progressive presses

M

milo

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what is the best progressive press on the market and why. It seems like the Dillon 550, the RCBS 2000 and the Hornady lock and load are the three main players but how do you pick between them. I don't really have any need to replace my single stage but I'm going to so...looking for input.

thanks
 
A couple of questions that might help people better understand what you are looking for.

  • What are you going to be loading, rifle, pistol?
  • Are you going to be changing calibers often?
  • Expected volume?
  • Budget?
 
Let me answer some of those questions:

1- Loading all of the above including the S&W .500
2- Yep. he'll change calibers like I change undies (not that often after all...).
3- Mind boggling is the first answer that comes to mind!
4- What the heck is a budget????
 
troutseeker said:
Let me answer some of those questions:

1- Loading all of the above including the S&W .500
2- Yep. he'll change calibers like I change undies (not that often after all...).
3- Mind boggling is the first answer that comes to mind!
4- What the heck is a budget????
Click to expand...
LOL!! I know that guy!:dancingbanana:
 
Hornady LNL, fastest change overs in the world, solider frame, smoother, auto indexs and is cheaper than the 550, never mind a 650

The only other choice would be a dillon 1050 but that is much much more expensive...(nice though, the only dillon i'd buy........) I think changeovers are a bit of a ##### though......
 
Cocked&Locked said:
Hornady LNL, fastest change overs in the world, solider frame, smoother, auto indexs and is cheaper than the 550, never mind a 650

The only other choice would be a dillon 1050 but that is much much more expensive...(nice though, the only dillon i'd buy........) I think changeovers are a bit of a ##### though......
Click to expand...

The 1050 isn't too hard to change if you can stick to one primer size, and spend the extra on complete tool heads. I could switch from .38 super to .223 Rem in less than five minutes.

Yes, it's spendy, but it's worth it.
 
Canuck223 said:
The 1050 isn't too hard to change if you can stick to one primer size, and spend the extra on complete tool heads. I could switch from .38 super to .223 Rem in less than five minutes.

Yes, it's spendy, but it's worth it.
Click to expand...


I can do 5 minute change overs with my lnl, less if I don't swap primers, and with the case feeder it's still only about half of the 1050. Not sure if I could match the speed though, I haven't used one... How do they feed primers, drop tubes or tray? And do they have a bullet feeder?
 
Cocked&Locked said:
I can do 5 minute change overs with my lnl, less if I don't swap primers, and with the case feeder it's still only about half of the 1050. Not sure if I could match the speed though, I haven't used one... How do they feed primers, drop tubes or tray? And do they have a bullet feeder?
Click to expand...

The primer feed is from the standard Dillon tube fed magazine using a slide plate.

The primary reason people go for the 1050 is speed and durability. It has the advantage of performing all operations on the downstroke, including priming. If you ever get military brass mixed in, you can set and forget the primer pocket swager.

One thing that kind of drives me nuts when people compare loaders is the obsession of some with the speed of caliber conversion. If you load for a lot of calibers, and shoot enough to need to switch calibers frequently, wouldn't it make more sense to just buy a ####pile of brass.

I mean the object is to shoot quality ammo as cheap as possible, and guarantee your supply. To my mind that means once you find a load that works, stock up!!!
 
To my mind that means once you find a load that works, stock up!!!
Click to expand...
Agreed for many shooters - C&L is a tinkerer. As am I.

The 1050 is the smoothest press I've ever used, thanks to close tolerances and needle bearings. A great machine for high production and the only machine for people who willingly deal with mixed brass that may contain crimped primers.

The rest of us segregate the brass in advance, but that adds time to the whole thing.
 
Troutseeker, I know what a budget is, like how much our household spends on stuff like food and heating and clothes and stuff, we just don't have one of those for guns.

I think I'm gonna be a Hornady guy and try that for a while, thanks for the very valuable info ACRASHB. I will read that over again before I finalize my decision.

thanks to all

mm
 
762nato said:
1050 will blow the hornady out of the water, best press hands down.

Andy
Click to expand...


I've never used one, I'd like to see one, but for the cost? Hornady will meet all of my needs and do it for less than a 650 which I feel it is superior to. The 1050 looks like a neat machine, I'd love to play with one for a bit...Do they come with a case feeder? Doing every thing on the down stroke is nice too, but not a huge deal.
 
Cocked&Locked said:
I've never used one, I'd like to see one, but for the cost? Hornady will meet all of my needs and do it for less than a 650 which I feel it is superior to. The 1050 looks like a neat machine, I'd love to play with one for a bit...Do they come with a case feeder? Doing every thing on the down stroke is nice too, but not a huge deal.
Click to expand...

All 1050's ship with a case feeder. The new Super 1050 will load up to .270 length rifle cases.
 
Hi Guys; Have used my 1050 for over 10 years, best machine I ever used....
Doing all operations on the downstroke IS important much easier to work with, one of the greatest features is the primer pocket swager, you don't have to sort your military and commercial brass just throw them all in the feeder....

If you are changing calibers and primer sizes often the 650 (mine is about 6 years old) is a bit easier to work with and quite a bit less costly for tool heads.... also a great machine, case feeder and all....

Neither machine has required any parts other than decapping pins and a few plastic guide bushings for the case feeder (650).

Service from Dillon is second to none.
John
 
Great thread. I bought a used 550 and love it. Dillons aren't cheap and for bang for the buck the LNL gives you more features for less money. Hornady had to price it like they did or they would never have become a player given Dillon's reputation for quality and service IMHO.

Once you are into a press line then I think you are pretty much married to it. My next move is another 550. I load pistol for the most part and would love to have one set up for 9MM and the other in ,45acp.

If I had to do it from scratch I would have bought a 1050 and been done with it but sons and University expenses came ahead of Dad's toys at the time. NOw I have lots of time on my hands loading speed, caliber changes etc really aren't much of a concern. MY 550 loads as fast as I need to load. Hell I could fill a room with cartridges in a day if I had to.

Take Care

Bob
 
I have a Dillon 550B, and have used to for reloading 38/357, 44 and 45 acp.
I have not had a problem with it. It can rattle off about 50 roounds in 15 min.
Haven't tried it on rifle ammo yet.
 
What is this? Nobody likes the 650?? WAY cheaper than a 1050, and virtually as fast. Easier caliber changes, too :)

Gunnar
 
7x61 said:
What is this? Nobody likes the 650?? WAY cheaper than a 1050, and virtually as fast. Easier caliber changes, too :)

Gunnar
Click to expand...

I would like it but my LockNLoad does every thing it does just as well for less money and changes calibers faster without the need for die plates!:dancingbanana:
 
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