Which progressive?

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  • 85t5mcss

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    Edit: I am not asking which one to buy, but more of a question on which ones have plusses/minuses so that I can make my own decision. After all, it's only the only decision that ultimately matters. But, reallly need input on what you guys/gals like and/or dislike on particular models. So no ammo quotas or budget listed for this. Thanks again. Couple good bits of info in here.

    Trying to get progressive press info all in one place. I have researched until my vision is blurry. I am to the point that I would like the experts' opinions on pros and cons of the different presses. Please list any valid experience whether be good or bad with the press and customer service, price, parts availability, and ease of use for (where locally to purchase):

    Dillon XL550B

    RCBS Pro2000

    Lee Loadmaster

    Hornady Lock n Load

    If you find it relevant this would be primarily used for 45ACP, 9mm, and .223

    Feel free to throw in any info for turrets or single stage as well, but I am looking long term. I have not contacted Andrew, yet. But I will be before I start out on my own. Just been reading through books so far. So overfill my small mind with all of your knowledge.:popcorn:
     
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    standslanted

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    the animated icon of :popcorn: is fitting. What you will get from everyone is the reason to chose Dillon over Lee, or Horady over Dillon, and maybe Lee over ???. If you are wanting to spend large amounts of $$ and use the same equipment that competitor shooters use, then you'll go with Dillon. If you don't mind tinker'n with things until it works as it should..then you'll go with Lee Loadmaster. I use the Loadmaster and have had to tinker with it until it works as it should, but now that it is up-n-running I'm very happy with it. I'll grab my :popcorn: and take a seat and listing to what other folks have to say
     

    jedi

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    Here is a good site for info on all the presses listed.
    Ultimate Reloader

    +1 for that site!
    Here is a set of videos of most of the current presses in action.
    Videos posted for all 4 “5 Station” progressive reloading presses « Ultimate Reloader


    standslanted said it best in terms of what you are asking for and everyone is going to they they like theirs the best. :D

    Some things to consider since you have not tol us.
    What is your budget for this?
    Will you be able to feed the "beast" so to speak?
    It does you no good if you have a machine like this:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LsiscYhujA

    Mark X from Mark X - Pistol Ammunition Loader is a heavy production machine made of the finest available materials
    but can't afford to keep up with it in terms of feeding it.

    So while a progressive is nice in terms of speed/time at the bench is the investment in it worth it vs a turret or single stage? This is a question only you can answer if terms of if you can't feed it are you OK with it sitting in the room for say 1 or 2 uses a month that it will get but you can reload all your ammo in under say 4 hours per month vs spending 10 - 15 hours per month reloading?

    Best advise is see if anyone local to you has these press so you can see them in action and feel them to determine if it is right for you.

    They will all satisify the end goal: making ammo for your quicker than a single/turret press.

    I can't find the PDF file that somwhere wrote a while back on a comparison they did that was very comprenshive. Let me google some more for it.

    -Jedi

    --EDIT--
    Here is the article I was talking about.
    http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

    The author ignores the RCBS Pro 2000 so you will have to get that perspective from here:
    http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=26
     
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    85t5mcss

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    Some good info and thanks.

    standslanted said it best in terms of what you are asking for and everyone is going to they they like theirs the best. :DAgreed, that's why I kept it generalized and asking for pros/cons

    Some things to consider since you have not tol us.
    What is your budget for this?Let's just say it's hypothetical research. Even though it truly isn't.
    Will you be able to feed the "beast" so to speak?


    So while a progressive is nice in terms of speed/time at the bench is the investment in it worth it vs a turret or single stage? Speed/time is important. Safety is as well, so it will be watched very carefully. Speed isn't my first priority until I feel more comfortable. This is a question only you can answer if terms of if you can't feed it are you OK with it sitting in the room for say 1 or 2 uses a month that it will get but you can reload all your ammo in under say 4 hours per month vs spending 10 - 15 hours per month reloading? Yep.

    Best advise is see if anyone local to you has these press so you can see them in action and feel them to determine if it is right for you. I will talk to Andrew and believe he is all Dillon in his classes.

    I can't find the PDF file that somwhere wrote a while back on a comparison they did that was very comprenshive. Let me google some more for it. This would be great if you can find it.
    From Page 1..This sums it up "Don’t tell me what you like, tell me why you like it."
     

    jedi

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    Some good info and thanks.


    From Page 1..This sums it up "Don’t tell me what you like, tell me why you like it."

    See my post again.
    I edit it snce I found the 2 articles that will cover the presses you are looking for.

    Yes Andrew does a good class for intro to reloading. I have not taken it but have read the reviews on it. What I do not like is just what you stated. It's a mostly all "blue" course (ie. dillon). I have nothing against dillon brand. I guess in my ideal class I would like to take one where all the major brands are shown and how each works and then you give them all a try. That would be a more intro to reloading level 2 (after you get the basics down in the level 1 class on a single stage).

    This way you can see, feel and play for yourself on all 4 brands and see what you like/don't like/etc.

    Right now that website we gave you with the videos is about as close as you are going to get to seieng that in action. :(
     

    jedi

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    From Page 1..This sums it up "Don’t tell me what you like, tell me why you like it."

    I like the priming system on the RCBS Pro 2000. It's not a tube feed system but one on strips thus it removes the "exploding priming tube" issue that the other presses face.

    I like the fact that RCBS Pro 2000 uses cast iron while the others (Dillon/Hornandy) use cast aluminum.

    I like the bullet & case feeder that Dillon & Hornady use for their presses. It terms of production this can't be beat. The RCBS Pro bullet feeder but no case feeder. Lee has a case feeder but no bullet.
     

    85t5mcss

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    See my post again.
    I edit it snce I found the 2 articles that will cover the presses you are looking for.
    Yep, just got done reading all 17 pages. Definitely worth the read. Much appreciated.
    Yes Andrew does a good class for intro to reloading. I have not taken it but have read the reviews on it. What I do not like is just what you stated. It's a mostly all "blue" course (ie. dillon). I have nothing against dillon brand. I guess in my ideal class I would like to take one where all the major brands are shown and how each works and then you give them all a try. That would be a more intro to reloading level 2 (after you get the basics down in the level 1 class on a single stage).Ideally I would agree. This may be cost prohibitive for a lot of people. But with so many offers to "try out my press" it may not be as bad as I thought. I've got a friend who reloads and think he has Hornady (I'll look into that more).

    This way you can see, feel and play for yourself on all 4 brands and see what you like/don't like/etc.

    Right now that website we gave you with the videos is about as close as you are going to get to seieng that in action. :(

    For anyone who hasn't read that PDF, do yourself a favor and read it.
     

    jedi

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    I guess in my ideal class I would like to take one where all the major brands are shown and how each works and then you give them all a try. That would be a more intro to reloading level 2 (after you get the basics down in the level 1 class on a single stage).Ideally I would agree. This may be cost prohibitive for a lot of people.

    Oh I think you mis-understood me.

    I would like to see a class offered where you (the student) get to try out the 4 major presses (Dillon, Hornady, RCBS, Lee) that are avaliable right now. This way you (the student) can get a feel for each of them and then be able to decide "I like xyz".

    We in NWI lack any type of reloading training and/or the facility to do it in. Up here it's more of a one on one learning type of deal and depending on what the "teacher" has that is most likely what the student is going to buy since that is what they learn on.
     

    85t5mcss

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    Nah, no misunderstanding. We definitely agree. I would like to see it as well. The option I am looking at is a one man operation at home. It would be cost prohibitive for him (most likely). But, a large retailer doing reloading classes I could see this happening. Again, I agree with you.

    Now, if you know anyone in the Indy area who has that setup I would happily check it out. Sadly, I'm not sure it exists. So we will play the hands we are dealt. I do appreciate your input and insight, though.
     

    jedi

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    Now, if you know anyone in the Indy area who has that setup I would happily check it out. Sadly, I'm not sure it exists.

    That I am aware of no such person exisit in Indiana. Andrew is about the best we have in terms of getting a knowledgable class running in your area.

    But I just noticed you are in Indy and ya are just snobs down there. So I can no longer talk to you. Since I must stick with my own kind like those up in NWI. :laugh:

    Good luck and do let us know what you ended up with.
    Don't forget to post a pic on the sticky in this channel of your reloading bench and setup once you are all done.
     

    jedi

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    85t5mcss

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    But I just noticed you are in Indy and ya are just snobs down there. So I can no longer talk to you. Since I must stick with my own kind like those up in NWI. :laugh:
    How right you are. I work on the North Side and we do have us some snobbies. But, lots of good folks and gun owners, too. Does it matter if I lived in Michigan for a little while? Does that mean I'm from the North and I'm OK, then? :D

    Thanks for the link.
     

    nighter

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    My first press was the LNL and my buddie got the RCBS at about the same time honestly both are great I liked the instructional videos that came with Hornady. Both have great customer service so either one is a winner:twocents:
     

    mertbl

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    I ordered a LNL AP on Sunday. For me the 5 stations and the auto index at the 550 price made it an easier decision. The extra bullets are nice but not a big factor.

    Be warned though hornady stuff seems to be out of stock everywhere. I ended up buying my shellplates off of gunbroker.
     

    DustyDawg48

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    I ordered a LNL AP on Sunday. For me the 5 stations and the auto index at the 550 price made it an easier decision. The extra bullets are nice but not a big factor.

    Be warned though hornady stuff seems to be out of stock everywhere. I ended up buying my shellplates off of gunbroker.

    Midway USA and Graf's are the 2 places I use the most when looking for reloading gear. I couldn't find the dies and shellplate in stock at the same place but Graf's had the dies, they have incredibly fast shipping like Midwday and I think they have incredibly inexpensive shipping...like $4.95 or something. Really like Graf's although their website isn't as slick as Midway's...but who's is? :)
     
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