Which Progressive?

[NikatKimber]

I didn't really like it at first, but I've found that being able to use the 550 as a single stage is nice. I much prefer the priming system of the Dillon 550 over the Lee turret, and being able to insert one shell at a time is nice with the 550.

 

[SteveD2]

I have (and love) the LnL AP. Use it for .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 9mm, and .223 Rem. Am soon going to be loading 30-06 and .357mag/.38spl on it as well. Very high quality piece of gear. I looked at the Dillons but decided to go with the LnL...happy I did and would do it again. I have not had a need to "interact" with their customer service dept as I have not had any problems, but as mentioned above, others are happy. Others will jump in now with MY whatever can do (insert larger number here), but I just loaded 225 .45 rounds in about 50 min. without trying to be fast and picking up 200 primers. If I got everything prep'd and just wanted to crank out rounds, I could easily do many more. Powder measure stays right on and is easy to adjust for different rounds/loads (I dial it in, run and dump 10 rounds, check load, start loading and check the 10th and 20th just to make sure...because I'm anal retentive). Takes less than 5 min to get it set, run/dump 10 and check to confirm. Hornady also offers a micronometer insert (for pistol powder) which allows you to immediately reset to a specific charge (you have still have to do the measure, etc., to determine what setting/powder combo will give you a certain charge; but once you've done that once, that same setting/powder combination will always give you the same charge). I don't have one and don't know if I'll spring for one because it works great with the provided insert. Changing dies takes about a minute.

Dillon 550 and LnL AP will run you about the same money. 650 will set you back about another $130 ish. 550 is not an AP like the LnL and 650.

I can't speak much to other brands, but a friend of mine has a Lee Turret which he's happy with.

Make sure to do your own research and compare features with your preferences and budget. That's what I did and I couldn't be happier with mine.

 

[blutch]

i'm only shooting 9mm luger and have no plans to switch that in the future. I don't own a rifle and don't expect to, but if I ever do, I doubt i will shoot it much. I do not hunt.

I want to reload 9mm for practice and shooting competitions. My EDC is a 9mm and my comp gun is a 9mm. My next EDC gun will be a 9mm. :-)

I've never reloaded although an OSA member is going to show me the ropes tonight and I might take the class at H&H on Dec. 29th.

Now.. which press should I get?

Thanks!

B

 

[penman53]

FWW, I just bought a Dillon 550b. It is easier to change calibers with that rather than a Square Deal, it is a little more expensive but shooting sports are not cheap. I am in the market right now but a single stage press for my 6.5 mm swede mauser but I am already looking for a 7.5 mm K31 Swiss. So go figure. But if you are planning on shooting pistol ammunition and want lots of it, go with a Dillon, you won't be sorry.

Good luck, be safe and use your head while reloading ok?

Mark

 

[Potshot]

Dillon 550 or 650 depending on your budget.

 

[alank2]

Hi gerhard1,

I began with a SDB and then got out of reloading for awhile, then picked up a 550. I found the SDB was a fine press, but it is a little cramped for space and uses proprietary dies. If you have smaller fingers probably not a big deal, but I could see someone with bigger fingers getting annoyed with a SDB. When comparing the two, SDB has auto indexing and the 550 has standard die support. I would pick one based on which feature is more important to you. I went 550 and have been very happy with that choice. One thing I really love about the 550 is that it is pure simplicity. Everything is as simple as I could imagine and it just works and works. I really like the primer system on the 550.

Good luck,

Alan
www.pressmonitordevice.com

 

[KurtM]

Never hesitate to go Blue! I have seen most all progressives, and used a good amount of them and nothing beat Dillon. Of all their presses the 650 is the king for the casuall reloader. With a case feeder it is reall easy to turn out 700-800 premium bullets an hour. Customer backing second to none and it takes about 10 minutes to change between calibers.

Before I got an ammo sponsore I loaded ALL my ammo on a 650, and still load ALOT on the 650 I have. I am well over 350,000 rounds on the one I got in 92, and while it has broken a small part or two Dillon still sends me parts as soon as I call them. In 2005 I had a small part break and had to send them the whole press. It seems that the one I had was a very early version. In 1 week I got back a whole BRAND NEW press as they said we don't make that piece anymore, so here is a whole new set up. The total cost???? NOTHING!!!

GO BLUE!!!! KurtM

 

[fltmedic]

I love my LNL and the free bullets are a big plus. You have to look at the ability to get parts for a Dillion you cant just go to a outdoors store and pick them up like you can a Hornady. Plus the heads are a pain. I had a Dillion and parted with it last year for my Hornady and have never regretted it. Hornadys customer service is also top notch.

 

[KurtM]

Yep it is a real pain to get parts over nighted to you, rather than drive somewhere! and I must admit it really sucks to have to pull two pins to swap a whole top end assembly.

 

[grwd]

You forgot the ten seconds it takes to undo the powder measure linkage...
If 500 or even 1000 free bullets is any real incentive to go with a LnL over a Dillon 650, then you aren't planning on using the full potential of a progressive in terms of making it pay for itself in lieu of factory ammo bought.
I never thought to check out Ace when the drive hub snapped on the LnL I briefly had. Stupid me; I had to wait until hornady completed a run of non-defective hubs.