Are Progressive Presses Worth It?

In my first article of this five-part sequence, I launched the 4 several types of reloading presses fashionable in the present day. Should you haven’t learn it, it could be price your whereas because it’s an honest total intro to reloading, each the method and the gear wanted.

You can see that, of these 4 sorts of presses, three may curiosity you — until you need to load proper at your taking pictures bench on the vary. That’s a unique proposition. If you’re speaking about bench-mounted presses, you will discover that there are single-stage, turret, and progressive presses. Listed below are the variations:

Single-Stage presses maintain one die at a time. You screw a die into the press, carry out that die’s perform on all of your instances, then swap dies. You’ll solely produce loaded ammo after utilizing the ultimate die of the set.
Turret presses have a software head that rotates (both manually or routinely) and holds all of the dies directly, often three or 4 stations. However you’ll be able to place just one case at a time within the shell holder. This fashion, the turret head rotates with every pull of the deal with. It takes as many pulls of the deal with as you’ve gotten dies in place to supply a loaded spherical.
Progressive presses are totally different. They use a software head that holds all of the dies, just like the turret press. However, they’ve a rotating shell plate that has as many stations as there are die mounts within the software head. I personal a Dillon Precision XL750 press, the place I load 9mm and .223. Because the fundamental progressive course of is far the identical for all progressive presses, I’ll use it as our instance.

How Does a Progressive Reloading Press Work?

An empty case drops from the (non-compulsory in some instances) electrical case feeder down the tube and is shuttled into station 1: the shell holder. You then pull the deal with down. The case is resized and deprimed with that one motion.

You then pull the deal with up and the primary case goes to station 2: priming and powder dishing out. Shifting the deal with up, you’ll seat the brand new primer and drop the powder cost within the case.

Station 3 on my press is empty, however that’s the place a powder verify station might go. Transfer the deal with up and all the way down to station 4.

On to station 4 — bullet seating and crimping. After these are carried out, the deal with goes up and down, and the case is moved to station 5, the place it’s “kicked out” and dropped into an hooked up assortment field for loaded rounds. Do not forget that, with all of the stations occupied, every down/up motion of the deal with produces a loaded spherical.

That’s it, in a nutshell. The primary distinction between a turret press and a real progressive press is that when all of the stations are filled with instances, the progressive press will produce a loaded spherical with every deal with pull. The turret press requires as many deal with pulls as there are stations to supply one spherical.

An excellent reloader can load upwards of 500 rounds per hour on a progressive press as soon as all of the elements are inside attain and the press is ready up.

So… what’s to not like? Let’s take a look at a number of execs and cons of progressive presses.

Professionals

Pace. Loaded ammo accumulates in a short time
Energy. Progressive presses are typically constructed very strongly
Inflexible. No variations come into play as soon as the press is ready – nothing to get out of adjustment
Automation. Processes like case feeding, powder dishing out, primer seating, and many others. are typically extra automated than on different presses

Cons

Price. Progressive presses sometimes price properly greater than different varieties
Setup. Setting one up is concerned and can take a while.
Glitches. Should you get a caught primer within the feed tube or different difficulty, your complete operation involves a halt till you appropriate it.

The above displays some basic points that I’ve run into on my Dillon. I admit that I used to be not precisely an skilled after I began with my press, however we perceive one another slightly higher now.

I have to admit that, as soon as every part goes, the press’s manufacturing is slicker than STP on a glass door knob. It’s simple to crank out dozens of rounds in a single sitting. Be sure to have further primer tubes loaded and able to go and that your bullets, instances, and powder are helpful for refills.

What You Ought to Look For In A Progressive Press

I’ve carried out loads of analysis on progressive presses. I personal and use one, and I’ve a number of concepts regarding them. I’ve walked the reloading press street since about 1978 and have some years of expertise the place they’re involved. I say this to not indicate that I’m the nice “Press Guru” or something of that kind — I’m nonetheless studying and make loads of errors. I say it solely to point out you that I’ve labored a number of totally different press handles up and down for a number of many years and have come to a few conclusions.

If you’re a brand-new reloader, don’t purchase a progressive press. Begin with a single-station, or at most, a easy turret press like Lee makes. Progressive presses are fantastic, however they demand a stage of information and proficiency {that a} beginner might not possess. Study the method first, then add the pace and complexity later.
5 stations is the minimal quantity that you need to contemplate. Should you resolve to seat your bullets on one station and crimp on the following, you’ll need an additional station. Technically, 4 ought to work however I like having choices for future operations.
Take into account shopping for a reloading package, or not less than buy non-compulsory gear upfront. It may be cheaper to do this. One suggestion I’ll make the place kits are involved has nothing to do with the press itself however issues the powder scale. Many kits include balance-beam scales. After reviewing nearly 20 scales, I’ve concluded that digital is the best way to go. A easy, $35 RCBS Pocket scale will probably be faster than a mechanical one.
If you do “graduate” to a progressive press, watch movies on setting it up. I’ve the Dillon XL750 and have watched many Dillon Precision movies on YouTube that includes Gary, the Human Guide (as he payments himself). His laid-back strategy to all issues Dillon Blue was refreshing… however his references to a small-block Chevy V8 get a bit previous. (You gotta watch a few of his movies!). You’ll be able to study lots by watching tutorial movies.
Lastly, keep organized. I’ve an issue with doing that… I are typically messy. A progressive press will demand an orderly strategy. Preserve bullets, primers, powder, and instances at hand, able to refill the hoppers or tubes. Additionally, maintain your bench space neat across the press, and be sure you brush away any spilled powder. Additionally, it will enable you to have precise cartridge bins to place loaded rounds in, not simply Ziplock baggage.

Should you keep on with these options, your loading expertise will go extra easily. I needed to study them the onerous method. The gist of that is: begin small, study the method, and transfer up as you’ll be able to. Keep organized alongside the best way.

Progressive Press Spherical-Up

Right here, I’ve looked for and located a number of progressive presses from numerous producers. I record them in worth order from low to excessive. Costs have been correct on the time of writing.

Disclaimers: When it comes to Dillon Precision, I’ve not proven each press they make however “cherry-picked” the fashions that make an incredible starter press. They make 9 presses in whole.

For more information, verify the hyperlinks out beneath.

Lee Professional 1000 Progressive Reloading Package (three stations)

Hornady Lock-n-Load AP (5 stations)

Frankford Arsenal X-10 (ten stations, contains case feeder)

Dillon XL750 (5 stations – worth contains electrical case feeder not proven and different non-compulsory equipment (not proven) to make the workflow speedier. That is the set-up I’ve)

Conclusion

So, you need to transfer as much as a progressive press? Nice! You will have many selections. As I stated above, I’ve proven you some nice choices, however these usually are not the one progressive presses on the market. After you’ve gotten discovered what you want, you may contemplate visiting the hyperlinks above, studying concerning the particular person presses, watching some movies, and making some selections.

No matter no matter press you find yourself with, have enjoyable however please observe customary procedures and keep protected as you crank out the ammo. Right here’s the good thing about doing so: you’ll take pleasure in taking pictures the hampers of cartridges you’ll make. To reply the query I posed on the very high — yessirree, progressive presses are price it! Is it time you progress as much as one?

About Mike Hardesty

With expertise spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has lengthy loved taking pictures and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a various array of firearms, every dealt with with long-practiced precision. Dwelling in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a private 100-yard vary the place he shares his love for weapons to his 4 sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a acknowledged writer, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Nation, Bear Creek Arsenal Weblog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing ardour for firearms on the age of 72.

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