which press should i get

[Mstrty]

dillion all the way

[wellfedirishman]

Lee Classic Turret for starters

I have a Lee Classic Turret, and it is an excellent press, inexpensive and 100% reliable.

I use it for rifle (many calibers) and some pistol (45) and it works great.

Lee's customer service is great too, I speak from personal experience.

I also have a Dillon Square Deal progressive (nice and fast press, but dies are very expensive for it), and a Hornady Lock and Load progressive (great press also, very solid).

Of the three, I would recommend the Lee Classic Turret as the beginner's press, especially if you are shooting less than 500 rounds a month.

All of the above are quality presses, made in the USA. You will be happy with any of them. Some people have strong loyalties to particular brands. I don't. I just use what gives best quality and reliability for your $.

For that, Lee wins, IMO.

Use a loading manual and a quality digital scale, and be safe.

[GW]

I have the Lee turret and the 650 Both have their merits but for a beginning reloader I recommend the non-progressive Lee turret as well. I had nothing but bad experiences with Lee progressives. Stay away!
With the basic turret press, your initial investment is lower and your hands on experience with each step will provide you with deeper understanding of the reloading process.
You can reload about 100 rounds per hour on the Lee and switching calibers is easy (Just have extra turrets!)
I picked up another Lee turret press last year for 75 bucks off e-bay so they are out there for less money than you might expect.

Once you really decide you like reloading and want to get into it big time, get the 650. Anything else is second best.

re kabooms You must always be paying attention to every step of the reloading process, particularly powder charging. If you can't or won't give it your undivided attention then you should not reload. YOU are responsible for the safe production of ammo, regardless of the design of your reloading press.

Good luck and enjoy your new hobby

[jwest]

RELOADING IS VERY DANGEROUS!

Its not a hobby!

That word of caution being said I would buy the Dillon 650. Then take some lessons from some one with great knowledge of your press!!!!!!!!!

Why the 650 you ask?

Auto-indexes and wont allow you to put two charges in one case.
The dillon 550 and other brands are self indexing and dangerous. DONT USE THEM! You only have to make a mistake once.
Powder charge bar lock. You cannot half cock the handle and double charge the case.
Powder alarm for low/high powder charge. Very important.
Fast
Lifetime NO BS warranty, if it breaks they replace or repair. I knocked my workbench over and broke my press and they replaced it.
Did I mention fast?
Many accessories.
Tech support that is very very helpful!

Now here is why I tell you its not a hobby. After over 20 years of reloading with a dillon 550 (unsafe IMO) I managed to double charge a 45 acp round with a very light load. Had it been a hot load I would have lost some fingers or hands. A good reason to shoot a steel frame gun huh?

Even though a Green Beret taught me initially how to shoot and reload (well, I was just his gopher back then) - I have a Dillon Precision RL 550B and it is not dangerous.
Crossing the street in front of my house is dangerous.

Dillon technical support is top-notch. You'd have to work hard, really hard, to be better at tech. support. They have some real winners there.