Do Progressive Presses still Make Sense?

[wild_weasel]

[NorCalDustin]

If you shoot enough its probably worth it..

[mindwreck]

Its not about the scarity its about how fast they can make it. time may be more valuable to them.

OR.. they're just planning for the future. This drought won't last forever.. hopefully..

[MrElectric03]

It's up to your preference. I planned on buying a dillon xl650 for a while and by the time I did they were back ordered. I don't shoot a lot (not by choice) but when I do I want to be able to load ammo quickly. I have loaded 400 rounds so far and with the exception of brass have enough components to load 600 more. Components really are not that hard to find, you just have to be willing to pay for them. Besides the shortage will not go on forever, either the demand will slow or the manufacturers will catch up on supply and unfortunately lay-off workers when demand slows.

Edit:mindwreck said it haha, just in less words

[Whatisthis?]

I honestly started reloading at the beginning of all of this, but have not had a single issue finding components. Specific powders, yes, but powders for a target load, no. Primers, they are really all over the place, it's just do you want to pay $35/1000 or $60/1000. I haven't had a problem obtaining decent quality bullets either. I'm lucky though, so maybe I just tend to look at the right times.

A progressive press still makes sense to me.

[ExtremeX]

I run a single stage and progressive… I enjoy using both.

Reloading components may be scarce but when I find them, I always find in bulk and buy in bulk… a progressive still makes sense to me for my volume needs.

The only thing I really use my single stage press for is rifle match ammo, rifle case prep, and as a utility press. It compliments my progressive nicely especially for small jobs when I don’t want to reconfigure my progressive.

[damndave]

Components are out there. Primers are about $30-35/1K, powder $30/1#. Certain bullets are harder to find, but they are out there as well.

I have a Dillon XL650 and a Single Stage press. Both are worth every penny.

[Bumslie]

You probably single shot all your guns too then. 1 round magazines help you savor each round even more. No standard or high highcap mags for you.

[Malthusian]

Its not about the scarity its about how fast they can make it. time may be more valuable to them.

OR.. they're just planning for the future. This drought won't last forever.. hopefully..

+1

I moved over to a progressive because:

1) I am shooting more
2) I do not have an entire day to waste reloading ammunition

I spent a hellalot of money on an XL650 and (5) conversions, dies, quick change etc

I can spent a couple of hours of press time a week and meet all my needs and keep a nice reserve for times when I don't have the time or feel like reloading

In addition to "my time" saved. I save on all of my ammo

I am not trying to get a return on my press investment. I value the time I gain to do other things

As for components. Just put what you want on back order

The back orders are filled before the rest is put up for sale. It may take several months to get your steady supply chain plotted out, but it will happen

[ricemanff]

I would have to say yes. I have a 650 dillon, 550, and a single stage rcbs. Each has its good and bad points. We buy a truck even if we don't always use the bed and fuel is more money for it. Just my 2 cents. If you are looking I was at Barnwood Arms in Ripon they have a bunch of Dillon in stock.

[Bert Gamble]

Components are not impossible to find, but you have to look harder. I was able to get 8lbs of powder and 7500 bullets in the last week. That should cover me for a little while.

[ExtremeX]

That should cover me for a little while.

[shooting4life]

I load on my progressive. I have stocked up on components over the years so I have not had any issue over the last 6 months, besides finding a specific aet of dies which i have backordered. Hopefully by fall powder will be back to high teens/low 20's per pound and primers back to $25 per K. I still have over 15k primers and 30-40 pounds of various powder. Plus thousands of different bullets. All this and I might shoot once a month for a couple of hours. This does not take into account factory and reloaded ammo.

Like others said, buy in bulk and back order. I'll wait till the fall to buy more powder and primers. I'll also start buying 22lr again then, still have over 17k rounds of it to get me through the year.

[G60]

[HighLander51]

Shooting competition matches 4-6 times a month at 400 rounds plus each, yea, you need a progressive unless you want to spend the whole week loading.