Moving to a AUTO PROGRESSIVE.... Need Help/Advice

[Mattrmvpd]

Ok.. I have been loading my .308 rounds from a SINGLE state press and now I am looking to update to AUTO/PROGRESSIVE.

I am ONLY going to use this for .308... and maybe down the road...way down.. for .223/5.56


I have been looking at the various reloading suppliers.... but I need YOUR HELP/ADVICE....

I need to know:

Which auto press would be better between RCBS/Hornady...

What all accessories do I need so that I would ONLY have to make 1 order and not forget anything.

ANY AND ALL personal experiences would be great to hear.

Thanks
M.

 

[Assault116]

I know you specifically said RCBS or Hornady, but you owe it to yourself to look at a dillon. Smooth, rock solid, accurate, and the factory support is second to none.

 

[Mattrmvpd]

I will consider Dillon as well.

Thanks,
M

 

[65guys_steve]

I have no experience with the RCBS AP press but my impression is it's not as popular as the Dillons or Hornady AP presses. I use a Hornady Lock-n-Load AP for all my high volume rounds, or non-precision ammo to include (.223, 30-30, .308, .45 ACP). It's fairly simple to setup and I get good/consistent results and able to crank out a few hundred rounds per hour. I purchased mine as a pre-packaged kit that came with everything I needed, except you may need buy shell plates separately for the specific cartridges you want to load. Also the auto case feeder is a nice option to buy as it will help speed your overall output, but not necessary if you want to save a little bit of cash.

 

[gimpy]

I've had the Hornady, and really liked it... Until I got my first Dillon. It was the rabid attitude of the "Blue Kool-Aid Drinkers" that kept me away at first. If you truly want to do the best possible job all-around, without regard for cost, the 1050 is absolutely the way to go. If you want to get in to it more reasonably, the 650. I say 1050 because you can swage on the press, seat primers on the downstroke of the handle, process 223 like a madman, and the head is held in absolute alignment by the indexing pins. In my opinion, the 650 is much more smooth to operate and would be the easy choice if non-crimped brass was a sure thing.

 

[HodgdonExtreme]

Dillon 650 > Hornady >> RCBS

Horny AP is a good machine, in some ways better than the 650. Between an AP and a 550, I'd take the AP, but the 650 is ultimately superior due to an awesome case feeder, stone reliable primer feed system, resale value, and Dillons warranty.

If you use Dillons interactive gear selection application on the website, you'll get everything you need in one shot.

By the way, you can swage primer pockets in a 650 with an $80 aftermarket kit.

H335, TAC and Win748 meter GREAT. Varget, IMR4064 etc etc meter only so so.

 

[ZombieMonkey]

My advice having recently made the move to a 650 after the last 5+ years of having a LNL with a case feed, get the 650 and don't ever look back. Superior in so many ways. I honestly can fly through loads with the Dillon vs constantly having to tend to somethign else with the LNL. The case feed system on the Dillon alone makes it a much better choice, it just flat works. No toying with it like the Hornady case feeder.

 

[ZombieMonkey]

If you're hell bent on a LNL though, I've got one I'm going to post up for sale. $300 shipped to your door. I'll even throw the Ergo roller handle in with it.

 

[AyKay]

Personally, I have the Dillon 550B and it is a great rig but then again, I am bias and do not own more than one reloading rig. I would suggest talking with a local shop that reloads ammo and asking them.

 

[MetroJethro]

Its hard to go wrong with Dillon. Their warranty/support has a great reputation. When I first purchase the 550, I had never reloading before and the Dillon folks were great about walking me through the process and suggesting which manuals to get. That was 11 years ago and I am stilling using the same press.

 

[HodgdonExtreme]

My advice having recently made the move to a 650 after the last 5+ years of having a LNL with a case feed, get the 650 and don't ever look back. Superior in so many ways. I honestly can fly through loads with the Dillon vs constantly having to tend to somethign else with the LNL. The case feed system on the Dillon alone makes it a much better choice, it just flat works. No toying with it like the Hornady case feeder.

I strongly prefer the cam-lock die bushing system the AP uses, over the tool head arrangement of the Dillon.

The Dillon is better overall though. You pay for it.
[MENTION=97737]AyKay[/MENTION]

550 is a good machine too, but personally, I WON'T own a progressive without auto index again.