Progressive reloading press...which one to consider?

Looking to pick up a progressive reloading press shortly after Christmas and I'm starting to weigh my options. Originally I was set on a Dillon 550C but the thought of only having 4 spots in my tooling head (was hoping to run a powder check) plus not being an automatic indexing press has me looking at other options.

Kinda starting to lean towards the Lee Precision Load-Master as it auto indexes and has removable tool-heads like a Dillon so I can keep everything set correctly. I've read that the Lee is cheaper but requires some initial user modifications to run smooth. I am also looking at the Dillon 650XL because I very much have a buy once cry once mentality but I'm having a hard time spending that much on a progressive press.

If it helps, I'll mainly be using this press to mass load 223 and 308 plinking/prepping ammunition but eventually I was hoping to transition to loading 45ACP and 10MM to cut down the cost of shooting some of my pistols. Anything I load for the rifles I would only expect marginal accuracy (2-3 MOA?). What i mean by that is I don't plan nor need to load match ammo in mass.

What's everyone used and had experience with? Is there something in particular to stay away from?

Check eBay for a used Dillon press.

Quarter Round said:

Check eBay for a used Dillon press.

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I have/am...the last few 550's have sold for more than they are new at my local Scheels

Find a used Dillon 650. I have heard from some fairly reliable folks that the new 750 is not an upgrade. I have had a 650 for years, and it will load a lot of great ammo really fast. BTW you can load really accurate ammo on one if you use a powder that meters well. Nearly as good as a single stage.

I have a 550B from back in the day and it's a great press. Next year sometime I think I will upgrade but it's been great so far.

Tidus56 said:

I have a 550B from back in the day and it's a great press. Next year sometime I think I will upgrade but it's been great so far.

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Next year is only 20 days away...want to upgrade early and sell me that 550B lol

Ha...I was thinking mid year. I'll think on it though.

SavageHunter11 said:

I have/am...the last few 550's have sold for more than they are new at my local Scheels

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That happens with a lot of items. Consider a single-stage or a turret-head until you find the Dillon at your price. Just be I will be bidding against you.

Quarter Round said:

That happens with a lot of items. Consider a single-stage or a turret-head until you find the Dillon at your price. Just be I will be bidding against you.

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I have a single stage already with another (Co-ax) on the way but the thought of loading 10k rounds in a single stage sounds never-ending

if you really think you need a powder check , skip a progressive.
20 plus years of using Dillon 550's for both pistol and rifle. some for plinking some for competition...service rifle.
it is a machine , a mechanical thing designed to do a task...just like a auto engine.
do you get out and check to see if gas went in a cylinder every block ?
but you do not put corn syrup not diesel in your gas tank.
so find powders that work in the machine or just skip it.
I have no lights on my 550's, I maintain them, adjust them, lube them and feed them.
I have shot out to 600 with 550 built 308 ammo and hit x's with that ammo.
its a TOOL, it is only as good as the operator.

My hornady lnl churns threw my bulk loads.

I loaded shotgun shells for years on MEC presses (still do) so the 'manual indexing' of the Dillon 550B was a plus for me as it matched what I was already used to doing. Besides, I like that I can control when things move to the next stage. When something glitches, an "auto-index" press can be a hassle to get back on track. Also, I agree with @rsmithsr on powder selection basically eliminating the need for a 'powder check' station. Some nice ball powders out there that meter really well and work in the 5.56/.223. I don't have a dog in this hunt so whatever YOU want is great. But I love the Dillon warranty and the overall quality of the machine.

Frog4aday said:

I loaded shotgun shells for years on MEC presses (still do) so the 'manual indexing' of the Dillon 550B was a plus for me as it matched what I was already used to doing. Besides, I like that I can control when things move to the next stage. When something glitches, an "auto-index" press can be a hassle to get back on track. Also, I agree with @rsmithsr on powder selection basically eliminating the need for a 'powder check' station. Some nice ball powders out there that meter really well and work in the 5.56/.223. I don't have a dog in this hunt so whatever YOU want is great. But I love the Dillon warranty and the overall quality of the machine.

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I've been researching all these progressive presses and I read about how all the auto-indexing ones will have issues with the auto part from time to time. It never occurred to me that something like the 550 without auto indexing eliminates that possible issue entirely. I think I'm back on board with the thought of a 550