Many of us load pistol on a single stage, I loaded for years for IPSC. Now just load for fun, still a few thousand a year in each caliber. But then I enjoy reloading, sometimes I think I shoot so I can reload, lol.
Progressive Loading Press.........Do I Need One After 40 Years With Single Stages?
- Thread starter c-fbmi
- Start date
I would go with a 650 Dillon for pistol and 223 and stay with your regular press for rifle. I tend to run large batches of rifle cases through in stages, once primed and ready it doesn't take long to load 2-400 cases. I'm setting up an old Hornady progressive for 223 once i accumulate enough brass to make it worth while, still will likely do them in batches.
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I have both single and progressive. The single I use mainly for .338 LM since one cannot load them on a progressive. But the progressive is great for mass production of pistol rounds and .223
One con of a progressive (IMO) is that the de-prime and re-prime are all within the same cycle of the press. This eliminates the proper primer pocket cleaning I like to do.
One con of a progressive (IMO) is that the de-prime and re-prime are all within the same cycle of the press. This eliminates the proper primer pocket cleaning I like to do.
I definitely concur. If one is going to the expense and effort to automate a press, it would be just as well to step up to the 1050. If you're going through that much ammo that you want/need such a setup, the price difference will be miniscule in the long run. The primer pocket swaging station is another plus.
I know many of you will find this hard to believe, and some of you totally incapable of grasping this concept, but I don't have, never have had, nor will I ever have a 223. I have a hornet, a couple 22-250s and four 243s but not one 223.
What do you all say to the old saw that progressives make inferior quality ammo compared to single stage ammo? I mean who cares if you're just blasting them through an AR or mini 14 or handgun plinking with light cast loads, but what about serious loads for a good bolt rifle that is capable of 1/2 moa, will it turn out this quality of ammo as well these days? How do they function with stick powders as compared to ball powder, which I assume is ideal for progressives. How consistant are they with seating to a specific COAL? As with all machines consistency of the operator, is usually the greatest variable, but let's assume a good, familiar operator, how good is the final product? And I'm talking the higher end machines here, not anything from Lee or Bubba's Tool and Machine, I'm talking the 550, 650 or possibly the 1050......What are realistic expectations?
What do you all say to the old saw that progressives make inferior quality ammo compared to single stage ammo? I mean who cares if you're just blasting them through an AR or mini 14 or handgun plinking with light cast loads, but what about serious loads for a good bolt rifle that is capable of 1/2 moa, will it turn out this quality of ammo as well these days? How do they function with stick powders as compared to ball powder, which I assume is ideal for progressives. How consistant are they with seating to a specific COAL? As with all machines consistency of the operator, is usually the greatest variable, but let's assume a good, familiar operator, how good is the final product? And I'm talking the higher end machines here, not anything from Lee or Bubba's Tool and Machine, I'm talking the 550, 650 or possibly the 1050......What are realistic expectations?
I reload .223 for my CZ 527 Varmint and am satisfied with the accuracy. With loads it likes, I have shot around 0.6-0.8 MOA ten shot groups. I use spherical powder, so I can't say how well stick powder would work. Things like seating depth and runout consistency are more a function of the dies than the press.
BattleRife
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- of No Fixed Address
I think you can expect accuracy that approaches what you would get out of a good single stage, but you will have to modify the loading process away from the nominal process that produces the high production rates they advertise for progressives.
To be specific, the nominal process involves producing one round per pull of the handle, and can theoritically produce 400-600 rounds per hour. But to optimize accuracy you will probably send the cases through once to deprime, then do a bunch of prep on those cases (trim, clean primer pockets, etc.), then consider hand priming. Then send them through the progressive again to load. You may even want to weigh your charges for best results, and fill the cases through a drop tube. All this will slow you loading, down to maybe even less than 100 per hour, but I still put money on you saving time over a single stage, and when you want to rev up the speed, you will have that option, too.
X2. This method not only gives me clean pockets but keeps the guck (case lube) away from my progressive setup.
