Best Progressive Press and why...

[BajaJames83]

So I am looking at getting another new or used progressive press.
my question is, which one is the best one for the price.
i know its a vague question, but I am looking for one that is easy to use, assemble, maintain. And one that will use lee dies because i already have all the dies i need.
best value for the money.

i currently have a lee loadmaster, but its requires alot of work to keep running. i got it really cheap and I plan on keeping it just want to look at some upgrade options...

[damndave]

When you say best for the price....what is the price? What will you be reloading? Will you be getting a case feeder or bullet feeder?

[XDRoX]

We need more info.

[BajaJames83]

ok it it will be for 9mm, 38/357, 45acp, 223, 308, 30-06 and 300 win mag.
i would like to be under the 500 range, and used is the way i will prob go unless i can get a good one real cheap.
with case feeder is a plus as well as a bullet feeder.

[BajaJames83]

i was thinking maybe dillon 550b are theses easy to set up and maintain?

[Dark Mod]

For $379 its hard to beat the LNL, of course if money wasnt a problem id get a dillon

[BajaJames83]

For $379 its hard to beat the LNL, of course if money wasnt a problem id get a dillon

are these easy to set up and maintain?

[Waldog]

Another vote for LNL. I prefer it over Dillon and I have used both. Both operate differently. You would be best served by evaluating the operation of Dillon and the LNL and see what suits you best.

Go here: http://ultimatereloader.com/

You can see the operation of the LNL and Dillon 650. It should be helpful in you decision. Good Luck!

[foxtrotuniformlima]

For the calibers listed, Dillon 550b.

It makes fabulously accurate ammo.

Hands down the best warranty in the business. Heck, any business for that matter.

Very easy to troubleshoot.

[XDRoX]

Because of you price range, the 550b or the LNL would be your best bets. The problem is Dillons don't really depreciate that much, you're almost better just buying new.

A few will argue, but more will agree that the 550b is just not designed to handle a case feeder reliably. The most beautiful thing about the 550b is its simplicity. It's kind of like a Glock. Simple and it works.

If a case feeder is really what you want then go for the LNL or Dillon 650.

[Sunwolf]

LNL and Dillon,I have both,go Dillon.

[vonderplatz]

I just bought a used Dillion 550B on the cheap, but if I were buying new I would have bought the Hornaby LNL AP. I just think it's the best deal when you add everything together. Notice I said best deal not best progressive.

[Linkpimp]

Here’s my standard replay to these types of threads.. Enjoy..

Choosing your press.
So how do you choose? Well, there is no easy answer to that one my friend, but I will say the LCT is a great first press. It’s inexpensive and easy to learn. It makes some acceptable tradeoffs in the name of price. The Dillon 550 is simple for a “progressive” (one pull of handle gives you one cartridge). It’s probably the easiest to setup and use for the newbie reloader. It does everything it tries to do well but does not try to do everything. Simplicity and reliability are its strengths. LnL is a tough press to classify. It’s cheaper than the 550. It’s on par with the 650 in some ways and some will argue its better than the 650 in others.

Once you set it up as a real 5 station press it’s a smoking good deal for the money. But people have had issues with that PTX die so be aware it may not function as well as a 5 Station Press. It too has a lifetime warranty. Many people (including myself) are loyal to Dillon and continue to pay a premium for Dillon products. More USPSA shooters use Dillon Presses by a HUGE margin but Hornady is gaining ground. These are tough calls. Wise people have said “A press is a lifetime investment” so therefore cost should not a factor when obtaining your press.


Press Design
Let us briefly talk about what a “station” is on a press. You will hear me and others talk about “It’s a 3,4,5 station press”. BUT - First let’s review the basics of the press and what functions it performs.

1) Resizes and de-primes the case
2) Primes case
3) Flares the neck to allow easy bullet insertion
4) Inserts powder in case
5) Seats the bullet
6) Crimps the Bullet (removes flare and adds the required pressure against the bullet) is a better way to think about it).

Most 4 station presses operate in the same way. 5 station presses can be configured a variety of ways. The primary reason for a 5 station press is a Powder Check Die to insure every case has powder. It’s still important to look in every case even with the powder check die. Here is the standard process of a 4 station press:

Station 1, Resize/de-prime case on the down stroke, prime case at the end of the upstroke
Station 2. Flare the case and insert powder
Station 3. Seat bullet
Station 4. Crimp/Remove flare

Some 5 station press will give you an extra station after the flaring/powder drop for a powder check die. The LnL does not come configured like this from the start but it’s easy to set it up to work as a traditional 5 station press. For the record the Lee Load Master does not have room for a powder check die if you seat and crimp in separate stations.

All right now the fun part. Let’s talk about presses. I am only going to list the presses that most owners have expressed good results. I’m so sorry, if your favorite press is not listed but that’s the breaks big guy (suck it up! ). This thread is meant to help the newbie get into reloading without a lot of hassle. I’m trying to be objective here but at the same time list the differences and issues so they / you can make a wise choice.


Single Stage Presses.
Nearly everyone makes a good single stage. Hornady, Lyman, RCBs, Lee and Redding all have kits assembled with all the stuff you need to start reloading (reloading blocks, scales, etc). The only major draw back when using a single stage press is its slow.. But it’s a GREAT!!! way to start out in reloading. If you are going to reload on a single stage I would strongly recommend you get the Lyman Reloading Manual. Read it and then choose your kit based on your needs. Low volume rifle shooters should really consider the single stage as their first press.


Lee Classic Turret. (LCT)

https://www.leeprecision.com

It’s considered an “auto indexing turret” press. You have to pull the handle 4 times to get one completed round. Lee is the only maker who does this type of press. It’s a lot faster then a normal turret and cheaper on top of it all. You can expect to load about 200rds an hour once you get in the groove. You can get a nice LCT kit from Home - Kempf Gun Shop. Be aware that others sell a kit but the kit includes the dreaded Lee Scale. Avoid them. Kempf’s kit includes:

• Lee Classic Turret Press
• Lee Deluxe 4-Die Set for the pistol caliber of your choice. (3 Die set in 380)
• Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure
• Lee Safety Prime System (Large or Small)
• Lee Auto Disk Riser (Required for the Safety Prime System)
• Six MTM 50 round Plastic Ammo Boxes

I would recommend you upgrade the kit to the Pro Auto Disc Powder Measure. Not only does it give you the better powder measure but you also get the Large and Small primer setup. It’s worth it for the powder measure alone. With this kit you do not need a primer turning tray. The Auto Disc powder measure does not have the ability to adjust powder to very small increments like most measures. You simply change “discs” with different size holes to get the charge you want. This gets you pretty close and it works fine. You can add an adjustable charge bar but it does not work well with small charges and some powders. People say it works better with larger volume charges. Lee even warns you about this on their instructions. The priming system is workable. Some people have had to add a washer under the primer mounting location to get it 100% dialed in. Most people don’t have any trouble doing this slight mod. The LCT is a great, low cost, relatively quick entry into reloading. Once you get it dialed in it’s amazing how much ammo it can make. Caliber changes are so easy it’s unbelievable. You can also easily disable the auto-indexing and convert it to a single stage press. It’s brilliant in its simplicity and function.

[Linkpimp]

Dillon
http://www.dillonprecision.com/ = Square Deal B/550/650

For a great overview of Dillon Reloading Press Review

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html#550

Square Deal B (SDB) only loads pistol. It is an auto indexing 4 station press. It uses special non-upgradeable Dillon dies. It comes with Dies and is preset from the factory ready to go. Just add Powder, Primers and components. It’s a good press. If you will never want to load rifle then you should consider it. Caliber Conversion Cost more then the 550 so be aware and price it out as you will eventually want it set up to get a real price comparison. The tool-head/shell-plate is smaller so it’s a little harder to manipulate. You can not use any other dies so if you need a different sizing die (for instance) you are out of luck.


Dillon 550. The 550 is a 4 station manually indexing press. It is sold with out dies but with the proper caliber conversion for one caliber which includes the shell-plate, locator buttons and powder funnel. It also comes with the Powder Die for the Powder Measure. All you do is add dies of your choice for your caliber. I highly recommend you order from BrianEnos.com. He will make sure you get the right stuff when you order. Dillon sells a lot of upgrades for the 550/650. Avoid them to start with, Christmas is always less then a year away and you can treat yourself later. I am also going to suggest only getting one caliber to start with even if you have multiple calibers to load. Just buy it for your most common caliber. Learn and then get the other parts later. The back of the manual has all the info about caliber conversions. You can also learn about caliber conversion on Brian Enos’s excellent website. Go read and learn. When you need to change calibers you will need a combination of these parts; shellplate, locator buttons and powder funnel. You will also want a new toolhead and powder die. All you do is swap your Powder measure over from one toolhead to the next. If you are going to load sitting you do not want the Strong Mount. Standing you will want it depending on the bench height. I would get the Strong Mount for standing, but it’s personal preference (same goes for the 650 and the strong mount). The 550’s strengths are its simplicity, reliability and reasonable speed (about 400rds a hour). For a Dillon the caliber conversions are reasonably priced. Because it doesn’t auto-index it’s easier to clear problems and do caliber conversions. Like the 650 it comes with a low primer sensor and has a ton of options. Dillon’s No BS warranty is one of the best. Some people don’t like that it does not auto-index. You need to be sure to index the press every time you pull the handle. It’s a little slower as a result. You index the press while your right hand is grabbing a new case so it’s not really that big a deal. You also may want to seat the bullet in station #2. Then you simply can not double charge the case if you always seat the bullet right after looking in the case because the bullet is in the way. All the Dillons have a excellent Fail-Safe System to help prevent short stroking and double charges as a result of short stroking the press.

Dillon 650. This is a 5 station auto-indexing press. Because it’s a 5 station press it has room for a Powder Check Die. Besides that it’s a typical Dillon. It’s sold just like the 550 with out dies but with the caliber conversion parts you need for your chosen caliber. Caliber conversion take a little more time and are more expensive than the 550. If you shoot a lot you won’t care because you will buy a casefeeder and really crank out the ammo. Strength are it’s 5 stations, auto-indexing for added speed. Caliber conversion costs more and takes more time to accomplish than a 550.

Options I would probably buy with any Dillon from the start are:
1) Toolholder/Wrench Set $26. Has a set of Ball Head Allen Wrenchs and a Bench Wrench.
2) Dillon Lock rings if you use the Lee dies (550/650 only)
3) Spare Parts kit. This avoids any downtime if you break anything.
That’s it. I know there are a lot more but start simple and cheap (at least for a Dillon). For instance I used to think having a bunch of primer tubes was important. Now I like the change in pace that I get from loading 100rds, taking a break to load a primer tube and loading another 100rds, repeat. So I don’t use my extra primer tubes any longer. Spare parts kit avoids any downtime. Dillon will replace the parts that wear out.
Recommended Setup:
550/650, comes with proper powder die, buttons, powder funnel. Add either Dillon Dies or the Lee 3 or 4 dieset (if you use the three die set get the crimp die as well), Scale, Dial Calipers, Tumbler. Add the Dillon 1 inch lock rings if you use the Lee Dies. Spare parts kit, Toolholder.


Hornady Lock N Load (LnL)

http://www.hornady.com/

http://www.powderfunnels.com/ I have heard good things about this PTX option.

[Nessal]

I got the LNL and later on added the case feeder. It's a great progressive but just make sure to keep the primer track clean.