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Press Wars! Lee Loadmaster - Dillon RL 550B - etc.
Practically speaking, I don't think there is a nickel's worth of difference between any of the major brand single stage presses: they're all good enough to get the job done. I've use many brands over the years, and none I have seen show any significant advantages over the others.
I reload many different rifle, shotgun, and pistol cartridges. For small lots, I prefer to use a single stage press because it is less hassle to set up. I also have an old Lee turret, along with about a dozen spare turret blanks, and usually leave a die set installed in its own turret for quite a long time. That is zero hassle to set up!
I have a Lee 1000 for .45 ACP, which, as others have noted, requires constant attention but still gets the job done at very low cost as long as you take your time. In my experience, the Lee costs time, the Dillon costs $$$! Dillons are fine machines, no doubt about it, but I still choke at their cost, though...
I do not see the point of using a single stage press to perform preparatory functions (like depriming, resizing, or priming) before running the case through a progressive press for the rest of the functions. That just adds extra churn to the process, and wastes more time and effort.
As for progressives, I have used Lee, Dillon, P-W, and MEC progressive presses over the years. To me, the easiest to use and most reliable of those are the MECs, but unfortunately, MEC presses are shotgun only. I've always wondered why the same design would not be just as good for pistol and small rifle cartridges...
I have had my Dillon 550 since 1985, still going strong. Never used the Lee, but Dillon was the FIRST to bring progressive presses down to relative affordability. Their warranty is for life.
Many people have weighed in here & honestly just about everyone has some good advice.
Mine is much the same with one little add on. I would spend the money & if you are pressed for cash buy a used dillon press. I bought 2 used dillon presses about 15 years ago & never looked back. I STILL use the single stage presses I have (RCBS & Lee) for small runs of test ammo or finicky things. Dillon presses are NOT fun to set up when you change from lets say a 45 acp to a 9mm. Its why i'm glad I have 2 550's. That said if you have the LEAST bit of trouble or have questions the people at dillon will go out of their way to help you. I had a fit when i first got the presses setting them up properly. Dillon told me to send the press & the dies to them & they would set it up for me. (how can you beat that?) They are extremely helpful people. When you pay more for a product like Dillon you get more back from them in service when you need it!!!!
Ditto on the Dillon. My first and only press was the Dillon 550B. Don't understand all the fuss on progressives unless the others are harder to setup than Dillon. Followed the video and was up and running in less than an hour. I have the quick change toolheads for all my calibers and can switch out and be reloading in 10 minutes. Powder check is the only thing slowing me down.
quote:If you start with a cheap Lee Challenger single stage press you will not be out much money. Your dies will transfer to the Dillon. I've had a Dillon 550B for 5 yrs now but I still load all my hunting loads on a single stage press. You may find out reloading is not for you and if you stick a ton of money out there up front you may regret it later.
My first re loader was a Dillon RL550 that I bought on eBay ( hard to find a used Dillon cheap). I set it up and I went slow for the first few hundred rounds. Now when I have a caliber set like .45 acp I can crank out 100 rounds in 11 minutes my biggest problem was the primers. I couldn't get them picked up fast enough so I bought a RF 100 ( not sure but its the Dillon primer filler) and boy does that make a big difference. For my hunting rounds I use a LEE hand press and that is only cause I make about 20 rounds at a time and it is easier to take to the range to work a load. Not to mention Dillon customer service is NUMBER1. I broke a part on my used powder dispenser and they replaced it at no charge and no question asked.
Who cares what my opinion is I'm just another guy. Look at national competition results when they list what the top 20 use for reloaders. It runs 18 to 19 out of the people who reload use a Dillon. That is not chance. I tell people, you can start with a Dillon or end up with one.
Comments
I reload many different rifle, shotgun, and pistol cartridges. For small lots, I prefer to use a single stage press because it is less hassle to set up. I also have an old Lee turret, along with about a dozen spare turret blanks, and usually leave a die set installed in its own turret for quite a long time. That is zero hassle to set up!
I have a Lee 1000 for .45 ACP, which, as others have noted, requires constant attention but still gets the job done at very low cost as long as you take your time. In my experience, the Lee costs time, the Dillon costs $$$! Dillons are fine machines, no doubt about it, but I still choke at their cost, though...
I do not see the point of using a single stage press to perform preparatory functions (like depriming, resizing, or priming) before running the case through a progressive press for the rest of the functions. That just adds extra churn to the process, and wastes more time and effort.
As for progressives, I have used Lee, Dillon, P-W, and MEC progressive presses over the years. To me, the easiest to use and most reliable of those are the MECs, but unfortunately, MEC presses are shotgun only. I've always wondered why the same design would not be just as good for pistol and small rifle cartridges...
Mine is much the same with one little add on. I would spend the money & if you are pressed for cash buy a used dillon press. I bought 2 used dillon presses about 15 years ago & never looked back. I STILL use the single stage presses I have (RCBS & Lee) for small runs of test ammo or finicky things. Dillon presses are NOT fun to set up when you change from lets say a 45 acp to a 9mm. Its why i'm glad I have 2 550's. That said if you have the LEAST bit of trouble or have questions the people at dillon will go out of their way to help you. I had a fit when i first got the presses setting them up properly. Dillon told me to send the press & the dies to them & they would set it up for me. (how can you beat that?) They are extremely helpful people. When you pay more for a product like Dillon you get more back from them in service when you need it!!!!
My first re loader was a Dillon RL550 that I bought on eBay ( hard to find a used Dillon cheap). I set it up and I went slow for the first few hundred rounds. Now when I have a caliber set like .45 acp I can crank out 100 rounds in 11 minutes my biggest problem was the primers. I couldn't get them picked up fast enough so I bought a RF 100 ( not sure but its the Dillon primer filler) and boy does that make a big difference. For my hunting rounds I use a LEE hand press and that is only cause I make about 20 rounds at a time and it is easier to take to the range to work a load. Not to mention Dillon customer service is NUMBER1. I broke a part on my used powder dispenser and they replaced it at no charge and no question asked.