hey guys, new to reloading im looking at a Lee progressive set up but dont want to fork out for two presses so is there any that will load rifle (.300 win/ .308) and pistol (.44 mag) with relative ease. as much as i like the idea of the ease accompanied with a progressive press i am open to persuasion about other styles of presses.
progressive reloading
- Thread starter jack campbell
- Start date
Re: progressive reloading
if you are going to do any type pistol, then make sure it is a progressive... i have the hornady LNL AP press and I really like it, but you need to make sure it is totally clean before each use... Dillon makes a damn nice press if you don't mind spending just a tad bit more. Progressive is a must have for pistol ammo... Works just fine with my rifle ammo also.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shooterjack2009</div><div class="ubbcode-body">hey guys, new to reloading im looking at a Lee progressive set up but dont want to fork out for two presses so is there any that will load rifle (.300 win/ .308) and pistol (.44 mag) with relative ease. as much as i like the idea of the ease accompanied with a progressive press i am open to persuasion about other styles of presses. </div></div>
if you are going to do any type pistol, then make sure it is a progressive... i have the hornady LNL AP press and I really like it, but you need to make sure it is totally clean before each use... Dillon makes a damn nice press if you don't mind spending just a tad bit more. Progressive is a must have for pistol ammo... Works just fine with my rifle ammo also.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shooterjack2009</div><div class="ubbcode-body">hey guys, new to reloading im looking at a Lee progressive set up but dont want to fork out for two presses so is there any that will load rifle (.300 win/ .308) and pistol (.44 mag) with relative ease. as much as i like the idea of the ease accompanied with a progressive press i am open to persuasion about other styles of presses. </div></div>
Re: progressive reloading
Go with a Dillon 550 would be my recommendation, quick relatively in expensive caliber changes. Yes, you have to manually index and your limited to only 4 stations. However the 500 is a workhorse and in comparison to other presses simpler to learn on for a new reloader with multiple caliber requirements right off the start.
Go with a Dillon 550 would be my recommendation, quick relatively in expensive caliber changes. Yes, you have to manually index and your limited to only 4 stations. However the 500 is a workhorse and in comparison to other presses simpler to learn on for a new reloader with multiple caliber requirements right off the start.
Re: progressive reloading
unfortunately i dont think Dillon sells in england
further note i know i will get people bugging me calming that handguns are illegal in england even from people well versed in english gun law but look again you can own up to a .45 calibre magnum revolver with an extended barrel so it is difficult to conceal on a section 1 and almost anything else on a section 5 (licence for banned fire arms) so please don't flood my in box with threats of calling the police on me
unfortunately i dont think Dillon sells in england
further note i know i will get people bugging me calming that handguns are illegal in england even from people well versed in english gun law but look again you can own up to a .45 calibre magnum revolver with an extended barrel so it is difficult to conceal on a section 1 and almost anything else on a section 5 (licence for banned fire arms) so please don't flood my in box with threats of calling the police on me
Re: progressive reloading
You can use a progressive press as a single stage, you cannot use a single stage as a progressive.
I use my 650 as a single stage for most of my rifle loadings. It is nice being able to load the case feeder and prime all my brass.
You can use a progressive press as a single stage, you cannot use a single stage as a progressive.
I use my 650 as a single stage for most of my rifle loadings. It is nice being able to load the case feeder and prime all my brass.
Re: progressive reloading
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shooterjack2009</div><div class="ubbcode-body">unfortunately i dont think Dillon sells in england
</div></div>
Actually I think they may... you should give them a call. I know a few guys in the Holland than shoot IPSC and all have purchased presses directly.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shooterjack2009</div><div class="ubbcode-body">unfortunately i dont think Dillon sells in england
</div></div>
Actually I think they may... you should give them a call. I know a few guys in the Holland than shoot IPSC and all have purchased presses directly.
Re: progressive reloading
Pinch your pennies, buy a used Dillon RL550. You can use Lee dies (big cost savings here) and can upgrade it as your finances and interest allow to include a case feeder, elevated mount, roller handle, several after-market additions too (like large knobs for adjusting the powder bar settings, primer catcher cup).
I loaded maybe 30 thousand rounds on one, sold it, bought an XL650 - have over 66k rounds through it. Used to own some subguns, still shoot several thousand round a year or more depending.
You'll want to look into places for bulk/surplus powder, brass, bulets like hi tech ammo, pats reloading, bartlett's reloading, scharch manufacturing, graf and sons, and there are many others.
Dillon's no-BS warranty is just that. I screwed up somehow, broke a handful of parts a couple weeks ago (piece came loose, I just applied too much force when I should have stopped) and I called Dillon. Parts came three days later, no charge. And I'm the second owner.
The cheaper makes, Lee and all the rest, just don't seem to stack up quality wise. I use Lee single stage reloaders for smaller volume reloads.
Think about it.
Pinch your pennies, buy a used Dillon RL550. You can use Lee dies (big cost savings here) and can upgrade it as your finances and interest allow to include a case feeder, elevated mount, roller handle, several after-market additions too (like large knobs for adjusting the powder bar settings, primer catcher cup).
I loaded maybe 30 thousand rounds on one, sold it, bought an XL650 - have over 66k rounds through it. Used to own some subguns, still shoot several thousand round a year or more depending.
You'll want to look into places for bulk/surplus powder, brass, bulets like hi tech ammo, pats reloading, bartlett's reloading, scharch manufacturing, graf and sons, and there are many others.
Dillon's no-BS warranty is just that. I screwed up somehow, broke a handful of parts a couple weeks ago (piece came loose, I just applied too much force when I should have stopped) and I called Dillon. Parts came three days later, no charge. And I'm the second owner.
The cheaper makes, Lee and all the rest, just don't seem to stack up quality wise. I use Lee single stage reloaders for smaller volume reloads.
Think about it.
Re: progressive reloading
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rick R</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can use a progressive press as a single stage, you cannot use a single stage as a progressive.
I use my 650 as a single stage for most of my rifle loadings. It is nice being able to load the case feeder and prime all my brass. </div></div>
you can buy kits to turn the rcbs single stages into progressives but i think it ends up costing more than just getting a progressive to start with.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rick R</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can use a progressive press as a single stage, you cannot use a single stage as a progressive.
I use my 650 as a single stage for most of my rifle loadings. It is nice being able to load the case feeder and prime all my brass. </div></div>
you can buy kits to turn the rcbs single stages into progressives but i think it ends up costing more than just getting a progressive to start with.
Re: progressive reloading
A friend of mine got Lees progressive loader, he had nothing but problems with the thing. He had so many mishaps with the thing.
I have a Lee Classic turret and am happy with it, much faster for my handgun and .223 plinking ammo than a single stage.
When funds allow I will be getting a Dillon though.
A friend of mine got Lees progressive loader, he had nothing but problems with the thing. He had so many mishaps with the thing.
I have a Lee Classic turret and am happy with it, much faster for my handgun and .223 plinking ammo than a single stage.
When funds allow I will be getting a Dillon though.
Re: progressive reloading
ok, i just haven't seen them available in any retailers or online shops, so would it be a case of finding them direct?
ok, i just haven't seen them available in any retailers or online shops, so would it be a case of finding them direct?
Re: progressive reloading
looked into it , found a couple of dillons second hand, also watched some tutorials with them they seem excellent, thanks guys i think im going to go with one
looked into it , found a couple of dillons second hand, also watched some tutorials with them they seem excellent, thanks guys i think im going to go with one
Re: progressive reloading
i use my lee loadmaster to do bulk 223 target loads, fmj junk and its great.. u can do 308 as well, but for good loads, a lee clasic cast turret press is the way to go, just remove the auto index...
http://www.midwayuk.com/epages/Midway_UK...4B-0A0A0511407F
i use my lee loadmaster to do bulk 223 target loads, fmj junk and its great.. u can do 308 as well, but for good loads, a lee clasic cast turret press is the way to go, just remove the auto index...
http://www.midwayuk.com/epages/Midway_UK...4B-0A0A0511407F
Re: progressive reloading
at the end of the day i guess what im asking is is there any accuracy loss in using a progressive press over a normal one, ie do normal presses provide more reliable accurate results?
at the end of the day i guess what im asking is is there any accuracy loss in using a progressive press over a normal one, ie do normal presses provide more reliable accurate results?
Re: progressive reloading
I'm using my S1050 for progressive rifle reloading. My first batch of 30-06 I was not impressed. it was about +/- the results of 30-06 milsurp.
I'm doing my second batch of rifle now. This time I am pulling the cases after the powder drop and trickling the last few grains of powder for consistent charges. Despite doing some mods to my powder drop I wasnt getting consistent drops with stick powder. I hand feed my cases into the shell plate to remove the noise of 30-06 cases dropping from the case feeder but other wise I reload as a progressive one pull one bullet made.
I'm trying to get a pass to go to the range tomorrow and see if my trickled loads shoot better than my last production rounds. The only thing I think could be better right now would be to replace my Dillon seater with a Redding Competition seater.
Where my S1050 really shines for rifle loading is processing/trimming rifle brass. Fill the case feeder, pull the handle and sized/trimmed brass fills the Akro bin.
For pistol the powder drop is dead nuts with ball powder and ammo flies into the Akro bin.
I'm using my S1050 for progressive rifle reloading. My first batch of 30-06 I was not impressed. it was about +/- the results of 30-06 milsurp.
I'm doing my second batch of rifle now. This time I am pulling the cases after the powder drop and trickling the last few grains of powder for consistent charges. Despite doing some mods to my powder drop I wasnt getting consistent drops with stick powder. I hand feed my cases into the shell plate to remove the noise of 30-06 cases dropping from the case feeder but other wise I reload as a progressive one pull one bullet made.
I'm trying to get a pass to go to the range tomorrow and see if my trickled loads shoot better than my last production rounds. The only thing I think could be better right now would be to replace my Dillon seater with a Redding Competition seater.
Where my S1050 really shines for rifle loading is processing/trimming rifle brass. Fill the case feeder, pull the handle and sized/trimmed brass fills the Akro bin.
For pistol the powder drop is dead nuts with ball powder and ammo flies into the Akro bin.
Re: progressive reloading
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shooterjack2009</div><div class="ubbcode-body">at the end of the day i guess what im asking is is there any accuracy loss in using a progressive press over a normal one, ie do normal presses provide more reliable accurate results? </div></div>
A powder drop is a powder drop- makes no difference if it's manually operated or case-operated (PROVIDED the press is mounted on a rock-solid bench and doesn't get shaken around).
You either hand charge (with a beam balance or electronic scale), or use a powder drop...
Hand charging is always more accurate. But life is a compromise- and if you load large volume like I do, you'll take a tenth or two of a grain in load variation in a large centerfire cartridge for the sake of keeping your sanity.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shooterjack2009</div><div class="ubbcode-body">at the end of the day i guess what im asking is is there any accuracy loss in using a progressive press over a normal one, ie do normal presses provide more reliable accurate results? </div></div>
A powder drop is a powder drop- makes no difference if it's manually operated or case-operated (PROVIDED the press is mounted on a rock-solid bench and doesn't get shaken around).
You either hand charge (with a beam balance or electronic scale), or use a powder drop...
Hand charging is always more accurate. But life is a compromise- and if you load large volume like I do, you'll take a tenth or two of a grain in load variation in a large centerfire cartridge for the sake of keeping your sanity.
Re: progressive reloading
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pmclaine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm using my S1050 for progressive rifle reloading. My first batch of 30-06 I was not impressed. it was about +/- the results of 30-06 milsurp.
I'm doing my second batch of rifle now. This time I am pulling the cases after the powder drop and trickling the last few grains of powder for consistent charges. Despite doing some mods to my powder drop I wasnt getting consistent drops with stick powder. I hand feed my cases into the shell plate to remove the noise of 30-06 cases dropping from the case feeder but other wise I reload as a progressive one pull one bullet made.
I'm trying to get a pass to go to the range tomorrow and see if my trickled loads shoot better than my last production rounds. The only thing I think could be better right now would be to replace my Dillon seater with a Redding Competition seater.
Where my S1050 really shines for rifle loading is processing/trimming rifle brass. Fill the case feeder, pull the handle and sized/trimmed brass fills the Akro bin.
For pistol the powder drop is dead nuts with ball powder and ammo flies into the Akro bin. </div></div>
Just an update;
Shot my first 30-06 loads yesterday using IMR 4895 trickled to the desired grain amount. I think I did 43 grns initial than 46, 46.5, 47. 47.5, 48. I used Hornady M1 garand match ammo as a control. I fired 10 rounds of each type. Nice thing about IMR 4895 is that there is much less "leakage" of sticks from the Dillon powder drop than I get with RL19, IMR4064 or Varget. It sucks seeing those little powder sticks all over the back of the machine after loading.
Unlike with my first 30-06 reloads made purely from the powder drop I could clearly see a tight group and recognize the impact shift with the increase in powder.
Trickling is working for me and will be suitable for the quanitity of ammo I shoot at a session/season.
I actually like the relaxed tempo of rifle loading. With pistol its "Must produce more ammo!, Must produce more ammo!". With rifle the kids go to bed and I go to the bench, in about an hour starting from scratch to completely cleaning the work area I'll have 30 rounds that to me seem like precious little jewels.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pmclaine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm using my S1050 for progressive rifle reloading. My first batch of 30-06 I was not impressed. it was about +/- the results of 30-06 milsurp.
I'm doing my second batch of rifle now. This time I am pulling the cases after the powder drop and trickling the last few grains of powder for consistent charges. Despite doing some mods to my powder drop I wasnt getting consistent drops with stick powder. I hand feed my cases into the shell plate to remove the noise of 30-06 cases dropping from the case feeder but other wise I reload as a progressive one pull one bullet made.
I'm trying to get a pass to go to the range tomorrow and see if my trickled loads shoot better than my last production rounds. The only thing I think could be better right now would be to replace my Dillon seater with a Redding Competition seater.
Where my S1050 really shines for rifle loading is processing/trimming rifle brass. Fill the case feeder, pull the handle and sized/trimmed brass fills the Akro bin.
For pistol the powder drop is dead nuts with ball powder and ammo flies into the Akro bin. </div></div>
Just an update;
Shot my first 30-06 loads yesterday using IMR 4895 trickled to the desired grain amount. I think I did 43 grns initial than 46, 46.5, 47. 47.5, 48. I used Hornady M1 garand match ammo as a control. I fired 10 rounds of each type. Nice thing about IMR 4895 is that there is much less "leakage" of sticks from the Dillon powder drop than I get with RL19, IMR4064 or Varget. It sucks seeing those little powder sticks all over the back of the machine after loading.
Unlike with my first 30-06 reloads made purely from the powder drop I could clearly see a tight group and recognize the impact shift with the increase in powder.
Trickling is working for me and will be suitable for the quanitity of ammo I shoot at a session/season.
I actually like the relaxed tempo of rifle loading. With pistol its "Must produce more ammo!, Must produce more ammo!". With rifle the kids go to bed and I go to the bench, in about an hour starting from scratch to completely cleaning the work area I'll have 30 rounds that to me seem like precious little jewels.
