Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading progressive press?

Wondering how many of you guys use a progressive press?

I am considering getting one for pistol. I like to recreationally shoot USPSA which is the only action style pistol near here other than cowboy action. I load in kind of large batches with a couple of single stages setup so I don't have to swap out dies but it is still labor intensive. I would like to shoot more and my sons also are shooting more so it may be time to go progressive.

I am not in the need for a large automated machine like the Dillon 1000 but am thinking more along the lines of the Dillon 550. I would entertain other brand progressive's but have heard pretty mixed reviews.

Mostly loading 45 acp, but I do load 45 colt though not in real large batches, 223, and other rifle cartridges. I could see perhaps loading 9mm or another pistol cartridges in the future but not right at the moment.

I am trying to keep this economical as possible and am probably even looking at the used market as well. I don't really anticipate loading rifle on it. I have 3 single stage presses that can handle that duty.

I am a Bullseye pistol shooter, so I shoot high quantities of 45acp. I have always used C-H Mark V and VI presses. Production of these is discontinued but parts are readily available. If you happen to find one for sale, you won't go wrong and it will be cheaper than new alternatives. They aren't easy to change from caliber to caliber so I never do it. One is dedicated to 45 acp and the other for 38 sp. Most of the current Bullseye shooter use the Dillion products in one flavor or another and seem to happy with them.
Phil

I loaded single stage for years until I began shooting Cowboy Action a couple of years ago. I bought a used Dillon 650 and couldn't be happier. I load 9mm, 38 special, 357 mag, 40 s&w, 45 acp, 45 colt, 223/556 and 308 on it. Takes about two minutes to change from one caliber to the next. Customer service is outstanding and the machines are easy to use and adjust. I would say a 550 but it is manual index and with your boys shooting too the auto index will save a lot of time.

I've never met a person that bought a Dillon and regretted it. I've met a few that bought other brands and did regret it. I'm retired and don't feel I have a need for a progressive. If I did buy one, it would be a Dillon I could load rifle and pistol cartridges with.

Don't get the 550, go with the 750 - you'll be glad you did.

In the '80s I was doing enough rifle, pistol, and shotgun shooting to justify me in buying progressive presses for almost all of my reloading. In the '80s and '90s I was competing in Trap and later Skeet and loading and shooting 10K shotshells every year so I bought 4 Pacific/Hornady 366 progressive shotshell loaders, one each for 12, 20, 28 ga, and .410 shotshells. I no longer compete in shotgun events, but I still load and shoot about 5K shotshells every year. I also don't do any kind of rifle or pistol competitions, but I still load and shoot several thousand rifle and pistol cartridges every year. Enough to make me appreciate my Dillon and Hornady progressive loaders, even if I am retired.

Buy carbide size dies for your pistol reloading and you'll save all the time that that it takes to lube and clean the lube off of your cases. I load 4 pistol calibers on mine, and I bought extra seat/crimp dies for my .357 and .44 magnum and .38 and .44 Special loading. The other two pistol cartridges that I loadon my Dillon are .45 acp and 9 mm Luger. I also load all of my .223 and .308 Win shells on my Dillon, and I bought Lee Collet Neck Sizing Dies to also eliminate lubing them.

I also bought Lee Collet Neck Size Dies for several of my other rifle cartridges, up to .300 Weatherby, and I like to weigh the powder charges of most of my rifle cartridges, but I could still load them on my Dillon.

I put a spacer under the die holder on my RCBS Rockchucker press so the die settings are the same for that press and my Dillon.

It won't do the .223, but Dillon's Square Deal B will do all the handgun cartridges. It is the least expensive of all their progressives. Quick change set up from one cartridge to a different one is about $125 I think .

I can load about 350 rounds an hour after I am all set up..

The 550 is probably the way to go. I won one at a pistol match in '87 or '88, and it has more than paid for itself in time saved. The manual indexing is no big deal, just get into a rhythm. I started with single stages, then bought a Square Deal (first year production) and proceeded to work it until it broke, but by then, I'd won the 550B with ammo loaded on the Square Deal. I've had the 550 ever since then.

I used to load on a single stage, even casting my own bullets, but had reached a plateau and couldn't progress until I was able to load ammo faster and more of that. I quit casting my own and started buying bullets instead. I did get a lot better, coming in 5th in my class at the '89 USPSA Nationals. That was a long time ago, though, I have nothing else to hang my hat on.

I have a 550 and am very satisfied with it. I wanted manual indexing after using another brand's auto indexing and not liking it. Granted, it was probably the somewhat finicky operating press rather than just auto indexing, but things don't move along until I'm happy.

Using powders that can't be double-charged eases my mind quite a bit, too, though with .45 ACP that's possible but would be noticeable if so charged. I have a light in the center and each case gets a visual inspection before a bullet is placed in it.

For one pistol cartridge mainly, I'd get a Square Deal B if you need less than 800rds. per week.

My next press is a Dillon 750xl

Been using a Square Deal B since 1990 without any issues. Highly recommend Dillon products.

Doc_Holidude

I have been looking at a Hornady AP, seems like the lock & load system would be cheaper than buying $75. Die holders for the Dillon..

I load mainly on single stage presses. But I bought a Dillon square deal B in 9mm. I do not change it to other calibers. I leave it in 9mm for USPCA shooting. I love the square deal press. It all depends on YOUR needs. Good shooting.

I've had a Dillon XL650 for about 30 years. Can't imagine how much less I would have shot pistols without it. Would do it again in a heart beat though I'm principally a rifle guy. I load 9X19, 9X21, 357 and 38. I've had the press updated and have all the bells and whistles. Dillon is great on the upgrades.

X2 on the Dillon 650- they now sell the 750 but it’s the same deal with some tweaks.

I was a high power shooter and you aren’t feeding an AR without one if you are serious about shooting matches.

I have a Hornady LNL and a Dillon 550 side by side. The LNL is small primer, the Dillon large primer. They both are quality machines.

Ditto on the LNL.
A Lee turret also works, albeit one round at a time.
An RCBS Grand make great shotshells.

LNL, all day every day, even on Sunday, yes I have both.
750 and Hornady LNL

I am surprised with the last couple fellas recommending the LNL especially over the Dillon. Certainly is a little more economical to get started with the LNL but I was leary after reading some stories of LEE's system working good but took lots of tinkering and quite a few giving up and not really seeing any other recommendations other than Dillon. The new Frankford Armory one that is supposedly coming out soon looked pretty good but was hoping to find a used Dillon. I will look more seriously at the hornady offering.

Lee what made the main difference in your preference?

Its just simpler for me. I can have one setup in 30 minutes ready to load. my eye is just suited more to the LNL.
When I use a Dillon, the starting point is just different, and not to my liking. Dillon starts on the right, and LNL starts on the left. I prefer the left start
I have them side by side on top of my safe, and I reach for the Hornady 99%.
In fact I have 2 LNL. 1 small,primer, one large.
I have used the 750 once in 1 1/2yrs...There is zero wrong with the Dillon. I am just a LNL guy.
I also had a 550..Gave it away..

As a Dillon guy…this sentence of your’s I quoted might tell you all you need to know. There’s a really good reason it might be hard to find a used Dillon press. We’re still using them! 😎

Doc_Holidude

My choice was Hornady AP with a case feeder. I'll use the case feeder for batch processing such as decapping and sizing only before tumbling or other batch processing. I tend to use powder through dies when available and working well - some cartridges and I don't have working powder through dies so that's not an option. I wanted the additional station over the 550 so I could seat and crimp in different stations for handguns. I like loading the .357 Sig with a double carbide ring Redding .40 S&W die and a 9x19 die - actually carbide Dillon with no lube as only the neck is sized - combined to avoid lube. I felt ease of conversion and prices made the Hornady more versatile than a 650 especially changing primer sizes. I think the 650 really needed a case feeder for full satisfaction but a good friend with a 650 did just fine involving his children for long runs. Just maybe the Dillon is better for team operation with the operator not loading the case and the Hornady is handier for the operator to load the case by hand. Really whatever you get used to first I suppose. If I intended to load rifle hunting and practice loads in smaller runs using a 2 die rifle set I would have gone with a 550 - not settled for but best for the application - but that's not what I wanted. I have a CoAx for shorter rifle runs, a Hollywood Universal Turret for long and fat rifle cartridges and if I ever see a domed primer again, a Harrell's 4 station turret for short cases and loading at the range and a T7 mostly for Redfield Instant Indicators and such so I can leave them set up while I load in other presses.

Today I would very likely go with a Dillon 750 with its new primer setup and I still think Dillon needs a case feeder more than the Hornady.

Square Deal B has worked well for me for a couple of decades.

Get a Dillon 550. (or two!) You won't be sorry. I have two set up side-by-side. One is for small primers and the other is for large primers. Set up a tool head with powder measure for each cartridge you load and conversion will only take a minute or two. For handguns I tumble the cases and then feed them into the press. For rifle cartridges I full length size and tumble them before feeding them into the Dillon.

Take the plunge Brother, the Dillon 550 is the only way to go for serious handgun loading. I only go back and forth between 45acp & 44mag these days. The press has it's weak points, have encountered problems a couple of times, but there customer service is A1, but certainly not as good as when Mike was alive.

D750 or LNL would be my choice in your situation.

In my experience the Hornady may require some tinkering to get running.

I still have a D 1050 usually set up for .45acp. I love that thing.

New to the forum but agree with the Dillon products. I process a ton of brass for a commercial Reloaded. I use the Dillon 1050 with a Forcht auto drive to process 9mm and 40S&W. I have 2 other Dillon 1050 manual presses that I use for other calibers. However, I use a Dillon 650 to reload all my personal loads. The auto indexing and case feeder make it simple.
I used to have a 550 but realized after a couple of years that the case feeder and auto indexing were worth the money.

I have 3 Square Deal B's and they are a great press. Mine are set up for target/plinking loads and I seldom have to make an adjustment.

If I need specialized individual loads for hunting I load them on the 550B.

I bought a Hornady progressive press a few years back in order to save a few $$ over a Dillon. BIG MISTAKE. Had several problems and broken parts with the Hornady press. Hornady was good about sending replacement parts under warrantee but I wasn't impressed with the LnL press at all.

Buy Dillon!

Dillon 650 and don’t look back. I have 4 quick change stations. 10mm, 9mm, 357 sig, 223. I need to get one for a 45 acp and 40 S&W

Would be wrong to think of getting dillion square b for pistols and dillion 550c for rifle? And I'd still keep my single stage RCBS rock chucker.

That is the exact setup I have, but will admit, I do load some pistols on the 550

I had a nib Dillon 650 that a friend talked me out of before I used it. I've been using a Hornady lock and load but I've tinkered with the press more than I've loaded with it. I've about got it all updated and working pretty well now but it's been a journey.

I used an rcbs pro 2000 for years and really liked it but went to the Hornady for auto indexing. The aps priming on the rcbs was awesome but I think auto indexing is safer.

The Dillon stuff still interests me but the change over kits seem pretty expensive and I don't know how well they work with other brands of dies. I like Hornady lnl bushings but some of mine are starting to get a bit loose and work loose while loading. I'm about to make the jump to another progressive. I wasted too much time in the Hornady.

Bb

Dillon 650/750 and don’t look back.. I use lee dies with mine… the quick change stations are well worth the money. Plug and play, change shell plate couple other things and you are reloading 9mm,

I very much enjoy my 550 and used it for many years exclusively for pistol rounds. I have since moved to South Dakota and mostly shoot 223 at prairie dogs. I'm glad it handles that round. Swapping cartridges isn't as simple as I would prefer but it also isn't all that bad. I've had trouble with my priming operation and have changed to resizing and priming off of the Dillion. This all but eliminated my problems.

I've used mine for decades and will state Dillion's customer service is excellent.