Looking To Get A Progressive Press....Where To Start?

[bandook]

@goodlookin1: If you add priming to your brass prep step, and put your auto indexing rod back in, you can probably cook along in the vicinity of 300 rph with the Lee Turret.
(at least that's what I was getting on my classic turret before I switched to the LNL a little more for 357, a little less for 45ACP)

[Liberty Reigns Supreme]

+1000 for the Dillon AND Brian Enos. All Dillons except for the 1050 come with a lifetime, no BS warranty. Enos forum is filled with a thousand stories of Dillon's exceptional customer service and no charge replacement of worn, broken, or outdated parts. I have a 550 and a 1050. I bought both of these used, and the 1050 came with 7 powder measures. I was looking at them and noticed that they were different than the one on the machine so I called Dillon to see why. Turns out they were old. They asked me to send them back, which I did for updating. Instead they sent me 6 new, in the box powder measures with the powder dies!!! Even though my 1050 is supposedly a "commercial" unit and has a 1 year warranty, there are many instances of goodwill from them on these units. In short, I have never experienced customer service at this level from any other company in my life. You can even send them the oldest POS Dillon press you can find, broken and missing parts, and for around $70 they will do a complete refurb, and send you a press in like new, fully functional condition.

As for Brian Enos, you can save on shipping through him as all orders over $400 ship free. The 550 is the easiest caliber change of any progressive if you get the tool heads. The 650 will get you cranking out volume if you get a case feeder, and the 1050 will get you a home ammo factory (1200 rounds/hour). Buy once, cry once.

[Cowboy T]

@goodlookin1: If you add priming to your brass prep step, and put your auto indexing rod back in, you can probably cook along in the vicinity of 300 rph with the Lee Turret.
(at least that's what I was getting on my classic turret before I switched to the LNL a little more for 357, a little less for 45ACP)

Is that 300 rph a sustained rate over a full hour? If so, please share your secrets! if I could get that kind of sustained rate, then I'd probably use the Classic Turret Press for all my reloading.

Please share!

[stand125]

Is that 300 rph a sustained rate over a full hour? If so, please share your secrets! if I could get that kind of sustained rate, then I'd probably use the Classic Turret Press for all my reloading.

Please share!

I agree. 300 RPH would be a very uncomfortable and stressfull speed if you even could do it. I timed myself knocking out a box of 50cnt and at my top speed @ 12 minutes ( which is as fast as anyone ) and I was wore out and ready for a breather. you can easily do 50 rounds in 15 minutes at a nice pace, and you can fit 200 primers in the primer tray.

[smrtprts]

If you're looking to sell your turret let me know as I am just trying to break into the scene.

[goodlookin1]

@goodlookin1: Maybe I missed it. What are you going to be loading in addition to .45 ACP on this press?

I reload 45 ACP, 223, 308, 30-06, 44 mag, 416 Rigby.

The ones I am concerned about are 45 ACP and 223, with a close 3rd in 308. I dont do much 44 mag, Rigby 416 WAY less (how many shots can a guy do in a day with one of these???) and 30-06 I pretty much only do custom hand measured loads in low quantities for utmost accuracy.....although if I ever get a Garand, that may change

One of the best upgrades for "efficiency" on a progressive is the automatic case feed. Not having to handle and place every single case is huge.

I picked up a few of the Hornady seating dies that feed the bullets (I can't justify $500 when a $25 die and tube can get me 75% of the way there).

....but zero regrets on the $200 case feed. I loaded on a Square Deal B for 15 years (actually, I still have it). There is no comparison how much more efficient you can load when you are not touching cases.

.

I will certainly be getting a case feeder....no if's, and's or but's. And I think, for now, I am 100% with you on the bullet feeder. Those stupid machines are crazy expensive for how much time it actually saves you. Just load up a couple tubes and pop 'em in and bam: You got a bullet feeder. Not a huge deal for me to manually stick them in there.....at least with the amounts that I will be reloading. I appreciate this insight, and you probably just convinced me to save $500!

[goodlookin1]

So after doing some preliminary research, it looks like the Dillon XL 650 is likely going to be the progressive press for me. But when I go to Brian Enos' website, it is difficult to figure out what I need. Dillon's own website is even worse! There's so many different components to the 650. Here are my questions:

1) I only need one casefeeder, and then I buy the appropriate casefeed plates as per caliber?
2) The conversion from rifle to pistol cases for the casefeeder comes with the "caliber conversion kit", right?
3) If I want to reload for 3 different calibers (223, 45 acp and 308), I get the one Quick Change Kit that comes with the press and then I would need to get 2 extra Deluxe Quick Change kits?
4) Assuming I want the Powder Check System for all cals, do I need to order 3 of these? Or do I need 1 PCS with 2 Powder Check Conversions? Assume that I do not want to have to change out anything on the Tool Heads every time I change cals.
5) What's with the priming system? Quick change priming system? What's the difference and do I need it? Does the kit already come with one (or both)? Are they quick change? I am just completely lost on this topic and any guidance would be appreciated.

Jeez, didnt know buying a Dillon could be so involved!

Thanks guys!

[freonr22]

On my hornady lnl, first ever press, after 100 rounds I ordered a case feeder, and it was a new day. Made reloading simpler, once set up

[Horton Fenty]

So after doing some preliminary research, it looks like the Dillon XL 650 is likely going to be the progressive press for me. But when I go to Brian Enos' website, it is difficult to figure out what I need. Dillon's own website is even worse! There's so many different components to the 650. Here are my questions:

1) I only need one casefeeder, and then I buy the appropriate casefeed plates as per caliber?
2) The conversion from rifle to pistol cases for the casefeeder comes with the "caliber conversion kit", right?
3) If I want to reload for 3 different calibers (223, 45 acp and 308), I get the one Quick Change Kit that comes with the press and then I would need to get 2 extra Deluxe Quick Change kits?
4) Assuming I want the Powder Check System for all cals, do I need to order 3 of these? Or do I need 1 PCS with 2 Powder Check Conversions? Assume that I do not want to have to change out anything on the Tool Heads every time I change cals.
5) What's with the priming system? Quick change priming system? What's the difference and do I need it? Does the kit already come with one (or both)? Are they quick change? I am just completely lost on this topic and any guidance would be appreciated.

Jeez, didnt know buying a Dillon could be so involved!

Thanks guys!

Double check the crap I say but here goes.

1) Yes. I believe there are 4 plates total. Small and large each of rifle and pistol.
2) No. Caliber conversion kits have nothing to do with the case feeder.
3) For the ultimate convenience you would need a deluxe quick change kit for every caliber you want to reload minus one. One tool-head will always be in the machine so no need for a stand. For three cartridges you would need two deluxe quick change units.
4) No to the first part, yes to the second. You could buy a powder check for every tool-head but......Enos had done us a favor and offers a powder check conversion, Dillon doesn't offer this. A powder check conversion is basically a powder die and a check rod of your choosing in one package. This route all you have to do is move the powder check, no messing with and readjusting the rod since you'll have a rod for everything. Sorry, hard to explain.
5) As it comes the priming system will have parts to do both small and large primers. If you want to switch from one to the other you must remove the priming system and change some parts out. You can however buy a another whole priming system if you want. That way you would have once complete ready to go priming system for large primers and one for small primers. This would make changing from one to the other a fast two bolt operation.

Hope that helps, think I'll take some pictures of my setup tomorrow. Pictures would be worth a thousand words.

[awva]

Looking To Get A Progressive Press....Where To Start?

Dillon-call'em

[Trash]

Thanks for all the replies and links, guys.....really appreciate it.

Since this is going to be a long term investment, I dont want to rush into anything just because something is on sale right now. I'd rather take my time and research, study and read reviews on the different systems and know WITHOUT A DOUBT that whatever system I end up buying is going to be the right choice, because the way I see it, this next progressive press will be my last. I am a casual shooter, as in once or twice every three months, but when I do go out, I dont like having to spend hours and hours loading up all my calibers because I shoot a lot of ammo when I do go out. I dont like the fact that my slow press is taking lots of time away from my family just to get ready for a day of shooting! I just want to make sure that whatever press I end up getting will:

1) Put out a good amount of ammo for little time spent, feasibly up to 500/hr
2) Will handle all my calibers, including rifle and pistol
3) Doesnt take hours every caliber change in setup (one time setup okay, but not every time I switch cal's)
4) Be reasonable in price, but I'd rather take functional and speed over price. If it means I spend $1000 to get what I need vs $600 in something that will just work okay, I'd rather spend the $1000.

I have the feeling that the Dillon XL 650 is going to be the machine for me, but I just dont know yet.

And Javi, thanks for the link....I think this will help a lot!

The Dillon 550 answers all your questions perfectly. You will not be disappointed. I can do 500 rds/hour which includes filling up the primer tubes. Once you see how the machine functions you can have it set up for each caliber in about 10-20 minutes.

[Horton Fenty]

If you want to case feed rifle don't get a 550, as it can't case feed rifle.

[goodlookin1]

If you want to case feed rifle don't get a 550, as it can't case feed rifle.

Which I DEFINITELY want to do....that and powder check everything along with a case feeder (5 stations vs 4).

Thanks for all your answers.....lookin forward to the pics!

[Liberty Reigns Supreme]

You can call Brian any time and he'll talk you through it all. The conversions are sometimes interchangeable between calibers, and there are charts that you can find on Enos forum. You may only need two shell plates to load five calibers. You will always have to adjust your powder measure, unless you buy one for every caliber, but even then you might want to adjust your loads. Dies are dies, of course you'll need a set for every caliber. Tool head for every caliber unless you want to set them up again and again. Case feed plates for different calibers (rifle, small pistol, large pistol). Dillon's site kind of sucks in that they don't have very good descriptions of anything. CALL BRIAN, you won't regret it. Too bad you've decided on the 650. I just decided to sell my 550 with all the gear to load 5 calibers. Strong mount, bullet tray, roller handle, 5 brand new powder measures, 5 tool heads, 2 shell plates, etc. Oh, and don't forget that you still have to buy a tumbler, media separator, scale, caliper, tumbling media, case lube, bullets, powder, primers, and brass (unless you scavenge). Oh, and a couple good loading manuals. It's not inexpensive to get started, but if you look at it as a lifetime endeavor, it's a lot easier.

[goodlookin1]

You can call Brian any time and he'll talk you through it all. The conversions are sometimes interchangeable between calibers, and there are charts that you can find on Enos forum. You may only need two shell plates to load five calibers. You will always have to adjust your powder measure, unless you buy one for every caliber, but even then you might want to adjust your loads. Dies are dies, of course you'll need a set for every caliber. Tool head for every caliber unless you want to set them up again and again. Case feed plates for different calibers (rifle, small pistol, large pistol). Dillon's site kind of sucks in that they don't have very good descriptions of anything. CALL BRIAN, you won't regret it. Too bad you've decided on the 650. I just decided to sell my 550 with all the gear to load 5 calibers. Strong mount, bullet tray, roller handle, 5 brand new powder measures, 5 tool heads, 2 shell plates, etc. Oh, and don't forget that you still have to buy a tumbler, media separator, scale, caliper, tumbling media, case lube, bullets, powder, primers, and brass (unless you scavenge). Oh, and a couple good loading manuals. It's not inexpensive to get started, but if you look at it as a lifetime endeavor, it's a lot easier.

I appreciate the thoughts.....and the offer

I've been reloading for about 3 years now and have all the other little goodies for case prep and all, so really all I need is the new press and press accessories to load for the 3 calibers.

I just did some study on the LNL and found that there is something to be desired on the case feeder in certain instances. It seems that Dillon is the way to go for the long run, even if it will cost more in the initial setup. Again, this is something I view I will own for the rest of my life.....at least until they come out with a press that materializes ammunition out of thin air.