Press Wars! Lee Loadmaster - Dillon RL 550B - etc.
I'm about to pull the trigger on a reloading solution. I am on the Lee Loadmaster side of the fence right now. I'm looking to reload .45 colt,.40,.45, 9mm, 30-06, .243, and maybe some others eventually. Number one issue is that I am a cheap ass (that's why I am going to reload, not to mention a hobby besides drinking beer or better accuracy). What does everyone think is the best solution for me? a Dillon, Lee, Hornady, Etc... has to be progressive and do both rifle and handgun rounds. What are the pros and cons from people that have used either press? I've been searching for some time now and I can't find anything wrong with Lee or Dillon. Some people say that the Prime function of the Lee Loadmaster doesn't work properly and you have to do them one at a time to make sure it works correctly and doesn't seat primers sideways? It seems like I could get all the bells and whistles to load handgun rounds without even touching the press besides to pull the lever for less than the base price for just a dillon press. who knows what?
0
-
quote:Originally posted by wolley
I have to say one more thing about the Lee Loadmaster.
Once you get it all dialed in the biggest problem is remembering to check powder and primers! This thing will run at 6-700 rounds per hour very easily and it it will run out of powder/primers very quickly at that rate. No goofy primer tubes either. Dump flip and insert[;)]
I seriously doubt that
I think 200-350 rounds per minute would be more realistic for most and especially the lee progressive reloaders.
to the org poster
dont get hung up by the number of rounds a machine will produce an hr
that is irrelevant it they aren't assembled right each and everytime
start with a single and work up to a progressive
And remember it's not a race0 -
quote:Originally posted by Odawgp
I seriously doubt that
I think 200-350 rounds per minute would be more realistic for most and especially the lee progressive reloaders.
to the org poster
dont get hung up by the number of rounds a machine will produce an hr
that is irrelevant it they aren't assembled right each and everytime
start with a single and work up to a progressive
And remember it's not a race
Never used one or even been around one have you?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Odawgp
quote:Originally posted by wolley
I have to say one more thing about the Lee Loadmaster.
Once you get it all dialed in the biggest problem is remembering to check powder and primers! This thing will run at 6-700 rounds per hour very easily and it it will run out of powder/primers very quickly at that rate. No goofy primer tubes either. Dump flip and insert[;)]
I seriously doubt that
I think 200-350 rounds per minute would be more realistic for most and especially the lee progressive reloaders.
to the org poster
dont get hung up by the number of rounds a machine will produce an hr
that is irrelevant it they aren't assembled right each and everytime
start with a single and work up to a progressive
And remember it's not a race
So you're saying that it will do 15,000 to 21,000 rounds per hour? I think you will need a high speed electric motor to pump the handle for that speed.[:D]0 -
Dillon's are nice. I have one. It was given to me. If I was buying one......I'd get the Lee. Dillons are nice, but as has been said about the Lee, you also have to keep a watchful eye on the Dillon also. Screws work loose and the primer feed needs adjusting.
Either one will work fine for a "sportsman" loader. With the money you save buying the Lee, you have more $$ for powder, primers, and lead.
You also have to take into account how much are you gonna use it. If your'e shooting a couple thousand rounds a week, get the Dillon. If your shooting a couple thousand rounds a year, get the Lee.
I second the suggestion of buying a single stage also. Use it to load for the huntin' rifles. Use the progressive to load lots for the pistolas.
Anyway, you can't go wrong with either one.0 -
Oops!!
LoL!!
I been around them all Lee, Dillon, and Hornady, RCBS and none will reload 700rnds an hour without a hicup. I don't know a reloader that would want too. To many things can go wrong no matter who's machine you use. 250-300 an hr is plenty fast.
It's not a matter of "if" things will go wrong but "when"0 -
My Dillion takes a minimum of 100 #!*,< words to get set up. Then it's good to go til one of the components runs out. 0 -
I love my Dillon 650, but to make things work easier and smoother I full size my rifle brass in a single stage, then tumble the lube off, then run it thru the progressive. Full length sizing on the progressive makes cycling the handle harder. Sooo much smoother this way.[:)] 0 -
Hornady Lock and Load is a very worthwhile press.. and it will easily fit into these choices.. 0 -
quote:themountainman
Starting Member
USA
3 Posts
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 10:05:25 PM
My Dillion takes a minimum of 100 #!*,< words to get set up. Then it's good to go til one of the components runs out.
so do you want to sell it [?][}:)]0 -
In my experience I have found most of Lee's reloading equipment to be junk. Dillon is very good, and Hornady is better than Dillon. I have used them all in my over thirty years of reloading. Presently I have on my reloading Bench a Rock Chucker, a dillon 450, with upgrades, a Dillon 550, and a Hornady Lock and Load. As said before, the Hornady is the Best press of them all. and they Service is inferior to none. 0 -
Practically speaking, I don't think there is a nickel's worth of difference between any of the major brand single stage presses: they're all good enough to get the job done. I've use many brands over the years, and none I have seen show any significant advantages over the others.
I reload many different rifle, shotgun, and pistol cartridges. For small lots, I prefer to use a single stage press because it is less hassle to set up. I also have an old Lee turret, along with about a dozen spare turret blanks, and usually leave a die set installed in its own turret for quite a long time. That is zero hassle to set up!
I have a Lee 1000 for .45 ACP, which, as others have noted, requires constant attention but still gets the job done at very low cost as long as you take your time. In my experience, the Lee costs time, the Dillon costs $$$! Dillons are fine machines, no doubt about it, but I still choke at their cost, though...
I do not see the point of using a single stage press to perform preparatory functions (like depriming, resizing, or priming) before running the case through a progressive press for the rest of the functions. That just adds extra churn to the process, and wastes more time and effort.
As for progressives, I have used Lee, Dillon, P-W, and MEC progressive presses over the years. To me, the easiest to use and most reliable of those are the MECs, but unfortunately, MEC presses are shotgun only. I've always wondered why the same design would not be just as good for pistol and small rifle cartridges...0 -
I have had my Dillon 550 since 1985, still going strong. Never used the Lee, but Dillon was the FIRST to bring progressive presses down to relative affordability. Their warranty is for life. 0 -
Many people have weighed in here & honestly just about everyone has some good advice.
Mine is much the same with one little add on. I would spend the money & if you are pressed for cash buy a used dillon press. I bought 2 used dillon presses about 15 years ago & never looked back. I STILL use the single stage presses I have (RCBS & Lee) for small runs of test ammo or finicky things. Dillon presses are NOT fun to set up when you change from lets say a 45 acp to a 9mm. Its why i'm glad I have 2 550's. That said if you have the LEAST bit of trouble or have questions the people at dillon will go out of their way to help you. I had a fit when i first got the presses setting them up properly. Dillon told me to send the press & the dies to them & they would set it up for me. (how can you beat that?) They are extremely helpful people. When you pay more for a product like Dillon you get more back from them in service when you need it!!!!0 -
Ditto on the Dillon. My first and only press was the Dillon 550B. Don't understand all the fuss on progressives unless the others are harder to setup than Dillon. Followed the video and was up and running in less than an hour. I have the quick change toolheads for all my calibers and can switch out and be reloading in 10 minutes. Powder check is the only thing slowing me down. 0 -
quote:If you start with a cheap Lee Challenger single stage press you will not be out much money. Your dies will transfer to the Dillon. I've had a Dillon 550B for 5 yrs now but I still load all my hunting loads on a single stage press. You may find out reloading is not for you and if you stick a ton of money out there up front you may regret it later.
My first re loader was a Dillon RL550 that I bought on eBay ( hard to find a used Dillon cheap). I set it up and I went slow for the first few hundred rounds. Now when I have a caliber set like .45 acp I can crank out 100 rounds in 11 minutes my biggest problem was the primers. I couldn't get them picked up fast enough so I bought a RF 100 ( not sure but its the Dillon primer filler) and boy does that make a big difference. For my hunting rounds I use a LEE hand press and that is only cause I make about 20 rounds at a time and it is easier to take to the range to work a load. Not to mention Dillon customer service is NUMBER1. I broke a part on my used powder dispenser and they replaced it at no charge and no question asked.0 -
Who cares what my opinion is I'm just another guy. Look at national competition results when they list what the top 20 use for reloaders. It runs 18 to 19 out of the people who reload use a Dillon. That is not chance. I tell people, you can start with a Dillon or end up with one. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
46 comments