Best bang for the buck progressive press in this day and age.

[I Dont Care About You]

Ridiculous. Stick a FW Arms spring loaded decapping die in ANY progressive press with a case feeder and you can pop out primers and size or whatever other brass processing aspect you like.

FW Arms spring loaded decapper is a game changer for anyone that processes brass.

I want to separate decapping from reloading because I want to clean the brass before it goes into the dies. That helps keep everything cleaner. The Lee APP was a game changer for me.

 

[I Dont Care About You]

If you have individual tool heads set up the Dillon 750 is literally a two pin and shellplate change. If you don't need to change primer size I doubt it takes more than 10 minutes.

A Lee Turret press can change calibers, including primer size, in about 10 seconds, maybe less. I have a Dillon 550, I'm familiar with how long it takes to change calibers. There are screws and different sized hex keys involved etc.

 

[Slavex]

Apex 10, with FW Arms dies. Process in one pass, load in another. If you don't think you will need the 10 station capability, get a Dillon 1100. Both can be easily automated later, which you will appreciate.
Stay away from Lee, they are garbage.

 

[CDF]

I have used the Hornady LNL with a case feeder for several years now. I use it to reload pistol rounds but intend to try .223 should the ARs ever get to see the light of day again. To me "value" is a price/performance/features proposition. I won't lie that it took some time to really understand each aspect of how a progressive press worked, how to adjust it and get the best results. I bought my set up at a LGS during their annual tent sale and all told it was less than $900.00. Having use a Dillon I know that I could likely cram out a few more loads at a sitting and it is very nice to operate but the LNL gets the job done and it has actually paid for itself well over already so I stick with it.

 

[CobraGuy]

I have a Hornady L-N-L and love it. Has a case feeder and 3D printed bullet feeder and pumps out pistol rounds at an amazing rate.

 

[dan belisle]

My statement is right.
Name the progressives that are faster and as easy ?
The Lee is not. I had one taken in exchange and I dumped it. They work for some who have a low level of reload.
Dillon keep a good value..Lee are not. I tried at one time or another, most of what is available including the new X10.
I stick with Dillon any days.

No, in terms of caliber changes, the Lee is quicker than my Dillon 550. It isnt as good a press in many other ways, but it does change cartridges faster. - dan

 

[Tex Critter]

I have a Dillon 650 set up for .40S&W with case feeder, powder dispenser, powder check, mini Mr Bullet Feeder. Changing to another calibre does require more involvement than just pulling the tool head & shell plate.
My Lee 3 hole turret with auto indexing is used for .32 ACP, .32S&W Long, .380 ACP and all rifle calibres. My Lee Pro 1000 (old model) with case feeder is used for .38 S&W, .38 Spl, .357 Mag, 9mm. The Pro 1000 is a bugger to set up perfectly, however once it is you can really crank out the ammo. I like all my presses.

 

[TurboTapin]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! I'm surprised to see so much hate on the LEE's as my turret is about to turn 10 years old and has been nothing but reliable. As mentioned, I'm going to keep the turret for rifle brass prep along with my rock chucker but I am willing to try out a Dillon progressive for pistol. I looked into the 550C and I'm really not interested in doing more work then before (Damn thing can't even auto index!?). The 650 seems to be discontinued which leaves the 750. The 750 comes in at a hefty price but is inline with the features I want.

How long does it take to do caliber conversions on a 750? Is a 750 worth the price difference over a LEE or Hornady progressive?

 

[I Dont Care About You]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! I'm surprised to see so much hate on the LEE's as my turret is about to turn 10 years old and has been nothing but reliable. As mentioned, I'm going to keep the turret for rifle brass prep along with my rock chucker but I am willing to try out a Dillon progressive for pistol. I looked into the 550C and I'm really not interested in doing more work then before (Damn thing can't even auto index!?). The 650 seems to be discontinued which leaves the 750. The 750 comes in at a hefty price but is inline with the features I want.

How long does it take to do caliber conversions on a 750? Is a 750 worth the price difference over a LEE or Hornady progressive?

I have a Lee 3-hole turret press that is 36 years old and has been nothing but reliable. Once you get into a rhythm it's possible to do about 125-150 res per hour with it. The Lee Turret is inexpensive and reliable.

Don't let the lack of auto indexing on the Dillon 550 dissuade you, the 550 is a great machine.

 

[Gatehouse]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! I'm surprised to see so much hate on the LEE's as my turret is about to turn 10 years old and has been nothing but reliable. As mentioned, I'm going to keep the turret for rifle brass prep along with my rock chucker but I am willing to try out a Dillon progressive for pistol. I looked into the 550C and I'm really not interested in doing more work then before (Damn thing can't even auto index!?). The 650 seems to be discontinued which leaves the 750. The 750 comes in at a hefty price but is inline with the features I want.

How long does it take to do caliber conversions on a 750? Is a 750 worth the price difference over a LEE or Hornady progressive?

In my opinion the 750 is well worth the extra $$ over both of those. It's smoother and the priming and case feeding systems work better. If you have dedicated toolheads for the 750 conversions are about 10 minutes. if you have to switch primer size it's a little longer. But it's a simple conversion. I would for sure add the Dillon case feeder. Unless you don't mind stopping to fill the tube up with cases every 25 pulls of the handle or so.

I like having the press up a little higher so I use an inline fabrication stand. Dillion makes their own version but it's not as good. A bullet tray is nice if you don't intend to get a bullet feeder. Neither one is required but it makes things easier.

 

[dan belisle]

I have a Lee 3-hole turret press that is 36 years old and has been nothing but reliable. Once you get into a rhythm it's possible to do about 125-150 res per hour with it. The Lee Turret is inexpensive and reliable.

Don't let the lack of auto indexing on the Dillon 550 dissuade you, the 550 is a great machine.

Agree. Got my first Lee turret as a gift 40 some years back. Still works, though it's getting sloppy. - dan

 

[ted_dent]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! I'm surprised to see so much hate on the LEE's as my turret is about to turn 10 years old and has been nothing but reliable. As mentioned, I'm going to keep the turret for rifle brass prep along with my rock chucker but I am willing to try out a Dillon progressive for pistol. I looked into the 550C and I'm really not interested in doing more work then before (Damn thing can't even auto index!?). The 650 seems to be discontinued which leaves the 750. The 750 comes in at a hefty price but is inline with the features I want.

How long does it take to do caliber conversions on a 750? Is a 750 worth the price difference over a LEE or Hornady progressive?

Don't let the naysayers discourage you about Lee presses. I have been using two Loadmasters for over 25 years and they turn out excellent ammo at a good rate. Like all presses they have their quirks but nothing I haven't been able to sort out with minimal effort.

However, I just bought the new Lee Six Pack press and it it's even better than the Loadmaster and comes with everything you need, dies, powder measure, case feeder, cartridge bin, etc. It uses breech lock quick dies so you can swap them all out in less than two minutes and you don't have to buy toolheads for each calibre, just extra bushings. It also has 6 stations so you can add any accessory die you want. The priming system is new which eliminates a big complaint people had about the Loadmaster and Pro 1000 (although I never had an issue with it if it was kept clean and the primer level never got too low). Price right now at Budget Shooter Supply is $555 which is going to bring you in at just about 50% of what a Dillon 750 will cost WITHOUT the Dillon case feeder (another $400)

Trust me, I have no gripe with Dillion (or Hornady, for that matter) and I think they both make excellent quality stuff. I have reloading equipment from virtually every manufacturer so I'm not just a Lee fanboy. But from my 45 years of reloading experience I just think that for the average reloader it's hard to justify paying twice the price or more for presses that essentially do the same thing. And don't buy all the hype some people spout. From what some say you would think Dillons run forever with no problems but I have several friends with Dillion presses and they break or get wonky too. That's just inherent in any type of machinery.

 

[hogie]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! I'm surprised to see so much hate on the LEE's as my turret is about to turn 10 years old and has been nothing but reliable. As mentioned, I'm going to keep the turret for rifle brass prep along with my rock chucker but I am willing to try out a Dillon progressive for pistol. I looked into the 550C and I'm really not interested in doing more work then before (Damn thing can't even auto index!?). The 650 seems to be discontinued which leaves the 750. The 750 comes in at a hefty price but is inline with the features I want.

How long does it take to do caliber conversions on a 750? Is a 750 worth the price difference over a LEE or Hornady progressive?

My experience with the Lee was not great. There priming system seemed to only work about 70% of the time, which meant I was chasing primers on the floor. Auto index was also not as reliable as I wanted. It did work but seemed like it wanted to fight one thing or another everytime. I may have had a bad press, but just wasn't happy with it.

Going to the 550 was nice, maybe 2 primers would give a problem, no issues with index. I bought a aftermarket roller bearing that helps primers arm stay better aligned, very rarely do I have a primer issue.

As far as maual index goes, unless you are running bullet and case feeders it really isn't much more. I have my press raised with Dillon mount, bullet tray and trays for loaded rounds and cases. That is what speeds things up for me. As I grab the bullet to seat I index, grab new case and insert in press. If you are planning to run feeders then go to a auto index press, if not then don't dismiss the 550 series.

 

[I Dont Care About You]

As far as maual index goes, unless you are running bullet and case feeders it really isn't much more. I have my press raised with Dillon mount, bullet tray and trays for loaded rounds and cases. That is what speeds things up for me. As I grab the bullet to seat I index, grab new case and insert in press. If you are planning to run feeders then go to an auto index press, if not then don't dismiss the 550 series.

I'd disagree. Case and bullet feeders make the 550 WAY faster. Indexing by hand is quick and easy.

I use the DAA Mini Mr Case Feeder and have just installed the Lee Inline Bullet Feeder and those absolutely transformed the 550. I never much liked having to manually feed cases.

 

[Gatehouse]

I think a 5 station 750 is less than $200 more than a 4 station 550. It would make more sense to me to just go with a 750, especially if you amortize it over the years you will have the press. I think that's something to think about with any press choice. Along with the volume you want to load and how much you enjoy (or hate) fiddling with a press and components.

A 750 with a case feeder will do at least 500 rounds an hour easy, and 7-800 rounds an hour with the addition of a bullet feeder. Maybe more. This is assuming you have your primer tubes filled and your brass and bullets on hand

I don't really view the LEE or other tube style case feeders as being anywhere near the same league as the variable speed Dillon case feeder.

 

[ted_dent]

I don't really view the LEE or other tube style case feeders as being anywhere near the same league as the variable speed Dillon case feeder.

I'm sure you're right but the Dillon case feeder is about $450 whereas the Lee case feeder assembly including collator is about $60 so it's really an apples vs. oranges comparison. If I was a serious IPSC shooter loading 20000+ rounds a year then even for the extra cost the Dillon would probably make sense. For the average casual shooter doing 100 rounds a week the cost difference probably outweighs the speed. From what he has posted it appears the OP is in the latter camp.

 

[ted_dent]

My experience with the Lee was not great. There priming system seemed to only work about 70% of the time, which meant I was chasing primers on the floor. Auto index was also not as reliable as I wanted. It did work but seemed like it wanted to fight one thing or another everytime. I may have had a bad press, but just wasn't happy with it.

Maybe I just got lucky but neither of my Loadmasters has priming issues. As I noted, the primer system works well when it is kept clean with at least 10 primers in the chute. I know it's time for cleaning when primers start flipping but typically I'm 400-500 rounds in before that starts happening. i have one set up for small primers and one for large primers. The LP press almost NEVER has a primer misfeed. I have found the heavier, bigger diameter large primers are less susceptible to flipping.

 

[Deathrawt]

I have two loadmasters as well as the LCT press
My loadmasters have been good as well but i don't use the case feeder and manually dispense powder with a charge master and manually insert the bullets
It slows down the process but I still churn out a decent amount of rounds per hour
Most of my primer issues have been me not paying attention and the primer shute runs low on primers
I wish Lee would have refined the press more to make it better then to discontinue it altogether as it really is a decent press, caliber changes are so easy on it and not expensive to do
never really got why there is so much hate for the loadmaster. I thought about buying a Dillion 650/750 but the caliber conversion costs would put me in the poor house as I load over 30 calibers

 

[hogie]

I'd disagree. Case and bullet feeders make the 550 WAY faster. Indexing by hand is quick and easy.

I use the DAA Mini Mr Case Feeder and have just installed the Lee Inline Bullet Feeder and those absolutely transformed the 550. I never much liked having to manually feed cases.

The point I was getting at is that the manual index isn't really any more work. If no case or bullet feeders are used then hand is already there. I can do 500 rounds in an hour, primer tubes ready to go. Once a person gets there technique down 550 can be quick.

I was responding to the op not liking the manual index of the 550. Auto index with no feeders will not be much difference in speed, still have to handle bullets and cases.

I agree that a case and bullet feeder will definitely speed things up. Going that route then look at a auto index press, makes more sense.

Gatehouse made a very good post #35. Person buying has to have an idea of volume they will reload and time. If you are high volume then want something fast and reliable. I'm not a high volume shooter, when I was shooting more the 550 rate was more than enough.

 

[Ganderite]

FWIW, I use a 550 for all my pistol loading. Caliber change over is about 10 minutes. Works well for the last 30 years.

I used to use a 650 for my 308 loading. The case feeder works well. After about 500,000 rounds it got kind of loose. Dillon offered to over-haul it for free, but I have not bothered. I load 308 now on the 550 or a Redding turret.