Talking to me about Progressive Presses

[CommsNBombs]

Out of curiosity I was looking for automated reloaders - found a Dillon Super 1050 and a Mark 7 Auto-Drive...HOLY PRICE QUOTE - as I said it was out of curiosity, but I started reading up on progressive presses. Seems like everyone makes one, or more, of them - so I am amply confused.

 

I have been loading on a Lee Single-Stage - I can only stand to do about 100 at a time before I want to die, and that's w/ 10mm or 45ACP - I can't even do that much on 9mm, since it is so tiny. I am going to save up for a good progressive. So that puts my budget around $600-ish - after shipping and tax (thats what I usually spend on a Glock at my LGS) and all of that, unless someone knows of a gun show/reloading expo coming to town where I can grab something cheap.

 

I am going to be doing bulk loading of 45 ACP and 9mm - as that is what I have the most brass and components for. I will probably stick with 44Mag on the single stage, I never put anymore than 30 rounds down my Desert Eagle at the Range. I will not reload 5.56 until I build my SPR (one day) and that will be single stage. I MIGHT start doing 10mm on the progressive as well - my only problem with that is brass.

 

I am really familiar with Lee - I offloaded by RCBS stuff as it gave me a headache reading the instructions, Lee is a lot easier for me to use and I understand the quirks behind their dies.

 

I was looking at the Lee Progressive 1000 - most reviews online keep saying it is the best for the money but it does not auto-index and you can only use one caliber per press - I do not want 7 different presses on my bench - my wife will slash my throat. I'd prefer it to be totally automated - I just want to provide eyes-on QC and refill primers, casing, bullets and powder - every time I slot brass into the shell holder I die a little inside.

 

So I was looking at Dillons - the 550B and the Hornady LnL. Both are pretty expensive - and Dillon seems to try to rape people with prices and the "accessories" needed. I poured over some threads going back to 2012 (Holy crap look at all the banned users!) and just like the Internet, the Dillon seems to be the favorite. However - everyone keeps talking about how they prefer the 650XL; which is also super expensive.

 

So for my pistol-caliber changing needs - and not wanting to put in the brass by hand - what would be the best bet, and where to get one?

Would you trust a used one off of eBay? And related, would Dillon/Hornady/Lee honor the warranty?

What are some "should buy" accessories if I decided on the LnL or Hornady?

Oh, what the hell is auto-indexing anyway, in layman's terms?

Any other considerations I should weigh? 

 

Thanks again guys!

[Omega]

The auto index part just means that the die will rotate to the next stage on its own when you pull the handle. A progressive press is much faster than say a turret press but as you see, you must pay for the extra speed. I reload my pistol ammo on a Lee turret press and my rifle ammo on a single stage except for 300Blk and 5.56. To save space use a docking station where you can lock in the press you are using and the rest have put away. I have a dedicated reloading bench but still use that method.

[leroy]

Comm... We have a dillon 650 that i bought from an old buddy that wuz downsizin and tired of reloading... I like em, and their customer service is excellent...

 

The main problem with progressives is that ya need to settle on a recipe that ya are gonna use and load it... If ya do, ya can pile up bunches of ammo... If ya are a tinkerer and experimenter, ya just as well have a single stage...

 

That bein said, we have several "standard" loads that we load a minimum of about 500 rounds for on the dillon...  They are great for straight side pistol cartridges, but lots of folks load 223 on em too... I never have...

 

The most dangerous thing with a progressive is powder charging, so ya need to use a powder recipe that will allow you to spot an overcharge... We have double charged some cases; but i always select a recipe that will overflow the case if ya have a double charge... We also use a powder check die in the station to make sure as well... Lots of folks make them and they are a valuable tool...

 

The thing about the dillon is that you can set up your dies in a die head and just change them out when you change calibers...Another down side is if ya change bullet designs within a caliber, ya need to re-set the seating and crimping dies... That's why ya need to settle on the bullets and recipes that ya load... Initial set up is a pain with these things, so it's handy to be able to lock down the dies on the die head after ya get things the way ya want them and just change them out with the change in calibers...

 

Finally, the speed of a progressive is overhyped...Speedy reloading is dangerous reloading, i think... I've never loaded 500 rounds of anything in an hour... It's more like two hours...

 

Hope this gets ya ta thinkin a bit...  I'm sure others will chime in on this...

 

leroy

[Ron Padilla]

I had my mind set on a Hornady LNL, that's what I have now and enjoy the heck out it, changing calibers is not big deal or even projectile types within a caliber.  Like anything else it takes time to learn and do, a single stage is much the same ya just get to keep pulling the handle, and I do take up one station for a powder cop die to help keep an eye on things, and another nice feature on the LNL is the center hole where a light that is made for it can be installed to light things up a bit.

[Ron Padilla]

one other nice feature is that with the Hornady stuff you can get free projectiles when you buy there stuff.  I reload 45acp, soon 9mm, 300blk, 308, 223/556 on mine.  

[Hozzie]

I think everyone has given good advice. I realize it is above your budget right now, but I have a complete LNL setup that is basically new in the classifieds. You will end up needing many other items than just the press. I didn't plan to load for 45 so I don't have the small plate for it, but that is all you would have to add to mine to do 45. I also am including he powder lockout die to help you catch any overloads.

Again, more than $600, but will save you a lot if you do the math.

I have used Dillon's as well and they are good machines if you decide to go that way.

[Ron Padilla]

Comms, if you look at Hozzies set up and like it but don't want to get stuck with everything, he has a few items I would be willing to buy  to help ease the cost

[LawVol]

I used a Dillon Square Deal B for about 3 years.  You can get a used one set up for one caliber for around $300.  I cranked out a lot of ammo with that little press.  Down side is that it uses special dies and can only load pistol ammo. 

 

I recently bought a Hornady LNL AP when Cabela's had them on sale w/free shipping.  I paid for it with discounted gift cards, so I wound up getting it pretty cheap.  Dillon stuff, on the other hand, never seems to go on sale.  The LNL has some things that I like better than the Dillon 650, such as the powder measure and die bushings.  It has been a little quirky, though, and I'm still learning how to get it to run smoothly through an entire batch of ammo.  Hornady's warranty has also been great.  I've already broken a couple small parts (my fault), and Hornady, like Dillon, has promptly sent parts free of charge. 

 

The 550 and the LNL are not that comparable; the 550 does not auto-index and only has 4 die stations.  It would be better to compare the LNL to the 650.  Although the 650 costs more, you need to factor in the cost of a case feeder (you said that you do not want to put brass in by hand).  Hornady's case feeder is more expensive than Dillon's, so that almost evens out the price difference between the LNL and the 650.  I don't think you can wrong either way. Don't get too caught up on price; remember that this will be something that you can use for a lifetime. 

[expendable]

You have to decide what you are trying to accomplish with a progressive reloader.
Do you want to load a lot of one caliber at a time or will you load in small batches changing calibers In between ?

Going to an auto indexing progressive with a case feeder is a big jump from a single stage press, a lot is going on all at one time, you will need pay close attention to what is going on and know how to get everything back in sync when something goes wrong. Many people feel that an auto indexing press is safer, but I disagree for me a manual indexing press is much easier to correct any issues and get back going without loading a bad round.

Kurt Edited October 8, 2015 by expendable

[CommsNBombs]

Ill be loading 9mm is serious bulk - its not a rare occurance for my wife and I to blow through 700+ rounds at the range alone.

Same for 45ACP - Ill be doing that in serious bulk for the same reason.

5.56 will stay on my single stage. As will 44Mag and 10mm (10 for the time being).

My whole thought process is getting the best one for "fast" bulk loading that I wont want to cry if I try someone elses press. So in other words, I dont want to jump into a Dillon 550 Square Deal then get frustrated when I couldve gotten a LnL or 650XL.

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[expendable]

I think you would Be fine with the LNL, 550 or 650, they will all do what you are after, I like the SDB also but you already have dies that fit the other presses and it limits you to pistol only.

I've seen a lot of people in the last few years jump full bore into a progressive with case/bullet feeders and all of the other bells and whistles, then the next thing you know they are telling me how they stuck a bullet in the barrel from a squib load or that it's just sitting collecting dust because they couldn't get it running right.

I've loaded on all of these presses except for the LNL and liked all of them, I don't know how long you have been reloading or what your mechanical aptitude is, just be aware that you can over buy and have regrets also.

Kurt

[Ray Z]

First of all, your mind set if off for using a progressive loader. When you set up for a caliber you should be thinking about loading 500-1000 rounds. Dillons powder measures are spot on with pistol powders. When you get to the extruded rifle powders you could see as much as a half grain variation in your drops. But that's with anybody's powder measure. I shoot as much as 5000 rounds a year in 9mm. Plus other calibers. When I set up for 9mm I won't change the press until I run out of cases.

 

I have loaded on a Dillon 650 for years. Wouldn't change for anything. It ain't broke, I'm not going to fix it.

 

If I were you I'd spring the bucks for a Dillon 650.

[samson7x]

I've got a Hornady LnL and have been very pleased with it.  I started out with a Lee pro 1000 and recommend against it.  I produced a lot of ammo with it but is super finicky and you will be tinkering with it during every loading session.  The LnL is a FAR superior machine.  

 

I caught mine on sale at Midway for around $400 I believe.  Well worth the money and it will serve you well.  I have broken a part or two which was my fault and Hornady CS sent out replacements free of charge.  I specifically told them it was my fault and they sent it out for free next day anyway.

[CommsNBombs]

Thanks for all of the advice and reviews of the presses. I have been pouring over material online as well.

I will probably end up with a Dillon 550B if I can find one used on sale on the cheap. Maybe even a 650XL - I got way too much 9mm brass laying around and need to turn it into ammo.

I figure the press will pay for itself within the first 3K rounds.

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[chances R]

Another happy LNL user here.  I would jump on Hozzie's deal.  I thought about it even though I own one already.  I am perfectly happy with mine, and I use to own a 1050.  Customer service has been 1st rate.  I do not use a case or bullet feeder.  Really no need.  I can load more than I can shoot easily.

[myg30]

Comms, Not sure if you watched any of the reloading vids on you tube. Type a search with press you want to see and you get an idea of what you have to go through. "Most" of the videos are really educational and you also get an opinion of the operators good and bad of the press they run.
I shoot mostly pistol and reload on a Dillon SDB. It's been a very reliable press and has the no BS warranty which is a plus ! The die sets are only usable in the SDB press. Extra tool heads make caliber change over faster and less trouble as your setting don't change.
Used presses and die sets are always found fer sale and save you some $$ from new, but not to much .
With the amount of pistol shooting you do it's a good option in a progressive press.
The Dillon 550 uses same dies as all the other presses and tool heads save time in change over. Yes you have to rotate the plate but once you establish a routine it will pump out Ammo.

If you are wanting to speed load, then save your self lots of trouble and just purchase Ammo !
NEVER BE IN A HURRY TO RELOAD ! If time is an issue, and you don't have much time, DRIVE FAST to your local store and buy ammo.

Just my $.02 worth. Be safe always, Mike

[chances R]

......
If you are wanting to speed load, then save your self lots of trouble and just purchase Ammo !
NEVER BE IN A HURRY TO RELOAD ! If time is an issue, and you don't have much time, DRIVE FAST to your local store and buy ammo.
Just my $.02 worth. Be safe always, Mike

The best and most important info you have been given on this topic

[tmauto769]

I had a lee loadmaster progressive, had to many problems out of it and sold it for parts. I bought a Hornady LNL with a case feeder, and love it. I recently came across a dillon Xl650 in a package deal and was going to set it up, but it was so similar to what I already had in the LNL I just sold it to a member on here. I didn't see the point of spending more coin on what I had already. The dillons are a little more expensive to get set up for a caliber, but their warranty is better than Hornady's. I broke a priming part on the Hornady, and they made me pay for it, which I didn't mind I broke it. But from what I hear Dillon will replace something if you broke it, or it was their fault. I think I do like the hornady bushing setup a little better than the dillon tool head though. If you have a problem you can take just that die out if you need to quickly. 6 of one half a dozen of the other, buy which ever one you can get a better deal on imo.

 

I will note that my lnl came with two of the same drop tubes, and Horndady did send me the correct one at no charge. So it isn't like they are total buttholes about the warranty, just not as generous as dillon.

Edited October 10, 2015 by tmauto769

[rstandley]

I have used a Lee Loadmaster for 12 years. Loaded 50,000 rounds on them. They are a bit troublesome at first. However I have figured out their quirks and now they are now trouble free. I have 2 loadmasters, one single stage and a Load-all.

[CommsNBombs]

After doing a lot more research and going over more YouTube videos than I care to admit Ill save up for a Dillon 650XL with shell feeder.

Found a few on eBay but they seem to be third party ploys to charge more than Brian Enos.

If anyone knows a reliable place to find these used let me know - I can live without the case feeder for a little bit

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[tmauto769]

I have used a Lee Loadmaster for 12 years. Loaded 50,000 rounds on them. They are a bit troublesome at first. However I have figured out their quirks and now they are now trouble free. I have 2 loadmasters, one single stage and a Load-all.

I loaded quite a few 9mm on mine in the year i had it, but I have also loaded a LOT more trouble free rounds with the lnl. Night and day difference. I just don't have the time or patience to deal with lee's quirks.

[No_0ne]

After doing a lot more research and going over more YouTube videos than I care to admit Ill save up for a Dillon 650XL with shell feeder.

Found a few on eBay but they seem to be third party ploys to charge more than Brian Enos.

If anyone knows a reliable place to find these used let me know - I can live without the case feeder for a little bit

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

Try the trader on http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/ 

[CommsNBombs]

Pulled the trigger on a Dillon Square Deal on the Reloading Central Facebook page.

It is the whole setup for 45 plus the guy is throwing in a couple thousand pieces of brass all for 325 shipped and insured.

One day I will spring for a 650 - but the square deal still will give me 400% throughput

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[LawVol]

When you're ready to move up, you'll get 100% of your money back on that Square Deal.  I think it's a great choice to get up and running. 

[MP5_Rizzo]

If you are not satisfied with the Square Deal or decide to get rid of it to move up to the 650, I will gladly pay you what you have in it if I hadn't already filled the need.

 

Rizzo

 

Pulled the trigger on a Dillon Square Deal on the Reloading Central Facebook page.

It is the whole setup for 45 plus the guy is throwing in a couple thousand pieces of brass all for 325 shipped and insured.

One day I will spring for a 650 - but the square deal still will give me 400% throughput

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk