Upgrading to a progressive?

[Cowboy T]

I wonder when Lee is going to come up with a 550 style shellplate for the LCT. That way you have 4 cases at work at the same time, and every pull of the lever gives you a completed round. You provide the energy to turn the shellplate and insert the case and a bullet, which hasn't stopped hundreds of people from buying 550's.

You're thinking of a sort of four-station "Classic Pro 1000", which I agree, Lee ought to make. The auto-index rod could simply be removed, like on existing Pro 1000's, to make it manual-index like Dillon's 550. I think the reason John Lee won't make this "Classic Pro 1000" is because the man who designed the Loadmaster is his Dad, Richard Lee, who is still very much alive. Might end up kinda like when Bill Ruger, Jr. stepped down. You started seeing a lot of innovative products come out of Sturm, Ruger & Co. shortly thereafter.

[the86d]

I went with a Dillon XL 650 with all the bells and whistles... (it took 3 purchases for me to get my current setup) However, if you can afford it, you will see why so many rave about it. I am new to reloading, and have never used a non-progressive, but let me tell you it IS worth the money if you have it. I am glad I opted for this beast.

Place bullet, Crank handle, repeat... once you have the dies set correctly. I later got a separate tool-head for a second caliber, and change over from 9mm to .223, (or back) is like 5 minutes MAX as all the dies are pre-set from the last reloading session for that caliber.

I am VERY happy with the XL 650!

[dbbspider]

I just upgraded last week from the Lee Classic turret. I read and researched a lot the Dillon presses, and then I went with a Hornady LNL AP.

The reason was simple: more features than a 550B for less money. Good quality US made and lifetime warranty.

It's got five stations, so I can use a dedicated crimp die and a powder check die, plus auto indexing. I use some of my Lee dies, including the Lee Auto powder setup.

All you need to get started is the press, plus the shell plate. I got my press for $379.99 from Midsouth Shooters supply.

Setup was a breeze, especially since I didn't have to set up the Hornady powder. It comes with a DVD that covers the entire set up (videos are also on youtube). It was quick.

Once you figure out all the moves and how to pay attention to the different things going on, you'll love the productivity increase.

+1 from LCT to LnL AP

[CalTeacher]

With one exception, the way I do it is Pro 1000 for the handgun rounds, LCT for the rifle rounds. That one exception is my .45 Colt Magnum load, and that's because A.) I don't shoot a whole bunch of those, and B.) the turret's already set up.

For your listed cartridges, if you do go for the Pro 1000, I advise you to get the 38/357 version, and then pick up three additional things:

1.) the shell plate for the .40,
2.) the shell plate holder assembly for the .45 ACP (I assume your .45 is the ACP variety; if it's .45 LC, then get that version), and
3.) the red case collator.

The reason for this specific recommendation is two-fold. First, the .38/357 and the .40 both use small primers. Therefore, all that's needed is swapping the shell plate and die turret. Changing primer size on Pro 1000's can be done, and I've done it, but it's way easier to just get the shell plate holder assembly for the large primers (that'd be the .45's, in your scenario) and keep steppin'. The second reason for getting the Pro 1000 in .38/357 is that it comes with the "tall" case feeder block, intended for revolver cases. The tall case feeder block works equally well on the shorter semi-auto cases. However, the .40 version of the press comes with the "short" case feeder block, which works nicely for the shorter semi-auto cartridges like 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, etc., but it doesn't work as well on the revolver cases like .38/357, the .44's, .45LC, etc. So get the .38/357 press with the tall case feeder block for the greater versatility.

The benefit is that you save a lot of coin, thus you can buy more components w/ the money saved. Plus, you keep your LCT, which the 7.62x54R and similar rounds just cry out for.

I agree with Cowboy. I currently use a Lee Pro 1000 for my pistol calibers, a Lee Classic Turret for rifle, and an old RCBS JR3 single stage for swaging primer pockets on .223 brass. Great cost effective setup that allows me to leave at least two calibers ready to load at any given time.

Many people will tell you to go with a Dillon, and they are nice machines for sure, but a Lee Pro 1000 will run you about 170 with shipping or so with a case feeder.