Looking to go Progressive

[hundy]

I have been using single stage presses for approx. 20 years. I currently have 2 RCBS presses mounted side by side on my bench.
Pretty much all of my reloading equipment is RCBS.
I have been entertaining the idea of going to a Progressive press.
I have been reading about the RCBS Prochucker 5.
I was just looking for feedback from anyone who has the Prochucker 5, or any type of progressive press.
Also if you use the Prochucker 5, how does the primer system work, that is one part I have a hard time finding material or feedback on.

Thank you

Jay Strine

[rcslotcar]

Bought my first RCBS press in 1973. A year ago I drank the blue kool aid and bought a Dillon xl 650. I can't think of a better press for my needs. It is a little expensive to have die set up's for each caliber but is awesome to see ammo crank out so fast. I still use my single stage for some high power rifle
loads that I hand measure each charge.

[stilly]

I have been using single stage presses for approx. 20 years. I currently have 2 RCBS presses mounted side by side on my bench.
Pretty much all of my reloading equipment is RCBS.
I have been entertaining the idea of going to a Progressive press.
I have been reading about the RCBS Prochucker 5.
I was just looking for feedback from anyone who has the Prochucker 5, or any type of progressive press.
Also if you use the Prochucker 5, how does the primer system work, that is one part I have a hard time finding material or feedback on.

Thank you

Jay Strine

I use a Loadmaster.

It is simple and it works, but it is not bulletproof. SO translated, when it has issues and failed to index, if you do not know how to adjust or fix, then you are left screwing that flipper all over the rod...

If you do not have that center piece down SNUG (not tight!) then it was failing to index as well and that drove me nuts because I watched a guy on youtube that said you did not need that center piece and he ran his without it just to show his point, but mine did NOT behave like that. SO... Yeah, I was not a happy camper about that portion. The PC5 and 7 are still very new. Someone got one here but I do not recall that they lived past opening the box up. SO, who knows. I was looking at getting a PC7 because I like having my dies spread out and I wanted a case feeder and a bullet feeder... :\

[Jmoreno88]

Hornady lnl set up is what i use, works great. I think you will find pros and cons to any manufacturer whether it is dillon, hornady, rcbs etc.. Just pick what suits you, can't go wrong

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Cowboy T]

All the major reloading companies make good gear that will produce fine ammo. All the progressive presses have their various quirks that you've got to learn.

For handgun rounds, the vast majority of what I do, I use two Lee Pro 1000's, one for small primer cartridges, the other for large primer ones. The trick to the Pro 1000 is keeping that primer feed system clean; do that, and it'll work perfectly. I generally clean mine every 4,000 rounds or so; takes maybe half an hour. I have videos showing how this is done (see my sig).

The Loadmaster is fundamentally a good press, with one major fault. I find that the primer feed system is kind of weak. Stilly has had better results than I've had, though, so his input on this point would be welcome here.

For rifle rounds, unless you're just going for quick 'n' dirty blasting ammo, I'd stick with your RCBS single stage. Ain't nothin' wrong with those. For large quantities (i. e. blasting ammo) of, say, .223 or 7.62x39, though, a Pro 1000 would be good for those as well.

If you do decide you want to consider a Dillon press, I learned on an RL-550B and can attest that it, too, is a good and solid press.

With any of them, expect a real-world output of between 300 and 400 rounds per hour. I'm not talking about 5 or 10 minute measurements which get multiplied by 12 or 6, respectively. I'm talking about a real measurement, i. e. the entire 60 minutes.

[9mmepiphany]

I think the first thing you need to decide is how many stations you want on your progressive press...3, 4, 5, or 7

The next thing to consider is how many calibers you plan to reload on your progressive press and how much it cost to change between calibers.

Then how much you are willing to tweak the press to make it function correctly...initially vs. on-going.

There is a lot to be said for having multiple presses, set up for multiple calibers, which you never have to fuss with. Pretty affordable with a couple of Lee Loadmasters, a bit less with Dillon 650s...yes, I know folks who have done both.

If you just want a set and forget machine, the obvious answer would be a Dillon 1050

[Dave626]

I have been reading about the RCBS Prochucker 5.
I was just looking for feedback from anyone who has the Prochucker 5, or any type of progressive press.
Also if you use the Prochucker 5, how does the primer system work, that is one part I have a hard time finding material or feedback on.

Thank you

Jay Strine

Here u go

https://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=6&f=42&t=446378&page=1

[hundy]

thank you

Thank you for all the replies. One thing I failed to mention, but was pointed out on replies. I do plan to keep the single stage press for loading my rifle rounds.
I would like to possibly go progressive for all my pistol rounds. I purely reload those for the range. I may also use to load bulk .223 55grain for the range.

I did request a catalog form Dillion. I want to review every option.
Thanks again for the feedback

Jay

[stilly]

Thank you for all the replies. One thing I failed to mention, but was pointed out on replies. I do plan to keep the single stage press for loading my rifle rounds.
I would like to possibly go progressive for all my pistol rounds. I purely reload those for the range. I may also use to load bulk .223 55grain for the range.

I did request a catalog form Dillion. I want to review every option.
Thanks again for the feedback

Jay

One day, you should take the 10 W to the 57 S and exit Katella, go LEFT and when you get to Honda stadium, make a RIGHT right there under the freeway, then in those buildings look for 1739 or something like that and stop in at RELOADOC and talk to Brian. If you are a good chap he might let you finger his 650 that he has setup so that you can see what you are possibly looking at.

I think priming on ALL presses is weak, but I liked the idea of what I saw with the 650 and the wheel that allows you to see the primers. Once you set your primer depth, you forget it and it should remain constant.

I liked my Loadmaster, but it pushes the primer out onto a pin that raises it and if it is not lined up properly with the priming hole,- OOPS... You get a halfie or smiley...

[hundy]

Thanks

I may do that. Thank you. I am going to be gone until the 30th. So I will probably head out there beginning of next month.

Thanks for the information

Jay

[hundy]

Went to see Brian on Monday. Can not say enough good things about him. Very helpful, spoke with me for about 2 hours. I am happy to say I am purchasing a Dillon 650 from him next week.
Great store, I plan on going there now for all my reloading needs.

Thanks

Jay