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

The 550 is a turret with an auto primer feed, an auto powder measure and an auto round eject.
It's a huge advance over a regular turret press.
 
I'm happy with my Hornady L&L which I use as a single stage for competition ammo and a progressive for my "plinking" ammo.

One thing I like is how easy it was for me to build an automatic case feeder from some plastic cutting boards and some components from a Lee bullet feeder which cost me, if I remember correctly, eighteen bucks.

The auto case feeder is really the best feature of the press and takes a lot of tedium out of reloading, either when in single stage mode or progressive mode.

I'm a big fan of the quick change die system too.
 
Last edited:
I'm happy with my Hornady L&L which is use as a single stage for competition ammo and a progressive for my "plinking" ammo.

One thing I like is how easy it was for me to build an automatic case feeder from some plastic cutting boards and some components from a Lee bullet feeder which cost me, if I remember correctly, eighteen bucks.

The auto case feeder is really the best feature of the press and takes a lot of tedium out of reloading, either when in single stage mode or progressive mode.

I'm a big fan of the quick change die system too.
Click to expand...

I was just reading about that. Only problem I am seeing is using coated cast with it. Any change you're loading these?
 
I had a Green Machine many moons ago and they called it a progressive. It was not a progressive either.

I traded it for my first Rock Chunker.

A real progressive is a machine that advances with each pull of the handle without user interference.

Otherwise, it ain't anything more than a turret to me.

Matter of fact, I don't think Dillon even calls the 550 a progressive.

But, as always, I stand to be corrected. Not that it matters.
 
The LnL and the 650xl both have provisions for monitoring powder charge level. For volume loading, to me that is indispensable.

I mentioned in an earlier thread, toss a coin, you will be happy with either.
 
Being fairly new (started reloading about a year ago but have loaded a ton) that is probably the selling point for me as well, and I'm not sure the 650 is within range for me.

I posted on another forum about price, with the Midway coupon it is around $350 for the LnL... Is this as cheap as I am going to find it (within $30 at least)?
 
The auto case feeder is really the best feature of the press and takes a lot of tedium out of reloading, either when in single stage mode or progressive mode.
Click to expand...

I started out with a bullet feeder die and some plastic tubes to hold and feed the bullets into the die. I eventually bought a case feeder. IMHO having just one of those is a big help because you can grab a case or bullet with your left hand and keep your right hand on the handle. Having both speeds things up and makes it easier to keep an eye on things.
 
True progressive presses - with auto indexing ....and a powder check capability ...are the way to go in my view.

Dillon 550 does not auto index & has no room for a " powder check" die...

650 and LNL auto index & are 5 station presses.....both good machines...but I prefer the 650 ....it's primer handling system is better in my view, it's a heavier duty machine in my view & based on buddies input that have LNL - Dillon's service is better. 650 is a little more expensive ....
 
The 650 is quite a bit more expensive to convert for different rounds. Don't take my word for it, Google it yourself. As far as the 550B vs. LNL AP debate, one is a manually indexed press and the other is a true progressive. Customer service seems comparable, but Dillon tech support screwed the pooch regarding loading 25-20 on the 550B for me. Which is why I no longer use the Dillon. YMMV.
 
As someone who use to reload 300 to 500 38s a week in the late 70s with a single stage press, I thank Dillon for inventing the square deal, and my son loves his 550. For those pointing out what a true progressive is needs to reload mass quantities on a single stage.
 
If you want to move up to a progressive, and don't plan on shooting a thousand rounds a weekend in one of the shooting sports, then I'd recommend a Dillon 550B. Mine will comfortably turn out 200 rounds in an hour...and they're target grade, accuracy wise. On another issue, humidity is your enemy as you probably know...not good for guns, dies or your press. Rod
 
Really, the nest step is between the Dillon 550, Hornady LNL and the RCBS. I don't know the RCBS. The Dillon has a deserved following, but manually advances and the die plate seems inaccurate....maybe somebody can point to test results? The Dillon is also quite expensive to change calibers.

The Hornady is a great 5 station progressive. It auto indexes and generally runs issue free. It runs best with Hornady dies. It will run both rifle and pistol FCD in 380 - 357 case lengths. Including 40, 45, 38 spcl. With the newest Hornady dies, I wouldn't mind just using a single die. The setup is slick! The only necessary accessory IMO, is the universal expander insert for the powder measure.

In my old age, I'm beginning to see the FCD as an idea that does more harm than good. That said, I've made 1000's of rounds with and without the FCD. Both were fine.
 
but I prefer the 650 ....it's primer handling system is better in my view
Click to expand...

Can you explain? The only problem I've had on my Hornady LnL with the primer system is learning the hard way how to remove the stack with primers still in it. I've only rarely had to do this because of a problem.

BTW, it's officially the Hornady LnL AP where AP stands for auto progressive, so I think this would indicate Hornady considers that the auto indexing is an extra feature added to progressive.

I'm beginning to see the FCD as an idea that does more harm than good
Click to expand...
I assume you mean the Lee Factory Crimp Die. Why do you think it does more harm? I started using it because I found certain 9mm headstamps of cases would bulge a bit and not fit in my case gauge.
 
You will love the progressive, had mine about 3 years, I'll never go back to the single stage for pistol ammo. Mine is a 550 so it isn't as fast as a 650 or other press with automatic advance but it still spits out a loaded round with every pull of the lever, kinda like a MEC 650 shotgun press. I'm not sure I would by a Lee but a Dillon or Hornady should work.
 
I don't own a progressive press and I've only used one once (a friend competed with his 45 ACP and I cranked out a few hundred for him one night), and they don't fit my lifestyle, so my post is worth not a whole lot. I like reloading, lemme repeat that; I like reloading. I batch load on a hand indexed turret press, and I enjoy that. Each and every "automated function" of a progressive press removes me farther from the process, and farther from the "fun" of reloading (my friend's Dillon had automatic everything except a "handle puller" which any monkey could do). I like reloading and I did not care for operating a reloading machine.

I'm not knocking progressive pressed, and if I needed 500 rounds per shooting session, mebbe I'd get one., but they just don't fit my lifestyle; slow and easy...:rolleyes:
 
taymag,
You asked in a previous post if $350 would be the best buy, for a 550B I assume, and I'm quite sure it would be. Go for it. That would probably be without the additional caliber conversion kit however.
 
Last edited:
The only thing I don't like about the 650, is the primer system. If you do not have a case in place, it feeds a primer anyway. If not used, it dumps it in a little tray, most of the time. Sometimes it bounces out on the floor or bench. My fix was blue painters tape making the sides of the tray taller.
Other than that, if something goes wrong, the best way to fix most problems is to clear the shell plate.
Not having one, I can't tell you the problems the LnL has.
 
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?
Click to expand...

I don't know where you heard that the Lock N Load could not use the Lee Crimping die but it is a die and goes into a loading station, I use the crimping die on my L n L when I am loading rifles with no issue.

When changing calibers each dies goes into a adapter and nice thing is depending on the job you are doing, you can place a die in any station. The shell plate is held in with a single bolt. if you have a lee powder measure you should be able to use it on the Hornady with no issues.
changing from small primers to large is easy you change the slider, feed tube and primer seating tool.

Hornady makes a nice die box that is large enough to hold the dies with adapters installed and the shell plate.
I use my L n L progressive to load everything from 30 mauser to 45/70 something like 15 different calibers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top