Progressive press question

[bsmith]

First, is anyone using a progressive press for rifle ammo?

I've been reloading for a while with two older RCBS presses. Mostly .45 ACP, .243, and .25-06. I tend to load in batches, usually 100 of the .45 or 40 of the rifles at a time. When I resize the bottleneck cases, I use RCBS case lube and wipe the cases off before using an ultrasonic cleaner, then check the primer pockets and trim to length if needed. This way I get the case completely clean of any lube, debris, junk, etc. before I fill and seat. I tumble the .45 before I do anything to it since it all ends up on the ground, the rifle brass stays pretty clean and all I do is brush the necks out. Lately I've been considering getting the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP.

My question: when using a progressive press and resizing rifle brass, do you just forget getting the lube out of the neck before seating a bullet and then wipe off the cases when you're all done loading?

Thanks,

 

[rick smith]

I don't lube the neck when using my Dillon and wipe the cases after loading.Rick.

 

[Asa Yam]

I size (and trim) everything in the first pass through the press, then tumble off the lube. Loading occurs on a second pass.

 

[bsmith]

I size (and trim) everything in the first pass through the press, then tumble off the lube. Loading occurs on a second pass.

That's kind of what I was thinking would have to be done. How much do you gain then by using a progressive?

 

[JD338]

I size (and trim) everything in the first pass through the press, then tumble off the lube. Loading occurs on a second pass.

+1

JD338

 

[Asa Yam]

How much do you gain then by using a progressive?

Sizing & trimming takes place at 600-700 rounds/hour. Loading takes between 100-400 rounds/hour, depending on what's being done.

• If I'm throwing powder into the case (300 yards and below), it's 400 rounds/hour.
• If I'm weighing each charge (500+ yard ammo), production drops to 100 rounds/hour.

Sizing and high speed loading takes place on a Dillon 650 (because this tool has a case feeder and auto indexing). Low volume or specialty ammo (i.e., mid and long range ammo) is built on a 550.

The last time I loaded on a single stage press (about 15 years ago), it took eight hours to go from fired brass to 200 loaded rounds. From an identical starting point, a 650 using preset tool heads needs three to four hours to load the same number of rounds. Either way, about 2-1/2 hours are spent in the tumbler.

 

[bsmith]

Thanks for the info/details. I was considering the Hornady because of the free bullets (I shoot XTPs in my .45). Your posts have me wondering if the Dillon is a better long term investment.

I weigh every powder charge now, trickling to get it exact. How accurately do the Dillons throw powder? I have a bunch of other questions now, guess it's time to call Dillon...

Thanks folks,

 

[FOTIS]

I size (and trim) everything in the first pass through the press, then tumble off the lube. Loading occurs on a second pass.

+1

JD338

+2

 

[Asa Yam]

I weigh every powder charge now, trickling to get it exact. How accurately do the Dillons throw powder? I have a bunch of other questions now, guess it's time to call Dillon...

The Hornady powder measure is as good or better than that on the Dillon. Dillon toolheads are probably more convenient to change (NOTE: I've never used a Hornady press). It all comes down to what features you want, and which ones you can live without.

BTW, you can mount a Hornady powder measure on a Dillon press (or vice-versa). You just have to use the correct pieces.

 

[bsmith]

Requirements:

I don't need an electric casefeeder but the tube that comes with the Dillon is a definite plus. I'd like automatic, positive indexing. I don't switch calibers back and forth constantly and one shell plate will work for what I'm loading. I don't think I'd mind having to unscrew all of the dies each time I change. One thing I would really like to have is the ability to set the powder measure and then switch to another measurement quickly without a lot of weighing charges until I get what I need. That's one thing that bugs me about my RCBS powder measure when switching from rifle to pistol loads, having to mess with the metering screw assembly. Ability to remove a case from the cycle and not have to completely reset everything, or have powder fall through is a definite plus. It has to be strong enough to full length resize a rifle case when needed. I don't have a requirement for a rate (rounds per hour).

Thanks again for the input/feedback,
Brian

 

[Asa Yam]

Requirements:

I don't need an electric casefeeder but the tube that comes with the Dillon is a definite plus.

A 650 minus the casefeeder is a pain in the neck to run. The reason why I can process ~700 cases/hour is because I'm not constantly fishing around for cases or loading them onto the press.