best progressive press for a beginner

boombag13

boombag13

CGN Regular
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niagara area
ok CGNer's, from what i've read on here, for the amount i plan to reload, the single stage press given to me will take time i just dont have, so i'm turning to u guys for help/advice. can u tell me which progressive press( looking for a complete starter kit here) u feel is the the best & why? i'm goin to start loading for my 1911 in .45 ACP, as thats the only restricted i have (so far lol)any tips on powder would be great too
thanks
 
I recommend the Dillon 550. This is a one time purchase press that will last you a lifetime. I bought mine in 1990 and is loaded well over 400,000 rounds, I presently measure handgun rounds in gallons on hand. At one point I broke a a plastic powder throw canister when I dropped it on the cement floor about 5 years ago. I called them and said I had a problem and their reply was "no you don't"! They asked me my phone number and I had to remember it from back in 1990 and they said, what I can we do for you Mr. _______, they then asked for my present address and updated the phone number. They replied that the part was in the mail. I then asked if I could add a pin that holds the block in place which I had misplaced over one of my moves. They said, that has been added. I asked what the cost would be and they said nothing, it is looked after, shipping included.

I have since been to Dillon in Phoenix just to check the place out and said one of the plastic pieces on the electric case feeder was a little faded over the years and they got one from the back and once again no charge. I picked up a 550 also that day and brought it back for a friend. The disadvantage of buying the press though directly at Dillon is you have to pay the State sales tax. If you have it shipped to a US postal address it was free shipping and no sales tax. The guy I brought it back for did not have a US postal account so he did not care about the US tax.

I presently own two 550s, one with an electric case feed. A 650 may be in the near future.



Advantages of 550:

Will load just about anything (rifle and handgun). Very rugged, easy to setup and use for anyone that has reloading experience. You can add on an electric casefeeder at any time. You can sell it at any time for just about what you paid for it. Customer service that can be a model for any business. Was free shipping to US address, would have to check now. Dies are excellent. You can add a power case trimmer for rifle at a later date (I have one and it works great). I have a friend who purchased a 650 as his first progressive press and he did fight with it a little at first during the learning period but he openly admits that he is a little on the non mechanical apptitude side, the auto indexing is nice but I have done with out it so far and have loaded lots of rounds. These though can be expensive intially.

Ad for loads for .45, do not want to suggest any but it is a very forgiving catridge. I have use bullseye, 231 and clays depending on bullet and application. See Hodgon on line site.

Hope this helps a little with your decision. I should get commision from Dillon, I have influenced MANY purchasers here.
 
Read the Lee/Hornady/Dillon comparison sticky by acrashb at the top of this forum. All progressives are pricy enough that you'll want to make your best personal decision the first time. Unlike acrashb, I've not had my hands on many brands or models. My progressive is a Hornady L&L AP and I love it. Based upon my research and reading though, if I were purchasing a press for one pistol caliber it would be a 550. If I were considering eventually upgrading to an auto case or bullet feeder or if I planned on loading several calibers I would go to the L&L AP, or a 650, not a 550. IMHO the L&L AP has an advantage when it comes to caliber conversions both in cost and ease/time and they had a huge price advantage over the 650 when I bought mine. With the exception of Lee, warranty isn't an issue. Dillon, Hornady and RCBS are the same and all seem to give excellent customer service. Lee's warranty is 1 year, I believe. Most popular presses accept any and all brands of reloading dies. I personally would be reluctant to purchase a press that didn't.

Happy shopping and Merry Christmas :D.
 
I really don't think you can go wrong with DIllon or Hornady. I've loaded 10s of thousands of rounds on my LNL AP without any issue. Either will last a lifetime.

Hornday customer service is great, I know firsthand. Remember that the accessories add up. A bullet feeder and case feeder is easily over another $1,000. I own progressive to save time, that's pretty much the only reason.
 
tens of thousands...MANY tens of thousands on a Dillon 550. Is it the best? No idea, but it is what I bought in the day and have not looked back. Outstanding customer service too
 
I have to agree with Wheelgun's comments about Dillon customer service. I have a 650 and would probably buy another if I was starting again.

And for the Dillon owners whose spouses are asking what you want for Christmas, Dillon makes spare parts kits (for the 650's anyway) that lets you keep going after the common parts fail or wear or get lost. And a phone call gets you a replacement coming also.
 
Another fan of the Dillon 550 here. I have had mine 7, 8 years now and used the crap out of it. Its still going strong. I had some issues a little wile ago with the priming system, but with a new plastic cap for the drop tube all was solved. Just like any machine all it needed was a quick bit of maintenance.
 
if your looking to save costs, look at the lee pro 1000. if you can deal with how it works and the crappy primer feed system, you should be able to understand any other press and deal with it's issues.

i started off with the pro 1000 in 45acp and now have 3 pro 1k's. but i will eventually get a hornady or dillion (i hate it because alot of dillion owners think less of everything else that isn't overprice and blue)

if it wasn't for lee, i doubt there would be as many reloader's today. low cost, but value for your money, just like norinco.
 
Yup dillon, especially if you're a beginner, less messing around. IMO you should start the slow way first, you'll learn a lot.
 
I've a lee pro 1000. Hasnt been used in years, but back in the day we were loading .38 special with it like clockwork. It represents good value. If you're burning thousands of rounds a year you might have different requirements. I can't say.
 
dillon 650 (skip the 550, you want auto indexing) or the hornady lnl AP. read the sticky at the top and pick which you like better, I went with the hornady
 
Hornady LNL AP has given me no problems except a couple of broken springs etc which is regular wear and tear. Contacted Hornady and they sent new ones that day, a week later and I was up and running again. I can vouch that they have excellent customer service
 
HeavyT said:
Yup dillon, especially if you're a beginner, less messing around. IMO you should start the slow way first, you'll learn a lot.
Click to expand...

Yep boombag, if by "new to reloading" you mean you also have little or no experience with your current SS press, you might want to get started with that first, even if it is slower than you might like. Thing is, this reloading business tends to cost a bit more than you first anticipate, even with a "kit". There are verniers, bullet pullers, stuck case removers and specialty dies (other than your caliber specific sets) like the Lee factory crimp die or RCBS "lockout" die for instance. Starting out with your SS press will enable you to learn how to set up your dies and organize yourself while gradually accumulating the "extras" you will need, including supplies. You'll also perhaps get a better handle on your likes and preferences when it comes to laying out the bux for a progressive.

As to powder, select from your reloading manual a powder that more than half fills your case. That will make double charging unlikely and you don't want to double charge a 45ACP with a hot low volume powder. The risk of producing doubles or squibs increases with the use of a progressive press. That is why I use the RCBS "Lockout" die in my setup. Squibs and doubles are dangerous. Watch your overall cartridge lengths, especially with the 45 cal. With its relatively large circumference a 45 cartridge can reduce case volumes, and hence increase pressures, rapidly as overall length is shortened. No need to be paranoid about it, just be aware and stick to within a few thou of prescribed cartridge lengths. "See what I mean about the extra tools though ;)".
 
I to am relatively new to reloading and I didnt want to drop big money for starting out. I got the Lee Pro 1000 kit that was setup in 9mm and once I worked out the bugs and learned HOW to use it, it is awesome. I can easily pump out 200+ rounds an hour with this machine, probably closer to 300 but havent timed it all out yet. I have it set up for the powder charge I want for the bullets I use so I never have to mess with anything, I just pull it off the shelf, bolt it in position and check my powder weight on the first few cases and then start crankin the rounds out.

AND for the price of the entire setup, I purchased a complete second one set up in .45acp, so now there is no screwing around changing dies or shell plates or anything, bolt it to my bench and load away...
 
Get a used pro 1000 theres always one for sale and it won't take long to pay for its self or completely turn you off reloading.
The last one I bought pissed off its prior owner but it works like a factory for me.
 
How much ammo do you go through in a month? If its a big number go with a Dillon or Hornady but if the number is a few hundred or less a Lee Pro 1000 will serve you will and cost you a lot less e.g. complete setup at your door for about $300 brand new.

I have two Lee Pro 1000's and reload 5 calibre's on them (9mm .40 .45 38SPL & .223), i load about 2,000 rounds a month, mostly 9mm and i can easily crank out 300+ rounds and hour. I found it a simple and reliable press, its true that they have their quirks but its not difficult to work them out and once you do they are easy to manage.

There are good instruction video's online to help with set up and operation.

I would love to get a Hornady LNL AP but to get the same set up as i have in my Lee would cost me three times as much and i just cant justify that cost when the Lee Pro 1000 is working reliably.

Just my 2 cents worth.
 
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