Time for a new reloading press, moving from a single stage to either a turret or progressive. Appreciate your thoughts

I would recommend a progressive over a turret for pistol ammo. I use Hornady presses and have had good results. Dillion presses are also good option. The Frankford arsenal x10 is a new option and does have some intriguing features, but I have not seen one in person.

Any machine will have its own pros/cons and will take some time to understand how to make it run optimally.

I would recommend either a Dillon 750 or a Hornady AP.  Either press is capable and a true progressive.  

https://www.bobcatarmament.com/dillon-xl750-no-conversion-kit.html

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00005095100/lock-n-load-ap-loader-auto-progressive-press

Somebody has to say "Star," so it might as well be me.

If you were to stick with only 3 calibers and have fixed loads of available powders, I would take a close look at the Dillon Square Deal. It produces a good volume while not requiring so many accessories and support parts as to require its own workshop. Just something to think about.
Or you could call the help line at Dillon and get their thoughts. They are pretty nice folks

If you want to load a large variety of calibers and don't want to spend half your time changing components then think about going with a Lee. From this picture you can see I have 9 turrets (9 calibers) ready to swap out almost instantly. It takes longer to change powder than calibers. I have 9 for the turret press but only 4 for the progressive 9, 38 super, 38 special and 45. It also changes out quickly but definitely not as quick. I've had it set up for the 45 for the last 3 years. The Lee will turn out some fine ammo. For less money.

If you were curious. 380 acp, 9mm, 38 super, 38/357, 40/10mm, 41mag, 44s/44mag, 45 acp, 45 Colt/460 also 30 carbine and 223/556

Dillon Square Deal.

I've had mine since the early 90s. It's loaded thousands of rounds, and their warranty is unparalleled.

Perhaps review this thread.

https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t23574-ready-to-purchase-a-progressive-press-appreciate-your-guidance

Wtf.

I ran a Dillon 550 for a while and stepped back to a turret setup.

You can do volume on both. Progressive is much faster with less arm cranking. If you’re mechanically inclined and attentive, it’s the way to go. Responsible progressive press use requires consistent quality prep work, a decent bit of maintenance know-how, and continuous QC of rounds while they are being cranked out.

I had enough issues (based on my failures to pay attention) that a turret press was for me. It’s simpler to maintain, splits the difference in time saved (between SS and Prog), makes for quick caliber swaps, and forces me to do QC on every single round. Between my day job and several significant brain injuries, I don’t have the horsepower upstairs to babysit a personal ammo factory. Tried it and found there was too much to go wrong.

So, turrets. No loose shellplates, no stations to remember, no primer bar system (that stops working when the tiniest amount of debris gets into it)… just one-at-a-time work that still moves along quickly. Can’t remember if a case got one or two powder throws? I can dump the powder and get back to loading without interrupting or repeating work on other rounds. I prep and prime off-press (during daily conference calls or while watching TV in the evening) and keep plenty of primed cases ready to go. So, I can crank out a couple hundred rounds per hour at the press without working too hard.

For loading high volume pistol ammo, I say get a progressive press with at least one extra station (threaded hole). It would be for putting in a powder check die. The other consideration is that you'll be switching among 3 different calibers. I have a Dillon 550 and a 650. For ease of changing calibers and high volume, the Dillon 750 would be my choice. The Frankford Arsenal X10 might be a consideration, but from the videos I've seen, they are a little more labor intensive to switch calibers, but I could be wrong about that because I don't have any hands-on experience.

If your only shooting 200 rounds or less a week, a turret system like lenV’s will suit you well.

Greetings,

Star.

Cheers,

Dave,  RCB

I have considered buying a Star, so I'm curious.

What is it about the Star that makes it superior?

Is it the powder delivery that is more consistent?

I am using a bone stock XL650 and get .002" deviation in OAL, never had a glitch with the primer system or case feeder, and other than the powder measure, I'm not sure what else would pertain to the actual press itself. Once I set the powder bar up for a specific load, it never changes. If I need to change loads, I change powder bars so there is no possible variation due to noodling with the setting.

I believe that the issues most have with progressive presses are due to them being mounted on flimsy benches where the press itself has too much movement.

Thanks!

My recommendation would be for a Dillon because that is the one I have experience with.  I have heard good things about Hornady as well.  I use a Dillon XL650 so it's current comp is the 750.  I like that model for two reasons - A) it uses standard dies & B) it has a 5th station that I use for a powder check.  If not for those to must haves the Square Deal would fit the bill for my uses too.
  I will say that I have successfully made it 30 years or so without using a case feeder or bullet feeder so those accessories wouldn't matter to me.  Once I have started the process, I load a bullet into the case with my left hand and drop an empty case in with my right hand - pull the lever and repeat.  I can comfortably load 300-400 rounds in an evening after dinner and before bed.  Do that 4 or 5 days and I'll have enough for a while.
 Limiting those extras will keep the costs down if that's important to you.
Good luck in your search.

John

Greetings,

Powder delivery consistency is quite good with the Star and the Phelps copies.

This is particularly useful for the 32 ACP and 32 S&W Long target loads.

Before jumping in with a Dillon, factor in the cost of all the bolt on accessories needed to get the machine running.

i.e. Micro adjustable charge bars, custom powder funnels, possibly special sizing dies based on the brass and bullet combination you will use, powder drop checking device.

Go visit a fellow shooter and ask to load a few rounds. Get some "hands on" experience.

Try before you buy.

Cheers,

Dave

https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t14234p75-best-reloading-press-opinions-please

To reiterate, as I posted on that thread:

One caliber - Star;
Multiple calibers - Dillon XL650/XL750.

Glenn,
You might find answer to your question in my post on the above mentioned thread.

AP

It is interesting, i thought that perhaps there might be more consideration for the larger die capacity designs such as the new Area 419 turret press or the Frankford Arsenal press.

I really appreciate all the responses.

...I know i posted a similar topic months ago but i was curious to learn if perhaps opinions and suggestions might have changed with the commercial availability of several newer designs.

If i understand the advantages offered by the progressive format Dillon XL750 press, they lie ins its capacity to automatically feeds both cases and projectiles, and a single level pull accomplishes several different functions at the same time...and as mentioned Dillon has well respected customer service and warranty. The disadvantage is that errors might be more challenging to detect which is a bit disconcerting.

I wonder if the Area 419 really offers all that much of an advantage over the Forster Co-Ax press (aside form perhaps holding more dies)....as they both require the same number of lever pulls and changing out dies is pretty quick and easy on the Forster, though perhaps not as quick as just moving a turret? 

Am i missing something?

It's not a bad idea to start with the dillon 550 while not a true progressive as you have to advance your shell plate manually it still produces quite a few rounds per hour and is very easy to stop and correct any issues.. I own 3 of them and a 750 which I have dedicated to 45 only. Dillon's support is second only to RCBS which means it's great. The Foster is a proven press over many years but there are many other presses that will surprise you with the quality of loaded ammo.

For what it is worth... I think that pound for pound the Hornady Lock N Load AP is the way to go for what I read in the original post.

I have 2 of them... one set up for large pistol and one for small pistol primers. You can get into a base model for $700 that supports large and small primers and all you need to buy is the shell plate, and interchangeable collets that contain your different dies. The powder drop uses a drum mechanism that is extremely consistent with ball and flake powders. It's also a progressive.

If reloading mainly 45, 9mm and 38 special it would take less than 5 minutes to swap over calibers. With most of that time verifying your powder drop is correct.

if I were to do it all over again:
First upgrade is a micrometer powder adjustment. - easy
Next would be multiple powder hoppers set for different powders and loads. - also easy
Next is a case feeder. - about $500

A Star is great.... it's the Formula 1 car of reloading presses. However, most people can't drive a F1 car to a limit that has any benefits. Some notable exceptions exist however.

Nothing wrong with a Dillon 550/ 650 Etc.

Just my opinion: Ford / Chevy, Pat's / Gino's, Chicago / New York, Pineapple or Not, deep dish / thin crust. ( I'm hungry now )

Whatever your decision, I would say look up Ultimate Reloader on YouTube and watch Gavin go thru the pros and cons of all the presses.

Best advice so far is that they ALL have their quirks. That said, there are huge flocks of fans of each of the major players and they all make good serviceable ammo and they all figured out their machines and now offer endless help and tips all over the interwebs. You will learn your press and its quirks and you'll be happy.

I have or had two RCBS single stage presses, Dillon 550, Hornady LNL AP, and Star. Maybe a Lee loader, 4 stage... but i forget. I am a fan of a powder check die so I stuck with the Hornaday with its 5 stations and auto indexing. Easy caliber changes, though primer changes take a minute or two. Great customer service. Dillon great customer service. RCBS great customer service. They all send you replacement parts and upgrades for free.

I also added a pair of Star Universal presses. One i have not used is set up for 38 spl. The other is set up in 45 acp. Super consistent ammo... lovely to operate, but no powder check die so you gotta be doubly alert. In point of fact, you really need to be alert and free of all distractions when you reload ammo. That is worth repeating... alert, full concentration and zero distractions. Youre not making cookies. Run out of powder and not notice? Out of primers? Primer stuck or sideways? Double charge? These things happen and it's like a ghost or an invisible gnome snuck in. Dont try to load fast. Load safely and with care.

Btw Star has support via Bruce Williams in NJ. But if you have a jam, it's a mechanical process to get it reset and back running. Worth it to me because of the beautiful rounds. May not be for you.

Anyway, I'd err on the side of a press that allows a powder check die, reliable primer feed system, and easy to back out of a jam. Set your price and dive in. Whatever you get will make good ammo and with some set up, tips and tricks, accurate ammo.

!Buena suerte!

DA/SA wrote:I have considered buying a Star, so I'm curious.

What is it about the Star that makes it superior?

Some of the others are absolutely fine. Like Matt Damon or George Clooney. Perfectly fine.

A Star is Eddie Felson.

Cause, ya see, twice, Sarah... once at Ames with Minnesota Fats and then again at Arthur's, in that cheap, crummy pool room, now why'd I do it, Sarah? Why'd I do it? I coulda beat that guy, coulda beat 'im cold, he never woulda known. But I just hadda show 'im. Just hadda show those creeps and those punks what the game is like when it's great, when it's REALLY great. You know, like anything can be great, anything can be great. I don't care, BRICKLAYING can be great, if a guy knows. If he knows what he's doing and why and if he can make it come off. When I'm goin', I mean, when I'm REALLY goin' I feel like a... like a jockey must feel. He's sittin' on his horse, he's got all that speed and that power underneath him... he's comin' into the stretch, the pressure's on 'im, and he KNOWS... just feels... when to let it go and how much. Cause he's got everything workin' for 'im: timing, touch. It's a great feeling, boy, it's a real great feeling when you're right and you KNOW you're right. It's like all of a sudden I got oil in my arm. The pool cue's part of me. You know, it's uh - pool cue, it's got nerves in it. It's a piece of wood, it's got nerves in it. Feel the roll of those balls, you don't have to look, you just KNOW. You make shots that nobody's ever made before. I can play that game the way... NOBODY'S ever played it before.

great information, thank you....a powder check die sounds like it would be a great safety feature. 

I shied away from a Dillon 650 because a good friend who is a very experienced reloader and competitor suffered a primer chain explosion. It left him with some permanent scars on his arm. I'm told that this is rare but it was enough to frighten me away from that make/model.

brand-new wrote:
If i understand the advantages offered by the progressive format Dillon XL750 press, they lie ins its capacity to automatically feeds both cases and projectiles, and a single level pull accomplishes several different functions at the same time...and as mentioned Dillon has well respected customer service and warranty. The disadvantage is that errors might be more challenging to detect which is a bit disconcerting.

I have a case feeder for my Dillon 650. I think that it is worthwhile. The only issues I've had was when some foreign object gets into the case feeder. I especially hate it when .40 S&W or 9mm cases are stuck in .45 ACP brass. Having said that, it isn't that difficult to get the case feeder running again. I've never had a bullet feeder, but I'd question its ability to work smoothly with lead bullets that are lubed, including swaged.