Best reloading press- opinions please

So I’m leaving active duty in a few months and going back to being a drilling member of the National Guard. I’ll have much more time to shoot and a convenient place to do so. I’m setting cash aside and would like to dive into reloading probably after the summer. So here’s the question...

If you could buy one press right now what would it be and why. I was looking at a Dillon 650 and for that price point wasn’t sure if there was a better option. Initially loading .45, but eventually 9mm and .38. 

Thanks for any help/ insight.

Let me suggest you get the new 750..basically an upgraded 650.. very very smooth press straight from the factory.. several improvements over the 650 which has been around for a long time..  mine has been perfect.

you can flat pump some rounds out..

+1 on the 750!! The primer feed on the 650 is less than desirable

if you go get a Dillon check with Titan reloading.. they will often have what they call Dillon Daze where they discount Dillon reloaders.. I got $60 off  Dillons normal price when I got my 750..

Thanks guys. I’ll start looking into the 750.

Don't be afraid of a 650 if a good deal on one pops up.

Now if it is too expensive I did just buy a Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro and for 300 bucks it’s a good Press. It is not a Dillon by any means but it actually surprised me!

I would recommend the Dillon products for sure.  I've had great use of my 650 for almost 25 years now and am very happy with it.  I would expect they have made some improvements with the new 750 model so I think that it would be a good choice (and I'm not sure you can buy a brand new 650 any longer).  I specifically chose this model because of the 5th station which allows me to use a powder check system in station 3.  That feature coupled with quick caliber change ability are great assets.

Good luck in your decision.
John

LOOK AROUND AND BUY AN RL1050.
NOT A SUPER 1050. THE RL1050 IS WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY , EVERY PENNY. IT'S THE ONLY PRESS THAT PRIMES ON THE DOWN STROKE OF THE LEVER. NO MORE PULLING DOWN THAN PUSHING BACK UP TO THE REAR TO PRIME. ON THE RL1050 YOU CAN ADJUST YOUR PRIME SEATING DEPTH WITH THE TURN OF A ALLEN SCREW. OF COURSE YOU SEAT AND CRIMP IN SEPARATE STATIONS. AND YOU ALSO HAVE A SPACE FOR A  MR BULLET FEEDER . MINI MR BULLET FEEDER IF YOU SHOOT SWC LEAD BULLETS. ALSO SWAGES THE PRIMER POCKETS TO REMOVE THE CRIMP ON PRIMER POCKETS. BUY ONCE, CRY ONCE. THE ONLY ONE BETTER WOULD BE THE MARK VII EVOLUTION.

JIMPGOV wrote:LOOK AROUND AND BUY AN RL1050.
NOT A SUPER 1050. THE RL1050 IS WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY , EVERY PENNY. IT'S THE ONLY PRESS THAT PRIMES ON THE DOWN STROKE OF THE LEVER. NO MORE PULLING DOWN THAN PUSHING BACK UP TO THE REAR TO PRIME. ON THE RL1050 YOU CAN ADJUST YOUR PRIME SEATING DEPTH WITH THE TURN OF A ALLEN SCREW. OF COURSE YOU SEAT AND CRIMP IN SEPARATE STATIONS. AND YOU ALSO HAVE A SPACE FOR A  MR BULLET FEEDER . MINI MR BULLET FEEDER IF YOU SHOOT SWC LEAD BULLETS. ALSO SWAGES THE PRIMER POCKETS TO REMOVE THE CRIMP ON PRIMER POCKETS. BUY ONCE, CRY ONCE. THE ONLY ONE BETTER WOULD BE THE MARK VII EVOLUTION.

Super 1050 primes on the down stroke, NOT the upstroke!  I seat and crimp on different station and use a MrBullet or Mini feeder.  It also swages the primer pocket.

The RL 1050 has a shorter stroke (2.31" verses the Super @ 3.15") and was made primarily for pistol and short rifle cartridges (.223). 

- Dave

"Super 1050 primes on the down stroke, NOT the upstroke!  I seat and crimp on different station and use a MrBullet or Mini feeder.  It also swages the primer pocket."

I NEVER SAID IT DIDN'T. I RECOMMEND THE RL1050 IS WHAT I SAID.

JIMPGOV wrote:LOOK AROUND AND BUY AN RL1050.
NOT A SUPER 1050. THE RL1050 IS WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY , EVERY PENNY. IT'S THE ONLY PRESS THAT PRIMES ON THE DOWN STROKE OF THE LEVER. NO MORE PULLING DOWN THAN PUSHING BACK UP TO THE REAR TO PRIME. ON THE RL1050 YOU CAN ADJUST YOUR PRIME SEATING DEPTH WITH THE TURN OF A ALLEN SCREW. OF COURSE YOU SEAT AND CRIMP IN SEPARATE STATIONS. AND YOU ALSO HAVE A SPACE FOR A  MR BULLET FEEDER . MINI MR BULLET FEEDER IF YOU SHOOT SWC LEAD BULLETS. ALSO SWAGES THE PRIMER POCKETS TO REMOVE THE CRIMP ON PRIMER POCKETS. BUY ONCE, CRY ONCE. THE ONLY ONE BETTER WOULD BE THE MARK VII EVOLUTION.

Then you need to rephrase this to the 1050's are the only.....
- Dave

Buy a 750 and a new Range Officer to make into a wad Gun for what these cost

In concept both 1050 models are very close, and most parts are interchangeable.  RL has older style crank mechanism, which is better than one on Super.  However Super is more versatile as it has extra 7/8" in vertical motion.  So if loading rifle ammo is planned for then Super would be a better option.  Now, - take "versatile" into consideration.  If you are planning to load several calibers, especially pistol ones, and change from one to another quite often I would not recommend any of the 1050s.  Cost of tool heads, but most importantly amount of time needed to make changes, is substantially longer on 1050 versus 650/750, especially if changing primer size is involved (just for this reason I have two XL650s!).  If loading rifle ammo is involved, Super 1050 is better option as it provides for 7 stations plus adjustable primer seating depth.  Five stations on 650/750 is more than sufficient loading pistol ammo even with addition of Mr. Bulletfeeder (750 has limitation on this as fail safety mechanism precludes installation of bullet dropper on station 3, and necessitates using die that does both seating and crimping on station 5.  I plan on working on this issue very soon!).  Lastly, if you plan on loading just one caliber (i.e. 45ACP) I suggest checking on old Star press in particular caliber. 

All of the above is IMHO!
AP

" just for this reason i own two 650s" had to laugh...

I own 3 550s and the 750. Two are small primer and 2 are large.. two are setup for rifles and two are for pistols..

Hey why not

I have a super 1050 and would love to find a RL 1050, everyone I've run into for sale brings almost what a new one costs. I understand the RL 1100 stroke is longer than the Super? But they went back to the eccentric roller mechanism?

If you're not planning on using a case feeder, make sure you understand from where you'll be putting cases in the shell plate.

This one detail is what pushed me into the Hornady. Not the least bit sorry, it's a pretty slick setup. I prime offline, however. So there's that ...

The 500 free 185 XTP's were kind of nice too.

I'm a cheapskate but still put out 1000's of quality bullets with my Lee's.

WesG wrote:If you're not planning on using a case feeder, make sure you understand from where you'll be putting cases in the shell plate.

This one detail is what pushed me into the Hornady. Not the least bit sorry, it's a pretty slick setup.  I prime offline, however. So there's that ...

The 500 free 185 XTP's were kind of nice too.

I have 2 Hornady LnL AP's and love them, also have a Dillon SDB. The 650 is good with the feeder but the Hornady is king if you hand feed cases. Lots of good options these days and a lot of competition, customer service is typically excellent.

Many posts in this thread, and only AP mentioned Star, and that only as an afterthought.

Sigh.

The problem, John, is that Star machines have very sketchy support.  Sure “there’s a guy” supporting some machines now, but no one took over production and sooner or later they’ll be like the old Hollywood turret presses.  Considering there are other options out there...

Yeah, so ...

Some of us just aren't cool enough for a Star.

Or a '57 Corvette. Or ...

Or, what the heck is this? Got it from Grandpa when he died in the 80's. Should I keep, clean or throw?

Len.
Shotshell press? A "Texan" I think. Dust it off and put it on eBay. The shipping might cost more than the press though

Good guess Radjag. Probably is a old texan..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Super-Heavy-Duty-TEXAN-MODEL-12-GAUGE-AUTOLOADER-RELOADING-PRESS/202709893382?hash=item2f32738106:g:~fgAAOSwijhbUY5s

Several on ebay.. surprising prices