Best beginner progressive press

clearing an issue on the Dillon 650 is no big deal.../ you can't back the shell plate up ....but removing cases from stations 1 thru 5 just takes a second.../ correct whatever happened - and move on...its no big deal.
 
I started on a turret press (RCBS) and I am still using it. I thought about a progressive but then I figured I didn't really want to do volume reloading at this point. I found that learning on the turret and having to manually do every stage and aspect of the reloading process was great for learning the hobby and producing a safe product even with my inexperience at the time. I came to realize that I love the slower, relaxing pace so much that currently I have no desire to advance to a progressive for the mere reason that I can punch out so much more ammo per session. Besides I saved a lot of money!
 
Well, if you are convinced to "buy once, cry once", don't bother with using a single stage to learn the basics. And if you "want to hit the ground running", don't bother with an entry level Dillon, just get a Super 1050 and you'll never have to buy any reloading equipment again...:D

Perhaps it's just me, but when I started reloading (pre web) I wanted to know how each step was done and why it was done. I wanted to handle the growing cartridge between each step so I would learn what's happening, what effect the action has on the cartridge, and when it happens. IMO, it gave me a greater understanding of the process. A friend was a competitor and I watched him use his auto-everything Dillon to produce hundreds of 45 ACPs. He wasn't really handloading, just reloading (operating a machine and filling hoppers). I guess to me that is a huge difference.

As a life long machinist/mechanic (and being pretty mechanically inclined) I can see the positive side of starting slow/small (I have had apprentices and trainees work with me and found teaching someone to run a 5 spindle auto-screw machine is waaay easier if the student knows how to run a lathe...).

Nope I'm not anti-progressive press, and nope I really don't care what the OP tries to learn with, just offering my experience to make a long term hobby more enjoyable and satisfying for a new friend...
 
This makes no sense all. You still adjust one die at a time on a progressive press regardless of manufacturer. Why would you feed cases through the press during the die adjustment period. I only used on piece of brass for my die set ups. I followed the manufacturer's directions (Lee) and watched a few YouTube videos. The only one I needed to redo was the bullet seating depth as I started long on purpose and made it shorter in small steps until I reached my COL. Once set up I ran one through by it's self for the first three or so while checking to make sure all was good. Then I let cases in through the feeder tubes and had shells in each station at the same time. The only thing I adjust now is the seating depth since I'm always trying different bullets.
Click to expand...

What I am trying to say is that when you first start reloading adjusting everything has a learning curve. For example if I set up the bullet depth too deep on a single stage I can correct it without screwing up a bunch of rounds , but on a progressive you could screw up a lot of rounds quickly. I understand the die adjustments are done the same way on both, what I am trying to say is when you are new you might not catch these mistakes and screw up a lot of ammo while learning. It doesn't really matter if the OP chooses a single stage or a progressive as they will eventually get past the learning curve, but a single stage is less of a headache at first.
 
Quote 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.

And if you want to go fast try a Dillon Square Deal I have two right next to my Lee Classic turret.:D
 
Setting up a single stage is virtually identical to setting up a progressive...

Anyone setting up a caliber on a progressive...should always verify each step...resizing, depriming...belling and powder drop....powder check...bullet seating...final sizing...

and only run a single round thru the press, even on a progressive ...and check the finished round with a case gague - to make sure its correct / not run 100 rounds and find out there is a problem..??
---------------
If the OP wants to buy a progressive machine ..and learn on it ( and I mean really Learn ) not just process ammo...he can do that / if he pays attention.

Single stage presses are very repetitive...and may lead to any number of human errors / in fact, I can make the same argument about a non-auto indexing progressive - being a recipe for disaster because it introduces more chance of human error into the process.

Any press --- single stage, non-auto indexing progressive, auto indexing progressive...can put out good ammo or junk ...the operator has to be responsible for understanding what is happening and making the press perform. But this inherent idea - that everyone has to learn on a single stage - is ridiculous.
 
I've been handloading now for about 2 years, so by no means am I an expert, however I can offer some insight for the up and coming handloader. IMO your first press should be a single stage. Reason I say this is when you start handloading you WILL make mistakes. That being said with a single stage press there are no needed adjustments beyond die depth, and you are only loading small lots of ammo, so when you do make a mistake it's easy to access the mistake , correct and get back to buisiness. With a progressive press you not only have to NOT make mistakes, but you also have to make sure all the stages of the press are adjusted perfectly. I tried using a buddies used Dillon 650 progressive as my first press, and long story short SCREW THAT !! I was constantly having problems, and not the press' fault but simply my lack of knowledge. I ened up buying a NIB Rock Chucker Supreme kit for $300 shipped , and absolutely love the chucker' I gained good consistiant experience through patient single stage loading. Now a few years later, I am looking into progressive setup as well.
 
^^ :D ^^

Me too sawdustdad. I've been lurking. Love the graphic.

I'm set in my ways. I've been using the same RCBS single stage for 30 years. It's not fast, but it works. Why I don't pull the trigger on a progressive is a huge post in and of itself. I'm not the OP here; so I'll leave it be.

I'm not opposed to a new loader going straight to a progressive - as long as they are smart, patient, and have a good level of common sense and mechanical aptitude. Then again, it's best to have these characteristics to load with any press, right?

But it was the "for a beginner" part of the OP that got my attention. Seems to me, you want to get a good quality progressive press, and that'll work great for both the beginner and advanced loader. Buy once.
 
Geezzzz, everyone has an opinion and they have no problem spilling it out.

JoJo, go with whatever you want. I started with a "Lee" Classic Turret Press and I am still using it 10 years later. There are no problems with the Lee equipment and they will last. If someone has money to burn then let THEM get the Dillon's, it loads the same rounds as the Lee, just costs a lot more to buy.

If you are shooting 400-500 rounds a month, then yes by all means get the progressive press. A progressive press is great, but I do not buy components in a quantity that I would need a progressive for. Just a box or 100 or two boxes at a time, and I have loaded over 20,000 rounds. (more like 30,000, 10,000 shot up)

Let these "experts" do what they want, you do what you want and can afford. The Lee Load Master comes with everything you will need for loading a single caliber like 9 mm, dies, press, powder measure, you just need to get a scale and the components.

You can turn out 200 rounds an hour with the Load Master and do not need to spend $1,000 (all the things you will need to buy for the Dillon, that does not come with the press).

Good luck and shoot straight.
Jim
 
What I am trying to say is that when you first start reloading adjusting everything has a learning curve. For example if I set up the bullet depth too deep on a single stage I can correct it without screwing up a bunch of rounds , but on a progressive you could screw up a lot of rounds quickly. I understand the die adjustments are done the same way on both, what I am trying to say is when you are new you might not catch these mistakes and screw up a lot of ammo while learning. It doesn't really matter if the OP chooses a single stage or a progressive as they will eventually get past the learning curve, but a single stage is less of a headache at first
Click to expand...

Not really. If you are only checking COL every 10, 20, 30, etc. rounds. It matters not if it's a hand press, single stage, or progressive press. You'll still need to break down X amount of rounds that are too short regardless of the type of press. The progressive press would just have you breaking them down sooner as you make that X number faster but, it's still the same number based on how often you check COL.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Obviously everyone has an opinion and I appreciate it, but I decided what I'm doing. Lee classic turret and then if that's not enough volume, I can move up to a progressive and use the classic for rifle only or something.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Obviously everyone has an opinion and I appreciate it, but I decided what I'm doing. Lee classic turret and then if that's not enough volume, I can move up to a progressive and use the classic for rifle only or something.
Click to expand...

Excellent choice!
 
If you are shooting 400-500 rounds a month, then yes by all means get the progressive press.
Click to expand...

I certainly don't disagree with that notion, but. . .

I shoot about 4 to 5 times that, and I'm on a single stage :D
 
Nick_C_S said:
I shoot about 4 to 5 times that, and I'm on a single stage
Click to expand...

You shoot and reload 1600+ rounds per month with a single stage press ?? No wife, no g/f obviously.... this is extreme dedication..
 
Not really. If you are only checking COL every 10, 20, 30, etc. rounds. It matters not if it's a hand press, single stage, or progressive press. You'll still need to break down X amount of rounds that are too short regardless of the type of press. The progressive press would just have you breaking them down sooner as you make that X number faster but, it's still the same number based on how often you check COL.
Click to expand...

I'm glad that you were always perfect :rolleyes:
 
Talking about perfect. Here is my current plan. 5 presses:

1.) Redding BigBoss II single stage for depriming, bullet pulling, etc.

2.) Redding T-7 Turret for working up loads and small batches

3.) Forster Coax press for all precision rifle ammo

4.) 2 x Dillon 650 (small and large primer setup) for dialed in target and praxis ammo.
 
(Let me preface this by admitting that I originally wanted a Dillon and would hope to eventually have one....)

I would not hesitate in suggesting the Lee Loadmaster. I started with one. Bought the 9mm bundled set from Midway and have absolutely no regrets about the press or Lee products. The only real issues I've had with the Lee stuff was with the shell plate and the priming system.

My Loadmaster was having some inconsistent OAL's at first and I discovered the shell plate was warped .004". Midway sent another, free of charge.

As to the priming system... I knew they could be problematic from my initial research, so I planned on eliminating that issue from the start. Bought a Lee hand primer when I ordered the press kit. Problem eliminated.

The Lee powder dispenser works really well with Win231 powder. I also recently checked the accuracy of my Lee "Safety Scale" with a buddy's high end electronic and balance scales. Dead on with his.
 
no problems with you getting a progressive to start, but you need to be extra careful. I think the real question is, what kind of output do you need. I happily and easily load 5-700 on my LEE single stage every month and more ammo stocked than me and my buddies could ever find the time to shoot. if your on a "tight" budget, how much are you planning on spending on components every month? to use the potential of a progressive, your going to spending hundreds a month on components. I do, and I am only using a single stage for maybe 4-5 hours a week. I used to be in a rush when I first started reloading to get through my single-stage "phase" and get only a progressive. but know, I don't think I ever will, unless I start heavy competition pistol shooting or something. I love my lee press and all lee equipment and the cheap 100$ press and loaded me somewhere around ten thousand rounds in the last two years. also, I really wouldn't wan to do some rifle rounds on a progressive, and have of my reloading is .223, 30blk and now 54r and soon to be 30-06. don't need to be concerned with whatever kind of caliber you wanna do on a single stage, just another 30$ investment for dies and your ready. so how much do you really shoot?
 
I shoot about 300-400 per month now when the weather is good (outdoor range with no awnings), and figure it will at least double if I'm reloading. How much I shoot will dictate how much I have to buy more powder, primers and bullets also. If I know I'm not going to be able to buy more next month, my shooting will slow down and I will focus on just plinking around. I would like to also stockpile some components and ammo for the next potential Sandy Hook event when you can't find anything. All of this I can do on the Lee Classic Turret and save some money compared to a progressive and put that towards components.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top