Progressive versus Manual...

I don't own a progressive press (they don't fit my lifestyle), but on a couple of occasions have used one. A friend was shooting 45 ACP in competition and I helped him out operating his Dillon, auto-everything press. I felt so "disconnected" from reloading I could have been pulling the handle on a slot machine (and less fun). I like reloading and all the stuff that goes with it and a progressive set up removes most of the fun and satisfaction.

I am not anti-progressive, as they have their place, it's just not for me...
 
Speed when loading for pistol on a single stage or manual press is a matter of technique. Primarily involving the use of both hands. You get all your cases to the point they only need powder and bullet and do that when you need 'em.
Hot soapy water may or may not get the petroleum based lube off. A lightly dampened with regular solvent rag does every time in far mess time and without using the oven.
"...they don't fit my lifestyle..." They don't fit my budget. snicker.
 
I am using RCBS case lube but I need to check to see if it Petroleum based, thanks for the reminder. As to drying, air dry only. No need to bake and ruin cases, but I am looking at an Annealeze as I want to make my Norma brass last, and do it right.
 
I'm actually thinking of investing in a progressive for my .223 and pistol loads...all the long rifle rounds will still be single stage. I love reloading and agree that the progressive press kinda takes the fun out of it for me. I have used a friends to help him and I, too, find the whole process of single stage quite relaxing and love the quietness of the workshop!
 
Expatmedic,

I'm a rather persnickity loader myself. I have a Dillon BL 550 http://www.dillonprecision.com/bl-550-basic-loader_8_1_25792.html and it suits my load style for handgun cartridges perfectly.

For me, brass prep and actual loading are two discrete steps that I will never merge. After the brass is prepped, they then get a ss pin tumble for a nice shiny cleaning before I begin the load process.

Furthermore, I want to hand-prime my brass and I want to hand charge my cases in a loading block - where I can view the charge levels before placing a bullet atop.

So my Dillon progressive is either set up for brass reconditioning, or for actual loading. Yes, I have separate toolheads for each. So when I'm reconditioning, the resize/decap die and the flair die is in place - both steps are done with one press stroke. I don't bother with locator pins with this step - I take the case out at station 2 after it's been flaired.

After ss pin cleaning, the brass is then primed by hand, and placed in a loading block- where they are then charged by hand using an RCBS Uniflow. After checking the powder charge level, I place a bullet atop and take them to the press for loading. The first die seats. The second die taper crimps. The third die roll crimps (if applicable).

This process works for me. So in my world, I don't need anything more than three stations - which is why I got the 550 (it's a 4-station press; I just never use station #4).

I recently started loading rifle (223 Rem) ammo - after 32 years of only loading for handgun. All my rifle loading is done on my single stage press. So far, at least, I see no reason to go progressive with rifle ammo.
 
I load for 4 people ( including myself) i couldn't imagine doing all that on a single stage. My Daughter In Law can go through 300 rds of 9 in the time it takes me to drink a cup of coffee.
 
I should have been a bit more clear about "feeling" and "hearing". I can close my eyes and tell by sound and resistance when a case has been properly trimmed. I can feel when neck tension is not right when seating projectiles. So, I wonder if I can do the same with a progressive system.
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Well, I can only tell that a case has been properly trimmed by measuring it, so you are way ahead of me. That said on a progressive you will be seating a projectile while you are sizing another case and throwing a charge on another and maybe crimping and/priming. So there is no telling what you might be able to feel.
 
I load on single stage, turret, and progressive. I load rifle on both SS and turret and my .41 mag on turret. I load all my 9MM, .38sp, and .357 mag on progressive since these are what I volume shoot. In over 30 years of loading I've only just recently experienced a squib from the progressive press. I've had to really learn how to be more diligent in monitoring the progressive, but adding a strip light to my press and then looking in each round to visually check the powder drop has helped eliminate the problem, so far. I've also had to learn to always check the bore anytime something doesn't feel right.
 
I have a Redding Big Boss II single stage, and a Dillon 550b progressive.

I use the Redding for Magnum pistol and Hunting Rifle ammo and I use the Dillon for all auto pistol, 300 blk and 5.56mm rifle.

I do have an Inline Fabrication case ejector system on the Big Boss and it helps speed up reloading on a single stage immensely. But for high volume reloading, you can't beat the Dillon.

I prep the Rifle brass in advance and so I leave the first position open on those setups but for the pistol it's all automatic and you only handle the brass once instead of 4 or 8 times with the single stage. Not a big deal if only doing a few dozen or even a few hundred rounds. But if you are loading hundreds or even thousands, the Dillon will save SO MUCH time and is much easier on your hands and arms for repetitive stress as well.

It's great to have both so I can go between them as I wish.

I almost forgot: after you get used to the progressive, you can certainly "feel" if things are going right or not.
 
Get a Dillon and enjoy yourself shooting. Dillon presses have been used for loading the ammunition used in the Palma matches...accuracy, they've got. Rod
 
Expatmedic - If you like using a single stage press, consider adding another one to your bench. It is usually a less expensive option then getting a turret or progressive & you can stay content in your "ways" but with a little more convenience.

Here are some suggestions though. Mount your presses far enough apart to not intrude on each other while loading. Also if you can have identical presses, so much the better.

Just FWIW...
 
Anyone else in the same boat?
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O hell no!!

If intending to shoot a allot or plan on joining a pistol league. A spendy Dillon Progressive is ideal to fill that need. Otherwise all Progressives press's become clutter and dust collectors on the reloading bench when seldom used. If you intend to shoot a box up every now and then for fun & giggles keep doing what you normally do ~~and do well from what I've read.
 
Just an FYI for the unfamiliar.....a PSA if you will.

There is a Dillon 550, 550B, and 550C
The B upgrades are the low primer alarm and the failsafe mechanical return linkage on the powder measure. No other significant differences.

The Dillon RL550C is the most versatile reloading machine in the Dillon Precision Products line. It will accommodate the widest variety of cartridges from 32 ACP up to 338 Lapua, 416 Rigby, and 460 Weatherby.

The "C" designation indicates a significant design change. The upper link arm pivot pins are now threaded in place, and have a grease groove around the pin that connects with a lube hole on the end of the pin. You can use a needle fitting on a grease gun to lubricate the upper pivot pins now.

If you load for .223/5.56NATO you understand some shapes of powder can bunch up at the neck when charging. When deciding on loading with a progressive/semi-progressive press for the .223, you may wish to carefully choose which powder to use, and avoid any mishaps.
 
The C has different pins that are threaded, that's the change they made. It does nothing a B cannot do. Except now that they no longer sell a 550 B, people will not confuse the stripped down BL 550 with the 550 C, like some did with the B.

If you order a 550 from Dillon now it will be a BL 550 or an RL 550C.
 
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I just love My Hornady LNL

Yep the Dillon folks will jump on this like Hillary supporters. But its a great press.:D

thewelshm
 
I used a Star progressive for many years, with my Wife loading primers in the brass tubes, 800 an hour was the goal. This was for the 20 plus years I taught.

The powder measure was so accurate. The .38 Special rounds fell through a hole in the bench, into a bucket, on the last stage.

160g copper washed round nosed bullets, produced no lube to clean off! The whole process of reloading was so relaxing.
 
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