Can you make SUPER accurate handloads with a progressive press?

timoram

timoram

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Ive been doing some handloads on a friends single stage press with great results, but im looking at a Dillon progressive press to do quicker loading but i dont know if i can achieve the same level of quality i do with a single stage.

I'm loading .308 if it makes a difference.
 
I've had good luck with my Dillon 550b.
I must say that I do all my case prep. beforehand, so all I do is prime, charge, seat and crimp on the progressive.
I'm using Redding Competition dies, and runout is no different on the 550 compared to my RCBS Rockchucker.
I'm also having what seems like above average luck with the consistancy that my powder measure throws charges.
I'd give it a try and compare your results against those done on a single stage.
 
My Dillon 550 throws Varget powder around +/-.5 grain, so it collects dust on the end of my loading bench. I went back to a single stage press and weight each charge.
 
If you want to load ammo with single digit deviation in velocity, there is so much brass prep and so many things to check from stage to stage in the loading process, that I doubt if the progressive press is the best answer. In fact an arbor press and hand dies might be a better choice than even a single stage 7/8X14 loading press. Having said that, there are some High Power competitors in the US who load with progressives due to the volume of ammo they require, and they win matches. I think if you probably start with a supply of tweaked brass and work out a good repeatable loading procedure that keeps your quality control in check for the entire batch you will have acceptable results. In the High Power game .75 MOA will win matches, but if you want to attempt the precision necessary for bench rest or 1000 yard match, you should load one at a time so you can control every aspect of each cartridge you load, and make adjustments at any time during the loading process.
 
I figured as much.
Looks like ill need to fork out some cash and get my own single stage press.

Thanks for the advice guys.
 
I can only speak from my experiences using an RCBS progressive and 223 ammo for my LVSF coyote/deer/bear rifle.

I worked up a load on my Rockchucker press that was very accurate (5 shots all touching in a cluster at 100) using 50gr Hornady V-Max bullets and Benchmark powder.

I swapped over to loading on the progressive to make about 400 rounds of ammo, and checked accuracy.

All I can say is that there was very little difference in accuracy.

I haven't tried loading the 53gr TSX bullets on the progressive, and probably won't bother, since I use so few of them, but I will probably still lube, size, decap and prime on the progressive. It's too easy....:)
 
I have both a 650 Dillon and a Lee turret press. The 650 can really crank out the ammo. I have never managed to get to the 800 rounds an hour rate claimed but half that is quite possible. I weigh every 5 to 10 rounds and get variations of less than 0.2 grains and normally under 0.1 grains. In other words, if I have it set for 7.5 grains of Tightgroup, it stays withing 7.5 to 7.6 grains. As is usual, it depends on technique and setup.
With the Lee classic turret I can easily crank out 100 and sometimes close to 200 rounds. I have found that the Lee Pro auto powder dispenser to be ok. I need to get the double disk kit for large charges. I measure regularly with this press as well and it throws +/- 0.2 grains at best with a single disk. It seems to be to variable with even the slightest change in technique. So, as usual, your mileage may vary.
If you are going to be building close tolerance rounds, go with a single stgage and measure regularly. If you want the best possible accuracy, the same single stage turret will do the job admirably, you will just want to measure each round's charge. Easy to do, even on the turret press and it is so incredibly nice to be able to keep a set of dies in perfect tune without having to set everything up each time you change a die. I love that Lee press for ease of use but the Dillon blows it away if you are reloading a large number of rounds.
 
A Dillon 550 can easily be used as a single stage if that is how you want to load. You also have the capability for progressive loading. That is why I have 2 of them.
 
I use a Dillon 550 and get good results on long range (.308) - generally in the .5 MOA. However, I've taken to measuring each charge in order to eliminate the odd flier. 1 position decap/primer, 2 position empty, 3 position insert case with power and bullet then seat, 4 position empty. Still get two activities for each arm throw.

I only use the powder measure for .223 and .45 ACP and check the throws for creep every 100 or so.
 
colt45cz75 said:
A Dillon 550 can easily be used as a single stage if that is how you want to load. You also have the capability for progressive loading. That is why I have 2 of them.
Click to expand...
What he said...Remember, the Dillon 550B has manual indexing....So it can be used like a single stage press...I do it all the time for certain loads...Alot of people seem to forget this....
 
you can even still weigh individual charges when using a progressive. just remove the powder measure and put a funnel on top of the drop tube. leave the internal drop tube in place, weigh your charge and when the round comes to that station, using your pan, drop it in. pretty simple.
 
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