Who uses a progressive press? Which one and why?

[KeithB78]

1. I have looked at the Dillon 550B, and have seen one in operation, i like the powder charging system. I wonder if one side of the press being open where the tool head slides in weakens it?

The down side it's sort of pricey.

Is there anyplace to get a deal on Dillon stuff? Or can it only be purchased from Dillon?

2. The Lee Loadmaster press looks like a decent press for a fair price.

3. What other progressive presses do you all use?

Please comment on any or all of the above.

Thanks

[Frenchwrench]

Go to Brianenos.com and check out the 550b. He has a FAQ section that will answer alot of your questions. I switched from a Lee Cast Turret to the 550b that I bought used. Love it! Many here like different presses and they will all chime in soon. Whatever you buy...enjoy!!

[croc4]

The loadmaster is a good press, despite the low opinion that many have of it.

[Shoney]

Read this thread
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=270224
It has some of the info you seek.

I have the 550, and the powder measure system is old tech, not as accurate as the competition, and a PITA when using ball powders, because it leaks and gums up the press. The biggest turn off of the whole pre$$ is the price to get quick change $y$tem$.

In order to be truly quick, you need to buy a new powder measure for each tool head, because the readjustment of the measure is very time consuming. If you have several conversion toolheads set up, they can be priced at more than the press. That is why the bushing system is so much more versitile and less expensive.

[TexasSeaRay]

I started over a couple of decades ago with a Lee Pro 1000 when I was shooting IPSC and working in law enforcement. I still have that Pro 1000, still use it for 9mm, 38 spcl and 380 acp. I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds with it.

Several years ago, I finally managed to break a part on the handle. I called up Lee, told them how long I'd had the press and how many rounds I'd loaded with it and why. They sent me a complete new handle assembly at absolute zero charge.

I also have a Lee single stage press that I do all my magnum rounds, 45 acp and all long gun rounds on. Thousands and thousands of round have come off that single stage press with zero hitches.

Also use Lee carbide dies almost exclusively. Again, zero problems.

Lee has been good for me and to me. Nothing against RCBS (I have a lot of their accessories) or Dillon. Both are very fine brands. Just that Lee was my first experience on my own with reloading and they made a good impression on me and I've had a long, positive relationship with their presses.

Jeff

[crowbeaner]

I bought a used Dillon RL 450 years ago for $100 at the gunshow with 3 caliber changes. I added the auto primer feed later. It has loaded uncounted thousands of cartridges with no problems. I like it because the dies screw into the frame instead of a toolhead making them more rigid. The only play in the press is the little bit required in the shellplate. I love it, and as soon as I get some more fired brass, I'm going to load some more .222s with it. If you get a Dillon, you have the best in my book. Many competitive shooters use them. What better plug do you need? CB.

[Greg Di]

See the thread below about Loadmasters.

I WANTED mine to work despite what others said thinking "it couldn't happen to me". Well, it did, and the whole shebang is in box bound for MidwayUSA tomorrow.

I'd steer clear.

Check out this attachment. I found it very informative.

[Shoney]

Crowbeaner has a point, but the trend is away from Dillon. It used to be Dillon was the only game in town if you needed to put out lots of quality ammo.

Today, many competitive shooters are going to the Hornady LNL Progressive. Why! Less runout on the ammo, and that translates to more accuracy, in addition to the considerably less cost and greater versatility of the LNL.

[WSM MAGNUM]

Who uses a progressive press? Which one and why?

I have had my Dillon RL550B for about 20 yrs. now. Because I think it is a fantastic reloader.

1. I have looked at the Dillon 550B, and have seen one in operation, i like the powder charging system. I wonder if one side of the press being open where the tool head slides in weakens it?

No, I have never seen any signs of it weakening or flexing.

[armabill]

My brother and brother-in-law both have the Lee 1000 press. I saw first hand how much trouble it gave them.

So I got the Lee LoadMaster. It sure looked better than the Lee 1000. It is better but not without problems. I had it for 2 years before I decided that it's not worth the aggravation. The biggest flaw is the flipper and the small plastic finger that guides the primers.

Since I got the Dillon 550B, I've been loading more than tinkering.

[bigbradyb]

I just bought the Hornady LNL press. I was in the same boat as you last week. After much research I went with the Hornady. This link is probably what got me off the fence with Dillon and Hornady http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillon...Comparison.pdf

It was a great read and made a lot of sense for me. Also caliber changes which is a big deal for me are very inexpensive with the Hornady. Hope it helps.

[KeithB78]

You guys with the Dillon 550B does that wrench come with it, or do you have to buy it?

[Chief-7700]

I bought the XL-650, because I have been using Dillon products for years. The only person I have to keep happy while reloading is me. So I could not give you an opinion on any other reloaders............
Chief

[Shane Tuttle]

I'm going with the Hornady Lock 'N' Load AP in the next day or so. The reasons are already posted here why I chose Hornady over the Dillon.

One key note: Just because I chose it over the Dillon doesn't mean Dillon wouldn't work for YOU. I'm sure it's a good press. The Hornady just fits the bill for me.

[KeithB78]

I am leaning toward the Dillon 550b, but no hurry

[Sport45]

I bought the 550b mainly due to feedback I read in forums like this. I've loaded somewhere between 20 and 30 thousand rounds (9mm, 45acp, 38spl, .357, and .45lc). It's okay and gets the job done. I'm sure all progressive presses have their problems and this one is no exception. You have to keep the priming system clean or it won't pick up primers. At least it's easy to tell when you missed one because the handle goes too far forward and it doesn't feel right. There is a risk of double charging when you stop your routine to sort out the primer problem. There is also no easy way to get primers out of the feed tube if you decide to stop before it is empty.

The most frustrating problem I've had with it is the through bolt in the powder dispenser will loosen and the little square nylon bushing will fall out. By the time I notice it I'll have close to a hundred rounds in the tray and I don't know which ones or even how many don't have powder. (A WLP primer will sometimes get a 200gr SWC 20 feet or so downrange by itself. You can see the bullet in the air.) I've also gotten pretty good at driving stuck bullets out of a 1911 barrel. It just wasn't worth it to pull all the bullets (again) to see which ones had powder and you can't hear Titegroup when you shake a .45acp. I've double-nutted that bolt and I try to keep an eye on the powder charge bar. I also rigged a small LED light to help me see the small charge down in the case. The powder funnel is a PITA to adjust since you basically have to take the powder measure off for each trial and error adjustment. This can be tricky when the thing is full of powder. I wish there was a dummy bushing you could clamp to the top to stop the powder funnel so you could adjust it quicker.

Otherwise the powder system is good. It even drops consistent charges of Unique.

That said, I don't regret buying the thing. It works and has saved me many hours from what I'd have spent using a single stage. In hindsight I'm sure a LNL or other name brand progressive would have served me just as well. (And Dillon customer service is indeed as good as folks say.)

[Hammer1]

If the decision concerning the Dillon and the Hornady were down to the functioning of the powder measures, don't let that sway you one way or another.

The Dillon will accept Hornady, RCBS, and other powder measures for both manual and automatic functioning.
.

[KeithB78]

Sport 45

1. blue locktite the bolts that loosen

2. use a good scale to weigh your cartridges after, then you know who is missing a charge


Can the 650 be set to manual indexing

[BigJimP]

I've used the Dillon 650 ( with the casefeeder ) for about 3 years now - and I think its a very good press. I've owned a variety of presses - mostly older RCBS models - but I also test ran the Hornady LNL - and they were good presses as well. But I didn't see anything where the Hornady LNL was superior to the Dillon 650.

Contrary to other comments - I think the powder measure on the Dillon works real well. If for whatever reason you wanted to go with another type of powder measure - the Dillon press will accept it as well. But I don't find the powder measure dirty or faulty in any way.

I think caliber conversions - and the time it takes to change - is overrated when comparing machines. I do have the Dillon quick change systems for all my calibers - and separate powder measures to make it easier for each caliber - but if you didn't want to buy all that stuff - I don't think its that big a deal. When I load a specific caliber - I usually load and stock 20 - 40 boxes anyway for a 3 or 4 month supply. I don't change out the press to load 3 or 4 boxes / and I don't know anyone that does.

The Hornady is cheaper - but if I thought it was a better press - I would have bought it. Dillon stands behind their equipment - and I've had no problems with Dillon or my 650. I'd buy it again.

[Sport45]

2. use a good scale to weigh your cartridges after, then you know who is missing a charge

I wish it was that easy. My brass weight variance is more than the powder charge using Titegroup in .45 and .38, there's really no way to tell the difference between a light case with a load and a heavy case without.

One of these days I'll send the powder measure to Dillon for a rebuild, in the meantime I'll just visually check each case as it moves from the dispenser to the seating stage. Slows the process down and isn't very ergonomic, but it gets the job done. I can also dump the cartridge bin after every 10-15 rounds to minimize the number of questionable reloads.

[ForneyRider]

Lee Pro 1000.

Because it is cheap and works great. It can load pistol, .308 family, .223 family, etc.

I'm getting a single stage for rifle chamberings (.30-06, 375H&H families).
prolly the Lee Breech Loader.

[PsychoKnight]

Hammer1
Member
Join Date: 07-17-2004
Posts: 26 If the decision concerning the Dillon and the Hornady were down to the functioning of the powder measures, don't let that sway you one way or another.

The Dillon will accept Hornady, RCBS, and other powder measures for both manual and automatic functioning.

True: but will cost you a lot more than if you purchased the LnL, which includes the measure and case activation. to purchase the measure and activation assembly separately will run about $100. All this without considering the free 1,000 bullet rebate which will be extended into 2008.

[PeteQuad]

One more opinion - I'm too used to auto-indexing with my Lee Turret to go back, so I wouldn't get the Dillon 550. Despite how much I love my Lee, I would not go for the Loadmaster due to mixed reviews. I would be looking at the Dillon 650 and the Hornady LNL.

[IRock]

I have been totally satisfied with my Hornady for many years. They will replace anything same as Dillon if it needs repair. I never needed anything replaced after countless thousands of rounds in pistol and rifle calibers though. They have a excellent powder measure too, no problems with very accurate powder measurements with any powder I have tried, which has been many.

Also about the Dillon 550, I started with one and used it for a year or so. It did not meter some powders very well at all. I would also hesitate to call it a true progressive myself as you have to index the thing by hand. In that respect it doesn't compare to a Hornady at all for price or function. Why anyone would want to hand index a progressive press is beyond me. If you want to compare prices it would be fairer to compare it to the 650, a true progressive. Dillon does make nice equipment, I just prefer the Hornady for price and function. YMMV

[buffdriver]

I'm always amazed that the RCBS Pro 2000 doesn't receive more attention in these discussions. I've never heard anyone say anything negative about the press, it's just usually left out completely. It compares favorably with the Dillon 550B (though I admit that I've never used a 550B, only seen and examined one at a trade show).

I chose to go with the Pro 2000 for the following reasons:

Powder measure has micrometer adjustment--I can instantly return to any setting that I've previously determined. The Uniflow powder measure has received top reviews of just about any one on the market, and my experience is that is is +/- 0.1 grains every time.

APS primer system--Pro2000 comes with the strip loader. You can load 100 primers into the strips in about 2 minutes. I can't imagine that loading primer tubes would be faster. The strips are also cheaper than primer tubes, so you can afford to preload more strips before a reloading session.

5 stations--this enables you to use a lockout die with the Pro2000. In all fairness, the Dillon bells the case and drops powder in a single step, so its 4 stations provide similar service to the 5 stations of the Pro2000. I just think that having 5 stations provides a little more versatility in customizing the process to meet my specific needs.

Cast iron press vs aluminum for the Dillon

Caliber changes for the Pro2000 are less expensive

Changing primer size requires changing only one bolt--about 30 seconds

Lifetime warranty, same as Dillon. RCBS customer service is considered the equal of Dillon's. I've needed a couple of parts, and they've sent them right away, free of charge.

I'm certainly not trying to knock any other press. I'm just surprised that no Pro 2000 owners are joining in and recommending their machines.

Here's a review by an owner who's loaded more rounds than me on his Pro 2000:

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=26

Cheers,

BuffDriver