Carriertxv
New member
The only thing my Rock Chucker gets used for anymore is sizing bullets and the odd time I need to deprime a live primer otherwise all my handgun ammo gets loaded on my LNL.
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Progressive press shopping
- Thread starter tranders
- Start date
Kevin Rohrer
New member
There is no comparison between "red" and "blue". There is a 550 for sale here in the Sale area. Go for it.
cougar gt-e
New member
My bench has a Lee single stage, a borrowed Lee Pro1000, a Lee Loadmaster and a Dillon 650.
The Loadmaster is actually a decent machine, but needs attention to set up. It also does not like crimped primer pockets, a shaky mount/bench. But if you use it with one die to deprime/size, then clean and prime off press, it will flat run.
The Loadmaster is actually a decent machine, but needs attention to set up. It also does not like crimped primer pockets, a shaky mount/bench. But if you use it with one die to deprime/size, then clean and prime off press, it will flat run.
JeepHammer
Moderator
Pistol ammo with no case feeder or bullet feeder, a couple thousand a year?
I vote Dillon Square Deal B (SBD).
Accurate powder dropper, ready to run out of the box, easily adjusted dies, self indexing, no BS lifetime warranty they stand behind.
Just enough 'Automatic' to get people running easily but not enough to freak them out.
Good opertunity for quality control as you run along in your batch.
I will guarantee you will load every case you have once you get off that manual machine and start running self indexing!
----
*IF* you think there is a possibility you will run rifle cases, then you might consider one of the bigger models of Dillon.
I vote Dillon Square Deal B (SBD).
Accurate powder dropper, ready to run out of the box, easily adjusted dies, self indexing, no BS lifetime warranty they stand behind.
Just enough 'Automatic' to get people running easily but not enough to freak them out.
Good opertunity for quality control as you run along in your batch.
I will guarantee you will load every case you have once you get off that manual machine and start running self indexing!
----
*IF* you think there is a possibility you will run rifle cases, then you might consider one of the bigger models of Dillon.
Either go with Dillpn SDB -- or the 650. Either one will do what you need.
The 650 is a better press / the powder check is a significant safety feature...650 is easier to sell down the road if you take care of it. 650 uses std dies ( SDB does not ) you can put a case feeder on 650...SDB does not have one.
The 650 is a better press / the powder check is a significant safety feature...650 is easier to sell down the road if you take care of it. 650 uses std dies ( SDB does not ) you can put a case feeder on 650...SDB does not have one.
As mentioned by BigJim the Square Deal doesn't take standard dies, so I think the 550 is a better choice because you have better die selection. I know that on my 650 the only Dillon die I really use anymore is the power die because it is required, and the crimp die only because I already have them. Other wise I use a mix of dies.
I have a couple of SD’s, they are good presses and are not for sale but for what they cost now I would likely pick other presses over them. When I bought mine they were $130 and their were less choices.
Now they run $430 and there is other good choices out there in the same price range, that are more versatile.
Now they run $430 and there is other good choices out there in the same price range, that are more versatile.
The original poster, tanders, hasn't posted or replied to this thread since the 25 of April so who knows where he's going with this.
My question to all of you is why does everyone think someone that planning on loading 50 rounds a week really needs to spend $400.00 -$700.00 on a press and tooling that is easily capable of doing 10X that amount.
My question to all of you is why does everyone think someone that planning on loading 50 rounds a week really needs to spend $400.00 -$700.00 on a press and tooling that is easily capable of doing 10X that amount.
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Here's another vote for a Dillon 550...I have the B model and it suits me fine...I'm loading over 7000 rounds a year for personal / family use and we don't engage in any of the current crop of handgun "Games".
I've loaded for just under 60 years now...started with a Herter's #3 and loaded for 30 years on it's single station. Slow for handgun but ok for rifle...and it had a runout readiing of less than 0.004".
In the mid 90's I bought a Herrett turret thinking I'd get better runout numbers for the AR I was feeding ...but no such luck...it was just a bit better than the Herters and did nicely out to 600 yds prone with Irons on the CMP Nat'l Match Course.
I finally broke down and bought a Dillon 550B to keep up with the farmily's handgun needs...and wow, what a difference. Great ammunition, and customer service that's the envy of the industry. They're that good...well worth the money...great equipment.
If you don't mind adjusting/fixing your loading tools every time you sit down to load then a Lee press may fill your needs...but the Loadmaster I was gifted at one Christmas was a Royal PITA...mostly primer misfeeds due to the cheap plastic feeding system, but the whole affair was annoying to use. Don't get me wrong, Lee makes some good stuff...I don't have any problem using their dies for instance, but that Loadmaster was a frustrating piece of gear.
Even for 2500 rounds a year (and I predict that with a good press, you'll end up shooting a heck of a lot more than that), you can enjoy the process, by using first rate gear and that, my friend, means Dillon.
YMMV, Rod
I've loaded for just under 60 years now...started with a Herter's #3 and loaded for 30 years on it's single station. Slow for handgun but ok for rifle...and it had a runout readiing of less than 0.004".
In the mid 90's I bought a Herrett turret thinking I'd get better runout numbers for the AR I was feeding ...but no such luck...it was just a bit better than the Herters and did nicely out to 600 yds prone with Irons on the CMP Nat'l Match Course.
I finally broke down and bought a Dillon 550B to keep up with the farmily's handgun needs...and wow, what a difference. Great ammunition, and customer service that's the envy of the industry. They're that good...well worth the money...great equipment.
If you don't mind adjusting/fixing your loading tools every time you sit down to load then a Lee press may fill your needs...but the Loadmaster I was gifted at one Christmas was a Royal PITA...mostly primer misfeeds due to the cheap plastic feeding system, but the whole affair was annoying to use. Don't get me wrong, Lee makes some good stuff...I don't have any problem using their dies for instance, but that Loadmaster was a frustrating piece of gear.
Even for 2500 rounds a year (and I predict that with a good press, you'll end up shooting a heck of a lot more than that), you can enjoy the process, by using first rate gear and that, my friend, means Dillon.
YMMV, Rod
My question to all of you is why does everyone think someone that planning on loading 50 rounds a week really needs to spend $400.00 -$700.00 on a press and tooling that is easily capable of doing 10X that amount.
I cannot speak for everyone that has replied in this thread but I just read the OP.
I have been loading on a Lyman turret for a few years with great success. Have to admit when loading pistol ammo 4 pulls for every round is getting old quick.
Needs and wants are moving targets with different people. Needs to some are wants or wishes to others. I have seen some that $400 would change their life and others that have dropped that on a bar tab....hell, I’ve been both in my lifetime.
jmorris, I stated my case way back in post 13 and still stick with the belief that picking up a used press is the way to go at the volume they are looking to do. Also that the Lee cheap press that on one likes, the Pro1000, is a very viable option and can be used w/o the priming system very easily.
Recently watching ebay used Pro1000 complete with everything can be had for $100.00 or under. A used Dillon 550 can't hardly be touched for under $450.00
Now for about $130.00 a person can buy the brand new Lee Breech Lock Pro progressive so there are plenty of options out there. If one watches they can find Hornady and RCBS progressive presses also for not a lot of money.
Now I've always though the reason for reloading was 1) to reduce costs. 2) manufacture more accurate ammunition. I only load a few thousand rounds every year and yes I do it on a Pro1000 that was purchased used and do not see any advantage of spending a few hundred dollars more on a press to do the same thing. Be it a Dillon, Hornady or a Load Master.
Again the OP hasn't been back since 5/25 so we are all basically talking to ourselves here.
Recently watching ebay used Pro1000 complete with everything can be had for $100.00 or under. A used Dillon 550 can't hardly be touched for under $450.00
Now for about $130.00 a person can buy the brand new Lee Breech Lock Pro progressive so there are plenty of options out there. If one watches they can find Hornady and RCBS progressive presses also for not a lot of money.
Now I've always though the reason for reloading was 1) to reduce costs. 2) manufacture more accurate ammunition. I only load a few thousand rounds every year and yes I do it on a Pro1000 that was purchased used and do not see any advantage of spending a few hundred dollars more on a press to do the same thing. Be it a Dillon, Hornady or a Load Master.
Again the OP hasn't been back since 5/25 so we are all basically talking to ourselves here.
Now I've always though the reason for reloading was 1) to reduce costs. 2) manufacture more accurate ammunition...
Again the OP hasn't been back since 5/25 so we are all basically talking to ourselves here.
kmw1954 is online now Report Post
I was just going off what the op wrote, we all have different goals and that’s why there are so many choices in presses to meet them.
I also agree we are talking to ourselves but tomorrow is Monday so we should have a new “what progressive” thread to post in by morning...
I only load a few thousand rounds every year and yes I do it on a Pro1000 that was purchased used and do not see any advantage of spending a few hundred dollars more on a press to do the same thing.
I have loaded on just about every brand of press available today and some that are no longer available. There are advantages and disadvantages to just about every one out there. If you only load a few thousand a year and don’t see the advantage of a pro1000 over a better press, why not use a single stage vs the pro1000?
It’s just a retorical question, it’s different strokes for different folks. Not a wrong answer. It’s just money. If your baby isn’t going to get formula because you blew the money on a reloading machine, you should be ashamed of yourself. If you would otherwise spend the money on booze and such a nice piece of equipment would be a better investment.
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Another example would be; I live in Wisconsin yet where I live we get or have been getting little snow each winter. I also could not foresee me spending thousands of dollars on a snow mobile that my get used 4 weeks out of the year. But other people here do it regularly. Again their money and they can spend it any way they see fit.
Pool players spend hundreds of dollars on a stick, as do hockey player. I also fish and have spent high dollars on rods and reels, yet find one that cost less than $75.00 on is one I like and use the most. It's just comfortable and works well.
Pool players spend hundreds of dollars on a stick, as do hockey player. I also fish and have spent high dollars on rods and reels, yet find one that cost less than $75.00 on is one I like and use the most. It's just comfortable and works well.
My question to all of you is why does everyone think someone that planning on loading 50 rounds a week really needs to spend $400.00 -$700.00 on a press and tooling that is easily capable of doing 10X that amount.
Sometimes you just want something. I mentioned before, people own cars and bikes that will do 180mph, and never leave the city.
People should buy whatever makes them happy if the checkbook is okay with it.
GTOne, no question the way you state it but that doesn't necessarily mean that because it works for you that you should suggest a 180mph vehicle to someone that is just learning to drive. I would also love to have a four wheel drive RV but there just isn't anywhere to use it.
Master Blaster
New member
Dear KMW1954 why do you feel the need to argue with every poster here??
Master Blaster, why do so many here speak in generalities, try to change the topic and then get offended when confronted? Or why does everyone here seem to think the only way to reload ammunition is by using a Blue Dillon press?
If you'd like PM me and we can continue this conversation.
If you'd like PM me and we can continue this conversation.
JeepHammer
Moderator
BigJimP, post #47
Yup!
(Here come the flames...)
I honestly won't recommend the Dillion 5xx.
If it's just pistol ammo, SBD all day long!
You buy a progressive to save time, increase volume of production in the allotted amount of time.
Resale is 3/4 or more of purchase price, 100% NO BS WARRANTY!
If you load several calibers, including rifle, and your objective is to speed production, than jump directly to XL650 with a primer feeder, OPTIONAL case feeder & bullet feeder that works.
Again, resale 3/4 or more of purchase price,100% No BS WARRANTY,
doesn't matter what you pay in the front end if you are HAPPY with function!
Nothing like spending *Almost* as much on a Lee Load Master & CONSTANTLY having to mess with the damn thing endlessly, or wait on crap parts because they were so poorly made to begin with.
The 650 has 5 stations, that means a powder checker that will find high/low charges AND anything in the case (if you do volume, sooner or later you WILL find something in a case...)
The only powder my powder checker doesn't play well with is TiteGroup, mostly because it's so potent and takes so little, but there is a cheap fix for that also...
The Dillon 5xx series is confusing, this press doesn't have that, that press won't even accept this or that accessory... And it's a 4 station press that limits the common tool useage with progressives.
When something better comes along, I'll recommend that, might even sell my Dillons (for 3/4+ what I paid for them) and switch to the brand that works better, but right now, that press doesn't exist or is a damn good secret!
Once you actually OWN a Dillon SBD, XL650 (or Super 1050) you understand why Dillon owners simply won't go back to anything else.
The SBD has been cranking out pistol rounds for 20 years, two minor issues which Dillon diagnosed and sent parts for immedately.
I usually don't do but 4k-5k pistol a year, just enough to keep 'Qualified', and it sits quietly until it's time to load, never looses adjustment, never complains, never misses a beat, you can't ask anything more than that!
Yup!
(Here come the flames...)
I honestly won't recommend the Dillion 5xx.
If it's just pistol ammo, SBD all day long!
You buy a progressive to save time, increase volume of production in the allotted amount of time.
Resale is 3/4 or more of purchase price, 100% NO BS WARRANTY!
If you load several calibers, including rifle, and your objective is to speed production, than jump directly to XL650 with a primer feeder, OPTIONAL case feeder & bullet feeder that works.
Again, resale 3/4 or more of purchase price,100% No BS WARRANTY,
doesn't matter what you pay in the front end if you are HAPPY with function!
Nothing like spending *Almost* as much on a Lee Load Master & CONSTANTLY having to mess with the damn thing endlessly, or wait on crap parts because they were so poorly made to begin with.
The 650 has 5 stations, that means a powder checker that will find high/low charges AND anything in the case (if you do volume, sooner or later you WILL find something in a case...)
The only powder my powder checker doesn't play well with is TiteGroup, mostly because it's so potent and takes so little, but there is a cheap fix for that also...
The Dillon 5xx series is confusing, this press doesn't have that, that press won't even accept this or that accessory... And it's a 4 station press that limits the common tool useage with progressives.
When something better comes along, I'll recommend that, might even sell my Dillons (for 3/4+ what I paid for them) and switch to the brand that works better, but right now, that press doesn't exist or is a damn good secret!
Once you actually OWN a Dillon SBD, XL650 (or Super 1050) you understand why Dillon owners simply won't go back to anything else.
The SBD has been cranking out pistol rounds for 20 years, two minor issues which Dillon diagnosed and sent parts for immedately.
I usually don't do but 4k-5k pistol a year, just enough to keep 'Qualified', and it sits quietly until it's time to load, never looses adjustment, never complains, never misses a beat, you can't ask anything more than that!