Best reloading press- opinions please

First topic message reminder :

So I’m leaving active duty in a few months and going back to being a drilling member of the National Guard. I’ll have much more time to shoot and a convenient place to do so. I’m setting cash aside and would like to dive into reloading probably after the summer. So here’s the question...

If you could buy one press right now what would it be and why. I was looking at a Dillon 650 and for that price point wasn’t sure if there was a better option. Initially loading .45, but eventually 9mm and .38. 

Thanks for any help/ insight.

tovaert wrote:

Blsi2600 wrote:If you are reloading 45acp only, buy the RL1050.  

If you are going to load other stuff now, buy the 750 first, then when funds allow, buy the RL1050 later.

What does the 1050 (or 1100) offer over the 750 (outfitted with the case feeder)? I'm also looking at a progressive, but I don't see head-to-head comparisons between the Dillon models.

Same issues I’m running into lol.

https://www.dillonprecision.com/reloader-buying-guide.html

For me the biggest differences are the 1050 has more stations( more stuff can be used..bullet feeder, powder check) and all functions are done on the down stroke.. also.the primer pocket swag function if needed..

That said I love my 750.... i personally have never found the need for the powder check and have been using progressives from the 70s. If you have a problem STOP and see exactly where you are in the cycle. Know what is going to happen next..

Dapduh2, I have one last question for you. Do you plan on reloading for fun or saving money? It has been my life experience that the more automated the reloading process is the less fun it is. Maybe it's the OCD coming thru, whatever, but I have always enjoyed the reloading process. It is kinda neat taking a fired brass and turning it into a new bullet and lining them up in its tray. I used to spend countless hours of my free time at my hobby and looked forward to it. That sort of explains the supply I have built up over the years. Now with my progressive I can spend a half hour in the gun room and put out a lot of ammo. But it is not as much fun...

Half hour with the Lee

LenV wrote:Dapduh2, I have one last question for you. Do you plan on reloading for fun or saving money? It has been my life experience that the more automated the reloading process is the less fun it is. Maybe it's the OCD coming thru, whatever, but I have always enjoyed the reloading process. It is kinda neat taking a fired brass and turning it into a new bullet and lining them up in its tray. I used to spend countless hours of my free time at my hobby and looked forward to it. That sort of explains the supply I have built up over the years. Now with my progressive I can spend a half hour in the gun room and put out a lot of ammo. But it is not as much fun...

Half hour with the Lee

Cost savings is a big one but also that cost savings would allow me to shoot more as well. I think I will enjoy it either way, but time with my family is very limited so I can’t stay in the shop reloading all day.

Wobbley wrote:The problem, John, is that Star machines have very sketchy support.  Sure “there’s a guy” supporting some machines now, but no one took over production and sooner or later they’ll be like the old Hollywood turret presses.  Considering there are other options out there...

Support is not a problem with Star. A phone gets you to Star for parts or info. Rarely are parts needed. Keep them clean and lubed as any machine and they will last a lifetime for you...and your son. .45ACP and maybe .38 Spl & 9m later were mentioned. They are offered on e-bay regularly.

Several yrs ago I bought a .38Prog for $200. Bad shape...just dirty! Elbow grease and 3 small springs from the Hardware and a new MainSprg put it in operation. Added a Hulme, made a type of freeloader,  and added an indexer. Sold it & new owner reports he has to lock it or it runs itself.

Ron Habegger

fc60 wrote:Greetings,

Star Machine Works is alive and well in New Jersey.

In the past, I have machined a number of new shell plates and dies for them.

Bruce keeps a good stock of machines. He tears down used ones and completely refinishes them.

Also, let us not forget the CPM Progressive Reloader. (Clyde Precision Machine). These use the 7/8-14 dies and function a lot like the Star. It is bit larger and heavier than the Star.

Cheers,

Dave

Fellows like FC60, and we all know a couple, know their way around a machine shop will keep the Stars around as long as needed.

Dave,
I don't know about the CPM idea. I don't think Bill made more than 50. I believe the original order for bases was for 50 and don't think any more were ordered. Kind of a shame as he had a couple of neat ideas. A few of my fellow shooters had them, 2 still running fine but lost track of any others. 

My best friend used a CPM for yrs and sold Bill's last parts for him. He acquired a Star in an auction for $35 (no one there new what it was) and said the Star & CMP were not comparable. Sold the CPM. Not sure why he had that opinion.

Ron Habegger

think you about right for the total number of CPMs made.. not many at all. Believe I got mine through Paul Jones but that's been a while.

Speed or the number of rounds loaded are mentioned a couple of times here. For that search "YouTube" for something like automated progressive .45 or something like that. A short video showing a powered progessive running!

Ron Habegger

jglenn21 wrote:think you about right for the total number of CPMs made.. not many at all. Believe I got mine through Paul Jones but that's been a while.

Greetings Jimmy,

Yours is a nice shade of green. Mine is a tan/beige color.

Somewhere I had the original sales brochure.

I thought of machining shell plates for them. Much like a Star in approach. Only difference is the diameter of the plate. A slice, or two, of A-10 tool steel would be a possible setback financially.

The case feeder mechanism was original. I do not believe Hulme had any part in it. Although, it functions in the same manner.

I should set mine up for nostalgia purposes.

Cheers,

Dave

I just found this video today and decided a Hornady LNL AP is the way to go-Rosie the reloader told me to buy it and how could anyone say no after watching this video! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEiJmmqwq-s

I can't believe they think they have to pander to us by using sex to sell good reloading gear-they are copying the Dillon strategy!

Actually, I bought one 10 years ago and it's been good, I reload 32 ACP, 32 S&W Long, 9MM , 38 Special and 45 ACP. Only complaint is that the case feeder does not work well with 32 ACP and I hand feed those cases.

Kind of interesting that they choose someone with a strong English accent to present a USA product. England's gun laws mean that very few people now own rifles (zero handguns) and I guess that the metallic reloading market there must be minimal.

I could be sexist and suggest that she might be an Essex girl, but I think that south Midlands is more likely!

I have been using a Dillon 550 for the past 27 years for .45 acp. I must say of late I have been thinking of upgrading. I have been looking at used XL650 but may wait until my Christmas Bonus and buy a 750 or an RL1050.

CraigB5940 wrote:
Actually, I bought one 10 years ago and it's been good, I reload 32 ACP, 32 S&W Long, 9MM , 38 Special and 45 ACP. Only complaint is that the case feeder does not work well with 32 ACP and I hand feed those cases.

Hi Craig,
I made a case feeder adapter for my .32acp Star that works great. 
I could give Dave a drawing if you wanted him to make you one (if he wants of course).
Wes

I had a 650 Dillion and didn't like spending half a day to change from one cal. to the next. Then I got a 550 and fell in love with it. Easy in every way, Change, operate, adjust, check brass, etc.. With the time wasted on the 650 I can load 500 rounds, switch cal. and load another 500 rounds.

The Star limits your options on calibers and support is iffy. As time goes on, you may want to add additional calibers and the Star machines have proprietary dies. The Dillon 650 and 750 have Dillon's lifetime no BS warranty. The 1050 + machines do not. I bought a used Dillon 650 many years ago, with a lot of accessories and components. I got a great deal. It wasn't risky because if I was missing anything when I bought it, Dillon was right there with parts. I also have a Dillon 550, but it is slower to operate and you said that saving time was a consideration. Today, for loading for bullseye pistol match ammo, I'd probably get the Dillon 750 or a used Dillon 650. I don't know about the Hornady machines, but I don't hear much bad talk about them. They may be great.

Started loading on a single stage till I started shooting competitions and bought a Dillon Square Deal in .45 acp, had to have Dillon rebuild it because I pulled the HELICOIL's out of the head changing calibers, so I bought one for each caliber I reloaded. Then I found a well-used Dillon 450 that had been converted to a 550 and set it up for .45acp. Next I found a used 550B at a sportsman yard sale with three tool heads and powder measures for a little bit oh nothing and bought it, making it easier to switch calibers and have it set up to load both 45 cap and 38 Super. And I still have the Square Deal B set up for .38 Special so I guess you can call me Dillon poor except I sold off 2 Square Deal B for a profit and have broken even on the other machines I have bought and still use. 
I have no need to own anything bigger than a Dillon 550B so you can keep the factory style progressives.

Guys, this thread is 4.5 years old...

Wobbley wrote:The problem, John, is that Star machines have very sketchy support.  Sure “there’s a guy” supporting some machines now, but no one took over production and sooner or later they’ll be like the old Hollywood turret presses.  Considering there are other options out there...

I usually avoid these "what's the best reloader" conversations, but I find this post pretty insulting.   Everybody likes the reloader they are using and think it's the best...until they don't, and that's fine.  If you like it, use it and recommend it to your friends.  At one time I thought the Lee Loadmaster was fantastic, now I don't.

I own Star Machine Works and I support the machines.   We have the parts, and when stock is low, we "produce" more. 

We don't build new machines.  A new Star reloader built from scratch would cost well over $3000.  That wouldn't be very competitive with all the wonderful used machines that come up for sale.  I do rebuild and refinish existing machines back to like new condition.   

There are plenty machines out there and if given just a little care they last forever.   They die of neglect not overuse.    If they haven't been cared for, they can still be fixed.   I have customers who are using their grandfathers' machines.

Bruce Williams

Star

BE Mike wrote:... I don't know about the Hornady machines, but I don't hear much bad talk about them. They may be great.

I have a dedicated Hornady Lock-N-Load progressive press for reloading 45 ACP with several accessories. I see it as a Goldilocks press. I like the halve turn by stroke rotation and the case after powder drop is right in front of me for visual powder load confirmation before I insert a bullet. No case or bullet feeders. Can load a few hundred rounds at a comfortable rate for Precision Pistol, maybe 300 in two hours. Primer seating feel is good.

My die set-up is size/deprime. expand with a NOE mandrel, Hornady powder drop, bullet seating, case crimp.

I have a Hornady LNL Makes good ammo.

Dcforman wrote:Guys, this thread is 4.5 years old...

For some, the information is timeless..

Don't overlook the Frankford Arsenal x-10. I had a Hornady AP and it is a good press, but I had primer feed issues and the pawls would break if there was a jam.They were probably designed to be the point at which things would give. 
I sold the Hornady and bought a Dillon 650. To me it was a better press and it served me well, with some minor issues, primarily the primer feed and used primers backing up.
Then I got interested I in the Frankford Arsenal x-10 and bought it, planning to keep the Dillon for other calibers. I like the x-10 so well that I sold the Dillon. The x-10 is smoother and has more leverage, so less effort to operate, and the primer feed is bulletproof. 10 stations gives the option of swaging, a bullet feeder, a powder check and separate seating and crimp. For me anyway, it just works. The only downside I see is that it is a new product and that is always a risk.