Progressive presses, what's the best value.

I've recently loaded 1k of .223 on a single stage and it sucked. With young ones running around its hard to justify the time it takes.

I've been looking at the Dillon presses but the accessories seem to be priced like moon beans.

I recall @R93 saying the hornady progressive presses are as good or better? Can you get she'll feeders for them?

What are the Lee Loadmasters like @stumpy ? Not sure if you can buy them in NZ which might be saying something.

Anything else I should be looking at? Does RCBS etc make one? Will only be used for .223 and maybe 9mm in the future.

Last question, has anybody got or know of a decent second hand one that is going second hand?

Cheers

Dillon are "it" as far as I am concerned. I would not like to guess how many rounds my press has reloaded in last 20 years but it would be "lots and lots and lots" in all sorts of calibres and it has cost me $0 in repairs

Maybe we need to get a local reloading syndicate together - done by say, town/city.
Group purchase (or hired use of a members) of a decent progressive press.
That way those of us that know nothing can learn, share stories, meet and greet.
And I'll be able to run my AR for less than $1.50/round ;)

Mate is selling his 650 with 9mmm and 223 feeders, etc. Just needs 223 dies apparently.

Attachment 49633

More than happy with my Dillon. 650 new is @$1400 from Serious for 9mm, plus you'd need 223 bits on top, this includes case feeders etc.

I wouldn't say the hornady is better than any other press but I was talked into buying it by a fella that has 2 dillions on his bench.

They are tanks of a press and only cost between 60-80 bucks to change what calibers you want to load.
They come with a great spares packet and are self indexing.
I hand feed my brass and projectiles and can load an average of 500 per hour. Including loading the primer feed.
But you can get bullet and brass feeders for them. I don't see the need for either yet, in my case.

I have used a dillion a little bit and liked it. It was a flip of a coin as to what I bought to be fair. I load 4 different calibers on my press.



Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I also have the Hornady and everyone else at my club has the Dillon 550 which is around the same price once conversion kits accounted for. Most have had a go with the Hornady and love the auto index, 5th die mount and easier cleaning of the the rotating assembly simply by removing the shell plate.
Only problem I've had is that the primer punch seats very flat, won't really punch below level without modifying. I got powder where it shouldn't have been and caused 4-5 primers to sit high in one batch. Won't happen again.

With spare quick release die bushings it takes 2-3mins to change calibre, only messing around is changing the powder measure from pistol to rifle, but is still a 10 min job. A dedicated rifle measure is next on my shopping list, along with a modified shell feeder and a powder check die

Yeah I was thinking of a dedicated measure for rifle cartridges but as you say it takes a few minutes to set up.
It would just be a luxury for me as I load way more pistol than rifle and only do a run on .223 or .308 a couple times a year.
If you do buy one let me know cost and where mate.
I seen it reasonably priced at workshop innovation?


Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I'm a 650 fan, and really like mine (load 9mm mainly, and 223).
If you buy the whole setup (case feeder, Dillon carbide dies 9mm ) at the start, it is a reasonable cost.
I brought a spares kit and tool head on a order from the states as a filler, and we're about 1/3 cost of NZ pricing at the time.

I have the quick change (tool head, case feeder disc, dies, powder measure, she'll holder etc) for 223 and that was a bit pricey, but I will never have to buy again.

Minus the dies, your can do another calibre for about 80-100, if you want to muck around and spin dies out , alter powder measure etc...

I did 2000 once fired 223 last year, and used both the single stage and the 650, as I didn't want lube all through the 650. There won't be a next time !! BUT if I was to, I would use the 650, and just clean it at the end. The case feeder would have made it alot faster.

As a side, I also have 2 kids, and the ability to leave it all set up, and walk away, come back load some primers in, load 50 and walk away, come back, etc... Is a big bonus.

you know , i really like my loadmaster .... it works well for me , lots of people dont have time for lee , ...i have 6 lee presses now , and may buy more when settled in canada, ... i havent used any other presses , i bet they are fantastic , but i can churn out the ammo on the loadmaster , and it just works ... if you unsure that you want to reload in bulk then try a lee .... you can always upgrade and use the lee for other calibres ...
cheers

I have used the hornady, Dillon 650 , Dillon 1050 and the Lee.

The Lee was crap but I didn't realize how crap until I used the others-ended up giving it away.

I really like the hornady and plan on buying one, as I'm doing the expat thing I have spent way to much time planning out my dream reloading bench and plan on buying another 1050(I already have one) and the hornady.
A 1050 each set up for 223 and 9mm(they are a bitch to swap out) and the hornady for everything else as its so easy to swap out. There will still be a couple of single stage presses-mainly as I have them and for load development.

I would have gone 650 if herbmister hadn't got me hooked on his 1050 with auto everything-once you have experienced the speed everything else just seems to be snails pace

Savage1, the idea of doing 1k on a single stage press is just scary!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by res

Savage1, the idea of doing 1k on a single stage press is just scary!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

I am sure someone posted on here a lot more than a thousand done on a single stage😆

Just done 400 9mm and 300 .40 between periods and add breaks watching a game of Ice Hockey😆

Weather is seriously shit today, here on the coast.
Thought I better get some done.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

lol might be me, I've done prob @3000 on a Lee single stage for the 223 for rifle shooting, but that's over a few years :-) And I'll keep doing it, I find it very relaxing.

Progressive press, just fab. Would recommend one that auto-indexes rather than a manual one, but that's just a personal preference - practically zero chance of double charging.

I've got a Lee pro 1000 you can have for $200.

I'm running a Hornaday LnL. It's superb. Love the quick change bushings and the shell plate is a piece of piss to change. Dillons look too fucky for me. I almost bought a 550 but I'm glad I didn't. I'm sure they're quality presses but calibre change looks like a pain in the sack.

I can change my dillon from loading for my 6.5tCU to loading for my SAUM in 2-3 minutes max
Pull 2 pins, Remove tool head for .223 incl powder measure and fit tool head for SAUM incl Powder measure. Swap shellplate and primer feeds (small to large) and away we go

Alhough generally it stays set up for the TCU :) .223 brass in neck up and prime on first station, powder @ station 2 and projectile @ station 3 easy peasy. i have tried auto indexing presses but not for me

Dillon 550 and or Dillon 650 for me.
Dillon 650 with case feeder and Mr Bullet feeder is very hard to beat.

Cheers for the advice, sorry Beavis but I've got no interest in the Lee Pro1000, I'd give the loadmaster a chance.

I just realised the Dillon 550 isn't auto index so that puts that out. I'm leaning towards the hornady LnL because it seems to be well regarded by all that use it and the upgrades aren't huge money.

Dillon 650...... :)

Although, its a stil/husky, Holden/Ford, hilux/everything else, type discussion. Go and try a few versions out, and see what you like.
If your in the south, come by and you can try my 650 and see what you think (minimum 500 rounds, and you leave them.... :) but i'll supply all components etc.. ) I'm sure @R93 would offer the same for his red press :)

I'm am sick of my press now anyway.
Might go to Syria for a coffee.😆http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...4d8a1c1d1e.jpg

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

And make some of those round nose 40S&Ws, cause GECO 40s don't work in a magazine - single feed is fine......... depressing...

Oh and Timaru has one of THE best cafes for coffee. 2Stags Cafe. It/they make the best coffee.
I'm a big coffee drinker, and have been through a couple of countries and they make the best.

And enjoy!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beaker

And make some of those round nose 40S&Ws, cause GECO 40s don't work in a magazine - single feed is fine......... depressing...

Oh and Timaru has one of THE best cafes for coffee. 2Stags Cafe. It/they make the best coffee.
I'm a big coffee drinker, and have been through a couple of countries and they make the best.

And enjoy!!!!

---

Why don't the Geco work?
I was gunna buy a 1000 for the brass.

Oh and the best coffee I ever had I brewed myself. PNG highland coffee.
About the only good thing about the place. I bring heaps home every trip.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

PNG Coffee = share!!!


The geco flat nose, a bit blunt and hit the feed ramp but don't roll up and in. Its a gun issue not the ammo :O)

GECO brass is great, service is amazing,
but a 50/50 feed rate. I don't like racking apart from the first one.......


I'll send you some to try before you buy

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beaker

PNG Coffee = share!!!


The geco flat nose, a bit blunt and hit the feed ramp but don't roll up and in. Its a gun issue not the ammo :O)

GECO brass is great, service is amazing,
but a 50/50 feed rate. I don't like racking apart from the first one.......


I'll send you some to try before you buy

---

That Para is long throated and likes the projectiles seated out right on mag length.
The GECO must be a bit short?
Try to put a slight crimp or roll on them with your seating die and see if that helps.

I use the Rusa 180 from Bill or a 180 cast that a club member makes.
Both shoot tight and the cast bullets are cheap. Just takes my mate a while to make them.
I shoot a 1000 off before he thinks about another batch😆
Both shoot same POI and I do not get any fouling with the cast at all.

The cast shot well but fouled the Bul and the Para something wicked.

Yup I will grab you a bag of coffee for a try of those GECO.😆
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...2cde322808.jpg

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

They are a bit short, but I think the projectile shape is also causing a issue. PMC round nose runs 100%.

Not my pics, but same same
Attachment 49657Attachment 49658

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beaker

They are a bit short, but I think the projectile shape is also causing a issue. PMC round nose runs 100%.

Not my pics, but same same
Attachment 49657Attachment 49658

---

Short alright. Compared to what my Chaos shoots and what worked in the Para were a lot longer again.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...99d1385aad.jpg

If the Niagara river that seems to be diverted on to the top of my house, changes course, I will see if they cycle in the chaos this arvo.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

This mornings effort ,all done on my single stage RCBS .
Then cleaned in a bucket with squirt dish liquid,table spoon citric acid powder & squirt of dishwasher rinse aid ...And agitated using a cordless drill fitted with babies bottle brush ;)
Attachment 49778
Attachment 49779

... Dreams of a Dillion 650 [emoji41]

Good effort! :)

Is that a primer I can see though?

Think I Deprimed them all ? ,though the odd one may have got through .. I look like a bloody "Miner" headlamp on full tit ,desklamp also lol

Na just joking, :) bloody good effort on a single.

Talk about ones getting through, even on the 650, and loading deprimed brass, I always leave the decapper in . I have a fair of trying to seat a primer on a primer and it making large noises.....

Can anyone recommend a Hand Primer ? and or have a "Cheap" one for sale ? .... The next mission is priming all those sucka's and that sucks balls using the primer arm on the RCBS

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by seano

Can anyone recommend a Hand Primer ? and or have a "Cheap" one for sale ? .... The next mission is priming all those sucka's and that sucks balls using the primer arm on the RCBS

---

Safer using the primer arm on the rcbs


Google " primer proximity detonation"

And " reloading primer detonation"

I currently use the primer arm ,but I find it fiddly to use ,especially with my sausage fingers ..just trying look at other options

Get a 650...... :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beaker

Get a 650...... :)

---

And then your hair and nails done😆

That Geco ran sweet in my gun at club day today mate. Think I will get ya to grab me some and I will come over to pick it up and have a shoot.




Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beaker

Get a 650...... :)

---

If you have a spare one ....Ill chuck you a deposit and pay you off @Beaker ;)

I'd be guessing the Geco is loaded to suit all .40cal. This will mean it's probably too short for most except Glocks etc with smaller mag lengths.

I used to load my Para out to 32.5mm and the SV to 30mm using 180gr or 200gr using FP or conical projectiles.

The amount that ive used mine in the last 12 months, id have to charge you extra for the spiders webs! :)
Should change for the next 12 thou......

Sweet as on the ammo. I'll sort out some details and flick you a email.

I tried it agagin yesterday, 5 rds in each mag, and all bar 1 round went good as. And it was about no2 in the mag, the rest went fine. Even when put it back in by itself it didnt rack.
They are bloody short, so i think ill use it for practice to get the brass (its a bloody good price!) and dont really care if 1 or 3 ftf (in fact good practice for ftf etc..). Then reload soon, and make them looooong.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by R93

And then your hair and nails done��

That Geco ran sweet in my gun at club day today mate. Think I will get ya to grab me some and I will come over to pick it up and have a shoot.




Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

---

I didn't think the Chaos would cycle it either. 50 fired and no stoppages. Didn't use it in the match we shot just in case.
But no dramas. Even managed to get all my brass back today😆


Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk