I want to get into reloading. I understand you can get a single stage press cheap and it works fine. I'd rather buy a good progressive system once but it all I see is conflicting info on what's best.

What is your recommendation on a system that will last so I don't have to buy everything twice. I wouldn't mind getting started on a single stage just to get familiar with the process if you have recommendations for that.

I would like to primarily load 9mm, 45acp, and 5.56. Single stage would be nice for 30-30, 30-06, etc.

I’d go with a manual progressive; the Dillon 550C. Some may suggest an automatic progressive because they are faster but in my opinion, a manual is more controlled especially when fixing a problem. The Dillon is also easy to set up for reloading precision rifle ammunition using stick powders. For handguns, the auto powder drops work well with flake/ball powders used in handguns allowing one to load 300-400 rounds an hour on the manual press while automatic presses can load 500-600 rounds per hour.

Getting into reloading, let’s start there. It’s always quality over quantity, obvious. My advice would be to start with a turret press at the most, if not a single-stage. There will always be a use for a single stage, even if you go progressive later.

The above is more true if you switch around a bit. I have a bit of many, Redding is a high end favorite. My very newest round is the 6.5 Creedmoor. I always prefer to source my components and load my own.

The Dillon 550 is hard to beat. You can start out as a single stage and then convert to a progressive later on.

Forster Co-ax then Dillon 750.

You will always need a single stage, quality press for load development or small batches.

I’d watch some Dillon videos. Time v money how fast do you want to go. I started with a friends Dillon 550, bought a 650 and now load 90% my pistol ammo on a Dillon RL1100.

At the barest minimum, I’d get a Dillon 550. It will load all you mentioned. You’ll need to insert the case, pull the handle, manually advance the shell plate, insert case and repeat. Gives you lots of options to pause. On a 750, the shell plate advances via cam when the handle operates back up to the top position.

Caliber conversions are not too expensive, depending on how quickly you want to swap. Warranty and phone support is great. I have a 650 and with a full quick change kit, can swap 9 to 40 in 15 minutes. I’ll load about 600rds an hour in pistol caliber on it without a bullet feeder.

I’d take a look at how much of each you want to load per year in each caliber. 9mm is currently hard to load for cost wise vs buying. Time v money. Loading high volume on a single stage wouldn’t work for me. For example, I shoot 10 to 15k of 40 S&W per year. For a hundred rounds of 30-06 a year, a single stage would be fine.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Riley,

I started with a four hole Lee turret press based on the recommendation of a friend.

I ran that for a while and soon graduated to a pair of Dillon 550's. One is set for small primers, the other for large. They were around $100 each at the time I bought them used 25 years ago so I could not lose on those deals. If I was buying new, I'd likely only have one.

I have not loaded in some time, but at this point, I've still got the two Dillons, a couple of cheap Lee single stage presses for odd jobs like pulling bullets with a collet puller and depriming odd lots of brass.

I also came into an old RCBS A2 single stage press in a box lot at a sale that I used to deprime a large lot of .30-'06 brass recently.

There is LOADS of reloading equipment out there used. As long as it is something that is still supported, takes standard dies, etc. it's a good way to save money.

One major thing to consider is ergonomics. Make sure whatever you get is comfortable to operate for you. Straight handles vs. ball handles vs. roller handles, bench height, do you need a press riser, how far do you need to swing the handle for the operation you are doing, things like that. If you are a lefty, I'm not sure what to tell you. Not sure how much equipment is lefty friendly.

Thank you guys! Seems like starting with a Dillon 550 is a solid place to begin. I don't shoot much right now but being able to make my own ammo for the range would make it more appealing.

The reloading tool does not make the bullet, the operator does. I have a good friend who started reloading 40 years ago when I did. He has gone from cheap tools to various Dillons, and still has issues. He is not mechanically inclined, not though, and not successful at it, no matter how much money he throws at it.

Get yourself a good single stage press, like a lyman...and then learn how to reload. Once you learn the trade you will know which progressive is right for you and your needs. The single stage will always be good for rifles.

60

It really depends on what your personal goals are. How many calibers are you looking to load for? Are they mostly just straight-wall pistol or are you wanting to do precision rifle ammo? Are you going to be dealing with calibers where you'll encounter a bunch of crimped primer pockets that will need swaged? How many rounds do you plan to produce at a time? How often do you plan to switch between calibers? There is no one correct answer...it's very dependent on your own process. If you really get into it you'll almost certainly end up with more than one press.

I started with a Lee 4 hole turret and still use that press a lot, primarily for my low volume pistol stuff. It allows me to leave my dies set in the quick-change turrets and switching calibers is a 30 second ordeal.

I have a Hornady LNL that I use exclusively for 9mm because I load a ton of that for practice and competition. It has been a great press and works well for me, but I'm not using a bullet or case feeder. If I wanted all the bells and whistles I'd have probably sprung for the Dillon 750 or 1100. But I would not have wanted either of those as an "only press".

I also have a single stage for rifle and a couple of other older presses dedicated to specific tasks like pulling bullets. Those aren't really necessary as I could do all that on the single-stage but I got them for free and it's convenient.

One thing I would not recommend, especially for a new reloader, is a manually indexed progressive like the 550. IMO those make it too easy to screw up and create squibs or double-charges. Yes, you can do that with any press, but the workflow of a manually indexed progressive makes it more likely since that function needs to be performed every time, and if you get distracted or complacent and accidentally skip or double it one time you've now created a problem, which immediately gets concealed by a seated bullet. That situation only happens on an auto-indexer when something goes wrong, in which case the press stops and your attention is now focused as you mitigate that problem, and as a result you're more likely to identify any charging issues than you would be if they just occurred during the normal flow of operation. With a single stage, I typically do each step in batches and take the opportunity to inspect all of my charged cases together before I seat bullets, so any anomalies are easy to spot and correct. I'm not saying the 550 is a bad press because it's not. It's a quality tool. But you have to be extra alert and observant when using them, and very familiar and aware of your process.

quote:

Originally posted by Alpha Bravo:
Forster Co-ax then Dillon 750.

You will always need a single stage, quality press for load development or small batches.

I've been handloading for 37 years and that's what I would do as to not need to purchase again.

I started with a 550B. There is definitely a learning curve. It can also be used as a single stage press if you have enough restraint to stick to it while learning. It’s a great way to go. If you don’t have that restraint or patience to learn the basics on a manual progressive, then absolutely go with a single.

RCBS Rock chucker’s have served a lot of reloaders well as have others. Although I understand that the Forster Co-ax is a Cadillac of a single stage press. Just be honest with yourself and your commitment/ability and pick accordingly.

my first press was a dillon 650 I still have it but have added a dillon super 1050, if I had to do it all over again I would go 1050 right out of the gate they are easy to use and if you just load one bullet at a time until you get the hang of it you will have no problems. I will say if you plan on switching calibers allot the 650 or the new 750 would be the way to go the 550 is a manual press they you have to rotate the turret after each pull of the handle might be ok at first but if you load any amount you will want it to be more automated.

Redding T-7

I just dipped my toe in with the 6.5 Creedmoor. Yesterday I loaded about 25 rounds for initial testing. I used the Redding ‘Big Boss II’, over my turret type press. The reason being, there’s virtually no involved setup.

The gun is a Howa Ultralight, 16.25” barrel. I plan to mount my suppressor once I get through the process.

There are some rounds I can go high numbers with, 223, 9mm, etc., beyond that I switch around a fair bit.

I have enjoyed my Dillon 550 for many years. I would only consider a 550 or 650.

quote:

Originally posted by heavyd:
I have enjoyed my Dillon 550 for many years. I would only consider a 550 or 650.

If I didn't have so many caliber setups in the 550 styles, I'd think about moving up to a 750. But having time being retired, I can load 400 rounds of 9mm an hour. One session produces enough for a few weeks.

I can easily load 5.56 using it as a semi single stage.

Can't beat the Dillon warranty. I just broke another powder measure, and they quickly repair or replace. It's already been through one overhaul.

Gosh, I haven’t been looking at machines in so long I didn’t realize they are 750s now, not 650s.

Man I can't imagine being without a single stage press. There's one single stage and three progressives on my bench, and if I had to give up all but one, I'd keep my single stage.

Cas - I am with you on your comment. I do load development and all of my dirty work on my 35 year old RCBS unit. Sits right beside my Dillon presses.