Need opinions, thinking about a new press

[richs]

I'd like opinions on something that I've been thinking about.
I've got an old progressive press that at best is marginal, primer system is NFG as well as the bullet feed. I do have my "work-arounds", hand priming and manual bullet feeding. But it's been sun-set by the manufacturer that I won't name... but they have a special offer if you take a pic of that specific press with your name and info on it, they'll let you buy ANY new press for 50% off. The one I've eye-balling is their top of the line... I'm thinking of getting the new one for only the main calibers I load (9mm, .40, .223/5.56) and use the old one for those I don't shoot often (.45ACP, .38/.357). I use my turret press only for .308, but the shell plate is the same as .45.
My cash investment on the old one is about the same as the cash outlay for the new press, but the old one has served me for many thousand rounds and given the work-arounds, it's still usable. A "full kit" for one caliber will give me everything else I need except additional shell plates and the bullet feed.

 

[chopps]

Dillon 750 is a good one.

 

[medium187mph]

I say do it ONLY if you have plenty of components already in hand.

Nothing like a greenhorn Reloader dropping mortgage coin on 1/10th of the needed supplies to spit out a few rounds…

 

[RSB]

I have a friend who has a 750 NIB with extras. he motioned he might like to "sale" "cell" sail" it. Would you like for me to get info of what all he has and the asking price. Dillon is lifetime warranty?

Another thought. Buy the 50% off press, save the old one for the calibers you load the least then you have the best of both worlds with less investment then retooling for all calibers. Just a thought.

 

[rbstern]

I've been loading with a Lee Classic Turret since it came out. Before that, I had their original turret, and had also short stints with the Lee Pro 1000, Lee LoadMaster, Hornaday LockNLoad, and a variety of single stage presses. Over the course of about 22 years. I always ended up back on the classic turret, since it just works and is so easy to caliber change.

Last year, bought a Lee Six Pack to dedicate to 9mm. So far, I'm on the fence about it. It's a great design, has enormous potential, but I am still tuning it to work with custom, 3D printed fixtures for bullets and brass, and haven't had time to devote to it to really decide if it will suit me. I'll know before the spring is over. But, again, from a design perspective, with a couple of minor nits, it's very well done.

The Lee 50% off deal is just okay, because it's their list price, so it's really more like a 25% off deal in the real world.

 

[basstracker89]

I have a Lyman turret. I've loaded many 10s of thousands of rounds on it. Probably closer to 100k. The complete layout was $400 back in the day to get me set up. It paid for it's self quickly. My press has lots of wear on it. That unit is @ 40yrs old. The African game cartridges are what put the wear on it. If I had to do it over, I'd bought the RCBS Rock Crusher. Granted it's single stage, but it'll do anything and never wear out. Keep it simple

 

[richs]

I say do it ONLY if you have plenty of components already in hand.

Nothing like a greenhorn Reloader dropping mortgage coin on 1/10th of the needed supplies to spit out a few rounds…

yeah, I have PLENTY components to justify a new press... wouldn't consider it otherwise. I just figure once I run out, I'll be done reloading at today's prices.

 

[jas4u]

Ok you have a lee loadmaster and thinking of getting the six pack.

I have both and it works for me. I only use it for light cartridges, either pistol and rifle. For larger ones, I use my LNL AP.

Just note that all press needs tinkering no matter how expensive it is.

 

[Leviathan]

I have an ancient Dillon RL550B That I've had for 35 years. Hundreds of thousands of rounds loaded. I've repalced 2 springs on the powder measure. It is the best engineered piece of equipment I've encountered. Try other things, if you like to tinker and repair things. Get a Dillon if you would rather spend that time makin' boolitz.

 

[Afterburn]

I have two dillon 650's they are great. Don't ask why I have two, I guess i want smart enough to know I only needed one.
Anyway Dillon is a solid choice.