progressive presses?

[AFobia]

So ive been reloading for some time on a single stage rcbs press. Arduous to say the least. Im looking for a quality progressive press, either manual or auto indexing is inconsequential to me. Ive been looking at rcbs presses but they seem to get mixed reviews. Plugging the cal community for insights, who has one, what do you recommend, pros cons ect.

[10fcp]

Hornady LNL. Havn't used any others but I love my LNL. Get the case feeder and press as a kit at cabelas, cheaper to buy them together and shipping is real cheap.

[XDRoX]

Ocean Bob is wise, check my Sig

[Fyathyrio]

Easiest way to decide might be to visit a couple friendly calgunners and get your hands on the various choices, or maybe there's a shop with them set up nearby.

I also happen to have the Hornady LnL and have had a trouble free experience with it. I chose it because it's cheaper then a Dillon 650, has cheaper and easier caliber changes, 5 die stations for more versatility, and excellent customer service.

[Bill Steele]

I have not read any negative reviews on the RCBS progressive press options. They have a unique primer feed setup which I think might be great, if it works as advertised. I have always been really satisfied with RCBS equipment, I have a single stage that is 40 years old and works like day one.

I bought a Dillon 550, mainly because of its simplicity and overbuilt nature. It has been trouble free, something I think is pretty important as a few glitches on a progressive press can erase any possible output advantage the more complex machines may offer when things go wrong.

I honestly doubt you can go wrong with either a Dillon or the Hornaday LnL and perhaps RCBS. I have had good luck with the Lee equipment I have bought, but probably would steer clear of their progressive options unless you are particularly handy.

[AFobia]

Thanks All,

[HKMadness]

When it comes to presses, dillon is top of the line.

Lee is probably about the cheapest you can go. I bought a pro 1000 for .45 and after a few hours of priming issues, got it running smooth as butter. I then bought a pro 1000 for 9mm refurbed by lee and I didn't even have to make any adjustments (except to the dies). I have yet to have any more issues with them and have loaded about 2000 rounds of .45 and 1000 of 9mm.

You can't compare lee to dillon, just like you can't compare a ford to a BMW. I know lee isn't the best, but my presses get the job done well and I crank out 100 rds in about 10 minutes at a leisurely pace. At a future point in time, when I have all the guns I want, then I will upgrade to dillons. Until then, cherry kool aid for me

I paid $139 plus $20 shipping for them btw.

[Dark Mod]

I was in your shoes a while ago and did a ton of research, after months of looking into the different presses i went with a LNL

as far as bang for your buck goes its hard to beat;

$379 + free shipping + 500 free bullets

Caliber conversions cost only $35

Auto indexing, 5 stations, capability to accept a case feeder/bullet feeder, uses standard dies and can do rifle and pistol

Really it can do pretty much anything a 650 can do but for much less, especially when you include the cost of caliber conversions

Customer service is top notch

There are a few horror stories out there, i cant relate to them since my experience with the press has been flawless. It might be a little finicky until you get it set up right. Im not going to try to make the argument that its better than a Dillon, but i think they are neck and neck and the LNL wins the price war hands down

[Cowboy T]

When it comes to presses, dillon is top of the line.

Lee is probably about the cheapest you can go. I bought a pro 1000 for .45 and after a few hours of priming issues, got it running smooth as butter. I then bought a pro 1000 for 9mm refurbed by lee and I didn't even have to make any adjustments (except to the dies). I have yet to have any more issues with them and have loaded about 2000 rounds of .45 and 1000 of 9mm.

You can't compare lee to dillon, just like you can't compare a ford to a BMW. I know lee isn't the best, but my presses get the job done well and I crank out 100 rds in about 10 minutes at a leisurely pace. At a future point in time, when I have all the guns I want, then I will upgrade to dillons. Until then, cherry kool aid for me

I paid $139 plus $20 shipping for them btw.

Yep, this. BMW's are great, but so are Honda Accords. Different categories, different markets.

I have two Pro 1000's. One of them, the .38/357 one, is well on its way to 30,000 rounds. Still runs great. The other one is at about 6,500 rounds, and it's that low only because I haven't shot a lot of .45 Colt or .44 Special in a while (that will change soon).

Here's what one can do with a Pro 1000. The first video clip shows you the ammo and the equipment I used to do it. The second one shows actually making that ammo. Note that this is a real-world measurement over 57 minutes. These videos play directly inside of either Firefox or Opera.

http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com/videos/TheValueOfProgressivePresses.ogg

http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com/videos/TheValueOfProgressivePresses-MakingTheAmmo.ogg

- T

[Divernhunter]

Dillon. Then Hornady would be my next choice. Lee did not come into the picture for me. I have been reloading for many years and wanted something trouble free and that would last basicly forever. I also like the Dillon no-BS warr just as I have had with RCBS/Hornady but not with the lee stuf I or my buddy have purchased. You do not have to use Dillon dies in a Dillon press.

My buddy has a RCBS progressive and told me not to get it. He has even had to send his in more than once to get it working. He no longer changes cartridges in it. He just got a 2nd progressive for another cartridge.

If you would like to come and try out mine you are welcome to do so. I have it set up for 9mmLuger and 45ACP now. I also have 3 single stage presses.

[mnguyen84]

lee has improved their primer feed. it still cheap, and needs a little bit of lubing before it will work flawlessly. i have the loadmaster, and it leaks Ram Shot powder. if i could go back in time, I would probably fork out the extra cash for the Hornady LnL.

[HKMadness]

Haha. I've seen some of your videos before I knew you were a calgunner. No longer in ca?

I look forward to hitting that kind of round count on my presses. Did u just have to replace some of those plastic parts?

@ mng - I prefer the priming trough just clean, no lube. I rub it with a q tip. Works great.