Author Topic: Who makes the best progressive press? (Read 1667 times)

teddy12b · « **on:** January 31, 2007, 05:49:46 AM »

I've been kicking around the idea of getting a progressive press for my handgun ammo since I saw a Lee progressive on Midway for less than $200. I want to know what everyone thinks is the best press to buy if a guy wants to save time making pistol bullets most of the time.

gypsyman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2007, 07:14:12 AM »

I've had a Dillion Model 550 for over 2 years now. Really like it for all my blamo ammo. Without trying to hard, can load 250-300 rds, an hour, had a primer seater pin break on me, called Dillion, and recieved 2 new one's in a matter of a couple days. For the money, Dillion is the way to go.We keep trying peace, it usually doesn't work!! Remember-(12/7/41)-(9/11/01) gypsyman

Awf Hand · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2007, 07:33:31 AM »

I'll second the Dillon 550. I loaded for bullseye league, HP Silhouette, and a variety of high-volume practice rounds.
I'd used the Lee some years before. If money is of utmost importance, these units will work. Something was sticky, hung-up, or just plain fussy every time we used it.

There's a reason that their press costs a lot less then everybody elses.

Wingman26 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2007, 11:15:34 AM »

Dillon owns the progressive market, nobody gave that to them, they earned it! Better product, better service, win-win situation!

I've been reloading on a Dillon 550 since 1985, nothing else even comes close.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2007, 11:18:40 AM »

about anything but a lee!! Me i prefer dillon

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2007, 02:13:46 PM »

I too am on the Dillon bandwagon!

Cheesehead · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2007, 03:28:40 PM »

Dillion 550 works well. Owned one since 91. When they say no BS guaranty they mean it 100%. Tech support is great. Very few problems, usually caused by just being dirty. Thousands and thousands of rounds loaded.

Cheese

homefront · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2007, 04:03:26 PM »

Take a close look at the Hornady LNL. I researched the progressives (including Dillon), read all the arguments and found it to be all that the LNL users say it is. I couldn't be happier.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2007, 04:52:14 PM »

He ask which is best and I said dillion but I believe they all have pros and cons I use alot of Lee stuff with fine results. I really like my square deal b for loading .45ACP to easy and will really crank out the rounds.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2007, 11:40:17 PM »

Bob im a big fan of square deals myself. Ive got 5 of them set up in differnt calibers and find it pretty rare that the 550 gets used anymore. The square deals will just crank out ammo faster!!

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2007, 01:02:50 AM »

For the money Hornady. There are about 1/3 less parts in the Hornady than the 650. Hornady does not use many of the little plastic parts and springs that are in the 650. Hornady has a WAY better powder measure.
Also figure in Hornady's customer service will help you with load data.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2007, 02:44:24 AM »

The Dillon all the way. My wife bought me a Dillon 450 back in the early 80's, when I was shooting PPC. Converted it to a 550 a few years back just to have the replaceable die heads. Can't tell you how many thousands of rounds have gone through it. Never had a problem. Dillon is A1 in my book.

John R. · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2007, 03:03:40 AM »

DILLON, hands down makes the best progressive press on the market. Ask any serious competetive shooter what they use, and they will tell you its a DILLON!!!

GregP42 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2007, 03:14:28 AM »

Dillon, hands down the best, I have had mine since sometime in the early 90's and it has never given me any problems what so ever. The service is first rate, and they ship fast if you do need something from them.

Greg

teddy12b · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2007, 03:58:04 AM »

My only concern with getting a progressive press would be the powder dispenser. I didn't have much luck getting exactly the same amount of powder everytime with the powder dispenser that came with my RCBS rock chucker kit so I have a hard time putting all my trust into a powder dispenser other than my chargemaster combo. How accurate is the Dillon's powder dispenser?

John R. · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2007, 04:18:01 AM »

Within 1/10th of a grain. I have found that if the powder has been sitting for a while that the first charge will be heavy. When I start loading I run a couple of charges through it before start cranking them out.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2007, 05:17:41 AM »

teddy12b ( your concern about powder dispenser )
When I first got my Dillon for my PPC shooting I noticed that my 50yrd. scores improved, so I did a little testing of my Dillon against my old way of loading with my old trusty RCBS Rockchucker. (I'm a very picky reloader.) So I loaded 50 rds. of 38 spl. with each press, with 2.7grs. Bullseye, once fired brass, trimmed & loaded 148 HBWC with a tapper crimp. Loads were fired with my custom PPC gun at 25yrds. off a sandbag rest. (6 shots each group). My regular press loads would be a respectable 1" group. The Dillon loads would all be in a ragged hole. Really not sure why but my thought was the consistent motion from station to station. All my pistol rounds go through the Dillon & my rifles ammo goes through the RCBS.

teddy12b · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2007, 06:30:45 AM »

Hey OLDHandgunner,
One of the reasons I bought the chargemaster was speed things up because I couldn't count on the powder dispenser to be accurate everytime. I'm not going to be using these rounds for competition, but I want to have the confidence that none of those rounds will have a little too much and blow up my guns. What you said about the Dillion being more consistent because it's doing all the handling makes sense. I'm not familiar with the Dillon presses at all, so I don't know how much stuff I'd need to buy just to get it functional. Seems like the only place I could buy a Dillon is off their website. Speaking of their website I did order one of the video tapes that show how to set the press up. That'll be nice to watch before buying one. Aside from dies, what else would I need to buy after I got the press?

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2007, 03:15:36 PM »

teddy12b
Dillon is a great outfit to deal with. They will answer any of your questions by phone. They have serveral presses to choose from. I would call them and let them know what your planning to load & how much loading you will be doing and they will steer you in the right direction. Make sure that you buy their die sets. They are the best out there. GOOD LUCK

Wingman26 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2007, 06:22:32 PM »

Quote from: teddy12b on February 01, 2007, 03:58:04 AM

My only concern with getting a progressive press would be the powder dispenser. I didn't have much luck getting exactly the same amount of powder everytime with the powder dispenser that came with my RCBS rock chucker kit so I have a hard time putting all my trust into a powder dispenser other than my chargemaster combo. How accurate is the Dillon's powder dispenser?

It depends to a certain extent what powder you are using, with ball or flake powders it is exceptionally accurate, and althogh it will handle extruded powder I'm not as enthusiastic about that, extruded powders can bridge and not dispense correctly, and on a progressive loader you definitely don't want that to happen.

williamlayton · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2007, 10:20:11 PM »

I voted for Dillon and I don't load on a progressive but on a LNL.
I see a good quality in them though.
Blessings

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2007, 11:03:22 PM »

no powder measure will work consistantly on a progressive using anything but ball powders. At least not if your looking for .1 variations

Jay HHI6818 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2007, 05:07:05 PM »

I bought a 450 probably 15 years ago and upgraded it to a 550 and have loaded a semi trailer load of ammo with it. I shoot IHMSA and have 500 rounds for each gun and I load all of my silhouette ammo with it, 22 Hornet, 6TCU, 6.5BR,7BR, and 44 Mag. Great press and great no BS warranty. Here's a picture of my tool head stand that I made two years ago and you can see that I load several other calibers with the 550.

Waldog · « **Reply #23 on:** February 05, 2007, 05:23:11 PM »

Read my reply on the "Need thoughts on a progressive Lee Pro 1000 Loader for 45 ACP" thread on this forum. I'll say up front, Dillon makes a great press and their owners a very loyal. Don't exclude the Hornady LNL. It's also a great press and their owners are just as loyal. Me included. Check out this thread: http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,110239.0.html

smalstuf · « **Reply #24 on:** February 06, 2007, 02:37:06 PM »

If you want to solve the powder dispensing problims on any progresive press just install a JDS Quick Measure on it. Accurate to .1 grains with long stick powders. Their bridge breaker will compleately eliminate powder bridging. This will allow you to dump 4350 into 220 swift cases with no bridging. Absolutely the only way to go. Check it out at www.quick-measure.com

the_shadow · « **Reply #25 on:** April 05, 2007, 09:31:54 PM »

I'll half to say Dillon. Loaded for a lot of years on a single stage, the semi progressive P.W. Never tried to break any speed records, but averaged 150 / 200 per hour. Quality ammoi and fun to work with. Haven't tried any but 45 ACP so far, with the Dillon 550-B and have had no rejects. In any case I vote Dillon.
James

Hook686 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 09, 2007, 08:58:22 AM »

No matter who one thinks makes the "Best" of anything, even a progrssive reloading press, I think it is very hard to beat the $129 price tag the Lee Pro 1000 kit can be had for.

Poll

Who makes the best progressive press to be used mostly for pistol ammo?

Author Topic: Who makes the best progressive press? (Read 1667 times)