gsp7
.30 Stingray
Posts: 421
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Post by gsp7 on Apr 8, 2020 16:32:35 GMT -5
I Have two RCBS rock chucker presses... Been great for me for all my rifles and revolver reloading
Kinda doing more handgun shooting lately than rifle.
Im slightly thinking of getting a progressive.... I mostly have all good Redding dies and some RBCS dies. No lee or lyman and I know I dont like hornaday's dies.
Anyway. what progressive preses do you like that are top quality ? RCBS ? Dillon?
I like doing alot of things separate like hand held primer.. so Im not sure Ill use a progressive press fully for all its auto stuff
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Post by taffin on Apr 8, 2020 16:52:19 GMT -5
BEEN USING THE RCBS PRO 200 SINCE 2000. I KEEP ONE SET UP FOR .38/.357 AND THE OTHER FOR .32 MAG/.327 PLUS I HAVE ABOUT 15-20 SHELL PLATES FOR BOTH LARGE AND SMALL PISTOL. UNFORTUNATELY THESE ARE NO LONGER OFFERED BY RCBS.( I HAVE EXTRA PARTS FOR THEM ON HAND JUST IN CASE) I LIKE THEM ESPECIALLY FOR THE USE OF PRIMING STRIPS INSTEAD OF PRIMING TUBES.
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gsp7
.30 Stingray
Posts: 421
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Post by gsp7 on Apr 8, 2020 17:26:50 GMT -5
Just watched a video on the RCBS PRO 200 operation
Looks good
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dickf
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 22
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Post by dickf on Apr 8, 2020 17:41:58 GMT -5
Currently using two Dillon 650s one set up for small primers and one large. They work wonderfully. had them since 98 and 2000. most of my dies are Redding pr o series, like the micrometer seating depth when changing projectile weight. The only critical thing is case length, for roll crimps. cartriges that can be taper crimped mitigate this somewhat. These machines produce ammo more accurate than I can hold anymore ( 76 years young ) The bench also holds a redding single stage and and two Ponsnes 8000 series The move to a progressive will give you much more shooting time. regards RGF
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Post by mike454 on Apr 8, 2020 18:00:32 GMT -5
I have the dillon 550 and have never had any problems. Only downside is that if you prime off the machine you lose out on a safety double check.
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Post by contender on Apr 9, 2020 8:53:33 GMT -5
I've been reloading since the 1970's. In 1998, I got into USPSA competition. I found that my wonderful Rock Chucker was too slow. So, I went on a quest to find the best progressive press. I studied things a LOT, I asked a lot of questions, and read as much as I could find. Dillon has a lifetime warranty. A truly NO BS lifetime warranty. Even if they discontinue a model, they still support it, or will replace it with the comparable model. (THis was recently discussed with the folks at Dillon at SHOT about the 650 vs. the 750.) Dillon allows the use of regular dies except in the SDB press. Due to the way they sell stuff,, the resale value of Dillon stuff holds VERY well, and it's because of their warranty program. I could easily sell my Dillons for more than what I paid for them currently. I enjoy the quick changing tool head assy for the 550 & 650, and the 750. VERY easy once set up.
I studied the USPSA Nationals shooters equipment surveys. The percentage of people who used Dillon progressives over ALL the others was HUGE. USPSA used to survey the shooters at the Nationals, and while they stopped it for many years, they have recently done it again. Dillon is STILL the top machine by a very large percentage over all the others. (My faded memory, w/o digging out my older magazines, to check, puts the percentage at 85% to 90% or better.) When top shooters rely upon a certain piece of equipment to be reliable where money, jobs, reputations are all on the line,, it says a LOT about the product chosen.
As such, back in 1998, I bought the Dillon 650, with the case feed. I have NEVER regretted the purchase,, only the DELAY in making it. I now own a pair of 650's, a 550, and a SDB.
I am currently teaching a newbie about reloading. He asked about the RCBS Pro 7 progressive. I did a little research, and found that the cost of the base machine was MORE than the cost of a 750 Dillon. And that if you buy the Dillon with the case feed, it only goes above the RCBS by about $75. The case feed is an accessory I LOVE! And yes, some of the Dillon accessories to fully trick out a press can make it more expensive, you CAN keep the expense down by studying YOUR needs BEFORE you buy. I do not use (or need) the "strong mount" offered. Nor do I need the tool holder & tools. The bullet tray only works off the strong mount, so no need there. The low powder sensor for the powder hopper, never needed one. I DO like the roller handle, but hot a "necessity." I do like the "powder check die" as a safety item,, but in over 20 years,, it's only alerted me 3 times. All 3 times were due to debris inside a case that stayed there after cleaning. Not due to an overcharge of powder.
I have looked at RCBS, and at Hornady progressives. I still feel that the Dillon is by far the best machine for the price AND value. Add in their NO BS warranty, and it's a no brainer to me.
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Post by messybear on Apr 9, 2020 8:56:44 GMT -5
I couldn’t shoot as much without a progressive. I use a Hornady LNL with some priming mods and have zero problems. I don’t normally time myself because loading shouldn’t be a timed event but I did recently. 100 rounds in 9 or 10 minutes is easy work. Takes me longer to wipe cases and put back in box than loading them! I load small handgun up to 500 Linebaugh.
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Post by wheelguns on Apr 9, 2020 9:12:40 GMT -5
Very good writeup contender! I have been thinking about a progressive for a while now. With a promotion at work putting more demand on my time, I am finding that the reloading time is hard to come by. I currently use an rcbs turret press, and am very happy with it. The cost of a fully loaded dillion 750 is a lot. It is nice to hear real world experience about all of the accessories. I load about 10 different handgun calibers. How much does it cost to set up for each caliber?
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Post by contender on Apr 9, 2020 22:56:05 GMT -5
wheelguns; I cheat. I own 4 Dillons. My pair of 650's are set up a little differently. One is set up for small primers, and one is set up for large primers. That way, conversion from one caliber to another is much easier. My 550 is set for rifle calibers, while my SDB is slowly losing ground as I upgrade my conversions. Right now, the SDB is set for 10mm,, and I only have a few other conversions for it. As for the expense of setting up for each caliber,, a lot depends upon what you choose to do. I shop around,, and buy/upgrade when I can. If I get a deal on a used set of Dillon dies, or a caliber conversion, I buy it. I also put such conversion stuff on my "wish list" for my wife & kids. Accessories like the primer tube filling machine they offer, were gifts. (I have one set for small primers & one set for large primers.) But get a Dillon catalog and you can determine what it would cost you to set things up as your needs warrant. But, basically a caliber conversion set, and a die set, a tool head, tool head stand, and a powder hopper are what I like to have. This past Christmas,, Miss Penny got me an after market but well built tool head stand system that holds 7 of my caliber conversions. It mounts to the wall, and as such, the single stands Dillon sells are now "extras." But, from the Dillon catalog here are a few prices; XL 750 - $649.99 (comes with one caliber conversion.) Casefeed - $299.99 My preferred accessories; A roller handle - $49.99 A Powder check system - $71.99 Dust cover - $39.99
Dies; Most pistol calibers (there are a few exceptions,) $75.99 And as mentioned, you can use dies with the standard thread, such as RCBS, Hornady etc.) Most pistol caliber conversion sets; - $84.99 Quick Change set-up, which includes a stand, a toolhead, and a powder measure, - $125.99
But,, as I mentioned, you can add to, or subtract as YOUR desires are met. Plus,, I didn't go out & buy everything all at once. I shopped around, and I upgraded when I could. And I'm still adding stuff. My second 650 came about when a dealer was selling out, and priced a NIB one to sell quickly. It didn't come with the casefeed,, but I put one on my wish list. When the second 650 came around,, I was using 2 SDB's I had. Well, I sold a SDB and used the money to buy other stuff from Dillon. And the SDB was sold for more than I paid for it too!
Now, you CAN get by w/o all the extras I prefer. It just takes longer to swap things around & adjust. Example; If you only have (1) powder measure. You CAN swap it over to a different toolhead assy. Or heck, you can even remove the dies & such & set things up from the base machine. But a toolhead makes it MUCH easier. And the stands make storage a breeze.
I may have to take a few pics & share them of my set-up.
But to any & all the folks reading this, PLEASE, PLEASE understand I've been reloading since the mid 1970's, and I'm always shopping & upgrading my stuff. Just going out & buying stuff can get expensive quickly. I have bought Dillon stuff at gun shows, yard sales, auctions etc. I got my 550, base set-up for about 15% below book at an auction. BUT,, another lot in the auction had 5, yes 5 caliber change sets, with toolheads, stands, powder measures dies etc. I bought that box for a measly $45. When combined with the press,, I got all of it for a very good price. I sold some of the 550 caliber conversions & such as I already was set up to load those calibers. Careful shopping and all can & will allow you to get set-up with a Dillon at good prices,, IF you are patient & watchful.
My best advise is to call Dillon, request a catalog, get it and study what you would prefer, and make a list. Ask questions of folks who use the machines & see why they like or dislike an item.
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gsp7
.30 Stingray
Posts: 421
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Post by gsp7 on Apr 10, 2020 8:30:16 GMT -5
I always heard Dillon was the "best" progressive press,,,,? Not sure why, I havent researched all the presses yet
I like buying/using quality tools. I know Redding and RCBS are top quality dies and single stage presses. And Lee presses look like something to avoid
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banger
.30 Stingray
Just a shooter have over 50 years of it love to shoot .
Posts: 124
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Post by banger on Apr 10, 2020 8:44:08 GMT -5
Dillon is hard to beat from a base model to a top of the line loader . It is hard to not get your money back selling a used Dillon . Dillon has changed some with the passing of Dick the new 750 Dillon looks to be a warmed over 650 ( at a higher cost) .
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Post by seancass on Apr 10, 2020 10:05:22 GMT -5
Long story short, I bought a Lee Loadmaster. Loaded Thousands of rounds thru it. Then I bought a Dillon 650. It's better in every imaginable way. So far, I'm still cheap enough to do all my handloading on a Lee Turret. The 650 is just for mass-production of 9mm. singleactions.proboards.com/thread/27186/red-blue
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Post by wildcatter on Apr 10, 2020 20:19:44 GMT -5
If I could only own one reloading press, it would be a 550 Dillon! I prefer it over the tiny window of the auto indexing SD, for me it was the most finger pinching press I ever owned!
The 650 would be good if it were not for the changing calibers and primer size. way more time consuming than the 550.
I have had all three and an early Lee, in my opinion, the 550 is king when convenient and simplicity are top considerations, JNO after owning mine for over 35 years.
As for Dillon's no questions asked no BS lifetime warranty, trust me, it is NO BS! Whatever you buy, I highly recommend its a Blue Press,,, that say's Dillon Precision on the box!!
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Post by contender on Apr 10, 2020 22:48:01 GMT -5
"Dillon is hard to beat from a base model to a top of the line loader . It is hard to not get your money back selling a used Dillon . Dillon has changed some with the passing of Dick the new 750 Dillon looks to be a warmed over 650 ( at a higher cost) . "
Actually, there have been improvements in the 750 over the 650. I studied it CLOSELY at SHOT for the very reason mentioned. It's got a few things that make it a better press over the 650. And yes, they will support the 650 for a LONG time. And with their lifetime NO BS warranty,, if they ever do stop servicing the 650,, you will likely get a new 750 in exchange.
As for the cost,, the 750 & the last pricing of the 650 are not far apart.
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banger
.30 Stingray
Just a shooter have over 50 years of it love to shoot .
Posts: 124
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Post by banger on Apr 11, 2020 11:16:31 GMT -5
contender
Can you tell me/us what is better about the 750 over the 650 . I have not seen the 750 in person so what improvements are we talking about .
Thank You
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