Going from a single stage press to......? The time has come

T

taymag

New member
So I just finished loading 500 rounds of 147gr 9mm and 500 rounds of 300blk ammo to test out on my Omega for the first time (with cast) tomorrow...

While doing so in my wonderful 200% humidity garage in South Florida I decided I may want to move to something faster.

Money obviously matters to an extent, but if there is one press recommended press for X amount and another one that will save me time or is easier for 100-200 more I want to know about that one too.

ETA.. I read about the LNL not being able to use the Lee FCD, is this still the case?
ETA.. How are the 2 on changing caliber? With my single I use a different powder measure so I dont have to change disks, etc. Any warnings on either?
 
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I'm sure people will chime in with their opinions.

But holy moly! You did that many rounds on a single stage?

You're gonna love progressive presses.
 
If you have been following previous threads on this subject, you will have noticed that key competitors have been the Hornady Lock N Load, and one or two of the Dillon progressive presses, usually the 550B or the 650. The 550B might be considered the flagship of the line and the basic price is around $440 but additions to the press can up the price considerably. The 650 is more advanced and has five die stations rather than four for the 550B. Stand by for additional input from others. If it turns out you would like a Dillon, I would suggest calling them and request a Blue Press equipment catalog. Telephone 800-762-3845.

The $440 550B price includes one additional caliber conversion which is beneficial since you will then know what is needed for additional conversions. Price of the 550B without the additional conversion is around $395.
 
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But holy moly! You did that many rounds on a single stage?
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I still do, but I do it in batches. I had a Dillon, sold it and went back to the RCBS Jr.

OP - I too load in the FL humidity. I got smart and moved indoors on a small machine stand that sits in a corner of a bedroom. Makes it easier for the time being.
If you want a progressive, the 550, 650 or LnL will all do the job. It comes down to which style and features you prefer.
 
The Hornady costs around $400 without shell plate and dies. Unlike the Dillon 550 it auto indexes the shell plate. With the Dillon you have to do it manually after each pull of the handle. I have the Hornady and love it. Their customer service is every bit as good as I hear Dillon's is.
 
I'm sure people will chime in with their opinions.

But holy moly! You did that many rounds on a single stage?

You're gonna love progressive presses.
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I usually don't but I got the SOS that were shooting this weekend.. Instead of being happy I just pictured myself in the garage :( lol. The sizes were already sized and primed, but it still sucked
 
I still do, but I do it in batches. I had a Dillon, sold it and went back to the RCBS Jr.

OP - I too load in the FL humidity. I got smart and moved indoors on a small machine stand that sits in a corner of a bedroom. Makes it easier for the time being.
If you want a progressive, the 550, 650 or LnL will all do the job. It comes down to which style and features you prefer.
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I had my press on a 2x4 that I attached to the kitchen counter with wood clamps (damnit Florida) lol, it actually worked pretty good but my wife was not a fan :D and I was a little concerned with the powder spill and the dog even though there wasn't much I would get lazy on cleaning it up
 
500 rounds on a single stage press?
I have a crazy friend who decided to load all the components for his pistol in one weekend long session.
Can't remember the actual number, but it was a huge amount, way more than 500.
I offered to loan him my Square Deal set up in the same caliber, but he said he liked having more control over the proceedings.
Some folks are just made that way.
I had my press on a 2x4 that I attached to the kitchen counter with wood clamps
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I've done that, too.
But had to go back to the basement when some primers went down the drain into the disposal.
Better Half didn't like the surprise.
 
Another resident of southern Florida here, and I reload on an LCT on a tool stand in a spare room. Just a thought, but if you like reloading on a single stage, a window air condition is cheaper than a progressive press.
 
I switched from the Rock Chucker to a LNL last year. I like the Hornady a lot. I've never used a Dillon but I'm sure it is a nice machine also.

Sorry to not offer more advise, but I think both companies make great products and if you're loading 500 rounds at a time you really need to upgrade to something new ASAP. FWIW I use the LEE FCD on my LnL. I'm not sure why someone would say it can't be used.

Changing calibers can be pretty easy on the LnL. To switch from 38 special to 9mm all I have to do is swap out the shell plate and lower the powder dispenser so the shorter case activates it. that probably takes around 5 minutes if its your first time doing it.

To switch from 38 special to .45 ACP it's a little more time consuming because you need to change over to the large primer drop tube and primer carrier. It can still be done in around 10 minutes.

I have no experience with 300 AAC so I'm not sure what else that might take...
 
Dufus:
Explain why you are saying that the 550 is not really a progressive. Of course it is but the 650 more so. I suppose you are referring mainly to the auto advance for the 650 and the five station tool head. Your statement might be taken literally by anyone thinking about buying a progressive.
 
I would think that if you have been using a single stage long enough to learn how to reload (and adjust dies) two calibers,you would have a much better knowledge of your needs than a bunch of forum members. I think you're gonna get "I've been using XXX and I like it" posts more than side by side comparisons. I don't think I've read about any one press (progressive or turret) that gets 100% good reviewes, with no complaints. I would visit manufacturer's websites, and read and research and look at the different machines as what will fit your needs.

Since progressive presses don't fit my lifestyle, I've only done a little research and if I were to get one it would be a Dillon entry level reloading machine. Good reviews over several years and excellent customer support (most stuff seen on forums are "problem posts", for any tool, with fewer rave reviews)...
 
I would think that if you have been using a single stage long enough to learn how to reload (and adjust dies) two calibers,you would have a much better knowledge of your needs than a bunch of forum members. I think you're gonna get "I've been using XXX and I like it" posts more than side by side comparisons. I don't think I've read about any one press (progressive or turret) that gets 100% good reviewes, with no complaints. I would visit manufacturer's websites, and read and research and look at the different machines as what will fit your needs.

Since progressive presses don't fit my lifestyle, I've only done a little research and if I were to get one it would be a Dillon entry level reloading machine. Good reviews over several years and excellent customer support (most stuff seen on forums are "problem posts", for any tool, with fewer rave reviews)...
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Haha, ya, "what one is best" posts suck. I RARELY see a review of both from the same person. Over the past day I did see 2 people with both, one saying they are equal in different ways and one recommending the LnL over 550b
 
"...on a single stage?..." Thousands upon thousands. Why? It's all about technique.
"...a window air condition is..." So is some rigid foam insulation. About 2" thick. snicker. No basement?
 
Look

Just take a look at some youtube videos.
I did own an early hornady progressive press,sold it and went Dillon 550.
Never have I regretted that decision.
I like to advance my shellplate by hand,I can feel that everything is ok or not.
What happens when your auto advance jams on a bad case or high primer?
Ask around a little bit and someone will have a Dillon close buy that you can see run. Use the Dillon spray case lube and be happy.
 
If it is the heat and humidity that is the problem, why not just get a cheapo window AC unit and use it on the days you load.

Regarding single stage vs progressive. I'm a lifelong single stage guy. I have a shooting buddy that has both but uses the progressive for loading volume. Every once in a while he says "bring them cases over and we'll load em up in half the time".

When I take him up on the offer, I consistently have five or so (maybe a little more) light charges per 100. I never get that with my single stage loads, dropping charges with either of two powder meters I use.

By his own admission, his saying is "A progressive is only a faster way to screw up". His saying not mine. I know he has had to pull some large quantities over the years. I have never had to do that.

I'm not going to drop the name of his unit here and cause a derailment of your question.

Good luck.
 
Dufus:
Explain why you are saying that the 550 is not really a progressive. Of course it is but the 650 more so. I suppose you are referring mainly to the auto advance for the 650 and the five station tool head. Your statement might be taken literally by anyone thinking about buying a progressive.
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A progressive advances stations at each stroke of the handle.

The 500 advances when the user advances it.....it is more of a turret than progressive.
 
Dufus,

A progressive press is so-called because the rounds progress from station to station in a queue, whether in a straight line or around a circle, so that all loading operations (sizing, priming, charging, seating and crimping) are carried out with each cycle of the operating handle(s), and a completed round pops out at the end of each cycle of the operating handle(s). The 550 does this. The fact you need to operate one handle and an advancing lever each time makes it no less progressive, just less automatic, same as not having a powered case or bullet feeder is less automatic. The old 450 had an even less automatic mechanism as the powder measure was also manually operated. You had to get into a pattern of feed case, place bullet, pull handle, push powder measure knob, raise handle. But it was still progressive. The easy way to tell a progressive loading press is you get the same number of rounds in the end as you had pulls of the handle, less twice the number of stations on the press.


Taymag,

Which press you use depends on your purpose. If you load a lot of rifle, the manual 550B is a better option because rifle cartridges typically need trimming or other operations performed after sizing but before finishing the rounds. It is also a little easier to clear an error when you catch one if the shell plate doesn't rotate automatically.

Interestingly, Dillon rates production from the 550B faster than from the Square Deal, apparently because some persons are able to work it faster with one hand while the press stroke is in mid-motion. It's sort the way a rare few revolver shooters can outpace some full-automatic weapons. YMMV.
 
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