progressive press questions

[nofun1]

I am considering stepping up from my Rock Chucker I have some questions. I am obsessive about prepping brass, I spend 3-4 times as long prepping brass as I do loading it. I load every round as if I was using it in a bench rest match. and I weigh every single powder charge. Would I really benefit from a progressive? If so a 550 or a 650 Dillon? can they, or the "Lock and load" load Hornet and fireball brass? I am a varmint hunter and need lots of small caliber rounds. I shoot Hornet, K-hornet 19calhoon, Fireball, 204, 222. I am also worried about accurate powder measuring. Any tips or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. 

[Waldog]

 A progressive loader will certainly increase your production.  You will find Dillon owners passionate about their loaders, and they are GOOD presses.  You will also find Hornady LNL owners that are equally passionate.  Do a search of "Dillon verses Hornaday" and you will find a ton of discussion.  Keep in mind that the Dillon had been on the market a long time and has a strong following.  The LNL is newer design and offers better features for less money than the Dillon.  I am EXTREMELY happy with my LNL.

I don't know how .22 Hornet cases will work.  It's a delicate case that is easily damage during loading.  Both the Dillon and LNL will load any case that you can get dies for, except a 50 BMG of course.

[Lead pot]

nofun, how long have you been loading??

Kurt

[Zcarp2]

Would you benefit?  Maybe.  You will probably continue to weigh each powder charge.  Can you combine 2 pulls of the reloader handle?  For example, seating the bullet and crimping (if you crimp).  Otherwise, you will have a multi-hole single stage press.

You can get either the 550 or the 650 with the "Dillon AT500" powder funnel where you dump the weighed powder charge into a case.  

I use the Dillon powder measure for ball powders.  Does not do well with extruded powder.  Have some friends that will mount a Harrels measure and throw charges for their cases.

Do you shoot cast?  I will use my 550 for 1) case sizing and depriming followed by 2) belling the mouth for cast bullet seating.  Then tumble the cases to remove the case lube.  The second trip in the press gets (station 1) primed - use the universal decapper to clear the primer hole from any stray tumbling media, (station 2) powder charge using the supplied powder measure, (station 3) seat bullet and (station 4) crimped.  The Dillon dies sets with separate seater and crimper help here.  Otherwise, you get to mix and match.  For example, a 303 Herters bullet seater followed by the standard 303 seater die to 'crimp' the belling out of the case.  Two standard seaters will also work - just pull the bullet seater out of the second one.

Short answer - probably no savings if you do not change your loading habits.  Good luck with whatever you decide!

[warf73]

Sounds to me you need a Turret press not a progressive press.

Warf

[smalstuf]

I have two Dillon 550Bs and use a JDS Quick Measure on both. This measure solved all of the powder issure. Eliminates powder bridging even with stick powders like 4831. This measure is also very accurate. Check it out at www.quick-measure.com

[Hairtrigger]

I use a Hornady Progressive press.
In some cases I use a lube die and the sizing die then trim the brass and clean the primer pocket.
After prepping the brass I then use my press to prime, dump the powder and seat the bullets.
depending on caliber 3 out of 4 times I just load normally.

[cbourbeau32]

I know sometimes they get a bad rap but I really like my Lee turret press. It's really fast moving from process to process. Charlie