Author Topic: Progressive press (Read 1038 times)

neon frizzen · « **on:** February 12, 2006, 06:59:25 AM »

I should have probably asked this in the reloading section,but I would bet a lot of folks that frequent this forum load your own.
I mostly load only 45 apc anymore, the problem is with my old rcbs press loading is so time consuming I find myself buying new ammo more than reloading .
I was thinking about getting a lee pro 1000 progressive press. Midway has them for about 125.00. I have been loading in three stages with my rcbs. This one supposedly primes chages and seats the bullet with 1 pull of the handle (once set up).
It looks like if this works without jamming very often, for 125 bucks you can't go wrong.
I was just curious if anyone had any opinions on these. TIA Fred

Savage · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2006, 08:26:36 AM »

I have one setup in .45acp. It works great! The only problem is it only has three die stations. I like the Loadmaster for $100 more. It has five die stations and is much heavier built. I like to use a post size or FCD in the press for the final operation.
Savage

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2006, 08:36:03 AM »

ill be the first one to say it. BUY A DILLON!

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2006, 10:06:49 AM »

I have had my Dillon 550 for almost 20 years and still use it when I going to load up a lot of ammo. For speality stuff I still use an old Rock Chucker, but that's just me. Mikey.

neon frizzen · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2006, 11:20:11 AM »

Thanks guys. I just dis a search on dillon 550
They boast you can load 5 to 600 rounds in an hour. Is this realy true :eek: With my current setup I'm lucky to get 30 per hour.
Thats the kind of speed I need if I'm gonna save money in the long run.
Fred

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2006, 12:45:19 PM »

There fast but i wouldnt count on making the speed they claim after all they will tell you the 550 is faster then a square deal and there aint no way!! There both good presses though I own them both and love em.

Questor · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2006, 01:40:09 PM »

You're on the right track. A progressive will solve your problem, as it did mine. I was spending too much time reloading.

However, after nearly having been killed by a bad powder charge from a Lee press, my recommendation is that you get equipment that is not dangerous junk: Buy a Dillon 550.

williamlayton · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2006, 01:42:39 PM »

You want to LOAD and the experience is not the thing then by all means a Dillon.
There is no question. Your criteria provides the answer and no other machine will provide the results.
I have a friend in the same boat and he just reloads to shoot, with a Dillon, of course.
Blessings

Savage · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2006, 09:48:56 PM »

If you go with the Dillon, be sure and spend the extra money and get the 650! The 550 is a good solid press, but without automatic indexing, it's just a fancy turret press. I have heard of more double charges and squibs loaded on the 550 than any other press because of this. I don't know how a double charge could be unintentionally loaded with a Lee Progressive as the auto indexing feature would make it extremely difficult at best. The same is true for the Dillon 650 and Square Deal as well. My only problem with Dillon is the price. By the time you buy the base press and then all the options you need to even make it work, you've doubled the base price. It's your money---------- :roll:
Savage

lashlaruhe · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2006, 04:14:33 AM »

I have a Dillon Square Deal B that I got for Christmas 1990 and its been great to load for handguns. As long as you make a full stroke on the handle it is fool proof for a double charge. I am slow and can do 100 rounds in 30 minutes. Dillon has the very best customer support for their products.
I use a RCBS A-2 (new 1968) press for rifle and the Dillon for pistol

neon frizzen · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2006, 01:52:53 AM »

Thanks for all the responses.
I think I'm gonna go with the loadmaster. I just load for target shooting, and not that often. (although I probably will more with a better press)
For no more than I will probably use it a dillon is more than I want to spend. Thanks again Fred

Cheesehead · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2006, 03:10:42 PM »

I love my 550 dillion. It works great for 45 acp, and you really can change calibers in 2 minutes. Customer support is the best. Worth the extra money. You get what you pay for and more. I have loaded as many as 400 rounds in one hour. The catalogs are very interesting.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2006, 08:12:16 AM »

With ANY progressive press you need to make ABSOLUTEL SURE that your methodology precludes the possibility of a double charge. Its REALLY easy to do with my 550B and in fact I may have done so while loading some 45 ACP rounds. Caviot umpire, or something like that!

neon frizzen · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2006, 08:46:04 AM »

I already got my loadmaster :grin: It took me quite a while to get it setup where it works right. The instructions leave a lot to be desired, BUT now that I have it set up WOW. I don't yet know how many I could load in an hour but it's a bunch.
I realy don't see how I could double charge a load on a 45 apc,you set the bullet in the case at the front of the press. With ample light you can easily see how much powder is in the case. I guess it could happen with a bottle neck.
You can't get carried away yanking the handle up and down or you jar powder out of the case.
All and all I'm realy happy with it. I can't wait to store up a whole pile of empty cases and see just how fast I can make this thing work Fred

Savage · « **Reply #14 on:** February 19, 2006, 10:25:19 AM »

Neon,
Be sure to stroke the operating handle consistantly and all the way to the upper and lower stops. That's the key to the progressive press. It would be extremely difficult to double charge with the Loadmaster. A complete cycle of the handle would be required to reset the powder measure-------which would index the turret. I have been unable to intentionally double charge a case using this press. Still, nothing wrong with visually checking the cases as they come around.
Savage

357mag · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2006, 09:10:18 AM »

I personally am a fan of the Hornady Lock-n-Load. I've never had a problem with it and it is a little cheaper than the Dillon 550. But it is more comparable to the 650. Dillon has such a huge following because they were they main progressive maker for so long that any of the newer stuff gets overlooked a lot.