Which Reloading Press?

First topic message reminder :

Lets talk reloading presses for a moment. When it comes to a reloading press I've enjoyed, have come to love, and based on my experiences highly recommend the Dillon 550. However, the Dillon 550 in my possession is not mine. I've been borrowing it from my pistol coach/mentor for over a year now. Things are soon to change for me involving a move to a another state and I will be returning the Dillon 550 to it's owner. 

I will probably not have a great need for another reloading press in the future for quite some time but I would still like to have one of my own for my own personal use when the time calls for it. After looking into the cost of the Dillon presses and the accessories and attachments the cost is great. This of course only makes me appreciate the loan of the press I have that much more. But it also is a damper because I'm not about to spend that kind of money on a press that may not be used much so sadly I have to find a different rig. 

So for other options besides a Dillon... what's affordable that still manufactures ammunition in a relatively quick manner that doesn't have a bunch of quirks or issues?

Tell me your experiences good and bad. Thank you.

Looks like I'll lay in wait for a good deal on a used Dillon or save up and in a year or two buy a new rig. Thanks all.

What calibres?
Just 45?

Another vote for the Dillon BL550, can use a traditional powder measure and dump the charge in the AT500 powder die using the funnel.  Also hand prime cases while watching tv, I normally hand prime anyway except when doing larger production runs.  Dealer price runs a tad under $250, not a bad deal for a 4 station press.

The 650 is great but has a learning curve until you understand the settings and adjustments, mistakes take longer to clear.  The 1050 is the best with more stations and deswager for the primer pocket but it's pricey!

Personally I never recommend a press to someone for pistol loading unless it has either auto index or a 5th stage for a powder check, having both is ideal (650 & LNL AP). Its simply too easy to have a double charge with a manual index and no check, with a 45 target load you could even triple charge and possibly not notice the powder level. Heck if you damage one match barrel you could have paid for more than the difference between a 550 and a decked out 650.

Personally I think the Hornady LNL AP is a great value, I have 2 of them, one for small primer and the other large. Once you learn how to use and maintain them they make as good a ammo as any. I also just got a Dillon SDB for loading 32 S&W, there are more custom accessories for the SDB and Dillon that helped with the 32. I've not used the SDB much yet but seems nice, the shell plate advance isn't nearly as smooth as it is on the LNL.

What ever you get be sure to go to Inline Fabrication for a strong mount and other nice goodies. My shop looks like I'm sponsored by Inline lol, if only.

The 550 is very versatile for multiple calibres.  But not for high volume single calibre loading.  650 or LnL would be minimum for volume.  Maybe SDB if loading jacketed only.  Budget might say Lee.  There are so many "it depends" involved.

Just 45 ACP

Wellllll, you say you had to return a loaner Dillon 550.
Were there any deal breaker deficiencies?  If not why change?
I've used the Dillon 650 & Hornady L&L and agree that they are somewhat faster, until something stupid happens.  Given a choice between the 650 or L&L I'd probably go with the Hornady.  That being said  I have (2) Dillon 550s plus an old 450, and have no problems keeping my various toys fed.

STEVE SAMELAK wrote:Wellllll, you say you had to return a loaner Dillon 550.
Were there any deal breaker deficiencies?  If not why change?
I've used the Dillon 650 & Hornady L&L and agree that they are somewhat faster, until something stupid happens.  Given a choice between the 650 or L&L I'd probably go with the Hornady.  That being said  I have (2) Dillon 550s plus an old 450, and have no problems keeping my various toys fed.

Cost. When I get my own press cost is what is weighing heavily on my choice. But I think I’ll just save and wait to get my own 550.

IMHO, I'd wait longer and save more in order to go with 650, - it is way more efficient and expandable platform.  Next step up would be a 1050 Super.
AP

Wouldn't a 550 and a auto case feeder be a good setup? It would be a little less expensive, but not have auto index or powder check. I always check my powder and visually make sure the primer cup has a primer in it. I hated using the bullet puller because of no primer.
Stan

The 550 and a case feeder buys you not very much.   Multiple reports of difficulties.  The 550 just wasn’t designed for a case feeder.

I've got both a Dillon Square Deal (later converted to a B) and a Dillon 550B. I can usually do a case (500) of 45 on the SD in about 2 hours, topping off powder, primers, checking charge weight, scratching the cat, etc. I'm in no hurry- like many here, my income isn't pegging the needle where it is more valuable than time, because, let's face it- someone has to spend the Social Security. 

I can go faster on the 550- probably close to 400+ an hour, or nearly a what used to be full case (1000) in 2. If you figure you shoot x amount of 45 in a year and you want to invest y amount of time, then you can use these figures above to determine what you need to get between them, or, if you want to spend less time, then 650 or 1050. 

I've always passed on the Star stuff- not made anymore, no BS warranty as with Dillon; but, it sure is pretty to look at!

Ho ho ho!

Greetings,

"Star stuff- not made anymore"

Star is still alive and well.

I know the owner personally.

Nice guy.

Cheers,

Dave

fc60 wrote:Greetings,

"Star stuff- not made anymore"

Star is still alive and well.

I know the owner personally.

Nice guy.

Cheers,

Dave

 Oh, has something changed from this:
Dear  Star Enthusiast:

I am pleased to announce that Star Machine Works is under new management.   I have completed the purchase Star Machine Works from Bill Cunningham and everything, parts, jigs, fixtures etc. have been moved east to New Jersey.  We have completed the process of unpacking and organizing the tons (literally) of “New Old Stock” parts and look forward to serving fellow Star enthusiasts for years to come.

My goal is to provide all of the parts needed to keep these fine machines operating.   As mentioned above, I have tons of original Star parts in inventory.  Unfortunately, some parts are sold out, so I will be working to replenish stocks of those parts as quickly as possible.

I currently have no plans to produce “New” Star Universals or Progressives, but I will continue to rebuild/refurbish/refinish Star reloaders into like new condition.  The many original Star jigs and fixtures I have acquired will greatly enhance my efforts in this area.   I generally have fully rebuilt Star Universals and Progressives available for purchase.
Sincerely,
R. Bruce Williams

Because that doesn't sound like making new presses to me, no warranty, etc. 

I'm sure the guy is nice, but no new presses, no dealer network, parts only, no warranty- Dillon is a slam dunk here. Then again, some people like to buy old cars and hot rod them...

This topic always ends in fighting. I've had or have a lee progressive, lnl classic, lnl ap, coax, 650, and 1050. In my experience they all have strengths and weaknesses. I think what's best for you depends on how much reloading and how many calibers. I lucked into a very cheap 1050, and I wouldn't trade it for the world! Both the 650 and the 1050 are great presses.

I don't think the topic ended in fighting? fc60 and I differ over what "new" means in terms of Star stuff. I'm not being critical of him, Star, or anyone else who likes to use the gear. For my reasons, I like to deal with a company that has a dealer network, isn't going away any time soon, warranty, and that company happens to be Dillon.

Just a difference of opinion- certainly not the end of the world.

Sorry, I wasn't implying that it had. But the topic comes up every other day on many of the Facebook forums. And they almost always end in arguing, bickering, and name calling.

No love for the RCBS 2000?

Tim,i dont reload,but in my opinion,if you use a 550 and for you is great,go for it. The 650 is a great machine,you will add case and bullet feeder but is for reload high volumes of ammo in less time. I bet for a 550!!

I believe I have tried them all at some point in my reloading journey. I use a Dillon 550 but have to admit i would like something with better/tighter specs as I have had to float my dies to get the concentricity i expect and custom mount a Harrell Schuetzen Pistol powder drop . When I need true precision, I use my Harrell single stage.

Jason,
If you are just loading 45. pm me.  I have a Star Press that kind of fell into my possession.  I have toyed with adding some deluxe features, like the auto indexing to it, but when reality slaps me I resort back to a tricked out 650.
The stars are a precision instrument.  However caliber changes are not as easy as a Dillon.
Alex

I like my Dillons. Good support, easy to use. Not necessarily perfect but can be tricked out to suit your needs. I use all of their models except the square deal and shotgun loader. The Super 1050 is great for one caliber and one load. I use the 650 for decamping and trimming but hate the primer system. The 550 is good for load development but the primer feed and track is worn out on mine. (Dillon provided the plate to fix this,. But it still is not quite right.)

That being said, I just bought a Star progressive from Bruce. Boy is it nice. Beautiful build quality, made to last a lifetime. . Steel and brass, little to no plastic. Caliber and load specific which is fine. You can even buy from a 3rd party a Pyrex powder tube (same for Dillon too.)

Btw. If you plan on automating your process the Mark 7 is the way to go instead of motorizing a Dillon Super 1050. Way beyond 99% of the average reloaders requirements. Beyond the Mark 7 is the Camdex which is completely outrageous.

Over the years I have acquired 2 Stars, a 550 a pro 1000, a loadmaster, and a rockchucker.

The RC and  pro were first. THe RC is for special jobs and rifle. The pro is now for odd ball low volume jobs, it's worn out. The 550 is for small primer rifle and pistol as l dislike changing it over. Stars and Loadmaster do yeomans work in 38 and 45.

Match ammo comes off the loadmaster. Yes its fussy but I took out the indexer rod and do that by hand. The case feeder loosened up so l jog it by hand to drop a case and push the slide in by hand.

Some clowns could say I am cheap, or doing too much work to keep a junk press running but it produces the best ammo (ransom rest) tested so far.
These things can be fussy in priming, run low and it hurts you. Lots of good options out there. Play with them and keep what you like.

Here's my 2 cents ... buy used, I picked up my dillon many moons ago second hand off fleabay. You can get a fully loaded 550 at a seriously discounted price e.g. $405 current bid on this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/DILLON-550B-RELOADING-PRESS/233160549108?hash=item364973a2f4:g:DjYAAOSwKj1cgzQW

I don't have much to compare to but will ditto all the good comments about Dillon. When I first started reloading I talked to a couple of dozen guys that were already serious reloaders. Every one of those guys that started with something else eventually ended up with a Dillon, and said if they had it to do over again they would've just saved a little longer and got the Dillon to start with. So that's what I did...no regrets.