Buzznrose
Member
Dillon 550 was my choice in 2020…I have zero regrets.
I load 9/38/357/40/10/45/.223/.308
I load 9/38/357/40/10/45/.223/.308
Last edited:
help picking a press
- Thread starter JO JO
- Start date
ballman6711
Member
You may only want to load 300 rounds a month now, but what do you think you'll want to load in a few months, or a year, from now?
I don't know if cost is an issue, but you may want to consider the cost of caliber changes. With the T7 you will need a set of dies and a shell holder, as well as a new turret if you don't want to remove and reset your dies. With the AP you will still need a set of dies, as well as a shell plate, and a quick change bushing for each die you install in the press.
chris
J-Bar
Member
That's true of ANY press you buy, so you might as well get whatever you want, regardless of cost. In a year or two you probably won't even remember what you paid for it. The Forster Co-Ax press I bought years ago for $185 (expensive at the time) now costs about 500 bucks.
Tim
bullseye308
Member
When I worked, I was normally shooting 12-1500 rounds a month. On a weekend I’d deprime all my brass with a universal deprimer and tumble them. During the week here and there I’d resize in batches, flare in batches, then hand prime in batches. I store my brass ready to load, just add powder and seat bullet. At any given time I’ll have ~4 ammo cans of each caliber primed and waiting to load.
The loading process is quite simple, measure your powder charge, pour into the case, then seat the bullet. If you flare too much you may need to crimp to remove it. Doing it this way pretty much removes the risk of no powder, double charge, or any powder related issues. Once the bullet is seated I drop it in the barrel of the gun with the tightest chamber of that caliber to ensure they will fit everything. If they pass, drop down the chute and into an ammo can until needed.
I reall enjoy reloading, I have plenty of time to fill, and a small budget to do it with. I load on a Lee Reloader press, I’d recommend the big lee “O” press for a less expensive single stage if you go that route. If you have an unlimited budget and no real time to load, a Dillon Super 1050 will have you done in 15 minutes, and there are plenty of options in between.
The loading process is quite simple, measure your powder charge, pour into the case, then seat the bullet. If you flare too much you may need to crimp to remove it. Doing it this way pretty much removes the risk of no powder, double charge, or any powder related issues. Once the bullet is seated I drop it in the barrel of the gun with the tightest chamber of that caliber to ensure they will fit everything. If they pass, drop down the chute and into an ammo can until needed.
I reall enjoy reloading, I have plenty of time to fill, and a small budget to do it with. I load on a Lee Reloader press, I’d recommend the big lee “O” press for a less expensive single stage if you go that route. If you have an unlimited budget and no real time to load, a Dillon Super 1050 will have you done in 15 minutes, and there are plenty of options in between.
Last edited:
GW Staar
Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2009
- Messages
- 3,728
I bet a lot of people would be interested in what you might suggest......I would.Everyone has their opinions on what press is best. It depends on your budget (plus all the extras you will need) Not just how many rounds you think you will need
What works for me, may not work for you, so I am not gonna suggest one
We are all different with different needs, and skills, and interests....so the more people give opinions the better. Jo Jo may find your view is the one that rings his bell.I went through this when I went looking for a progressive.....and for me manual advance and only 4 stations wasn't even interesting. A turret wasn't either. A Dillon 650 was too expensive seeing they wanted to sell you a P.M. for each tool head. So for me it was an RCBS Pro 2000......and the only regret?......RCBS had no continuing R&D, but instead folded and dropped their APS priming system, which IMO was and still is the best & safest priming system out there. With a little more R&D it would have become even better.
I've used a Dillon 650 (very good), RCBS Pro 2000 (very good), RCBS Pro Chucker 7 (very good but needed a minor fix in the case feeder .... but is it smooth!), and now a Lee 6000, which with their new updated advance rod also is very smooth. I'd love to try the esoteric Dillon 10**, and the Lyman Marks. but I'm not willing to go into debt.
Singles? Most are fine, 6 of one sort of thing.....as long as you don't buy the cheap lines each manufacturer has. One exception......the Lee APP (automatic processing press) ...... I wouldn't trade mine in period, but it's a case/bullet feeder fed press, the ONLY one. Such allows case prep and bullet sizing in a fraction of the time it used to take. Can't be beat for primer removal before wet tumbling or primer pocket swaging for the rest of us who can't or won't afford a Dillon 10**, or Mark 7.
T7 Turrets? Not for me......but I'm not you. How long does it take to unscrew and screw in another die.....20 seconds? And with some singles with twist locks even faster.....so from my view, not much gain for the extra money. I prefer batch mode for loading with a single stage anyway......I think it makes for fewer mistakes.
Last edited:
Hugger-4641
Member
I used a single for many, many years.....then it started hurting......we all get old eventually.
I'm getting closer each day to this mentality. I loaded 300rds of 10mm and 200rds of 357 on my Classic Turret last week. Did this in about 2hrs on two consecutive nights and my shoulder ached a bit the next day. That's never happened before and I've loaded much more than that in previous settings.
300 rds. a month is easily accomplished with any press. Even my old Rock Chucker can make up 300 rds. fairly quick if I don't get tired. I usually make up about 100 rds. at a sitting, as my back gets sore and I quit. I have an old Lyman six position press bolted right beside my Rock Checker Supreme and use it occasionally, but not nearly as much as my RCBS.
DustyRusty
Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2020
- Messages
- 297
I have a Lock & Load progressive, a T7 and a RCBS rock chucker. Plain ol' rock chucker was first.
A few years ago I removed the 7/8" threaded thingy from the rock chucker and added the Hornady bushing system.
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com
www.youtube.com
It saves me a LOT of screwing around.
ANY quality single stage that can utilize the Hornady Lock n Load bushing system is the cats pajamas.
.
Sierra uses a few T7 I'd say.
bulletin.accurateshooter.com
A few years ago I removed the 7/8" threaded thingy from the rock chucker and added the Hornady bushing system.
Lock-N-Load Press Conversion Kit
Lock-N-Load Press Conversion Kit by HORNADY Product Overview: The easiest way to get the most out of your reloading press. To take advantage of Hornady’s Lock-N-Load technology, simply insert a Hornady LNL Conversion Bushing into your RCBS Rock Chucker or other reloading press that uses...
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com
Hornady Lock n Load Conversion Kit for RCBS Rock Chucker II - Reloader Joe #3
Follow along the installation of the Hornady Lock n Load Conversion Bushing Kit on the old RCBS Rock Chucker II single stage press.Here's the Amazon link whe...
www.youtube.com
It saves me a LOT of screwing around.
ANY quality single stage that can utilize the Hornady Lock n Load bushing system is the cats pajamas.
.
Sierra uses a few T7 I'd say.
Million-Round Turret Press — This Redding T-7 Has Done Its Duty « Daily Bulletin
Here's something you don't see every day -- a reloading press that has loaded over 1,000,000 rounds of ammo. At the NRA Convention in Dallas in 2018, Redding showcased an old Redding T-7 Turret Press delivered to Sierra Bullets decades ago.
Last edited:
Buzznrose
Member
A as-as saw a z XD,.:[.\.|]..
ETA: I am sorry, I did not see the “voting” part or the choice of the two you are considering. My bad. Sorry for the off topic comment.
this is my concern as I had a Dillon 550 and somehow I managed to load 2 squibs over the course of a few years , sold the press because somehow I messed up with the manual indexing.
Even though 2 squibs out of 10k plus rounds is low and only happened to me I just cant take a chance
since my Son , Daughter , Wife and mostly myself shoot my reloads I have to be 100 % spot on so no manual indexing for me and have decided to choose between the auto progressive or the turret
nettlle
Contributing Member
I look in each case before seating with my 550 and also my T7. Of all the speed gains offered by the various presses not checking each case before seating isn't one to be sacrificed. I have never had a squib.
Blue68f100
Member
For only 300/mo most anything will work. If your shooing more pistol than rifle I would go the LNL-AP. For rifle I prefer the SS/turret press. I have LNL-AP and Big Boss II setting on my bench. I use the LNL-AP for all handgun and 223R blasting ammo. All my other loads for rifle are done on the BB II. Now with that said if time is scarce the LNL-AP wins hands down.
Soonerpesek
Member
^^^THIS^^^
And……… no press can be blamed solely for producing a squib…..
There is NO reloading operation where QC is not involved…….
Oh yeah………………IMO…………….almost forgot…….
100 % agree and not blaming the 550 but the manual index is not for me ,
GW Staar
Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2009
- Messages
- 3,728
I started in the progressive club, the December after Obama was elected the first term.....it was a manual indexing Pro 2000. But I did so ONLY because there was a run on the auto advance version of that press and they were out of stock everywhere......but I was able to also order the conversion kit to make it into an auto advance version. I chose that press because it was significantly cheaper to add calibers to it, not requiring Dillon's expensive caliber kits for their 650, and it had a safer primer system. The down side? It didn't come with a case feeder and I mistakenly thought that wasn't important. I will tell you one thing for sure, case AND bullet feeders are VERY important IMO. I have since added both to All my progressive presses! and the Lee APP too! ($60 a piece 3D printed myself)
There is a lot going on, on an auto-advance progressive......too much for an old brain to keep tract of.....so......with feeders installed, I don't have to worry about feeding cases and bullets and that means I ONLY have to worry about what's MOST important.........primers and powder charge. It made progressive loading way safer for me. Even I can focus on two things!
Now if I had gotten a turret press, I'd still have to crank my head off.......there is NO reduction in press strokes.....at all.......in my case, I would have had to give up the hobby.
I've never used a Hornady AP. Some like it.....some don't. I DO like the way they present filled cases on the merry-go-round in front where you can see it. (least that's what I heard) With my presses I have to use a video camera and 5" screen to inspect powder.......never liked the visual powder cop choices for rifle. RCBS's lock-out die is great for pistol.
The Lee 6000 also uses quick release die bushings......has one more station, and it is WAY cheaper. And I even like it.
Last edited:
JohnMc
Member
True, that.
100%
As to the press choices, I didn't vote because, as others have said, there's a future growth/use component to the answer, which is personal to the OP.
When I went progressive, I made a list of all the presses out at that time, which included base cost and caliber change cost. I had a list of calibers which were 100% going to be progressive, so take that number minus 1 (most presses come with the stuff for one caliber change) times the caliber change cost. It was a pretty revealing differential to me.
For me, the caliber change cost I compared was the "full convenience" caliber change cost; completely new tool heads or bushings, shell plates, and any other do-dads needed to have the dies and stuff for each caliber set up and ready to pop into the press.
When I factored in the free bullets with the Hornady LNL AP, that's what got me.
As to bullet feeders and case feeders, that's a personal choice. IIRC, @Walkalong cut the case feeder attachment point off his Hornady LNL AP. But if it's a personal choice you'll want, factor in that cost as well.
I haven't updated my list, which is 7 or 8 years old, but I'm pretty convinced if it was redone today, for me, the Lee Six Pack Pro would win.
CQB45ACP
Member
So I was right. You are simply going to get what grabs you and the poll is just cover
I do have a serious question though. If "manual indexing" is off the table, why is a T-7 even a choice? Isn't a turret press a manual indexer?
I do have a serious question though. If "manual indexing" is off the table, why is a T-7 even a choice? Isn't a turret press a manual indexer?
I have a lee(it was given to me) single stage. I have a Hornady Classic single stage. And I have a LNL AP… I’m thinking of also adding a T7 for other processes at some point. For 300rounds a month, I’d stick with a single stage and buy another pistol. Wich would then have you needing650 rounds a month. Then you get the AP anyway…. Enabler I might be….
Charlie98
Member
...and very likely his son's inheritance....
Once you get HIM started casting... he's going to spend all his money on molds, lead, and other reloading components...
Charlie98
Member
I understand your concern about squibs... but there is just as much chance of 'producing a squib' with a progressive as with any other press. Inspection needs to be part of your reloading process.
I run a Hornady ProJector (predecessor to the LNL...) and much of my 'automatic' process is ME doing stuff... setting the new case, manually actuating the powder drop, eyeballing the case before manually seating the bullet. I feel I have more control over the finished process. I could speed up the process by adding all the 'hangers on'... like a case feeder or the automatic powder drop mech... but I don't. I have about twice the output as I do loading on the single stage, a little more when I'm really rocking it. To my knowledge, I've never produced a squib load in 35 years of handloading... 30 of those years with the ProJector.
I'd consider the T-7 to be manually indexed/advanced. IMHO, the T-7 has more of a 'single-stage, visually open' vibe than a 550, even if both are manually indexed/advanced.
RCIV and LNL-AP here. Blue's comments in post 39 reflect my usage.
One common misconception I had pre-purchase of a Progressive was that you have to (or really should) use it in full-on, all stations filled, ~progressive~ mode.
Nope!
My LNL-AP has been used repeatedly to batch process with some 'open' stages due simply to it's auto-advance feature which negates the need to manually remove each case from the press. That, and doing 2, 3, or more things at once is far faster than 'just 1' and easier to keep tabs on than doing 5,6,7,
For my usage, and with an RCIV on my bench already, the auto-advance feature of the LNL-AP tips the scales in it's favor over the T-7, but,,,,,,,,,, Everyone's needs/values are different. I would add that if you like to tinker, a Progressive can be a lot of fun. If you despise ever making an adjustment, perhaps the T-7 might be more to your liking.
Last edited:
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,280
Coming up on 40 years and I still remember.
Most of the ones I have, I have had long enough they are worth more used today, than I paid for them new.
So add me to the list that says just get whatever you want. If you don't get garbage its only going to go up in value as you use it. An investment vs expense.
KnightHawk
Member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2018
- Messages
- 195
Well lots of opinions here which are dictated by a person’s available time colored by their enjoyment of reloading or just production. Lot of individual opinions.
So I’ll add my 2 cents.
I use a Lee Classic Turret and 2 Redding Big Boss 2 presses. One Redding SS press gets rifle calibers that I load only occasionally. The second Big Boss plays the part of a 5th station to my LCC Turret.
One, on the Lee turret I load 19 different cartridges. All cartridges have there own quick change turret. That’s about $190.
The T-7, which is a fine press, is over twice the price of the Lee turret press. If I had 19 Redding T-7 turret’s at $89 each, that’s $1,691.
I can change out a Lee turret with preset dies in 10 or 15 seconds. Plus the shell holder. The Lee does what I need very well. I can load 150 plus straight wall cases in an hour.
I can afford the Lee which allows me to enough money to occasionally buy a new bullet mold.
So there’s my 2 cents. I might be over charging, but, oh well.
So I’ll add my 2 cents.
I use a Lee Classic Turret and 2 Redding Big Boss 2 presses. One Redding SS press gets rifle calibers that I load only occasionally. The second Big Boss plays the part of a 5th station to my LCC Turret.
One, on the Lee turret I load 19 different cartridges. All cartridges have there own quick change turret. That’s about $190.
The T-7, which is a fine press, is over twice the price of the Lee turret press. If I had 19 Redding T-7 turret’s at $89 each, that’s $1,691.
I can change out a Lee turret with preset dies in 10 or 15 seconds. Plus the shell holder. The Lee does what I need very well. I can load 150 plus straight wall cases in an hour.
I can afford the Lee which allows me to enough money to occasionally buy a new bullet mold.
So there’s my 2 cents. I might be over charging, but, oh well.
