Which Progressive Press do you Own?

[oceanbob]

I run a Dillon 1050 and a Dillon 550 (with case feeder).

I have 5 kids (4 are adults now) and we've had these Dillon machines for 20 years. The kids grew up learning about Guns, Gun sports and shooting. Everyone of them has reloaded 1000s of rounds of ammo. It was a family thing. (besides Baseball, Soccer and Surfing    )

I am very pleased with Dillon. On my old 550, one of the springs on the powder drop broke; after years of use. I called dillon to get another spring (about 5 bucks) and they sent me a brand new (improved) Powder Drop, no charge. (about $130 worth). Incredible customer service.

Here's my reloading room.

[REDLINE]

oceanbob,

Nice!  Hope someday I'm set up half as well.

[Ramjet]

I like the Ap but the powder measure is not as accurate as I would like and takes some attention in that you must clean it and use anti static drier sheets on the interior. It does much better with larger doses of powder than the really small calibers.

[blastfact]

I don't own a progressive. I load with Lee single stages and a classic turret. And I like Lee stuff. But when I go full progressive it will be XL 650's. One setup for small primer and the other for large primer. Rifle will still be produced on my Lee equipment as will my test/work up pistol loads.

I don't mean for this to be a plug for Lee. But there classic single and turret IMO are the best press's made to date for the money. The classic turret is a work of art. But Dillon takes it to the next level with there progressives.

[gandog56]

I agree Lee makes great single stage and turret presses, especially for their low cost. But I also do not like their progressives.

[REDLINE]

I like the Ap but the powder measure is not as accurate as I would like and takes some attention in that you must clean it and use anti static drier sheets on the interior. It does much better with larger doses of powder than the really small calibers.

I wonder how much it might get better when actually using the Hornady Pistol Rotor & Metering Assembly (part #050128) with the L-N-L Powder Measure as opposed to the standard metering assembly it comes with? 

I have both but haven't even taken them out of the boxes yet as I haven't begun to load any ammo in bulk.  The Pistol Rotor & Metering Assembly is claimed to be designed for charge weights of 0.5 - 17.0 grains.  Ever tried it or heard from others about it?

[Ramjet]

I am using the small rotor.

The issue as I see it is certain powders flakes especially stick to the walls of measure.

Is am working solutions and it seems the more you run through it the better it gets.

I decreased it wiped it with anti static dryer sheets all that helps but not as curate as I would like.

[DenStinett]

Can't say I've ever been into Progressive Presses
Was given a Lee 1000 awhile back, but never used it
I traded it for a Hot Blue Job on some Pistol Parts
Been using the same Lee Turret Press I've owned since the late '70s
But I've always run it as a Single Stage Press
I don't know, I guess I prefer to physically handle my Brass, several time during the loading process
What I started out loading with, back in the early '70s, was the Lee Loader
Thousands and thousands of Rounds loaded with this Tool, long before I even bought my first Die Set
The Classic Lee Loader, in 357:
http://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-357-mag.html
Here's what I'm using today
My Original Lee (non indexing) Turret Press:

All of my Die Sets (all RCBS) are on their own Turrets and stored in Lee Boxes:

Then there's my Little Dandy Powder Rotor collection:

And last but not least, my Home Built Brass Tumbler:

[The_Shadow]

I have loaded on the Lee loader for 357/38 in the past, hammering brass in and out.  That didn't last long though...
I purchased a RCBS Jr. which I still use to this day!  I also got the RCBS Big Max for the extra leverage to do rifle casings and other operations, like the "Pass-Thru" sizing.

I have the Dillon 550B but rarely use it, although I may start running some things through it again!

[DenStinett]

I have loaded on the Lee loader for 357/38 in the past, hammering brass in and out.  That didn't last long though...
I purchased a RCBS Jr. which I still use to this day!  I also got the RCBS Big Max for the extra leverage to do rifle casings and other operations, like the "Pass-Thru" sizing.

I have the Dillon 550B but rarely use it, although I may start running some things through it again!

I used that Lee Loader for over 5 yrs (during the '70s) and then again (for a short time in 2000) when I was living on my Sailboat
I finally set-up a Loading Bench in out Storage Locker
I've never had the money or desire to buy a Dillon....well maybe a (very) small desire, but never the money

[REDLINE]

And last but not least, my Home Built Brass Tumbler:

That's pretty cool.  Did you go by some sort of premade plans or was it from your own creativity?

[DenStinett]

Thanks Redline
It was my idea, over 30 years ago
I used Baleless 1 gallon Paint Cans
A Pump Motor and V-Belt to power the Conveyer Rollers
The Rollers have hex Shafts, so I used (3/8 drive) Sockets to hold the Rollers in place
I can tumble three different types of Brass at the same time
Say; 200, 9mm in one, 150, .308 in the second, while I'll have 150, .44 Mags in the third
The old girl is a true Work Horse

[REDLINE]

Wow, didn't have much for size reference.  I had no clue the cans were 1 gallon paint can size!  That makes it awesomer than I had in mind before.   Love the simplicity of it overall.

[Ramjet]

Awesome innovation I love inventors that think and just build it that really neat.

[REDLINE]

A guy could probably have a sustainable business just pumping out a couple different sized tumblers similar to DenStinett's.