Author Topic: progressive presses and the 357 sig (Read 833 times)

jarhead · « **on:** January 27, 2004, 04:21:52 AM »

Just started IPSC shooting. Go through potentially 800 to 1000 rds/mo. Looking at Lee pro 100 or if need be a dillon 650(too much $$$ forf Lcpl pay). Is the Lee worth a damn or should I wait until the Dillon could be afforded? Will be loading the 357 sig if the shoulder has any bearing on progressive performance.

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2004, 08:01:20 AM »

In my opinion, no, the Lee is not worth a damn. Although there are certain fanatics who claim to have good results and durability with them. The Dillon 650 is more than you need. Other progressives, like Hornady or RCBS, may be just as good as the Dillon, but the Dillon is the standard and favorite among pistol competitors. Nothing else even comes close in popularity. If you get the Dillon, get their dies. They are built especially for their progressive press. I currently use RCBS standard dies in my 550, but would like to get a set of Dillon dies next time I've got the bucks burning a hole in my pocket.

Good luck. Whatever you do, be sure to get a good progressive press because you may become discouraged if you find yourself spending too much time reloading.

jarhead · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2004, 08:27:46 AM »

thank you. I may find out what the Dillon payment plan is like although I do not like debt.

kaferhaus · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2004, 12:03:14 PM »

I've used the 1000s and the load masters and have had few problems with either. Most people that do, don't bother to read the instructions and then blame the machine.... Great customer service.

I also have a Dillon 550B. It's a good press, has it's own "issues", is very expensive, Dillon dies are way overpriced as are all their accessories. The customer service is great.

If you can follow directions and pay attention, the Lee progressives are a great bargain. A Dillon with the same features is three times the price. And produces ammo slower unless you buy the auto case feeder.

I load most all my IPSC ammo on the Lee press and large caliber rifle ammo on the Dillon.

hkg3k · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2004, 03:41:32 PM »

I'll have to agree with kaferhaus. I reload for the various subguns I own with a Lee Loadmaster which is going on 13yrs old and still loading as well now as it ever has. The vast majority of my reloading with this machine is 9mm, but I also load other various pistol calibers. Conservatively, I have loaded 50-60k rounds with this machine. Not a fanatic, just a guy with 1st hand experience, not parroting an old song.

Yes I have replaced a few of the plastic pieces due to wear or getting deformed in the process. Therefore I keep spares for this infrequent occurance. Replacement of the small inexpensive pieces happens WAY less frequently than a lot of people would lead you to believe, but replacement is a snap nonetheless. I have no experience with the Pro1000, but for me the LoadMaster has been a solid quality machine. I also understand how the machine works, and therefore setup, adjusting or tuning for proper function is not a problem. The thing I find most difficult with the LoadMaster is making sure I keep an eye on my primers (and powder) not to run out once I get into that "3 case rhythm."

I haven't priced machines lately, but the last time I bothered to look, one could buy 3 LoadMasters for the price of one of the blue machines offering the same features.........auto index, case feed etc. I am not putting down the blue machines as I'm sure they are great. In my experience, and for my purposes, the LoadMaster offers way more for the money. If you're going to reload pistol caliber, the LoadMaster should more than fill your needs. As simple as the LoadMaster is built and operates, do as kaferhaus suggests and also read the manual.

Catfish · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2004, 01:33:10 PM »

I`ve loaded on the 550 Dillon for close to 30 years now. I`ve have loaded ammo that shot .179 5 shot group at 100 yrds. , and once loaded 800 rounds in less than 1 hr., just trying to see how fast I could load with it. I started loading in 1965 and have owned alittle of everything on the market over the years. I have had more trouble with Lee junk than everything else on the market. Thier die bodys are to short to work properly in my Dillon press, I wore out 2 of their hand primers in just over 1 year, some people sware by their collet die, I swear at them and on and on and on. There is a very good reason that Lee is the cheapest stuff on the market, and even then it`s the most over priced.

kaferhaus · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2004, 03:06:12 PM »

Uh, when did Dillon start making the 550? it sure wasn't 30 yrs ago!

While i have a 550B and like it, it loads ammo no more accurately than the Lee does, In fact the Lee powder measure throws more accurate charges than the Dillon.

And If you loaded 800rds in one hour on a 550, then you're just superman! Dillon (like all the rest) pushes the truth on what you can load in an hour and they don't even claim to be able to produce anywhere near that many rounds in an hour!

The fact that Lee dies do not work in a Dillon press is Dillon's issue, not Lee's. Their dies work in anybody else's press... Dillon WANTS you to pay $60 a set for their dies which are no better than anyone else's bottom rung offering.

Collet dies cannot be used on a progressive press. If you've ever set one up properly, used it and then checked bullet runout (assuming you can prep a case properly) you wouldn't be making the statements you are. Do they compare with a set of Redding "competition dies " at $170? no, but neither does anyone else's $25 set of dies.. They'll damn sure build ammo every bit as good as anything witin twice the price.

I've shot groups in the teens with ammo that was loaded with a Lee handloader! Proves little unless I did it anytime I wanted and you sure didn't do that with ammo off a progressive press on any consistent basis.

Otherwise all us benchrest shooters would be using them instead of our itty bitty wilson hand presses...., bushing neck size dies and dead length micrometer seaters... loading one round at a time....

Guess you could teach us a thing or two about precision re-loading and shooting technique!

Have another beer

hkg3k · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2004, 11:28:35 AM »

Yeah the 30yr thing with the 550 would be quite impossible since Dillon has only been producing it since 1985..........less than 20 years. As for the other claims, I view them as being just as valid.