Originally Posted by
Black Prince
I've TRIED to read through this post to determine if this has been addressed and have not seen it, but in case it has been pointed out, I apologize. Most all of the progressive presses work well. I have used Dillon 550-B's for 37 years, so I obviously like them. The discussion of auto index or not is a non starter because once you get used to a non indexing press like the 550-B, it's not a big deal. BUT something that IS A BIG DEAL with the 550-B , AND OTHER PROGRESSIVE PRESSES that only have four stations on them is there is no room for a powder checker die. So what you ask?
There are so many operations going on at the same time on a progressive that it is easy to miss an under or overloaded case. And in some progressives, you can't actually see very well the powder level in the case before you have to put the bullet in the case. If you are loading pistol cases with a fast burning, low bulk powder like Bullseye for instance, you can load a case two or three times and it WILLNOT run over the case and it WILL ALLOW you to seat a bullet on top of that powder.
THAT is why although I own Dillon 550-B's, if I had to buy them again today, I would get the 650 machine because it has 5 stations which allows for a powder checker die. Now when I load 45 ACP's for example, I set my powder checking die (an RCBS) at the first station after the powder is loaded into the case, then seat the bullet, but then I don't have another station for the taper crimp die. So then I have to take each cartridge and run it through a Lyman All American press with a taper crimp die in it to complete the loading process. That one operation almost doubles the time required to load a group of cases. But I do it to be safe because I have seen the result of both over and under loaded cases and it is not good. For those reloaders who are like me that don't see very well anyway, a powder checker die can look at EVERY CASE to make sure it has the correct amount of powder in it. BUT if you don't have enough stations on your progressive press, regardless of who made it, you run the risk of missing just one case and it only takes one to ruin you whole day. So if you value how you day goes, you may want to consider that issue in buying a progressive press. Or not. I got away with not doing it for 10 years before learning the hard way that I really do need a powder checker die.
All the best to you in whatever you do and here's wishing you good shooting.