Which press do you use?

[Bear]

Just wanted to see which press is the preferred choice of the members. You can pick more than one choice. Please vote only on which press you use not other equipment like scales and powder measures. etc.

Enjoy safe shooting!

Bear

[Bud White]

Got a lyman right now looking to go progressive though

[primersinmyshoe]

I had 5 Lee Pro 1000's for many years. Recently I sold them all and bought a Dillon XL 650. I didn't get the Dillon before now because of the cost, but now I think it's well worth the extra money.

[Clyde]

Dillion 650 and a Lee Turret :)

[jerryd]

Im old fashioned! Have the rcbs rock chucker! Some of my friends have progressive presses but it seems always having problems with powder, and primers.

[texasbatman]

I have a Dillon 650 and a Rock Chucker. The 650 is an awesome machine. I can sit down and load several hundred rounds in less than an hour and rarely ever have a machine (different from human :) ) problem. They are a little high but I think they are worth it.

Jim

[brickeyee]

I use multiple Rockchuckers (one reserved just for depriming) and an RCBS 4x4.

[eddailey]

I have a Dillon 650 and a Rock Chucker. The 650 is an awesome machine. I can sit down and load several hundred rounds in less than an hour and rarely ever have a machine (different from human :) ) problem. They are a little high but I think they are worth it.

Jim
Yeah, what texasbatman said!

Ed

[xd9user]

I just won an eBay auction for a Dillon 550 and a bunch of other good stuff like case trimmer, scale, brass cleaner(vibrator), dies for 30-30 and 38/357, a couple of caliber conversions.....Can't wait till it gets here....

RWW

[texasbatman]

When I finally took the plunge I was like a kid waiting for Christmas. I was soooooooo happy when it arrived. I had bought the VCR instructional tape also. It took me a good part of the morning to get everything just where I wanted. I was reloading that evening. WOW!!!!!! What an ammo spitting machine. And SMOOTH!!!!!!!!!!! I enjoy shooting and now I have the added benefit of a great time reloading.

You will like your Dillon. They are great machines.

Congrats again.

Jim

[Mannlicher]

I load everything with an old Rock Chucker.

[TSP]

I load for 4 rifle calibers, .45 ACP, .44 mag and .357/.38 wadcutters on a decades old "Brown Bear" press handed down from my father in law a decade ago. I keep threatening to get a new press, but loading is relaxing for me and the un-hurried pace of my old press is just fine. I don't shoot competitively, and probably go through no more than a couple hundred rounds of 45 and 38 spl in a year.
Tim

[robertbank]

Dillon 550 here. When you live on the other side of no where it is comforting to know you have the no BS warranty. IT is a great machine and has loaded thousands of rounds for me.

[walangkatapat]

Dillon 550.

[HQBrass]

I had a Dillon Square Deal B for two years and I loaded quite a few rounds on it but I upgraded last week to an XL650 with all the bells and whistles and I love it. I have loaded over 1500 rounds in the last few days just sort of taking it easy. If I really got everything preped and ready to go I am sure I could crank out nearly 1000 in an hour.

[supercomp9]

OK Two Press on the Bench..
1- RCBS Rock chucker I load all my 45 ammo on this one...
2- dillon 650 loads all my 9 supercomp / 38 supercomp loads
and soon to be set up to load my 40 S&W
thats it for me....

SuperComp9 `;}~

[Dirt]

Nothing like my Dillon(XL650)! The no BS guarantee over time is worth its weight in gold. Last new part I needed was sent w/ a part I didn't even ask for... just in case it goes bad. And this is for life!!!

[Tenring]

Used a singlestage Lee for a couple of years and stepped up to Square Deal B and the first night I loaded 600 rounds. That was a week's worth of loading before.Awsome. Now if the Dillon would stop reversing the primers I'd be tickled to death :confused:

[Harlie]

3 Lee single stage, one Lee hand held, two Lyman Spartan from 60's, two Sq Deal B's, and the number one use today, Dillon 550B. Tried a Lee Progressive and dumped it in two weeks after blowing two primers (first time ever) during seating stage. For years had three presses set up for individual operations and took a while to load a batch, doing them a hundred each stage. If shooting competition, either buy ammo or use a progressive is what I finally realized.

[2400]

I've been using my Rock Chucker for at least 35 years, I also have a Dillon SDB and a 650.

[Gambat]

I've had my 550B for about 10 years and its still going strong.
Not one problem yet (knock on wood).

[PDshooter]

I'll start out with 45s, then go to 06. Then maybe 38s,then .223....
My RCBS single stage may be slow like me, but I can do it all. ;)

[vonfatman]

A Dillon 650...my first and only press. I'm well pleased.

Bob

[mcmoyer]

I use a 20 year old Rock Chucker & a new Pro 2000.

:D :D

[Smitty]

Yes I am one of those "others" in that I use a Posness/Warren Metallic II. In fact I have three of them with dies & powder measures ready to go. One with 45ACP, another with 38 Spl & last being with 9X19. Natch with spare head & other dies & shell holders I can change.

I come home from shooting, dump the brass into a shaker & in an 1 or 2 hrs I am reloading again though I have extra ammo in MTM boxes of those three calibers.

I just became to lazy to change all the time & knew I had the money plus I like reloading.

[WBB]

I have a Dillon Square Deal bought in 85, I lost count how maney thousands of .45 rds. loaded on it. Few years ago sent it back to Dillon for rework, came back good as new at no charge!

[seniorlefty]

I have been using the Dillon 550B for about 15 years(guess). I use it for 12 different calibers and have done over 800 thousand rounds on it.I sent it back about 2 years ago to have them fix a problem and got it back in a week with a complete upgrade done to it. NO CHARGE! This is a great company and a first class product. Their customer service is the best around. Highly recommended. seniorlefty

[Ol` Joe]

I started on a RCBS jr of my dads years ago I still have the old press, semi-retired but working like new. I since have moved to a Co-Ax, (one of the other press choices) reason being I load for more rifles then pistols. I`ve never been in a hurry to load a bunch of ammo as I don`t shoot daily, and if it takes all day to load a few hundred I`m content. Besides, if I`m not in my room I`m fair game for the wife and her little jobs. Trust me they aren`t as relaxing as working a press...... :eek:

[LeadStorm]

I started on an old set of Lee hand load dies, no press just beat the case in and out of dies with a hammer and punch. I have used them all over the years. I used to think that I didn't need a Dillon. Now I have a 550 a 650 and an RL 1050. I wish that I had bought the Dillons a long time ago. I have the 1050 set up for my 45 ACP and load 100 every 4 min smooth a glass. What an awsome machine that will outlast me.

[Smitty]

LeadStorm you would not be happy if you bought pretty far back like when Dillion were producing the 400 or 450 & you could upgrade to the next size or model. Not to sure of from what to what & then with the 550 or the 500 so many were complaining that there was no way they could upgrade to the next model.

That was when I was using my Posness/Warren Metallic II & often thought of going for a 2nd or even third P/W. Some yrs later I did & the changes were pretty simply to some better modifications. Still I do like a turret press for I am watching each procedure of ammo being loaded with each pull down or lift up of the large arm. Still I will be honest & admit that I am old fashioned.

Will agree when someone says Dillion, then I say they are dealing with one of the best & think they forced RCBS to guarantee their products like Dillon. Yes I had & have a lot of RCBS products hanging around my reloading room & using them. Three powder measures, their scale, their dies & shell holders & such.

[GCT00427]

When I have time to reload, I use my trusty Lyman Turrett press. It is definately not a progressive, but it is sure better than a single stage.

Good Shooting,

Chuck

[chuckshoun]

I'm still using the old RCBS Rockchucker I bought back in 1972 when I started into High Power Rifle competition. My right eye "gave out on me" a couple of years ago, so I switched back to pistol (used to shoot on a unit
army Reserve team for a short while in the mid '50's. I just shoot for fun now, I'm too old and tried of competition shooting to get into pistol competition, although I do shoot at 25 and 50 yards when the weather is good. My wife says no progressive loader, I "won't outlast it". ;)

[Bear]

Wow! Thank you all for voting and responding to this poll. The amount of members who have contributed to this is great. Keep those votes coming!

Enjoy safe shooting!

Bear

[spdabbs]

I currently use a Lee Challenger Press that I bought at a gunshow. I'm waiting on my Pro-1000 which should be coming any day now.

[primersinmyshoe]

Keep those votes coming.

[0331]

I use a Hornady Projector for my progressive press and the RCBS Rock Chucker for my single stage press. For years now with no regrets.

[VictoryRider]

I load for rifle and handgun calibers ranging from .38 Spl. to 300 Win Mag. I Started with a Lyman Spartan single stage I bought for $25 dollars many moons ago - since donated to my uncle who is getting into handloading. Loaded many rounds of rifle and handgun ammo on that press. Then upgraded my handgun loading to a Lee 1000. Loaded many K of .38, .357 and .45 acp on that press. Liked it so much I added a second Lee 1000 to minimize caliber change times. Unlike some people I had no issues using the Lee 1000 as long as I paid attention to keep the primer feed full. Probably comes from learning to keep a MEC 9000 shotshell loader running. Then found a deal on a Lee Loadmaster on Ebay and switched all my .45 acp loading to that press because it has an additional station for taper crimping. Loaded many K of .45 on that press. After donating the Lyman to my uncles handloading cause I acquired a Lee Classic Cast press for my heavy duty sizing and large rifle loading chores. Just recently picked up a Dillon 650 from Ebay. The Dillon now does all my .223 and handgun loading except .38 Spl and .44 Mag which I still load on the Lee 1000. The Lee Classic is utilized for all the larger rifle calibers 25-06, 7mm-08, .308, 30-06 and .300 Win. mag. because I prefer to individually weigh charges in my rifle loads. That is my story so far. ;)

[jwcollect@hotmail.com]

I like the RCBS Turret press. I think it's a great compromise between a single stage and a progressive. Personally I like to manually load the primers with the ABS strips. I get a good seat and I can inspect the cases at the same time. I also dispense and load the powder manually and weight each cartridge, it's the only way to get a real consistent load every time. The turret is great for reshaping, pressing the bullet into place and crimping. I may not be able to crank out 500 rounds an hour, but my loads are real accurate and good. In my opinion the progressives are made for speed, not accuracy. I enjoy reloading almost as much as shooting and I'm not in any kind of rush. It's relaxing and therapeutic.

[hipshot percussion]

I have always used a rcbs junior. slow but dependable as the sun rise. bought a lee 1000, and it tried to eat my 44 cases. and have not tried it yet for 45 acp. will let you know.

[Range(O)Time]

My main press is a rcbs 4x4 this is a true progressive no manual function other than case, bullet, pull the handle.

My second and new press is a dillon 550b I have yet to use it though.

I also have two rcbs single stage presses. These I mostly use for military brass. and for misc things I dont want to change my main press for.

I have loaded thousands of rounds on the 4x4 and really like this press

I think both rcbs and dillon are top notch. :)

[tom32]

Dillon 550 B unless I have to use Accurate Arms powders then I go with a Hornady single stage. I have yet to get the Dillon powder measure to work reliably with AA.

[Bear]

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this poll. I now have a good idea of which press I should choose. I have an RCBS Rock Chucker but I was having trouble deciding what choice to make for a progressive press for my pistol ammo. This poll really helped me greatly. Thank's again folks!

Enjoy Safe Shooting!

Bear

[f4tweet]

I have been reloading for 5 years with an RCBS Pro 2000. I load 45,40 38 357,41 Mag. It is a fantastic press. The last time I reloaded was 1964-65 before I went into the Marines. I took an NRA reloading couse and with the help of a friend , I was off and running. I will use my Rock Chucker for rifle calibers. I have been very happy with this press and had no difficulty with the transition to a progressive press. I hope they come out with a new 6 station press and a ram arm that doesn't have the ball on it, but a handle like Dillon.

[Gammon]

Dillon RL 300, RL 450, RL 550, and an RL 1050. I guess you could say I'm hooked on Dillon products; 25 years with no complaints. I do use a Rock Chucker to resize the rifle brass.

[greihart]

WOW! :eek:

Only 1 vote for a Redding press?!? I'm getting pretty close to laying down some $$ for my first reloading bench setup, and after doing what I thought has been a fair amount of reading, and also going to my local Sportsman's Whor...er...Warehouse and feeling up all the display models from the big names....I had pretty much made up my mind that a Redding Big Boss was a good way to go.

Now I take a look at this poll and gotta wonder...is there something I should know about Redding presses or just Redding in general? If there are truths to be told, let me here 'em now before I lay down my green.

BTW, I'm not going to be loading mass quantities, and prefer quality over quantity anyway, so I'm really not into progressive presses. Perhaps that's what tilt's the poll so heavily to Dillon.

Anyway, if anyone has some light to shed, let's hear it. Thanks!

[robertbank]

I reload a couple of hundred rounds per week. Not a lot but enough. 9MM and .45acp mostly. When I get the bug for some revolver shooting I load batches of .38 Spl and .357 mag. I know Redding, RCBs and Hornady all make great presses and their service no doubt is as good as Dillon's, I guess.

I do know my 550 does every thing I want it to and more and Dillon long ago set the standard for customer service and everytime I have contact with them they seem to have raised the bar. Their no BS warranty is just that good! Plain and simple! Buy a Dillon 550 and you will not be sorry. Just my .02 cents Cdn. worth.

Get a map out and drop down a bit from the Alaskan Panhandle and you will be close to where I live. A long way from Scotsdale AZ but only a call away and three days by mail.

Regards and Stay Safe.

[Gammon]

Redding makes top of the line equipment. I use their Competition Bullet Seating Dies in my Dillon machines. I now reload all of my ammo, rifle included on Dillon machines. Progressive reloaders do not necessarily compromise quality; G. David Tubb reloads his ammo on a Dillon machine.

[Peter45]

had a Lee turret for many years, but has a Dillon 550B now.

[Hunter]

I love my Hornady press(and everything else is Hornady as well).I have used it from pistol
handloading to precision benchrest handloads and it has preformed flawless every time.I am not sure why the Hornady is not popular with this site because most folks I know swear by Hornady. I am sure that the other equipment works well but I think Hornady is the best.

[19elevin]

Dillon 450, upgrade to 450B, upgrade to 550, upgrade to 550B, finally bought a 650 with all the bells & whistles. What a machine!

[colorado47]

Wanted to say thanks for all the great reloading info. I think i'm ready to jump into the craft.

[jdboy]

I've used Lee for years because the price was great and the equipment has held up for many, many rounds.

[Doug Casner]

Sounds like you guys like the dillon 650. Ithink youve made my mind up. Ive got a rcbs 2000 I cant get it to prime. I prime with a little hand primer then run em through the 2000 to charge and seat the bullet. Sizing is a different op. too. Too many steps. I want something a tard like me can run. What accesories do I need to order with the 650? Can I use my dies? Most of em are rcbs. Doug

[Gammon]

Check out the Dillon web site. Be careful when sizing up the 650. It will only produce high volumes of loaded ammo when equipped with the optional case feeder. If you aren't willing to spring for the case feeder for the 650, you might just as well buy a 550 and save some money. Also, compare the price of the fully equipped 650 with a 1050. The 1050 is the best machine, and the most expensive. Its only real problem is the 1 hour caliber conversions. I sprung for a 1050 fifteen years ago, and have never regretted it, but the 550 will produce an EASY 400 rounds per hour, which is enough to satisfy most shooters.

[RodB]

I have two Lee Pro 1000s that have been in use since 1988. They cost about $115.00 from Midway. There is a learning curve to using these but once this is completed there are minimal problems.

I also have a Lee Challenger for rifle, however this has been relegated to depriming since I got a new Lee Classic cast press. I can"t say enough good things about the Classic Cast.

For shotshell reloading I am strictly MEC, two 600 Jrs & two 9000Gs.

Rod. :)

[SteveR917]

Just got my new RCBS Pro 2000, vey nice so far, took a bit of getting used to. The best thing is the priming system. As I get more confident with the press and setup I think I will be liking it more and more.