Thinking about a new press - Thoughts?

[nm3]

I currently have a RCBS single stage press with RCBS electronic powder dispenser/scale. It all works great and accurate, but a little slow. I'd like to be able to increase my output, without sacrificing quality of the reload. The last rainy weekend I spent too many hours to complete roughly 350 bullets. I've been looking at the Hornady Lock-n-Load AP and recently the Lee Classic Turret. I'd like to make an informed decision. That's why I'm coming here for advice. I'll appreciate all helpful insight as I know nothing about the manual style powder dispensers, powder through expanders and the like. If there's another press I should be considering let me know. I am currently only loading .40 S&W, but would like to be able to load additional calibers.

Thanks in advance.

 

[UKWildcats]

Presses

I have two presses -- Lee Single Stage and a Dillon 550B Progressive.

I do not believe a turret will spend you up dramitically -- You still only do one operation at a time then rotate the turret to the next point and start a whole new process.

I purchased a Dillon (right before Hornady had the bullet rebate) -- I have used for 45acp and 223 Rem -- easlisy produce 200 bullets an hour of 223 rem and probably 400/hour of 45acp.
-- When I do 223 Rem I resize on the Lee then trim/deburr/chamfer the brass before going to the Dillon. You can purchase preprocessed brass which eliminates this step -- but adds to your cost.
-- Powder accuracy is dependend on the type of powder you are using -- some powders "meter" better than others. You can take the Powder Measure apart and polish which helps but I have about +/- 0.1 grains accuracy which is good enough for me. I would assume this is the case for most powder measures.
-- I think the main problems with any progressive press is Primer operations -- I have only had minor problem with the Dillon but it was my fault since I forgot to replace the Large Primer hardware with the Small Primer hardware when I switched from 45acp to 223 Rem -- caused a couple of primers to flip and load upside down.

I would think the Hornady is a good system -- good reviews from when I checked -- Would also check for Dillons.

The other thing to check is how much it would cost to convert one caliber to another if that is a requirement -- On the Dillon it is not bad (under $50 I think) but on some presses it was expensive.

UK

 

[pcwirepro]

After a bad run with the Lee Pro 1000 and the Loadmaster I finally broke down and bought a LNL AP. I couldn't be happier. The powder dispenser is spot on even with Unique, the timing is perfect and it's faster than I care to load. The biggest benefit for me was the priming system. After thousands of rounds It hasn't tipped a single primer.
I don't have a case feeder yet but it's on the short list.

 

[LiveLife]

+1 for Hornady Lock-N-Load AP. From what I have seen and read, it might be your best "upgrade" option.

I recently sold my reloading set up of Lee Pro 1000 and portable bench.

I am working on a smaller portable bench with RCBS Reloader Special 5/C&H 205 single stage and a new Pro 1000 with a strong consideration for LNL in the near future with a dedicated portable bench.

 

[nm3]

Just as an FYI, the powder I have been using is Power Pistol.

 

[LubeckTech]

I own mostly Lee presses and can't whole heartedly recommend them nor can I say don't buy one. Their main advantage is they are the least expensive progressives around the Pro 1000 is OK if you load 100 - 250 rounds per month but if you load much more the it has parts (link) which tend to wear out but are replaceable. The Loadmaster is a decent press for the money but it's priming system is trouble prone. Basically a Loadmaster is a workable press once you learn it's idosyncricies and have plenty of spare parts for the priming system but it is a steep learning curve which requires alot of patients. If I had it all to do over again I probably would have bought a Dillon 550 and someday probably will own one but my Lee presses will still be in use. If money is no object then get the Hornady or RCBS progressives. I have the money to buy a Dillon but I am satisified enough with my Loadmaster that at the moment I use the money to buy guns because my Loadmaster does get the job done at about 250 rounds an hour. I don't use the automatic bullet feeder or use the automatic portion of the case feeder but slide the cases in manually as they come out of the case feeder. When I have all the guns I want (like that will ever happen) I will get a better press.

 

[LubeckTech]

I own mostly Lee presses and can't whole heartedly recommend them nor can I say don't buy one. Their main advantage is they are the least expensive progressives around the Pro 1000 is OK if you load 100 - 250 rounds per month but if you load much more the it has parts which tend to wear out but are replaceable. The Loadmaster is a decent press for the money but it's priming system is trouble prone. Basically a Loadmaster is a workable press once you learn it's idosyncricies and have plenty of spare parts for the priming system but it is a steep learning curve which requires alot of patients. If I had it all to do over again I probably would have bought a Dillon 550 and someday probably will own one but my Lee presses will still be in use. If money is no object then get the Hornady or RCBS progressives. I have the money to buy a Dillon but I am satisified enough with my Loadmaster that at the moment I use the money to buy guns because my Loadmaster does get the job done at about 250 rounds an hour. I don't use the automatic bullet feeder and use case feeder but slide the cases in manually. When I have all the guns I want (like that will ever happen) I will get a better press.

 

[RustyFN]

The classic turret will give you close to 200 rounds per hour and the Hornady probably around 500 RPH. With the classic turret it will still take 3 or 4 handle pulls per round and with the progressive only one handle pull. I load on a Lee classic turret and think it's a very nice press.

 

[BADUNAME37]

For certain RCBS presses, you can get a piggyback to turn it into a progressive for about $300.

I have an RCBS Rock Chucker IV and I know I can get the piggyback for that.

I once owned an RCBS Progressive and, once all set up, I could literally crank out 600 rounds an hour (one round every six seconds I think it was).

 

[HighExpert]

If you want a progressive, you can't beat the 550B. It wins all contests when you consider service, price point, cost of caliber changes, etc. I have used mine heavily for over 12 years and can load about 500 rds per hour of match grade ammo in any of 12 different calibers. Use all Dillon equipment with it. You will not be sorry.

 

[Kentucky Jelly]

I use a Hornady lnl with power pistol it is very accurate.

 

[OB_WAN]

I just went through a similar process. Except I started on a turret press. The turret press was great but was a little bit slow and I ended up splitting out each stage to ensure everything was just right. I also did hand priming to remove that burden @ the press.

After a LOT of research and scanning craigslist for a 550 or 650 @ a smoking deal, I changed gears and ended up getting a Hornady LnL AP. WOW! Okay, I haven't had a chance to run the primer feed yet because I have a ton of pre-primed brass but this thing is soo smooth and effortless. I also watched a youtube video of a guy pumping out >800rds/hr. I don't plan on loading that fast but it gave me some great tips on where to position the bullets/cases and how to feed everything efficiently. don't think I'll need a case feeder with this setup and should easily be able to do 400-500 rds/hr.

happy I didn't follow the blue crowd. Don't get me wrong, I know dillon makes an amazing machine but for the combination of features and caliber conversion costs this is the press.

 

[rfwobbly]

NM3 -
You are right to take your time on this decision. When you get into any kind or brand of multi-stage press you'll have so much money tied up in proprietary shell plates and die holders that it can be very hard to turn back. So ask questions up front and choose wisely.

Remember....
• All of the top brand machines and models are going to pay for themselves very quickly, so unless you are a student, price is really NOT a major factor
• Look not only at the press, but also the accessories: Is the powder hopper action suitable for MY powders? What is the real swap-over time from small to large primers? From pistol to rifle powder drop? How much is a second powder hopper (so you can have 1 for rifle and 1 for pistol)? Is a case feeder available and how much difficulty is it to add?

Good luck!

 

[docsleepy]

I use a lee turret; got the kit on sale for less than $100. Everything gets done on the press. For 9mm and 380 I used one of the 4 holes to allow a tiny LED flashlight to shine down so I can observe the powder. It auto indexes. A bit of cardboard made into a box, and I had a place to catch primers. A bit of electrical tape strategically placed in the cutout underneath the turret to tighten up one connection, and the indexing is perfect. I have a powder feeder on each turret, preset for that caliber. I also do .38spl with the adjustable powder measure so I can make different powered rounds. Couldn't be much easier; intermediate speed between single stage and a progressive. I do about 50 rounds in 30 minutes. About 200-300 rounds per month. Used the dies and shellholder from my single stage press. Paid for itself in 2-3 months. The autodisk seems within 0.1 grain, and the microdisk works perfectly for .380. Lee has been good for me. My .02 worth; I'm sure the others are great also. To each his own!

 

[docsleepy]

I also have the RCBS automated Chargemaster, which I use for 6PPC precision rifle, but it is absurd when doing pistol for what I shoot. The autodisks are so accurate there is little point in doing more than checking one or two at the beginning of a session.

People who use lee's write all sorts of interesting comments that help one out -- the Cabelas web site has user reviews that are very helpful. Using a pencil to put a graphite layer down on parts of the autodisk was a great comment I read and followed.

I think I've done maybe 1000-1500 rounds on my cheapie non-classic turret press and I have only replaced a 50cent piece of plastic -- and it turned out it wasn't damaged anyway. There was a tiny gap between a square nut and the recess in my turrets which was easily fixed with some tape and THAT fixed my indexing problems! I had been forewarned and have about 3 of the replaceable parts taped to the back of the turret, just in case, but it just soldiers on. If I were going to triple my shooting, then I might consider a progressive, but I only reload maybe 125-150 rounds as most in a week and the turret does that easily. For precision rifle, I keep the single stage press.

 

[hydraulicman]

my dillon likes power pistol

go for it

 

[Oddbod]

For certain RCBS presses, you can get a piggyback to turn it into a progressive for about $300.

They're actually around $400 - almost the same as a Hornady L-N-L Progressive & without the 500 free bullets too.

If I ever go progressive, the Rockchucker will remain in use for producing tight tolerance ammunition for accuracy & hunting.
Meanwhile, I can still churn out 150 .45ACP an hour using a hand primer & a single stage press.

 

[germ]

I started out with a (free to me) Loadmaster and struggled through all of it's issues for a year or so, but finally got it working ok (sort of). I wanted a second press so I could set one up for 9mm and the other for 45acp. After much procrastinating, I (thankfully) decided on the LNL instead of another loadmaster. To make a boring story short, I now produce both 9mm and 45 on the LNL while the Loadmaster collects dust. When I can afford it, I'll get a 2nd LNL.

I haven't had the opportunity to try one, but I've read nothing but good things about the classic turret. I'd like to have one of those for working up loads.