as close as you can get eyeballing things) parallel with the feed tube before removing the pin that releases them. This will prevent the primers from falling in groups - they should drop simultaneously.

I think I've had exactly one inverted primer in some 60,000 rounds loaded on my 650. That's because I learned the primer trick on my 550's which I've had much longer.