Quick Question: Cheap Progressive Press

[Mark_Mark]

I have a Dillion SBD that does .45 ACP. After looking at the price of a new tool head and such. We are looking at $350+ and I only paid $350-ish for a new one. So I’m going to make it a dedicated .45ACP only press

So, I’m kindda gun broke. Is there a Cheap but good Progressive press with cheap conversation parts that you guys recommend? I just need 4-5 station. My next project is tons of .223.

SUGGESTIONS?

 

[MonkTx]

Lee Loadmaster is in that price range though I'd never recommend a Lee product to anyone other than their decapping die.

 

[Barr]

Hornady LNL AP, caliber conversions are very cheap comparative to other presses. If you only load a few calibers a turret press is a happy compromise. With cheaper progressive presses you lose refinement and smoothness of operation.

The Hornady uses a half-indexing movement for instance along w a very long stroke which accommodates large capacity pistol magnums and standard rifle length cartridges very well. Hornady bullet seating dies also have a sliding sleeve which assists w bullet alignment.

The Hornady also uses a larger diameter ram than most for stiffness and rigidity of movement.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Hornady LNL AP, caliber conversions are very cheap comparative to other presses. If you only load a few calibers a turret press is a happy compromise. With cheaper progressive presses you lose refinement and smoothness of operation.

The Hornady uses a half-indexing movement for instance along w a very long stroke which accommodates large capacity pistol magnums and standard rifle length cartridges very well. Hornady bullet seating dies also have a sliding sleeve which assists w bullet alignment.

The Hornady also uses a larger diameter ram than most for stiffness and rigidity of movement.

I like Hornady seating dies and gear in general. I’ll take a look at there LNL. is there a way to turn off the auto indexing? After using the SDB, most my frustration is juggling with the auto indexing when I miss a step

 

[Barr]

Two pawls under the ram cause it to index. You can adjust and replace them, I suspect you can remove them as well, not sure though. I have adjusted mine once in 12 yrs of loading.

 

[mcb]

Sell the SDB and buy a Dillon 650, conversion are potential less expensive and its a more capable press. You can use your existing dies if you already have them. Once you have a few conversion kits adding another caliber gets cheaper as you don't need to buy a full conversion kit since you likely already have much of it from an early conversion kits. You only buy what you need rather than a full conversion kit. And you have the option to add a case feeder and a bullet feeder if you really want to start cranking out the ammo.

 

[Barr]

Hornady conversions are typically a $35-40 shellplate.

The press comes w two sizes of primer feeds, two sizes of powder drums, and uses std die sets. You may wish to purchase extra die bushings to speed changeovers.

Later upgrades abound if you wish. Case feeders, bullet feeders, extra primer tubes, station lighting, press alarms, etc.

Dillon is a high end product but typically will tun several hundred more for the same core functionality.

Lee Progressives are very clunky by comparison, I would go the Hornady or Turret Press route w loading blocks.

 

[Barr]

If only loading 2-5 calibers you would really like a Dillon. Customer satisfaction is very high.

If you like loading 5+ calibers on a budget Hornady is big bang for buck. I have not used the RCBS versions to comment.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Sell the SDB and buy a Dillon 650, conversion are potential less expensive and its a more capable press. You can use your existing dies if you already have them. Once you have a few conversion kits adding another caliber gets cheaper as you don't need to buy a full conversion kit since you likely already have much of it from an early conversion kits. You only buy what you need rather than a full conversion kit. And you have the option to add a case feeder and a bullet feeder if you really want to start cranking out the ammo.

I like my SDB alot! and I like the history of the press. It’s going to be a keeper

I already have a Lyman 8 turret, 2 Lee APP, Rock Chucker, and SDB.

Anybody Hates Lee Progressive press? they are cheap in price, comes with brass loading tubes. Around $250 fully loaded!

 

[Mark_Mark]

$250 and included everything

 

[EricBu]

If you want a non-autoindexing progressive, then the 550 is your answer. As far as the Lee progressives go, if you were frustrated by the SDB, you will lose your mind over the lee. All Lee progressives require endless tinkering and readjustment to run correctly. Yeah, I know there will be somebody jumping on to talk about how it's the greatest kit in the world...but there are people who think Trabants and Yugos are great cars if you just learn a few little tips and tricks. Buy once, cry once. Get the 550 and take advantage of the massive used market for parts, conversion kits and the support. I have a 550 that started life as a 450 in the 80s, I've loaded literally millions and millions of rounds on it, everything from 32 acp to 338 Lapua Magnum. In all that time, it was upgraded once from the 450 to 550 because I wanted the toolheads instead of fixed...and once I sent it back to Dillon for a complete refurbishment which cost me 89.00 and I got basically a brand new press back. In my entire life I've seen exactly one Lee progressive press run flawlessly through a single run of 2,000 rounds. And that was owned by a good friend of mine, a machinist by trade, who was originally given the press because it didn't work and over the years he had replaced about 20% of the press with things he made himself. If you like to tinker, get the Lee...if you just want to unbox it and run it...get the Dillon.

 

[mcb]

I like my SDB alot! and I like the history of the press. It’s going to be a keeper

I already have a Lyman 8 turret, 2 Lee APP, Rock Chucker, and SDB.

Anybody Hates Lee Progressive press? they are cheap in price, comes with brass loading tubes. Around $250 fully loaded!

Then, in that case, add a 650 XL to the collection. Or if money is not object add a 1050 to the collection.

I do all my reloading on an old C&H "H" three die press (mostly for rifle case prep) and my Dillon 650 XL. For shotgun I have three different Mec 600 Jr (410, 28, 12) though I haven't loaded shotgun in several years.

 

[reloaded_in_pa]

View attachment 1068344

$250 and included everything

The 4000 is a good press for the money. I have one set for 38 special and will be getting another for 357 mag.

 

[kidneyboy]

I have 2 of the Lee ABLP. One for 45acp and one for 9mm. Pretty happy with both of them.

 

[dcarr]

Lee Loadmaster is in that price range though I'd never recommend a Lee product to anyone other than their decapping die.

now that i think of it , i really like the lee universal decapping die

 

[Barr]

My personal experience w Lee products has been poor, their customer service has been non-existent to date.

Their products are great budget starter products. I have a high expectation w equipment that I will frequently use for several decades. My quality of enjoyment reflects the price I will pay for a press.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Then, in that case, add a 650 XL to the collection. Or if money is not object add a 1050 to the collection.

I do all my reloading on an old C&H "H" three die press (mostly for rifle case prep) and my Dillon 650 XL. For shotgun I have three different Mec 600 Jr (410, 28, 12) though I haven't loaded shotgun in several years.

can you turn off the auto indexing on the 650 or 750?

 

[mcb]

can you turn off the auto indexing on the 650 or 750?

Yeah, the pawl that advances the shell plate is fairly easily removed IIRC.

I would ask why you would want to though. I have never found need to do so in my reloading.

 

[Mark_Mark]

If you want a non-autoindexing progressive, then the 550 is your answer. As far as the Lee progressives go, if you were frustrated by the SDB, you will lose your mind over the lee. All Lee progressives require endless tinkering and readjustment to run correctly. Yeah, I know there will be somebody jumping on to talk about how it's the greatest kit in the world...but there are people who think Trabants and Yugos are great cars if you just learn a few little tips and tricks. Buy once, cry once. Get the 550 and take advantage of the massive used market for parts, conversion kits and the support. I have a 550 that started life as a 450 in the 80s, I've loaded literally millions and millions of rounds on it, everything from 32 acp to 338 Lapua Magnum. In all that time, it was upgraded once from the 450 to 550 because I wanted the toolheads instead of fixed...and once I sent it back to Dillon for a complete refurbishment which cost me 89.00 and I got basically a brand new press back. In my entire life I've seen exactly one Lee progressive press run flawlessly through a single run of 2,000 rounds. And that was owned by a good friend of mine, a machinist by trade, who was originally given the press because it didn't work and over the years he had replaced about 20% of the press with things he made himself. If you like to tinker, get the Lee...if you just want to unbox it and run it...get the Dillon.

I’ll eventually get a 10xx or a 750. with the mag ban in WA, I’m really not interested in 1/2 the guns out their with 10 rd mags. That frees up alot of $$$ for reloading stuff

But my next project is to load do-all .223 for cheap and fast! probably do the Pro 4000 Lee and save up for hair growth cream from pulling out my hair.

I’m the type that likes to horde and collect stuff. So if I don’t get the Lee Cheapo do-all Progressive, I will never know how to complain about it.

 

[EricBu]

can you turn off the auto indexing on the 650 or 750?

Just remove the indexing pawl. Then just index by turning the plate. If you don't want a autoindexing press, and you don't need the extra station, the 550 is probably a better choice. There are a LOT of available used caliber conversion kits out there for the 550 and usually about 1/2 the cost as for the 650/750. The benefit of the 650/750 is the 5th station, auto indexing, and already set up for a case feeder. If you aren't going to use a case feeder or auto-indexing, now you're just down to if you need that extra station.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Just remove the indexing pawl. Then just index by turning the plate. If you don't want a autoindexing press, and you don't need the extra station, the 550 is probably a better choice. There are a LOT of available used caliber conversion kits out there for the 550 and usually about 1/2 the cost as for the 650/750. The benefit of the 650/750 is the 5th station, auto indexing, and already set up for a case feeder. If you aren't going to use a case feeder or auto-indexing, now you're just down to if you need that extra station.

I want the auto indexing, I think that’s the big reason for a progressive. I just wish they make a button to temporarily stop the indexing

 

[Mark_Mark]

Yeah, the pawl that advances the shell plate is fairly easily removed IIRC.

I would ask why you would want to though. I have never found need to do so in my reloading.

like if I messed up on seating a primer, or I forgot to drop a bullet in the case station

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have 2 of the Lee ABLP. One for 45acp and one for 9mm. Pretty happy with both of them.

do you know the difference between the Lee Pro 1000 & 4000?

 

[mcb]

like if I messed up on seating a primer, or I forgot to drop a bullet in the case station

Good reasons but I think once you get use to a 650/750 you would not need it. The handle moves in two direction from it resting position for a full cycle of the system. First forward to seat the primer and then backward to lift the shell plate into the tool head and do all the other functions and then on the return to neutral the shell plate indexes The forward motion that is rather short and if the primer seating does not feel right you are not committed to finishing the stroke. You can return to the neutral position and inspect the suspect case and try again or remove it from the shell plate all together and continue. It will not drop powder into an empty slot on the shell plate. As for placing a bullet that is the only thing you left hand has to do and it quickly become habit.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Good reasons but I think once you get use to a 650/750 you would not need it. The handle moves in two direction from it resting position for a full cycle of the system. First forward to seat the primer and then backward to lift the shell plate into the tool head and do all the other functions and then on the return to neutral the shell plate indexes The forward motion that is rather short and if the primer seating does not feel right you are not committed to finishing the stroke. You can return to the neutral position and inspect the suspect case and try again or remove it from the shell plate all together and continue. It will not drop powder into an empty slot on the shell plate. As for placing a bullet that is the only thing you left hand has to do and it quickly become habit.

they have a Neutral position!!! wow