progerssive reloading

[sgms18]

I know this aint a whisper specific question but Im ready to step up to a progressive reloader and Im wondering what to get. I know everyone thinks Dillon is the cats ass but are they really worth the money? I will be mainly loading .223, 9mm and .45acp. Any sugestions/words of wisdom?? Thanks guys.

[Hoser]

The Dillons *are* worth it.

I load precision 300 Whisper ammo on my 550 using a Prometheus powder measure. I load all my other 300 ammo on my 1050.

Heck, I even load ammo for my 338 Lapua on my 550.

When you get a set up for loading 223, get the Dillon carbide dies. Awesome dies for feeding an AR-15 or an M-16.

[sgms18]

Can i use the Lee dies I already have with a Dillon?

[srm109]

I use an old Dillon 450 and love it! The 450 is the predecessor to the 550, so it's basically the same press as the 550. I have not used any of the other manufacturers presses, so I can't give you an opinion about any others. What I can tell you is that the Dillon is rock solid and has a very positive feel to it. It has a very definite "top" and "bottom" to the stroke, which makes loading easier. All of Dillon's products are fantastic, and the folks at Dillon are great to deal with.

I would agree that the Dillon products are worth it!

Yes you can use your Lee dies.

[Notar]

I started loading on a green Press, it was a single stage and it lasted 1 day. I traded what I thought to be an upgrade to a Hornady Projector press, I pulled all my hair out. I bought a 550, and I was in HEAVEN, it just worked and was pretty fast. I still have that press(almost 20 years old), and have been through a couple of 650's. Now it's just the old 550, and 1050's, and I'm a happy camper.

[robrob]

Great topic, I'm in the process of picking up an M16 lower and will need a progressive press to feed it. Anyone want to comment on which Dillon I should get? I'm leaning toward the XL650 and carbide 5.56 dies.