Thinking of a Progressive Press to Augment my Forster Co-Ax

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Hoag

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I currently have a single stage press that I am very happy with (a Forster Co-Ax), but I am thinking of beginning to reload 9mm. I know what a PITA that can be on a single stage press. I thought I might as well buy a progressive press (especially since it doesn't look like I will be spending anything on powder for 9mm, I might as well sink it into a press). Here are the two I am looking at:

1. Dillon Square Deal B:
DP_SQB__16504.1405365052.1280.1280.jpg

(Shown with options)
Pros:
Relatively economical ($448)
Fast
Auto Indexing
Reliable

Cons:
Non-standard dies
Can only do straight wall pistol calibers.

2. Dillon BL550 Basic Loader:
DP_BL550__94422.1405362824.1280.1280.jpg

Pros:
Uses standard dies
Very Economical ($296)
Reliable
Can be upgraded to the RL550B model

Cons:
Not Auto-Indexing
As it comes, I'd still have to prime and add powder separately (upgrade kits are available)

I am looking to give an additional capability to reload 9mm. I am not looking for a replacement for my Forster Co-Ax.
 
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I always tell people to look at the Hornady Lock-N-Load. It's a great press and you can easily add a case feeder and/or a bullet feeder if you so desire. It's also easy to change calibers - just a set of dies and the corresponding shellplate and your on your way.
 
There's nothing wrong with the square deal b press. I've loaded tons of ammo with this press. Too bad that you can't upgrade the handle.
 
Snow Dog said:
I always tell people to look at the Hornady Lock-N-Load. It's a great press and you can easily add a case feeder and/or a bullet feeder if you so desire. It's also easy to change calibers - just a set of dies and the corresponding shellplate and your on your way.
Click to expand...

Yup i have a hornady lnl and love it. Henry sells them and hes great to deal with.
 
I have used a few machines and by far the best ( IMHO) is still the Dillon 550B. Get a rythm going and easily crank out 500 9mm rounds in an hour.
 
Some folks will bash the Lee Pro 100, but mine has served me well. It can be a bit finicky at times, but I wonder if the other progressives are any less fool-proof.....
But then a gain, nothing is fool-proof, to a sufficiently talented (or inept) fool... ;-})>
 
I just got a Hornady AP loader. So far I haven't had too much trouble with setting up. Mostly just getting the rhythm of it. So far reloaded about 600 rounds with it.
 
I have a 550 and a 650 and have had and used the Hornady LnL.

I think if you are committed to only loading 9mm with the progressive, then the square deal could be the ideal machine.

If you think you might have even an inkling of loading or doing other loading prep (be it sizing cases, or whatever) on a progressive (which can be done to excellent effect despite what you read elsewhere), then I'd recommend stepping directly into a 650.
The 550 is also a good bet, as it will do both straight walled and bottle neck cases, but it is limited insofar as once it is set up with a case feeder, it will no longer be able to do bottle neck cases, and the cost if set up with a case feeder isn't far off the 650.

I personally prefer the Dillon machines, but the Hornady LnL is a decent press in its own right, and another good bet.
 
you can buy a third party roller handle for the square deal b from inlinefabrication.com it works like a charm As well as the shell plate light.

I find the SDB quick accurate and speedy and have not regretted my decision to purchase
 
Of the two you show the 550B is the clear choice but as pictured it has a ton of extras (read $) such as the powder and primer sensors, strong mount and bullet trays (At least I believe they are extras).
As suggested if you are stuck on a blue press I would suggest you consider the 650 platform.
If you are open minded you might want to consider a Hornady LNL, I love mine, it's extremely smooth and has an excellent powder measure.
 
I got a lee pro 1000 this year. A small amount to tweaking but it works perfectly for my needs. I can crank out the 9mm way faster than my turret now. It was also cheap to get, just manually feed bullets as the bullet feeder sucks. Otherwise I've only ever heard good things about Dillion(but I'm too cheap to buy one)
 
Over the last few evenings I have banged off close to 2000 45ACP and exactly 2000 9mm.

Lee pro1000. 2 turrets, 2 shell plate carriers, no fuss no muss, had it for 20+ years and load 6 or 8 different cartridges, each with its own carrier and turret permanently set up.
Buy it from budget shooter supply for under $220 in 9mm and its ready to go.

Upgrades? Buy the cheap and cheesy looking case collator for$16. It really works, and for the few that go in upside down, it's far faster than loading the case feeder tubes by hand.
 
Another vote for Dillon. I've reloaded 10's of thousands of rounds on mine (several pistol and a four rifle calibers) and love it's speed and ease once you set yourself up. I have a 650
 
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