nikatkimber
Well-Known Fanatic
What don't you like.
I haven't read the whole thread, yet, but I have a Lee single stage, RCBS single stage, Lee Turret (old 3 position, new ones are 4), and a Dillon 550.
I'd advise the Lee Turret also, unless you are someone who shoots a lot, and know you are jumping in head first. Then get the progressive. From what I can tell of the progressives, you want a good one. IE, Dillon or the Hornady LnL. However, I don't have personal experience with the Hornady. Even on my Dillon, you have to pay attention, because if you're not, it will get away from you. You have to watch the primer (make sure it fed one, and it's right side up), watch the powder (didn't over or under fill the case), make sure the bullet is seating straight, place the case and bullet each pull. It's fast, but I wouldn't want to load small quantities on it. I like that the Dillon 550 is manual indexing, as I don't load enough quantity to really appreciate the auto, and I like to manually index when setting up the press. If the 650 had a way of easily disengaging the auto index system, I'd want one ASAP.
The Lee Turret is nice in that it is super cheap to set up for quick swap with multiple calibers (true toolless swap), the priming "system" is easy to change from large to small, and it's relatively simple. It is also easy to change from auto indexing to manual indexing. I have found it capable of loading 200 rounds per hour with it.
My advice if you get a single stage, is to get one with quick change die bushings. Like the Hornady LnL or the Lee Breechlock systems. That saves you having to reset the dies every time you swap.
I still use all my presses. The Lee single stage I use for sizing cast bullets, the RCBS I use for rifle rounds (except .223, run that on the Dillon), the Lee Turret I use for medium quantities, ie pistol rounds other than bulk 9mm and .38.
I have the Lee beam scale, but want a better one. But it would suffice to start with. I have the Lee Perfect Powder Measure (not quite perfect) and the RCBS unit. I haven't compared them too much, but any time I'm really looking for precise charges, I dump low, and trickle up.
The Dillon I have I picked up used, and has untold thousands loaded on it. The guy I got it from said he'd had it for 20 years. My Lee Turret has thousands under it's belt too. It still works too. To my knowledge, I am the third "owner". I have it on indefinite loan from my father in law, who bought it used. I've personally loaded over 2 thousand on it, and my father in law shot a lot when he had it.
Other than stay away from the Lee progressive loaders, I don't think you'd really end up regretting any of them, so long as you know what you want, and what to expect from what you buy. If you buy a cheap single stage and are loading bulk .223, you'll want to shoot yourself in the eye. If you are wanting to load high power rifle rounds, and are looking for precision over quantity, you won't appreciate the capabilities of a progressive.
Reloading is easy, but there's plenty of ways to screw up if you don't pay attention. The rule of carpentry applies here for sure. Measure twice cut once.
