Best Progressive Press for a Low volume Shooter?

I'd steer clear of the Lee Loadmaster or Pro 1000. Their turret press is possibly the best product they offer, and can load 150-200 rounds per hour. It's also quite cheap, and can switch calibers in 10 seconds.

If you're looking for a true progressive, the only one I have experience with other than the Loadmaster is the Dillon. I highly recommend it.

If you're going to shoot 200-600 rounds / month just grab the turret. I've loaded thousands upon thousands of rounds on it and the only thing you need to replace is the nylon square that indexes the rod. Every few thousand rounds you have to unbolt the press to clean all the spent primers out, but that only takes 5 minutes.

People aren't joking around when they say the Loadmaster sucks. The thing has an issue with powder spilling all over, primers not feeding, bullet fingers getting chewed, and just general annoying stuff. It also takes extra time to change calibers. Even if it were the same price as the turret, I wouldn't switch. You get way more sensitivity with the turret. It's like using a single stage press on speed.
 
Rocket Surgery said:
People aren't joking around when they say the Loadmaster sucks. The thing has an issue with powder spilling all over, primers not feeding, bullet fingers getting chewed, and just general annoying stuff. It also takes extra time to change calibers. Even if it were the same price as the turret, I wouldn't switch. You get way more sensitivity with the turret. It's like using a single stage press on speed.
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I don't use the bullet feeder or case feeder with my Loadmaster. It is fast enough without these doodads anyway.

Compared to a 550B, the LM takes longer to set-up right and to figure out, but it will sing along with the best of them once you do. I almost lost my patience:D but worth the effort. Again, I am not a fan of the mickey mouse case and bullet feeders.

Frankly, the Classic Turret does most of my reloading chores these days (9mm, 40 SW and .45acp)...it is so much fun to use. The LM is for .38 spl/357mag.
 
444shooter said:
If you will only be loading handgun, then look at a Dillon SDB. I have one, and it is the cats meow for handgun. But, if you want to load rifle as well, go with the Dillon 550. Don't even think about Lee. The progressives are garbage. Been there, done that.
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I agree - go SDB (square deal B). I got one for $350 used with two calibre set ups. They hold their value very well too. Works perfectly, guaranteed for life.
 
Well, after a lot of reading and looking at videos and the link to the EE that easyrider posted (thanks bud) it was a no brainer to buy the 4 hole turret with extra turrets. Based on what was posted here it will meet my rifle and pistol reloading needs with the speed boost I was looking for. I am also very comfortable with the idea that it works like a moving single stage.

Thanks again for all the great posts guys

Cactus
 
Great choice Cactus. I started with the Lee Classic Turret, and I've never sold it, nor will I ever. My Lee currently occupies the opposite end of the same bench that my Dillion XL650 with case feeder now sits. I use my Lee for calibers other than 9mm (like .45 ACP) and also as a single stage for bullet sizing and stuff.
 
To those who use turret presses - how are they to load .223? I use a Lee BreechLock single stage right now for both pistol and rifle. For my .308 hunting rounds it works great, but when loading for a couple of hungry pistols and a hungry AR it's pretty slow.
 
shredder said:
To those who use turret presses - how are they to load .223? I use a Lee BreechLock single stage right now for both pistol and rifle. For my .308 hunting rounds it works great, but when loading for a couple of hungry pistols and a hungry AR it's pretty slow.
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I load 223 with mine, but remove the indexing rod. I pretty much us it like a single stage press, but like the advantage of the removable turret with the dies remaining in their settings. I also prime my 223 brass with a lee auto hand primer. All powder is weighed, so the turret function doesn't increase my rate of production.
 
I had a Lee Classic Turret and it worked great. I had no issue's or problems with it and the changeover like everyone else said was super fast.

I got rid of it and upgraded to the Dillon 550 (arrived today). The only reason I needed the upgrade was fro speed. With 2 small children now the 120-150 rounds/hr I could manage in the Classic Turret was not good enough with my time severely limited. The 550 now covers that, and I can make all the ammo I need for a month in an hour or so.

Use what you got, but you'll no doubt find the same path as many have mentioned here and as i do now.

later....
 
I really like my Lee Classic cast Turret. At the beginning when I've started to reload it's was perfect. I was reloading only for rifles... But not since I have a 9mm pistol, it's another story :) Reloading 500 cartridges was taking me more than 3 hours, so I just ordered a progressive press. But for sure I will keep my Turret for all my rifle reloading.

Enjoy your reload :)
 
All my handgun is done on my dillon 550 (as fast as an auto index once you get the hang of it) and i do my small volume rifle (mostly hunting and plinking ammo on a lee three hole turret - best of both worlds.
 
Now that I have the snags worked out, my Loadmaster does the job. It is easy to change calibers and once you get the "Lee Rythm" figured out the ammo keeps rolling out. Pay close attention to setting it up, you will likely run into a headache or two. Also keep a few extra bits and pieces for the primer handling system because it seems to be a week point. Spend the extra $5.00 or so to get the blast shield and like others have said, always use eye protection. The Lee will teach you patience and hone your mechanical skills.
 
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