johnson184 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Needing a progressive press for reloading 9mm, .45ACP, .223, and .308. Also going to need a single stage press for 50BMG and .338 Lapua. Would you recommend sticking with one brand for both presses? Or no problem buying presses from different brands? I'm leaning towards either a Dillon 550B and a Lee .50BMG press or going all Hornady or all RCBS. (Doing my best to figure out the differences between each) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash74 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 For me it was easy, Dillon for progressives and a RCBS Rock Chucker for single stage. I simply picked the presses with the best reviews. I have been happy with both choices. I started with Lee since it was cheap and would not recommend them even for a single stage press. If it wasn't for their unique dies, I wouldn't use anything Lee. There is no reason to stick with 1 manufacturer as nothing major really correlates between progressive and single stage presses. 50 BMG is out of my realm so I couldn't give a recommendation. I would check on forums that 50BMG shooters frequent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximis228 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Go with a 650 and the single stage conversion. #drinktheblue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Rod Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 No issues having multiple brands of presses. I have two Dillons and an a Hornady and they all do what they are supposed to do. PIck whatever brand meets your needs. I highly recommend going to fondle the various brands of presses or, better yet, go sit with someone that uses the various brands and get direct feedback. Fortunately, I live close to Dillon, so I was able to go in and run some test rounds through under Matt's supervision as well as going down to the local Sportsmans and Cabelas. It was an easy decision once I pulled all the handles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 650 or 1050 and a Lee Classic Cast single stage. Also, Lee has about the least expensive set up for 50BMG. https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-large-series-reloading-kit-.50-bmg-90859.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanb Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Anyone mention a Dillon press yet? Dillons customer service is reason alone to buy blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 4 of the above ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Miles Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Well I guess I'll be the oddball here. Dillon 650 and 2 Dillon SL-900's in my shop. I bleed blue when I get cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 (edited) Pick anyone you want as long as it's blue you can't go wrong. The 550B and the Lee for .50 is an excellent idea. You can always paint the Lee blue. Edited September 2, 2015 by bowenbuilt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
safeactionjackson Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Most progressive presses are capable of all 4 calibers (can't speak to 338/50cal), it really comes down to quantity you need to produce, and of course how deep your pockets may or may not be. Own presses from Dillon and Forster (hoping to add a Redding in the near future), and had a Hornady single stage for a bit. I'd second what has already been said, and suggest you check out whatever you are considering if at all possible. An experienced reloader can provide a ton of info, tips, trick, issues, and insight. Never really been concerned with brand. Having the right tool for the job surely doesn't hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnson184 Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Alright thanks guys. I'm actually sorta familiar with the Dillon 550B, but I've never seen the Hornady before in person. Would you say the Hornady is just as good? There's a rebate promotion running... and the Ammo Plant seems pretty affordable yet tempting compared to a Dillon 1050. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfalcon00 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I had a lee press for a bit could never get the thing to work right. Got fed up and bought a 650 and haven't had problems since. Plus Dillon has some of the best customer service I've ever seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnson184 Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Interesting. Ya, it just seems like most everyone on here is telling me Dillon. I was going to look at a Hornady and a RCBS pro chucker 7 tomorrow at a local reloading shop so I'm hoping to better understand them tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) Dillon for progressive. My experience with the press and customer service is unmatched. Flip side DON'T get a Lee progressive. Ever. A single stage is a single stage. If you can find a RCBS/Lee/Lyman/Forster/Redding at a garage sale, pick it up. I can't imagine wearing one out. Finding one that will handle .50BMG will be a challenge and push the price way up. Not even sure what to tell you there. Edited September 3, 2015 by jkrispies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slavex Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 For the 50, in my opinion, the best press is the RCBS RockChucker Supreme. Brownells has them for $129 right now. That's less than I paid for a used RockChucker years ago. MidSouth had them for $120 at the start of the summer I think too. They are a much much better press than the Lee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garmil Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I'm definitely in the minority here but I really like my rcbs pro 2000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) The Rockchucker is much better than the Lee C press, but IMO, it isn't any better than the Lee Classic Cast. The thing I like most about the Lee is the way fired primers are handled - or actually not handled - as they drop down thru the center of the ram and then into a plastic hose. I just run mine into a two quart juice bottle and never have to touch the fired primers or any of the primer residue. Edited September 3, 2015 by Steve RA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 The Rockchucker is much better than the Lee C press, but IMO, it isn't any better than the Lee Classic Cast. The thing I like most about the Lee is the way fired primers are handled - or actually not handled - as they drop down thru the center of the ram and then into a plastic hose. I just run mine into a two quart juice bottle and never have to touch the fired primers or any of the primer residue. Good point on the primer catcher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slavex Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I dunno man, my Rockchucker just dumps them in the tray that attaches to the press. Where the primers go is of minor concern to me, I'm more concerned about the press's strength and durability when it comes to a single stage. I've seen far too many broken Lee presses, of a variety of styles, but never a RC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnson184 Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 What are your thoughts on RCBS? I'm leaning towards getting the Pro Chucker 7 and a AmmoMaster 2 for .50BMG and .338 Lapua loading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) What are your thoughts on RCBS? I'm leaning towards getting the Pro Chucker 7 and a AmmoMaster 2 for .50BMG and .338 Lapua loading.I have a rock chucker that I got used. 10 years ago. I have no idea how old it is but it's great and I don't see it ever wearing out. The only issue I have is the primer catching system is a mess. Yes the tray catches them, but then it tends to dump scatter them every where when I take it off. They may have improved that feature since this one was built last century! Having said that I'd save my money and just get one. The 50 machine should work for everything. It'll just have a longer arm stroke. Unless it takes a wider die? Edited September 3, 2015 by jkrispies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmorris Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 My first press was a Dillon 30 years ago (well first metallic press) always had good luck with them so I have at least one of all of them now but I also have or have had lots of others from RCBS, Hornady, Lee, and other smaller names. I don't think I ever owned one that simply could not reload a round, just some are better at it than others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Out of curiosity, what sort of non metallic press did you have ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbo76 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Dillon 650 and pick your single stage. The 650 is the best re-loader I have ever owned. Dillon is a big sponsor at many shooting events and their customer service is second to none. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave33 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 What are your thoughts on RCBS? I'm leaning towards getting the Pro Chucker 7 and a AmmoMaster 2 for .50BMG and .338 Lapua loading. There is a pretty in depth review of the Pro Chucker 5, which is the 5 station version of the 7, on AR15.com. It seems to be a great press in about every way except for the primer slider design. It seems to be designed to fail and breaks a lot. Other than that I really like many of the features on it. The big downside is they dont have a casefeeder for it right now, Im sure they will, but at what price? The Pro Chuckers are already pretty expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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