which progressive??

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evtSmtx

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Y'all I swear upon the memory of Elmer Keith, John Browning and that Garand guy that I'm not trying to start a flame war _but_

I'm just about set to file the order for a dillon 650 but I'd be interested to hear opinions of people who have a dillon and a hornady or rcbs progressive as to which they prefer for what and wny.

I probably lean to the Dillon since a bunch of the people I shoot with use Dillon so there's expertise available that I trust.
 
I went dillon (550 though). I had experience with their customer service so I decided to go with the known quantity. I have a buddy who has both a dillon and a rcbs pro 2000, and I've never heard him badmouth either one. I have a buddy who had a LNL and has a 650.. he gripes about both.. but I think (THINK, not KNOW) he prefers the dillon more.
 
I've had a Dillon 650 since they first came out (~30? yrs). I'm happy with it. Their customer service is pretty close to what it's cracked up to be.
 
Thanks all

I think the combo of dillon support which my friends are all positive about and local people pretty much seals the deal.

Thanks for the replies!
 
I've only just started reloading a few months ago for .308 and .223 so take my feedback for what it's worth.

I bought the Dillon 650. I'm impressed with its design and quality of construction. The instillation and operating instructions are clear and easy to follow. There's a large network of Dillon owners to help solve issues and the Dillon tech support is fantastic.

I had originally thought about just getting single stage to started. I got feedback from many that had followed that path, but were Dillon owners now, saying they wished they had just stepped up from the start. So, I began looking at the 550. But then several said, if you're going 550, may as well take another step up to the 650 and have it all.

So that's what I did and have no regrets. :)
 
I've got the much older RCBS Piggy Back II, which has auto indexing and a 5 station procedure. I got mine just about the time Dillon got going big. I had previously worked part time in a sporting goods store, and I only had a choice of the LNL or the RCBS, I've had excellent luck with it and their customer service is next to none. The LNL was alright, however it seemed a lot more complicated than the RCBS Piggy back. I'm sure the new RCBS Progressive is just as good if not much better, except I'm sort of old fashion and don't care for those strip primers. I'm not too familiar with the Dillon but what I've read they are a fantastic machine especially the 650 model on up.

I would just say you will have to experience it, to actually know which one is for you. As far as a progressive reloader, it comes down to the RCBS, Dillon, and the LNL, I don't believe you can go wrong with either choice.
 
I would like to say it was a close race. They are all okay presses. But there are two presses made for the home consumer market that operate decently enough to warrant aftermarket manufacturers to make auto drives for them.

The price between those presses you mention are negligible, outfitted similarly(650 and LnL, the current RCBS isn't in that race).
 

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I probably lean to the Dillon since a bunch of the people I shoot with use Dillon so there's expertise available that I trust.

For the most part, you could go with the color press that matches the decor in your reloading room. Which ever one would serve you well.

Since you have a knowledge base on Dillons close at hand, that would be a definite plus.

Each press has its advantages and disadvantages.

I load many different cartridges and find my Hornady L-N-L is very flexible for cartridge changes. Quick, easy changes are more important to me than quantity of ammunition produced. I do not load rifle, except for 30 Carbine, on the L-N-L. The cases get tipped causing miss alignment with the dies. It is probably due to kinks in the case retaining spring. Mine has more kinks than Carter has liver pills but I am too cheap to replace it until it breaks. I like loading rifle on other presses so I am not in a hurry to fix the Hornady

If i loaded only a few different cartridges and needed a large quantity, the Dillon 650 would be my choice.

I prefer the APS priming system on the RCBS Pro2000 over the tube system supplied on other presses. The indexing as delivered from the factory has a pretty good snap to it and cartridges that are full of powder tend to splash some powder during the index cycle. Experienced users of the Pro2000 really like the Pro2000. I load 204 Ruger, 300 BLK and eventually 223 Remington on mine. 300 BLK splashes powder during the index. I have not loaded any 223 Remington in a couple years--lots of inventory on hand.

Hope this helps.
 
Nature Boy.. I'm one that went that route.. and I'm definitely glad I did.. I still use my single stage more than my 550 and my square deal combined..
 
Bought my 650 a little over a year ago. Love it. Solid construction, smooth operation. Haven't had anything fail on it (only 6500 rounds put through it so far).

Very modular and easy to swap out parts for any high wear items. Also the caliber conversion kits are invaluable. I am setup for 9mm, 45, 380, and 357. With the quick change kits It only takes 10-15 minutes to switch calibers.

Some small advice:
Always lubricate your brass(even pistol) The press operates so much smoother with lubricated brass.
Learn what the press feels like during normal operation and it will tell you any time you hit a snag - for example, reloading large primer pocket 45 - and a small primer pocket sneaks through - very easy to detect).

It's very consistent as well if you keep your motion consistent and use good powder. With ball powder the charges are on the money every time. Flake is a little tricky but if you keep the powder hopper full and keep your "motion" consistent, you will be fine. The natural flow of things for me is to load 100 rounds due to primer limitations. No matter how big of a batch I do, every 100 rounds I reload primers, and put more brass in the case feeder, top off the powder hopper (depending on what kind of powder - Unique is a bit.... finicky - so I keep it full) put more bullets in the bullet tray, and empty the bullet catch bin into a larger container.

The case feeder won't handle an excessive amount of brass - it will stop the motor. I think you could do maybe 200-250 9mm cases but more than that and the weight of the brass will bind up the case feeder.


And as already mentioned: Dillon support is superb. I've heard many tales of praise on the "NO BS" fixing and replacing of parts.

It also helps that my local reloading shop carries the full range of Dillon equipment at the normal Dillon price so I don't have to pay shipping.
 
I prefer the APS priming system on the RCBS Pro2000 over the tube system supplied on other presses. The indexing as delivered from the factory has a pretty good snap to it and cartridges that are full of powder tend to splash some powder during the index cycle.
Hope this helps.

I too really like the APS system. If you contact RCBS customer service they can provide you with a lighter weight spring that will really cut down on the force of the indexing that causes spilled powder.
 
My wife bought me a Dillon 550 for Christmas I had my choice and could have got the 650 but I am more of a hands on guy and I like the 550 it has been trouble free easy to use.
 
I too really like the APS system. If you contact RCBS customer service they can provide you with a lighter weight spring that will really cut down on the force of the indexing that causes spilled powder.

Thanks, already have the light RCBS spring plus a few others that I made and tried. Better, but still spills too much powder from the 300 BLK.

Best result i have had to date is I put the manual advance star on the shell plate and use my hand to retard the motion of the shell plate.
 
ive got 3 of the lnls. I bought them because they were cheaper and have regretted it many times. The 650 is a better press unless you plan to use it without a case feeder.
 
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