Best beginner progressive press
- Thread starter jojo4711
- Start date
Die setup, primer depth, etc are going to be the same issue whether it's on a progressive or single stage correct? I can run either in manual until I get it setup correctly and then start using it as a progressive. I just don't have a ton of time to use a single stage press. I have a few hours a week to devote to reloading and shoot about 300-400 9mm, so it needs to count.
Mechanical aptitude or ability will be needed with reloading. Go with the Dillon press. I know folks that purchased the Lee load master and had to do more tinkering to get it to run/function properly. Some folks don't want to invest the time to do so. You seem to be in a rush and pressed for time. In my opinion not a good mix while reloading and possibly being new to reloading. As to running a progressive manually that may not be an option or possible.
I too, believe new reloaders should start with a single stage. You want to learn how to reload, not how to operate an ammo machine. Big difference. Kinda like learning to drive in a Toyota Corolla vs, a KW with a 400 Cat and 13 speed tranny.
There is a lot more to setting a die than just screwing it into a press and cranking away as you want your ammo to fit in your gun and not just look pretty. If you start with a single stage, there will always be a use for one if you go with a progressive press later. I'd suggest you get a "The ABCs of Reloading", a Lyman 49th, and a couple vendor catalogs. Read the ABCs and Lyman's "How To" section, any you'll get an idea of the equipment used, and check out the equipment in the catalogs (Midway USA, Widners, Midsouth, Natchez, Cabelas, etc.).
As for a progressive press do a bit more research, the presses you mentioned work, but many need a lot of fiddling to get them producing ammo (now a Lee 1000 owner will chime in and tell us he has had no problems, right outta the box
). When one says "progressive press" one automatically thinks Dillon. Look there if you are convinced you need a progressive...
There is a lot more to setting a die than just screwing it into a press and cranking away as you want your ammo to fit in your gun and not just look pretty. If you start with a single stage, there will always be a use for one if you go with a progressive press later. I'd suggest you get a "The ABCs of Reloading", a Lyman 49th, and a couple vendor catalogs. Read the ABCs and Lyman's "How To" section, any you'll get an idea of the equipment used, and check out the equipment in the catalogs (Midway USA, Widners, Midsouth, Natchez, Cabelas, etc.).
As for a progressive press do a bit more research, the presses you mentioned work, but many need a lot of fiddling to get them producing ammo (now a Lee 1000 owner will chime in and tell us he has had no problems, right outta the box
). When one says "progressive press" one automatically thinks Dillon. Look there if you are convinced you need a progressive...I think you're fine to start on a progressive ....its up to you, to make sure it is working properly and understanding what is going on.
I can't recommend either one of the Lee presses...quality just isn't there.
Dillon 650 or Hornaday LNL are both very good presses ...they both have options for a powder check die which is an additional safety factor. If your budget can't handle one of them - then I'd suggest you look at the Dillon Square Deal B...its progressive, auto indexing - but no space for powder check and no case feeder option.
Personally, if you have budget issues ..then I'd still go with the Dillon 650 now...add case feeder later / its a press you'll be happy with for 2 or 3 generations easily.
I can't recommend either one of the Lee presses...quality just isn't there.
Dillon 650 or Hornaday LNL are both very good presses ...they both have options for a powder check die which is an additional safety factor. If your budget can't handle one of them - then I'd suggest you look at the Dillon Square Deal B...its progressive, auto indexing - but no space for powder check and no case feeder option.
Personally, if you have budget issues ..then I'd still go with the Dillon 650 now...add case feeder later / its a press you'll be happy with for 2 or 3 generations easily.
Looks like the consensus is Lee isn't very good lol. I admit, I'm on a tight budget but I want something that will last. I have time to fiddle and fine tune a press, but once I set it up, I want it to work like it should. I don't want to have to continuously fiddle with things so if I have to pay more for that then I will. If the Lee presses take time to setup but will stay consistent, I am fine with that.
lee n. field
New member
I just chuckled.
IMHO, a beginner should not begin with a progressive. There is just too much to watch, monitor and be mindful of, for a newbie.
Given my experience with the Pro 1000, that goes double for that press.
Back, calm down, and get yourself a Lee Classic Turret kit, plus die set of choice. Remove the center rod that auto-advances the turret, and run it as a single stage press until you're familiar with the process.
My vote is for a Dillon 650, and if you have the cash and reload mainly for 1 pistol caliber only, the 9mm in your case, go for the 1050. The steep learning curve on a progressive will pay off big time after everything is setup and becomes a routine.
Just keep in mind that both an eye for details and a healthy amount of responsibility are mandatory. Also, if you make a mistake setting everything up you can easily end up with a ton of unusable and / or unsafe ammo.
Just keep in mind that both an eye for details and a healthy amount of responsibility are mandatory. Also, if you make a mistake setting everything up you can easily end up with a ton of unusable and / or unsafe ammo.
Son of Liberty
New member
If you have a basic understanding of ammunition and the reloading process, plus good attention to detail, I see no problem starting off with a progressive press. I started out with a Dillion Square Deal myself a few decades ago, but knowing what I know now...and should have known then, I would recommend a Dillion RL-550B for you.
condor bravo
New member
Don't mess around with single stages and turrets, just get a Dillon 550B and be done with it. When setting up progressives you set up and adjust one station at a time anyway and then, if felt necessary, just continue to run one case through at a time to completion (essentially single stage operation) until comfortable with that and then start progressive reloading. Just don't try to set up all stations with an initial pass of a single case through the press. I'm assuming you are getting a progressive for handgun cartridges, but when advancing to rifle, then get a good solid single stage press.
Machineguntony
New member
Go with a progressive press. You can still learn to load from using a progressive. I started on a progressive (specifically a Dillon 650), and I once used a single stage for competition shooting. You should start on a single stage if your goal is to turn reloading into a time consuming chore that makes you hate reloading.
It is a fallacy that using a progressive doesn't teach you about reloading. With a progressive, you still have to do and learn everything that you would do and learn in a single stage, but the difference is that you will do it quickly and efficiently.
If you learn to use a progressive, you will love reloading and have fun with it, like I do.
Any of the progressives are good. I would pick one that has auto indexing and uses standard dies. Again, I believe in making reloading as easy and efficiently, as possible, and auto indexing really helps with that goal. The Dillon 550 doesn't have auto indexing.
There is nothing wrong with starting off with a high end machine. Go with the Dillon 1050, if you can afford it. I load on four separate 1050s, and I should warn you that it takes about 60-90 minutes to change and adjust calibers (which is why I reload on four different 1050s...caliber change on them sucks). Complexity, and the ability to adapt and learn from that complexity, will force you to become better at what you do.
After you pick the progressive, then it is time to pick a bullet feeder.
Single stages are good if you intend to only shoot four cartidges a year, anything above four per year, go with a progressive. Ok, I exaggerate bit; make that seven per year...
It is a fallacy that using a progressive doesn't teach you about reloading. With a progressive, you still have to do and learn everything that you would do and learn in a single stage, but the difference is that you will do it quickly and efficiently.
If you learn to use a progressive, you will love reloading and have fun with it, like I do.
Any of the progressives are good. I would pick one that has auto indexing and uses standard dies. Again, I believe in making reloading as easy and efficiently, as possible, and auto indexing really helps with that goal. The Dillon 550 doesn't have auto indexing.
There is nothing wrong with starting off with a high end machine. Go with the Dillon 1050, if you can afford it. I load on four separate 1050s, and I should warn you that it takes about 60-90 minutes to change and adjust calibers (which is why I reload on four different 1050s...caliber change on them sucks). Complexity, and the ability to adapt and learn from that complexity, will force you to become better at what you do.
After you pick the progressive, then it is time to pick a bullet feeder.
Single stages are good if you intend to only shoot four cartidges a year, anything above four per year, go with a progressive. Ok, I exaggerate bit; make that seven per year...
First I'm not going to tell you if you should start with a single or progressive. I totally believe that is your choice.
I started with a Dillon 650 and never bought or used a single stage until 15 years later.
Which is the best to start with? I don't know that answer. I never used every progressive press on the market thus I do no have an opinion which is the best to start with.
To me it is your perceived cost and value on which progressive press to start with. When you get down to the top dogs they all are the same except for color. Blue works for me but it may not work for you.
There are a lot of options out there, Dillon probably has the most options in a progressive press. Hornady has one option and RCBS has its own followers. Certainly Lee makes it affordable.
I had never reloaded in my life. My first press was the Dillon 650. I took the time to learn and understand and really in no time I was up and running. It is more than powder, brass and bullets but they are the same issues even starting on a single stage press.
I started with a Dillon 650 and never bought or used a single stage until 15 years later.
Which is the best to start with? I don't know that answer. I never used every progressive press on the market thus I do no have an opinion which is the best to start with.
To me it is your perceived cost and value on which progressive press to start with. When you get down to the top dogs they all are the same except for color. Blue works for me but it may not work for you.
There are a lot of options out there, Dillon probably has the most options in a progressive press. Hornady has one option and RCBS has its own followers. Certainly Lee makes it affordable.
I had never reloaded in my life. My first press was the Dillon 650. I took the time to learn and understand and really in no time I was up and running. It is more than powder, brass and bullets but they are the same issues even starting on a single stage press.
Seems like Dillon is the way to go, but man are they expensive when compared to the Loadmaster and Pro 1000. If it's worth the extra money, I can save it. Like what was said above many times, with any press you will have the same problems and things to pay attention to. I am a detail oriented person and almost OCD when it comes to things I really need to pay attention to. I'm not worried about learning on a progressive, and I have done a lot of research on reloading and what I want to do. I guess my next step is to figure out if I want the Dillon 550b or 650. What are the reasons for spending even more money over the 550b?
If you shoot much at all ....the payback on the Dillon press is easily within one year....
....everyone has budgets - but presses are not expensive compared to retail ammo ) ......and cheap or cheaply made press like the Lee options ...are going to aggravate you ...in my opinion.
....everyone has budgets - but presses are not expensive compared to retail ammo ) ......and cheap or cheaply made press like the Lee options ...are going to aggravate you ...in my opinion.
wild willy
New member
You said you have a couple hours a week to load and only need to load 300 to 400 plus you said that you are on a tight budget.Why not get a Lee Turret press.No its not as fast as a progressive but it would work fine for what you want.
condor bravo
New member
If considering a 650, I would first ask 650 owners what the hang up is should you encounter a jam of some kind during the process. I think it has been said that you just can't back up a station or two, or easily remove a case from the shell plate (like you can do both with the 550) without first having to do something with the mechanism. 650 owners should comment. With the 550 any kind of a jam or hang up is easy to clear without complication. I think the complication with the 650 is that it is auto advance from station to station while the 550 is manual advance (or manual reverse). But don't think you have to master reloading by progressing upward through a series of different presses.
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