Moving to a Progressive - Which One?

[TigerCreek]

I'm finally considering moving some of my reloading to a progressive press.
I would want this for 45ACP, 9mm and .223.
My initial thoughts are a Dillon RL 550B or Dillon 650XL.
I'm looking for thoughts on moving in this direction from others who have done the same thing AND if they had to do it all over, some things may may have done differently.
Real experience and working knowledge of particular presses is much more valuable to me than reviews and biased opinions.
I'm trying to avoid wasting time and money - like everyone else.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Are ya trying to start a fight?
I load all those rounds on my LNL and I'm happy with it.

 

[jmorris]

I have both of your choices. I prefer to load on the 650 but would rather convert a 550. The 650 has the most reliable primer feed system out of all progressive presses.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

LnL user here.

 

[TigerCreek]

I prefer to load on the 650 but would rather convert a 550.

Why is that?

 

[Toprudder]

I'm finally considering moving some of my reloading to a progressive press.
I would want this for 45ACP, 9mm and .223.
My initial thoughts are a Dillon RL 550B or Dillon 650XL.

Advantages of the 650 over the 550:
5 stations instead of 4. Some people use a powder cop in the extra station.
Case feeder option works with rifle rounds.
Auto Index.

I think the 550 has the more reliable primer feed system. I can use the 550 more like a single-stage if I want, since it does not have auto-index. I have been happy with my 550 and, for the amount of loading that I do, I've never felt the need for a case feeder.

 

[ATLDave]

Finally went to a progressive after years of loading solely on a Lee Classic Turret. Picked up a used Dillon 650XL. A few parts were broken. Dillon sent them for free. Once adjusted, the thing runs like a top. I walk by the dang thing and it spits out 40 or 50 rounds!

I have zero interest in a 550. First, coming from a LCT background, auto-indexing/advancing is what I expect. Second, I RO a lot of USPSA shooters... and all the ones who struggle mightily with routine presence of squibs are running 550's. Some people will never make an indexing error... but some folks will. I'll never know which group I belong to, because I ain't buying a 550!

 

[joed]

When I decided to go to a progressive I looked at all the presses that were on the market. Lee owners told me to stay away from Lee as they were constantly tweeking the primer feeds and other adjustments. The complaint was they spent more time adjusting things then producing ammo. I ruled Lee out pretty quickly.

RCBS presses were next. Not many owned them and info was scarce. I did learn one of my friend's owned an RCBS progressive. His advice was go Dillon.

I looked at Hornady with the LnL. At the time Hornady had 5 stations for dies but split the case flaring and powder drop using 2 stations. Dillon did both tasks using 1 station. The other complaint I heard was the shell plate and something about ejecting shells. For these reasons I passed on Hornady. About a year later Hornady addressed the issue of flaring the case and dropping the powder and made modifications to do it using 1 station. Of course the press owner would have to pay for the parts for each cartridge being loaded. A few years later Hornady modified the shell plate. Another time owners had to dig into their pockets. I don't regret not going with Hornady. It's a good press but I don't like the idea of having to pay out of my pocket for upgrades.

I started out with the 550b and moved on to the 650 and 1050. All are good presses capable of producing quality ammo.

One bit of advice, whatever you get make sure it has a station that can be used for a powder check die. It's about 'WHEN' you get a bad charge and not 'IF'.

The 550b had me loading what took 2 nights a week on a single stage to maybe 1 hour on the 550b. After about a year I started having trouble with the press producing squibs. In a period of 2 weeks I had 3 squibs. The cause of the squibs was using Unique powder which has a habit of clumping in the powder measure. I made 2 changes to my reloading habits at this point. First I sold the 550b and ordered a 650 with a powder check die and second I quit using Unique powder and switched to Universal. Never had another mishap in 10 years. I would rather see you get the 650 instead of the 550b because there is a station for a powder check die, the peace of mind is worth the extra cost.

These are my thoughts on progressives.

 

[cfullgraf]

Buy the press whose color best matches the decor in your reloading room. It will serve you well.

I have red, blue and green progressive presses in my reloading room. They all have their plusses and minuses which is the reason I have examples from the three major manufacturers. I reload some cartridges that work better on one press than another or have a dedicated press for only one cartridge.

 

[Nature Boy]

Dillon 650 with a case feeder. It’s very versatile. I load precision rifle like a single stage and pistol on it in progressive.

 

[Toprudder]

Regarding the 550 and squibs. I stand up while operating the 550, and I look into every case before I place the bullet. A good thing to do regardless of what press is used. A powder cop, though, is a good thing. It is possible to use a powder cop on a 550, but you would have to seat and crimp in the last station.

 

[Rule3]

There is only one answer to this question!
or was it:

"Buy once, cry once or Buy twice and don't cry" or It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Have To"

 

[Whiterook808]

I've had the 550b for 20 years and no regrets there. I think it depends on what you are trying to accomplish as to which press is best for you. If you are about producing a high round count per hour, then by all means the 650 is the way to go. In my case, I wanted to reduce the effort required to load pistol ammo vs increasing the round count per hour over my old turret press. I like the control that I have with the 550 and it is very versatile press. As mentioned above, I stand while reloading and I look into each case before I place the bullet and so far (knock wood) no squibs. The lack of an auto index is a positive for me because it really doesn't slow me up, and simplifies things when something isn't quite right.

 

[TigerCreek]

I knew this wasn't going to be easy . . .

 

[joed]

"I knew this wasn't going to be easy . . ."

No, that's why I was long winded in my response. If I were in the market again I would go with the 650xl or if I had the money a 1050. For my use the 650xl covers anything I do. So does the 550b but I like the idea of the case feeder and the powder check die. Yes, you can stand and look at the cases on the 550b but my eyes are old for one and second there is a lot going on with a progressive, I feel better knowing there is a die that will back me up with a audio alarm should there be a bad charge.

I've been using Dillon progressives for 20 years and these have been my observations of loading in that time.

 

[jmorris]

Why is that?

Because loading with my 650’s is just stroking the handle and filling things up.



But it cannot be converted from one caliber to another as fast as the 550.



And the gap gets even larger if a primer size change is required.

 

[BigBore45]

If you want the best bang per dollar a lee loadmaster. They run just as well as a LNL. If you want the best without concern for money the dillion 1050.

I have loaded on a 550b and it's not a true progressive it doesn't auto index and only has 4 stations . It's mine, sets under my bench. A lee classic turret, sets on my bench for a couple rifles I load and shoot low quantity. Lee single stage for bullet sizing and odd stuff. A rcbs rock chucker I sold. A LNL a friend has. My dad has a 550b and 1050 also a rock chucker. And I have an old pacific shotshell loader in 12 gauge.

The LNL to me is nothing special. The loadmaster is easiest to switch calibers and cheapest to add calibers. The 650 (no first hand experience with the 650) or 1050 is the best for the best ammo. However switchover to other calibers is very time consuming and very expensive compared to other presses.

Anyways, they all have quirks. Lee by far is the best for your money, just to buy a shelplate and head for a dillion to do one caliber is almost enough to cover all the calibers you want to load on a progressive. If you can change your own oil and change a tire on the side of a road you can make the lee loadmaster run perfect for a longgggg time. Also for rifle I would look at Lee's preset pro 1000. I see nothing but positive things on it by people that are actually using them.

P.s. the bullet feeders on the lee suck, but you can use rcbs and I believe another brand name on the lee loadmaster. I don't use one, my left hand would just set there all wierd if I wasn't placing bullets.

 

[jmorris]

A progressive press is one that performs multiple operations with a single pull of the handle.

If the 550 isn’t a true progressive press because it is manually indexed, a car with a manual transmission isn’t a true automobile.

 

[ATLDave]

Caliber changes with the 650 are kind of a project unto themselves.

 

[BigBore45]

A progressive press is one that performs multiple operations with a single pull of the handle.

If the 550 isn’t a true progressive press because it is manually indexed, a car with a manual transmission isn’t a true automobile.

Well In that case I guess a rock chucker could be progressive when I dump powder and flare a case at the same time. Or when I resize and deprime. Then prime. Or seat a bullet and crimp it. More than one step per handle operation.

I say the 550b makes 350 rounds an hour with 4 die spots. The lee classic turret makes 200 an hour with 4 die spots.

I can do 600 rounds an hour on a loadmaster. So to compare a 550b at 350 rounds per hour to a loadmaster is the same as comparing a lee turret 200 rounds per hour to a 550b in terms of rounds per hour.

 

[Jeff H]

I wouldn't personally buy the 550 for two reasons:
4 stations
Manual index.

That leaves the 650 and the L-n-L as the two most popular. Pick your color and put on boxing gloves.

The L-n-L was my choice, but I think either will serve you well.

 

[ATLDave]

I think engaging more than one shell into more than one die at a time, serially, is probably the core criteria of a progressive.

 

[joed]

Caliber changes on Dillon presses:

To change caliber on a 550 it may take 15 min. If you have to change the primer size maybe another 5 min because there is more involved.

The 650 takes a little longer, maybe 25 min because you have the case feeder to change. Primer size changes add maybe another 5 min.

On the 1050 caliber changes are at least 35 min and a primer size change adds a little more time.

Useful Information:

Cleanliness on a progressive regardless of brand is important. Dirt from knocking out fired primers will eventually cause problems with the priming system and other moving parts. I've always taken the shell plates off and clean under them and the priming system every 1k rounds to stop problems before they start. I like to keep a can of air handy for blowing powder spillage and primer dirt from the press.

It is very important to have the press securely mounted with as little movement as possible while using it. I've found the movement will cause primers to seat upside down or even sideways.

 

[mcb]

I am currently loading on a Dillon 650 XL. Started with a RCBS single stage and then to Dillon Square Deal and quickly outgrew that press. I would have skipped the SDB in hind sight. Having a single stage around is always good for odd ball stuff.

Currently loading on my 650 XL:
38 S&W/38-200
38 Short Colt
38 Special
357 Mag
40 S&W
10 mm Auto
45 ACP
450 Bushmaster

 

[Nature Boy]

I have dedicated tool heads to minimize change over time on the 650. I can do a complete swap, including small to large primer (or vise versa) in 10 min without acting like I'm trying out for a NASCAR pit crew. It's an option, but more expense added to an already expensive press.

Otherwise it can be a bit involved, but not too bad for the average guy.