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<blockquote data-quote="NikatKimber" data-source="post: 1842105" data-attributes="member: 423"><p>Finally, the Progressive Press. For those of you that load large quantities of ammo, and specifically those that load large batches of a single cartridge before changing, the progressive press is a godsend. You need one. I'll leave it at that. The time savings will quickly pay back the cost of the press when loading thousands of rounds on any kind of regular basis. These range from cheap (be careful!) to expensive - basically an ammo plant in your loading room. Don't run off and sell your single stage or turret just yet, or as a beginner, don't dismiss them either; many loaders running a progressive still keep at least one additional non-progressive press for small lots and load work up.</p><p></p><p>Starting at the low end:</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.midwayusa.com/product/428284/lee-pro-1000-progressive-press-kit-9mm-luger" target="_blank">Lee Pro 1000</a> - $183</p><p>MidwayUSA only stocks these as a kit. I don't know if the bare press is available somewhere else or not. Last I checked, the kit was worth the extra money anyways. The Pro 1000 is a worked over, glorified Lee Turret press. I don't think you can convert the Turret to the Pro 1000, but they are very similar.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.midwayusa.com/product/671219/lee-load-master-progressive-press" target="_blank">Lee Load-Master</a> - $165 <a href="https://www.midwayusa.com/product/161975/lee-load-master-progressive-press-kit-9mm-luger" target="_blank">9mm Kit</a> - $256</p><p>Same thing, buy as the bare press, or the kit. This is designed from the ground up as a progressive. If I was getting a Lee progressive, it would be one of these. For one, you get a sturdier frame. Big plus is you get 5 stations vs 3 with the Pro 1000.</p><p></p><p>While I can recommend most Lee presses, these are not among them. The Lee progressive presses probably get more bad reports than all their other equipment combined. While some complain of them being cheap, Lee works, or in this case: can be made to work. However, you do get what you pay for, and in the world of progressive ammo reloaders, I'd advise going with the "Pay more, get more," option.</p><p></p><p>RCBS offers several choices. The "Piggyback" conversions for their single stage presses, and a dedicated progressive.</p><p><a href="https://www.midwayusa.com/product/345671/rcbs-pro-chucker-5-conversion-kit-to-pro-chucker-7-progressive-press" target="_blank">RCBS Pro-Chucker 5 Progressive Conversion Kit</a> - $315</p><p><a href="https://www.midwayusa.com/product/465696/rcbs-pro-chucker-7-progressive-press" target="_blank">RCBS Pro Chucker 7 Progressive Press</a> - $850 (currently on sale $725 10/18/17)</p><p><a href="https://www.midwayusa.com/product/738291/rcbs-pro-chucker-5-progressive-press" target="_blank">RCBS Pro Chucker 5 Progressive Press</a> - $610 (currently on sale $519 10/18/17)</p><p>These are pretty much unknowns to me. I don't know anyone that owns or uses them, and I don't hear much about them. </p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.midwayusa.com/product/679228/hornady-lock-n-load-ap-progressive-press" target="_blank">Hornady Lock-N-Load AP</a> - $460 (-Rebate + on sale currently for $410)</p><p>This is a good press. There are a lot of people using them, and I have had the chance to play with a couple. The latest update: EZ-Ject, according to some here, solves the main issue with the original versions. One point of note, the LnL uses individual quick change bushings instead of complete tool heads. I can see both pros and cons to this, but it's something to consider. </p><p>Pros </p><p>- they are compatible with their single stage Lock-n-Load presses</p><p>- Hornady sells a conversion bushing that works with some other brand presses to allow their use.</p><p>- allows some additional customizing of the process. IE, if you load multiple bullets in 9mm and want to seat them differently.</p><p>Cons</p><p>- you have to change 5 things vs 1 with a single die plate.</p><p>It is an auto-indexing press, with 5 stations. They also offer the <a href="http://www.midwayusa.com/product/632863/hornady-lock-n-load-ap-progressive-press-ammo-plant-110-volt" target="_blank">Ammo Plant</a> ($1200) that includes the LnL press, case feeder, and bullet feeder; along with other bits and pieces. Just crank the handle! Speaking of handle, <a href="https://www.midwayusa.com/s?targetLocation=%2F_%2FN-21860%2B4294966300%3FNp%3D2%26Nr%3DAND%2528p_visible%253A1%252Ccustomertypeid%253A1%2529%26Nrpp%3D24%26Ns%3Dp_price%257C1%257C%257Cp_metric_sales_velocity%257C1%26Ntpc%3D1%26Ntpr%3D1&userItemsPerPage=48&persistedItemsPerPage=0" target="_blank">Inline Fabrication</a> makes upgrades for the LnL that are much like those considered "must have" items for the Dillon presses.</p><p></p><p>Finally, the biggest name in progressive reloading: Dillon.</p><p>First, the Dillon Square Deal 'B' - $405</p><p>The Square Deal B (SDB) is an auto-indexing, 4 station progressive on a diet. It is attractively priced, and comes ready to load, including dies! The drawback: it doesn't use standard dies, and is pistol ONLY.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.dillonprecision.com/bl-550-basic-loader_8_1_25792.html" target="_blank">BL 550 Basic Loader</a> - $275</p><p>I just learned of this one recently. It is a true 550, and can be upgraded with any other 550 parts. It just offers someone a lower priced, yet usable, entry model. The basic differences between this and the standard RL550 are that it does not include the primer system or automatic powder dispenser. I'm sure there are other minor differences, but that gives you the idea. If you want the 550, but the initial buy in price is too much, this could be your ticket. Then just upgrade as you can / need.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.dillonprecision.com/rl-550c_8_1_23594.html" target="_blank">RL 550C</a> - $460</p><p>Partially addressed above, this is a 4 station, <em>manually</em>-indexed, progressive press. Some love the manual index, some hate it. Maybe not love and hate, but there are pros and cons. Pro being it's easy to use as a turret/single stage when working loads up, or setting up the dies, or when learning the press. Downside is a sacrifice in speed: it's another action one must perform before pulling the handle again. It works, it will last. Mine is 20+ years old, and has countless thousands of rounds loaded on it. Still going strong. In fact, the only real evidence of it's age would be faded paint. You can add roller handles, bullet trays, raised mounts, case feeders, etc. There are even aftermarket bullet feeders for it.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.dillonprecision.com/xl650_8_1_23803.html" target="_blank">XL 650</a> - $580</p><p>The 650 is similar to the 550 in construction, but moves to a 5 station head, and auto indexing. Many of the accessories, like the handles, mounts, and aftermarket bullet feeders work for the 650. Between this and the 550, I would guess that they account for a huge amount of the personal volume loaders.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.dillonprecision.com/super-1050_8_1_23877.html" target="_blank">Super 1050</a> - $1800</p><p>This is, without doubt, the ultimate personal loading machine. In fact, there are some small commercial reloaders that use this. It is an 8 station press (!), and comes standard with a case feeder. For those loading large volumes of crimped military rounds, this also features a built in primer pocket swager.</p><p></p><p>*Edited to update links and prices</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="NikatKimber, post: 1842105, member: 423"] Finally, the Progressive Press. For those of you that load large quantities of ammo, and specifically those that load large batches of a single cartridge before changing, the progressive press is a godsend. You need one. I'll leave it at that. The time savings will quickly pay back the cost of the press when loading thousands of rounds on any kind of regular basis. These range from cheap (be careful!) to expensive - basically an ammo plant in your loading room. Don't run off and sell your single stage or turret just yet, or as a beginner, don't dismiss them either; many loaders running a progressive still keep at least one additional non-progressive press for small lots and load work up. Starting at the low end: [URL='https://www.midwayusa.com/product/428284/lee-pro-1000-progressive-press-kit-9mm-luger']Lee Pro 1000[/URL] - $183 MidwayUSA only stocks these as a kit. I don't know if the bare press is available somewhere else or not. Last I checked, the kit was worth the extra money anyways. The Pro 1000 is a worked over, glorified Lee Turret press. I don't think you can convert the Turret to the Pro 1000, but they are very similar. [URL='https://www.midwayusa.com/product/671219/lee-load-master-progressive-press']Lee Load-Master[/URL] - $165 [URL='https://www.midwayusa.com/product/161975/lee-load-master-progressive-press-kit-9mm-luger']9mm Kit[/URL] - $256 Same thing, buy as the bare press, or the kit. This is designed from the ground up as a progressive. If I was getting a Lee progressive, it would be one of these. For one, you get a sturdier frame. Big plus is you get 5 stations vs 3 with the Pro 1000. While I can recommend most Lee presses, these are not among them. The Lee progressive presses probably get more bad reports than all their other equipment combined. While some complain of them being cheap, Lee works, or in this case: can be made to work. However, you do get what you pay for, and in the world of progressive ammo reloaders, I'd advise going with the "Pay more, get more," option. RCBS offers several choices. The "Piggyback" conversions for their single stage presses, and a dedicated progressive. [URL='https://www.midwayusa.com/product/345671/rcbs-pro-chucker-5-conversion-kit-to-pro-chucker-7-progressive-press']RCBS Pro-Chucker 5 Progressive Conversion Kit[/URL] - $315 [URL='https://www.midwayusa.com/product/465696/rcbs-pro-chucker-7-progressive-press']RCBS Pro Chucker 7 Progressive Press[/URL] - $850 (currently on sale $725 10/18/17) [URL='https://www.midwayusa.com/product/738291/rcbs-pro-chucker-5-progressive-press']RCBS Pro Chucker 5 Progressive Press[/URL] - $610 (currently on sale $519 10/18/17) These are pretty much unknowns to me. I don't know anyone that owns or uses them, and I don't hear much about them. [URL='http://www.midwayusa.com/product/679228/hornady-lock-n-load-ap-progressive-press']Hornady Lock-N-Load AP[/URL] - $460 (-Rebate + on sale currently for $410) This is a good press. There are a lot of people using them, and I have had the chance to play with a couple. The latest update: EZ-Ject, according to some here, solves the main issue with the original versions. One point of note, the LnL uses individual quick change bushings instead of complete tool heads. I can see both pros and cons to this, but it's something to consider. Pros - they are compatible with their single stage Lock-n-Load presses - Hornady sells a conversion bushing that works with some other brand presses to allow their use. - allows some additional customizing of the process. IE, if you load multiple bullets in 9mm and want to seat them differently. Cons - you have to change 5 things vs 1 with a single die plate. It is an auto-indexing press, with 5 stations. They also offer the [URL='http://www.midwayusa.com/product/632863/hornady-lock-n-load-ap-progressive-press-ammo-plant-110-volt']Ammo Plant[/URL] ($1200) that includes the LnL press, case feeder, and bullet feeder; along with other bits and pieces. Just crank the handle! Speaking of handle, [URL='https://www.midwayusa.com/s?targetLocation=%2F_%2FN-21860%2B4294966300%3FNp%3D2%26Nr%3DAND%2528p_visible%253A1%252Ccustomertypeid%253A1%2529%26Nrpp%3D24%26Ns%3Dp_price%257C1%257C%257Cp_metric_sales_velocity%257C1%26Ntpc%3D1%26Ntpr%3D1&userItemsPerPage=48&persistedItemsPerPage=0']Inline Fabrication[/URL] makes upgrades for the LnL that are much like those considered "must have" items for the Dillon presses. Finally, the biggest name in progressive reloading: Dillon. First, the Dillon Square Deal 'B' - $405 The Square Deal B (SDB) is an auto-indexing, 4 station progressive on a diet. It is attractively priced, and comes ready to load, including dies! The drawback: it doesn't use standard dies, and is pistol ONLY. [URL='https://www.dillonprecision.com/bl-550-basic-loader_8_1_25792.html']BL 550 Basic Loader[/URL] - $275 I just learned of this one recently. It is a true 550, and can be upgraded with any other 550 parts. It just offers someone a lower priced, yet usable, entry model. The basic differences between this and the standard RL550 are that it does not include the primer system or automatic powder dispenser. I'm sure there are other minor differences, but that gives you the idea. If you want the 550, but the initial buy in price is too much, this could be your ticket. Then just upgrade as you can / need. [URL='https://www.dillonprecision.com/rl-550c_8_1_23594.html']RL 550C[/URL] - $460 Partially addressed above, this is a 4 station, [I]manually[/I]-indexed, progressive press. Some love the manual index, some hate it. Maybe not love and hate, but there are pros and cons. Pro being it's easy to use as a turret/single stage when working loads up, or setting up the dies, or when learning the press. Downside is a sacrifice in speed: it's another action one must perform before pulling the handle again. It works, it will last. Mine is 20+ years old, and has countless thousands of rounds loaded on it. Still going strong. In fact, the only real evidence of it's age would be faded paint. You can add roller handles, bullet trays, raised mounts, case feeders, etc. There are even aftermarket bullet feeders for it. [URL='https://www.dillonprecision.com/xl650_8_1_23803.html']XL 650[/URL] - $580 The 650 is similar to the 550 in construction, but moves to a 5 station head, and auto indexing. Many of the accessories, like the handles, mounts, and aftermarket bullet feeders work for the 650. Between this and the 550, I would guess that they account for a huge amount of the personal volume loaders. [URL='https://www.dillonprecision.com/super-1050_8_1_23877.html']Super 1050[/URL] - $1800 This is, without doubt, the ultimate personal loading machine. In fact, there are some small commercial reloaders that use this. It is an 8 station press (!), and comes standard with a case feeder. For those loading large volumes of crimped military rounds, this also features a built in primer pocket swager. *Edited to update links and prices [/QUOTE]
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