Rifle Reloading... Progressive vs Accuracy ???

[Big joe]

I have never owned a progressive reloader. I love the thought of the speed of progressives but I have always assumed that you give up a lot in the accuracy dept. How true is this ? I'll tell you, if I can get about the same accuracy with a progressive as I can with my single stage I,m ready to make the switch.
What do you think???

[smalstuf]

If you install a JDS Quick Measure on the progressive press you can expect ammo as good as any. I get 1/2 minute groups with the ammo from my Dillon in 3 different rifles and calibers. I would not go back to single stage loading. Chec it out at www.quick-measure.com

[skb2706]

Theres a chap on another forum that has posted several match results over the years that were won by shooters using Dillon 550s or similar Dillon progressive press....shooting HP rifles. Very impressive list and I think you would be hard pressed to prove that progressives are 'less accurate' than single stage presses.

[Rocky Raab]

I agree completely. Except for the fact that the great bulk of my own reloading is in five-round test batches, usually using different powder for each batch, I'd have gone Dillon decades ago.

[skb2706]

I don't use a progressive either.....if I loaded for a few different chamberings in high volume I would own a Dillon also. The way it is I have four single stage presses and for load work up that plenty. Besides using a slow cumbersome single stage press keeps me out of the bars and away from loose women........at least thats what I tell my bitter half.

[Catfish]

Rocky, and others
I work up loads for alot of different gun and and the 550 Dillon is far faster than a single stage press. I load 5 round and fire them out the back door. I go back in and set the powder for 1 gn. more and load 5 more and shoot them out the back door. I really set up a table outside the garage to shoot from and it works grear. I check the groups with my spotting scope and the cases for presure signs. If no signs of presure and the groups are getting smaller I walk about 50 ft to the press, turn the powder adj. screw 1 flat and load 5 more rounds. This gives me just about enough time to keep from over heating the barrel on most guns, but with some hotter rounds the burn alot of powder I still have to wait.
As for accuracy I'm convinced that the Dillon press will do a better job for most reloader than they will do on a single stage press. IF you stay with ball powders, powder measures don`t do well with extruded powders.

[Rapier]

Interesting that only the Dillion was mentioned. The Ponsness Warren just begs to be brought into the discussion. It is like a single stage / progressive press and will load exactly like a single stage, with 150 RPH speed. Uses standard dies, powder throws with standard die threads and standard shell holders.

I have two Dillions and a PW. I use the PW for rifles and the Dillons for pistols. I do have a Rock Chucker that is 40 years old that I use for load development, in the 5 round stages.

http://www.reloaders.com/metallic2.html

Ed

[quigleysharps4570]

I've used the RCBS Pro 2000 for several years now...wouldn't go back.

[royinidaho]

It to do a lot of small batches and I like to handle/see/feel each piece of brass as I go through the several steps. Some times I catch things plus it give my mind a chance to ponder how things are developing.

I still use the same RCBS JR that I bought back in 1966.

But mostly I think it just habit that keeps me stuck in the single stage world.

[Craig 522]

My Dillon 550 doesn't do well loading my 300 Win Mag. Just too much variance in the charge thrown when dumping 70+ grains. It did fine for consistancy when I used it for .223 though.

But now I weigh each charge on my Pact scale when loading my 300 WM. It's slower but I get exactly the same charge each time. And 5/8" groups at 200 yards says to me it works.

I do load my .223 on a Dilon 650 now and it does great too.

All my pistol loading for 9mm, 38 Super, 38 Spec/357 mag, and 45 ACP is done on two Dillon Square Deals.

[VirginiaHunter]

I have a dillion 550B and i use it as both, sorta.

When I'm working up test loads or hunting loads I measure each case separately for the powder (the larger extruded powders vary greatly in the dillion powder measure +/- at least a grain), and then continue with the progressive bit, the nice thing with the tool head there is little readjustment and normally only on the seating depth. With pistol loads or loads that utilize finer powders I just go the normal progressive routine.

I still have my old Herters single stage press, but the poor old fellow is just gathering dust these days