Hey guys, need your opinions on a possible press purchase. Getting into a 1911 and am going to be making my ammo. Looking at the dillon square deal b or a hornaday progressive, not really interested in a 550 and I care not to spend to get into a 650. What are everyone's opinions on these two units? Obviously the hornaday has more flexibility in it. How do you get around lubing for a bottleneck case? I have a 6.8 and will eventually have a 5.56...
- Thread starter Quackaddict
- Start date
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
you only leave yourself with one option given the info provided, the Hornady. A square deal cannot do rifle of any kind. I have a square deal and a 550, I think the SD is kind of cramped, even for pistol. I will never be without a 550, it might not have all the bells and whistles as some other presses but it does it all with less headaches than other presses.
If you're asking about how to resize bottleneck cartidges without lube, there is no getting around that.
you only leave yourself with one option given the info provided, the Hornady. A square deal cannot do rifle of any kind. I have a square deal and a 550, I think the SD is kind of cramped, even for pistol. I will never be without a 550, it might not have all the bells and whistles as some other presses but it does it all with less headaches than other presses.
If you're asking about how to resize bottleneck cartidges without lube, there is no getting around that.
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
The guys that load bottleneck rifle typically size and deprime with lube then remove the lube and run then again to prime powder and seat bullets.
Can't help on the press choices. I run pistol on a Lee Loadmaster, rifle on a T-7.
The guys that load bottleneck rifle typically size and deprime with lube then remove the lube and run then again to prime powder and seat bullets.
Can't help on the press choices. I run pistol on a Lee Loadmaster, rifle on a T-7.
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
I should clarify, I have those calibers, but if the square deal is that much nicer then I will go that route, my primary use is for 45 ammo...
I should clarify, I have those calibers, but if the square deal is that much nicer then I will go that route, my primary use is for 45 ammo...
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
Go with the 550, dillion will take care of your press for life. I have a old 450 and a 550 would not use anything else.
Go with the 550, dillion will take care of your press for life. I have a old 450 and a 550 would not use anything else.
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
The hornady and 650 are fairly close in price once you get the case feed for both.
The 550 is all I load on now and can do 400 or so rounds and hour pistol. The 650 I could do 900+ easily.
Resale price alone should sell you on the dillon.
The hornady and 650 are fairly close in price once you get the case feed for both.
The 550 is all I load on now and can do 400 or so rounds and hour pistol. The 650 I could do 900+ easily.
Resale price alone should sell you on the dillon.
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
I say skip the 550. A solid machine, but the lack of auto-index is like getting to have sex with a super model, but not being allowed to get off.
If you are absolutely, positively...beyond a doubt only going to use the press for loading pistol, the SDb is a great choice. Inexpensive, compact and auto indexing. Leave it all set up, walk up to it and churn out some ammo.
The Hornady is a great machine in it's own right - and your top pick if you think you'll want to do rifle as well - which I highly recommend.
I have a 550, 650 and the LnL, and between the three, the 650 and LnL are close, with the nod going to the LnL, and the 550 coming in a DISTANT 3rd. I hate, hate, hate the lack of autoindex, spent primers on the floor, and lack of 5th station (for a "versatile" machine). I give the SDb a pass on its lack of 5 stations, because it is a dedicated pistol rig.
How much ammo are you looking to make?
I say skip the 550. A solid machine, but the lack of auto-index is like getting to have sex with a super model, but not being allowed to get off.
If you are absolutely, positively...beyond a doubt only going to use the press for loading pistol, the SDb is a great choice. Inexpensive, compact and auto indexing. Leave it all set up, walk up to it and churn out some ammo.
The Hornady is a great machine in it's own right - and your top pick if you think you'll want to do rifle as well - which I highly recommend.
I have a 550, 650 and the LnL, and between the three, the 650 and LnL are close, with the nod going to the LnL, and the 550 coming in a DISTANT 3rd. I hate, hate, hate the lack of autoindex, spent primers on the floor, and lack of 5th station (for a "versatile" machine). I give the SDb a pass on its lack of 5 stations, because it is a dedicated pistol rig.
How much ammo are you looking to make?
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
My opinion is similar to turbo54. I'd choose the Square Deal without question for pistol. Love that machine. If you do not plan to load for rifle, this is a great choice. The lack of auto indexing of the 550 bugs me. The Hornady is built fine but, not for me.
I have a square deal, 550, and 650 amongst my equipment. The Square deal was my first machine and have loaded over a hundred thousand rounds over the coarse of 20 years. Customer service is exceptional also. Jump to the 650 if you plan to reload later on for rifle.
My opinion is similar to turbo54. I'd choose the Square Deal without question for pistol. Love that machine. If you do not plan to load for rifle, this is a great choice. The lack of auto indexing of the 550 bugs me. The Hornady is built fine but, not for me.
I have a square deal, 550, and 650 amongst my equipment. The Square deal was my first machine and have loaded over a hundred thousand rounds over the coarse of 20 years. Customer service is exceptional also. Jump to the 650 if you plan to reload later on for rifle.
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
I own a SDB and love it for loading handgun ammo. I agree with the others that the lack of auto index on the 550 is a detractor compared with the LnL and 650. If I were to upgrade to a progressive for rifle (currently load rifle on a Rock Chucker), I'd have to go with the Hornady machine vs. the 650 simply due to the LnL having the same features as the 650, but for less money. That, in addition to the LnL having pretty decent reviews and not much negative feedback. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the 650 is a great machine, I just can't justify the extra cost for the few (if any?) features gained.
Good luck with your choice.
I own a SDB and love it for loading handgun ammo. I agree with the others that the lack of auto index on the 550 is a detractor compared with the LnL and 650. If I were to upgrade to a progressive for rifle (currently load rifle on a Rock Chucker), I'd have to go with the Hornady machine vs. the 650 simply due to the LnL having the same features as the 650, but for less money. That, in addition to the LnL having pretty decent reviews and not much negative feedback. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the 650 is a great machine, I just can't justify the extra cost for the few (if any?) features gained.
Good luck with your choice.
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
I make several thousand rounds of rifle and now pistol ammo a year, I plan on bumping way up once I get the supply stream figured out for both 6.8 and 45. I am also going to be doing some loading for two other 45's in the family, those two people alone have asked for 700 rounds once I get setup. I can see myself burning a hundred rounds a week real easy just in 45.
I make several thousand rounds of rifle and now pistol ammo a year, I plan on bumping way up once I get the supply stream figured out for both 6.8 and 45. I am also going to be doing some loading for two other 45's in the family, those two people alone have asked for 700 rounds once I get setup. I can see myself burning a hundred rounds a week real easy just in 45.
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
i went with the lnl a few months ago and love it. 3 buddys have since bought 1 as well
i went with the lnl a few months ago and love it. 3 buddys have since bought 1 as well
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
my $0.02
550 if you plan to do rifle. My brother uses his for F-Class .284 Winchester as well as his .45ACP.
I have both 550 and Single Stage presses. If I was limited to one press to do both it would be the 550...
Jeffvn
my $0.02
550 if you plan to do rifle. My brother uses his for F-Class .284 Winchester as well as his .45ACP.
I have both 550 and Single Stage presses. If I was limited to one press to do both it would be the 550...
Jeffvn
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
I have a 550 and 650. For pure speed the 650 is fast. The 550 is a little more controllable and easier to change calibers. And if you jamb up the 550 is easier to clear and resume loading.
I have a 550 and 650. For pure speed the 650 is fast. The 550 is a little more controllable and easier to change calibers. And if you jamb up the 550 is easier to clear and resume loading.
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
I have a theory on double charges in pistol rounds, I have seen three pistols blow up because of it, all 3 guys used a 550, so I say skip the non auto indexing presses, yes stupid is as stupid does but why take the chance.
I have a theory on double charges in pistol rounds, I have seen three pistols blow up because of it, all 3 guys used a 550, so I say skip the non auto indexing presses, yes stupid is as stupid does but why take the chance.
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a theory on double charges in pistol rounds, I have seen three pistols blow up because of it, all 3 guys used a 550, so I say skip the non auto indexing presses, yes stupid is as stupid does but why take the chance. </div></div>
Completely agree 10000%
Autoindex automatically gets that charged case the hell away from that station when you pull the lever again.
It is EXCEPTIONALLY difficult to accidentally doublecharge with an autoindex machine.
My 550 has a casefeeder, so pulling the lever without advancing the shellplate results in a jam in station 1, as there will now be two cases there....without the casefeeder though, a 550 will happily 2x, 3x, 4x etc etc etc a case for you. No thanks.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a theory on double charges in pistol rounds, I have seen three pistols blow up because of it, all 3 guys used a 550, so I say skip the non auto indexing presses, yes stupid is as stupid does but why take the chance. </div></div>
Completely agree 10000%
Autoindex automatically gets that charged case the hell away from that station when you pull the lever again.
It is EXCEPTIONALLY difficult to accidentally doublecharge with an autoindex machine.
My 550 has a casefeeder, so pulling the lever without advancing the shellplate results in a jam in station 1, as there will now be two cases there....without the casefeeder though, a 550 will happily 2x, 3x, 4x etc etc etc a case for you. No thanks.
Re: progressive press for 45 auto
I have a Square Deal and a 550. I have the Square Deal set up for black powder loads in 45 Colt.
My 550B is set up to do a variety of pistol and rifle calibers - 45 ACP included.
When using the 550B i look in every case after the powder is dropped before advancing. I got careless elsewhere. On two occasions i loaded two bullets in the same case.
The 44 magnum cartridge did not fit the chamber. I was lucky.
The 30/06 cartridge did not pass my 'shake' test. I shake each bottleneck cartridge case so that I know it contains powder. The cartridge in question did not sound right. Putting the cartridge in my inertia bullet puller showed me i had two bullets in the 30/06 case. Stay awake!
I also use Redding's T-7 turret press for a few rifle calibers.
An old RCBS Rockchucker sits gets used on my bench too.
I have a Square Deal and a 550. I have the Square Deal set up for black powder loads in 45 Colt.
My 550B is set up to do a variety of pistol and rifle calibers - 45 ACP included.
When using the 550B i look in every case after the powder is dropped before advancing. I got careless elsewhere. On two occasions i loaded two bullets in the same case.
The 44 magnum cartridge did not fit the chamber. I was lucky.
The 30/06 cartridge did not pass my 'shake' test. I shake each bottleneck cartridge case so that I know it contains powder. The cartridge in question did not sound right. Putting the cartridge in my inertia bullet puller showed me i had two bullets in the 30/06 case. Stay awake!
I also use Redding's T-7 turret press for a few rifle calibers.
An old RCBS Rockchucker sits gets used on my bench too.
