Need info on reloading presses?
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blacksmithden
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
How many rounds per week are you planning on loading ???
.... "Obtain " a couple of Loading Manuals and read them to get a better idea of what's involved. Personally, I'm using a single stage RCBS and have done so for years. I'm never in a hurry, and frankly, when I "retreat " to my workshop, the reloading process itself is both fun and relaxing. Definitely an enjoyable hobby in itself ! Buying decent (used, NOT abused! ) equipment is just fine ! Admittedly I'm somewhat biased toward RCBS. Good range of equipment, well built and retain their value in the unlikely event you decide to sell later. Excellent Customer Service ! Not that I've needed it, but years ago I did have a couple of questions and they were very helpful. ..... Plus, I just like the Green on the bench ! .... David K 
I recommend the Dillon 550; it's what I started with. You might as well learn to run a progressive off the bat, because you will want one for pistol reloading. Besides, the 550 is fairly straightforward to operate. If you feel intimidated by the process, start off running one case at a time through it, as if it were a turret press, in order to get the hang of it.
The 650 is definitely faster when fitted with a case feeder, but it is more complex and the cost of calibre change kits and toolheads is quite a bit more. This may not be an issue if you are using the press to load only one or two calibres.
The 650 is definitely faster when fitted with a case feeder, but it is more complex and the cost of calibre change kits and toolheads is quite a bit more. This may not be an issue if you are using the press to load only one or two calibres.
Depends on what your reloading and volume. For rifle calibers, a single stage press will do just fine unless you are reloading large volume. The cheapo basic Lee press or the turet press will work just fine. For straight cased pistol calibers, a progressive press with carbide dies (No case lubrication) might suit you. 300 to 500 rds per hr is posible. Most of the major manufactures make a good progressive press (Except for the Lee Loadmaster - - worked well for about 1 month. couldn't get it to work right and haven't touched it in 15 yrs since). I personally like the Dillon products. Best warranty and great customer service. Bought a used Square Deal B press that was missing some parts. Called Dillon, they sent me replacement parts, no charge and by courier arrived in 4 days. The Dillons cost alot but with presses, it's like everything else , "You get what you pay for." I find reloading therapeutic and will often reload a couple of hundred pistol rounds using my single stage press instead of using one of my progressives while listening to the local hockey game on the radio
- worked well for about 1 month. couldn't get it to work right and haven't touched it in 15 yrs since). I personally like the Dillon products. Best warranty and great customer service. Bought a used Square Deal B press that was missing some parts. Called Dillon, they sent me replacement parts, no charge and by courier arrived in 4 days. The Dillons cost alot but with presses, it's like everything else , "You get what you pay for." I find reloading therapeutic and will often reload a couple of hundred pistol rounds using my single stage press instead of using one of my progressives while listening to the local hockey game on the radioI never reloaded before in my life and had no idea about anything I was getting into. All I knew was that I wanted to reload to save money and adjust my loads. I just went out and bought a Lee Progressive Autoloader because it was all I could find at the time. 2 years later it has done me well. Nothing has broken and I can easily reload 200 rds/hr. You still have the ability to easily modify your loads just follow the load chart. Other than crappy directions on how to assemble the damn thing I have had no regrets with Lee. Everyone said I should have bought the Dillon but I couldn't justify spending the extra $200 for the amount that I shoot ( 300 - 500 rds/month ).
On the long run a Dillon 550 is more versatile. You can load rifle & pistol and if needed you can pump 500 rounds an hour easy. It has no auto indexing so it is easy to get back and check if something is wrong. I started on a Dillon 550B and it is easy to set up and it last a life time. I still has my first Dillon (25 years now). Dillon service is one of the best, if not the best in the business if ever needed.
There is many choice but only the Dillon press has taken the test of time.
There is many choice but only the Dillon press has taken the test of time.
So is everything we could ever want to buy, but if you only have $200 in your pocket......
My suggestion is to start off with an inexpensive single stage or turret and really get the "feel" of reloading. After that, move up to a progressive and by then you will likely know what you want in a press and if you really want to spend big $$.
One member on the board, Mysticplayer, builds rifles for competition and shoots itty bitty groups at 4 digit distances. It is funny that he uses a Lee Challenger press and Lee dies. Many (Dillon/RCBS/Redding) people would claim that it just isn't possible because all Lee equipment is c**p.
http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek075.html
No, Lee isn't as smooth as a Dillon or Hornady, but their basic stuff is great to start out with especially if you don't know what you really want.
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The fair haired children of reloading on CGN are the Dillon and RCBS. Both are good but don't be brow beaten out of considering the alternatives as very many others are doing. Redding, Hornady and Lee can all be better choices for you depending on your particular priorities. At the end of the day, they all do the same thing and all have strengths and weaknesses.
For a cost difference between a Lee and a Dillon progressive, which I want to last a lifetime, I think it's worth saving up for. In the long run, you will be spending more on components than equipment anyway.
I'm not knocking Lee's single stage presses or their turret press, but my understanding is that their progressives take more tinkering than a Dillon or Hornady to run right. I'm not anti-Lee at all; I use their case trimming setup with the case length gauges for rifle ammunition.
One of the progressives I use is a Lee Loadmaster. Picked it up a couple years ago for $200 US (they are now about $220), which included dies and shell plate. I can change calibres including shell plate and turret for $60 US including carbide dies with the carbide factory crimp die. I only use that press for pistol cartridges.
Overall speed is great because it has their semi auto case feeder, and primers just get dumped into a flip tray.
Yes, it did take a little more tinkering to get it set up, and I did polish a few places where there is metal to metal contact, or where things push against each other. It is secured to a very heavy bench and top so that eliminates any flex or movement and makes the press seem very rigid. It now works really well and smoothly. In all, it took me maybe 3 or 4 hours for full setup/polishing etc. I could now do it in 1 or 2.
As long as you have a bit of tinkering ability, it is a great, economical alternative. In terms of speed, it would be similar to a 550 with case feeder but at 1/4 the cost.
Here is the great comparison of 3 presses.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1150341&postcount=1
Click on the "Here it is" link
BTW, if I had the money, it would be a (couple) Dillon 1050's will all the goodies and a couple of 650's and Hornady
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I only started reloading last year with a Rockchucker and I'm very impressed. I got a starter kit and some extras and really like all of them. My case trimmer was missing a few washers when I got it so I called the customer service line, told them the problem, and they shipped replacements off the next day. No questions asked. The washers were only missing bc it came from WS and somebody had returned it missing the pieces before I got it. I blame WS not RCBS for the missing pieces. My point is, great customer service even if it wasn't their fault. I was so happy, all the gear I've bought since then has been green.
Just my .02c
Just my .02c
While i have no experience with a progressive loader for rifle shells, I will suggest the Dillon as the most solid and most recommended. I have reloaded on single stage presses for over 40 years, and until recently favored the RCBS Rockchucker.....I now use the Forster Co-ax and it is the best, wish i had one years ago, makes the most accurate ammo.
