In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Options
what's your press of choice
joes
Member Posts: 484 ✭✭✭
I called Lyman to get info on my favorite press -I have been using for serveral years ( bought it used, and even gave up my RCBS press after using it)an "all American" by Lyman. After asking for info the woman that answered said it was over 40 years old, and "if see more buy it for parts". Parts the things is bulit like a tank and almost weights as much. I guess the old saying that "they don't make them like that anymore" sure does come into play sometimes. I would not trade my press for any press on the market today reguardless of price.
Comments
Lee Challenger
Lee C frame
Lee hand press
Lee Pro 1000
RCBS Rockchucker
Now of those I prefer the Rockchucker for rifle and the Pro 1000 for pistol. If I had to do it again for single stage I'd look really hard at the Lee Classic Cast and at one of the progressive machines from hornady or rcbs; Dillons are fine presses but overpriced imho.
Lee Pro 1000 = B
RCBS Rockchucker = A
rcbs jr = A
LEE load all = B-
RCBS Rockchucker
Pacific 366
Hornady LnL progressive, that is absolutely impressive
I Sold my dillion square deal it was a good press too but would only load pistol ammo, the LnL will load everything up to 300 H&H mag and for the same money as a new square deal
I started with a simple Lee Single Stage and loaded tens of thousands of rounds thru it...just wanted to speed the process. I bought a Lee Turret and was NOT happy so I went to the Pro 1000.
I have heard great things about Dillon. And if you are only going to load one or a few cal's it sounds great. My problem was that I already had thousands wrapped up in Lee and even though the DIES interchange, it still is MUCH more expensive to change cal's on the Dillon. If I was starting I might go there however.
your choice.
Progressive: Dillon 650 unless you load only one round, and lots of them then I'd go with the 1050, I've set up both many times. The 1050 is not the press for those loading many different rounds.
I currently have the Hornady Pro-7, which has loaded about 30k. If I was to do it over again, I would seriously look at the Dillon 650...
The Dillon 650 has a big problem with its primer feed station. Poor design.
If you are looking at the Dillon 650, I would tell you to go to the Hornady Lock & Load Progressive press. The Auto Indexing Mechanism is made out of steel, and not Plastic like the Dillon, the primer feed mechanism is similar to the Dillon 550, and much More dependable. The Hornady Lock & Load Press is simply a much better press then the Dillon 650.
dgac
I called Lyman to get info on my favorite press -I have been using for serveral years ( bought it used, and even gave up my RCBS press after using it)an "all American" by Lyman. After asking for info the woman that answered said it was over 40 years old, and "if see more buy it for parts". Parts the things is bulit like a tank and almost weights as much. I guess the old saying that "they don't make them like that anymore" sure does come into play sometimes. I would not trade my press for any press on the market today reguardless of price.
Your point is shared by many others including myself.... I have owned a Hollywood, Bonanza, Lyman, RCBS A-2, Hornady, a Sinclair arbor press, and a Dillon 650. They all had special niches in my reloading room. I used the Hollywood for resizing 30-06 & .308 match brass from Perry (shot from the gas guns), the Bonanza for neck sizing for cast bullets, the Lyman for bullet pulling, the Hornandy for general stuff, The RCBS A-2 for .30 cal. bullet swaging, the Sinclair for serious bullet seating, and the Dillon for competition rifle rounds. Each and every press had a favorite function that I preferred to use it for. Usually, the first press that is purchased becomes the favorite press.
Matt