6 Best Progressive Reloading Press Reviews Of 2018
Believe it or not, ammunition manufacturers rake in a whopping $13.5 billion worth of annual revenue. And that’s not all, from this annual revenue the manufacturers earn $1.15 billion in profits. On the other hand, gun and ammunition stores earn $478 million in profits annually.
So, what is the secret behind these statistics?
Well when you consider that there are over 10 million firearms in use, the statistics start to make sense. After all, all these guns need a steady supply of ammunition. Fortunately, if you do not want to visit your local gun store for ammo on a regular basis, there is an alternative. The alternative to buying ammunition on a regular basis is making your own.
How?
You ask, well with the best progressive reloading press of course. The latter is a piece of hardware that you can use to assemble your gun cartridge from scratch. With a reloading press keeps you from spending huge amounts of money on ammo. However, finding the best progressive press is not as easy as it sounds. With the wide variety of presses available on the market, pinpointing the best can be difficult. In this review, I will share with you the features to look out for in a press. Also, I have compiled a list of six progressive reloading press reviews.
As I have already stated finding the best reloading progressive press can be difficult. This is especially since different presses offer different features. When writing this review, I relied heavily on user reviews. This is with the aim of giving you a better understanding of what people are saying about different presses. Also, I have taken into account expert opinions on different presses. Additionally, I have used some of the progressive reloading press in this review article. Thus, I have also added my own personal experience in this article.
A Quick Comparison Of Best Progressive Reloading Press
Products | Round Per Hour | Images And Check Price | Editors Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Dillon Precision 16940 XL 650 223 | 500 - 800 | 
| 99% Excellent |
Hornady Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press | 500 | 
| 98.5% Excellent |
Lee Precision II Shotshell Reloading Press | 200 | 
| 95% Good |
Dillon Precision 16926 XL | 500 to 800 | 
| 99% Excellent |
Lyman Reloading Press T-Mag Turret Press | Not Specified | 
| 97% Excellent |
Dillon Precision RL550B Progressive Reloading Machine | 500 | 
| 98% Excellent |
Things To Consider When Buying A Progressive Reloading Press
Durability
The best progressive reloading press has to be durable enough to serve you for a good number of years. Therefore, check the material used to make a press before settling on one. I recommend sticking to presses made from cast steel, stainless steel, and rugged polymer plastics. These materials are able to withstand the force and pressure that comes with the process of making a bullet.
The Type Of Ammo You Use
Different progressive reloading presses are designed for reloading different cartridges. Thus, while some are designed for making shotgun shells, others are designed for making bullet cases. As such, make sure the press you settle on is built for reloading the specific type of ammo you use.
Ease Of Use And Assembling
One of the main disadvantages of progressive reloading presses is that they have a lot of moving parts and are thus heavy. In this regard, these types of presses can be difficult to assemble and use. Therefore, when shopping for a progressive reloading press go for one that is easy to use and assemble.
Ideally, the best reloading press needs to have permanent features. This reduces the amount of time spent putting different parts together. Also, I recommend a press that does not entail a lot of processes. Essentially, pulling down the handle should be sufficient to get things done. This means the indexing of shell plates and insertion of cases should be mechanical.
Reloading Rates
How many bullets can you make in an hour? This is the question that you need to ask yourself when shopping for a press. Of course, the number of bullets made in an hour will depend on how experienced you are. All the same, some press brands give you an estimate of how many bullets you can make in an hour. Try to get a press’ reloading rate from user reviews and manufacturers’ websites. This way you will have an idea of which press is best for you.
Best Progressive Reloading Press
Dillon Precision 16940 XL 650 223
If you have been scouting for a progressive press, then you know that on average most reloading presses are capable of producing between 400 and 600 rounders per hour. It is therefore fair to say that the Dillon Precision XL650 is not an average press. This easy to operate progressive reloading press is capable of churning out 800 rounds per hour. This press achieves this number thanks to its automatic indexing system. The process of making bullets is semiautomatic. In fact, with this press, you do not have to cast the dies as they stay perfectly in place.
Features
Pros
Cons
Verdict
To make this progressive press efficient, you will have to buy both the bullet feeder and case feeder. And while this will greatly increase the overall cost of the press, when you consider what you are getting it is worth it. With this press, there is no manual operation. This is the main reason why it tops my list of the best progressive reloading press reviews.
Hornady Lock N Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press
Not everyone can afford the Dillon Precision XL650 regardless of how good it is. Fortunately, for us, Hornady Lock N Load offers high-quality reloading presses at affordable prices. One of my favorite Hornady Lock N Load presses is the Auto-Progressive Reloading Press. This press has many features that I love, but the one that has earned it number two on my list is the bushing systems. This system allows me to quickly change dies depending on the caliber I want. With such features, sometimes it’s hard to believe that I got this press for almost half the price of the Dillon XL650.
Features
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Hornady Lock N Load is one of the most reputed progressive reloading press manufacturers in the country. Thus, it should not be surprising that the Auto-progressive reloading press is one of my favorite. While it is costlier than some of its competitors, it offers great value for your money.
Lee Precision II Shotshell Reloading Press 12 GA Load All (Multi)
If you are looking to reload shotshells only, there is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a progressive reloading press. For less than $ 100 you can get your hands on the Lee precision II reloading press. And I know what you are thinking, at such a price, its quality must be disappointing. Well, that’s what I thought to at first. But after using it for a while, I can confirm that this press produces shells of great quality. In fact, with this press, you will be able to factory quality shells.
Features
Pros
Cons
Verdict
From its affordable price tag to the quality of its shotshells, there is a lot you can expect from this progressive press. It offers great value for your money, and I dare say it is one of the best progressive reloading press for the money.
Dillon Precision 16926 XL 650 45 ACP Progressive Auto Indexing Reloading Machine
Sure Dillon Progressive presses are costly; however, their quality is undeniable. That being said the second Dillon press on the list is the 16926 XL 650 ACP. With plenty of positive reviews online, you can never go wrong with the press. Just like the other Dillon XL 650 on this list, this model churns out 800 rounds per hour. This is well above the number of rounds produced by other presses on an hourly basis. The secret to its fast operation is its automatic indexing system and other features.
Features
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The pricey nature of Dillon progressive presses points to the company’s emphasis on quality. This is the one thing you are guaranteed when you buy the Dillon XL 650 ACP press. And with the addition of accessories such as the case feed motor, your reloading becomes much easier and convenient.
Lyman Reloading Press T-Mag Turret Press
So, which is better single stage vs. progressive reloading press? This is a question that you might be asking yourself. Well, if you want the best of both worlds, I recommend going for the Lyman Reloading Press T-Mag Turret press. The latter will give you the output rate of a progressive press at the price of a single stage press. Unlike the other presses on this list, this press has six stations, which can be operated as one. Also, unlike the other presses, this one is not large or bulky. As such, if you want something convenient and easy to store this is the press for you.
Features
Pros
Cons
Verdict
As already stated, this Lyman press offers the best of both worlds. As such, it is the ideal press for both novices and professionals. Needless to say, its output per hour cannot be compared to that of other pricier models. However, its cost to quality ratio is unrivaled.
Dillon Precision RL550B Progressive Reloading Machine
The Dillon Precision RL550B Progressive Reloading Machine is the perfect press for beginners. This press is easy to operate and is known for its practicality and simplicity. A 4 stage progressive reloading press, this press can reload up to 120 different ammunition variants. The reason why I placed this last on my list is its manual indexing system. However, this should not discourage you from buying it. On the contrary, it is built for simplicity, and not sophistication as its other siblings on this list are. Also, since the four stations are operated at once, it saves time and can produce 400 to 600 rounds per hour.
Features
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The last entry into my list may have a manual indexing system, but this is not to say that it is not worth its price tag. On the contrary, built on the foundation of Dillon’s reputation, this reloading press has all the features of a great progressive reloading press. Additionally, it is the perfect press for a newbie.
Conclusion
All the six reloading presses reviewed above have their own uniqueness that earns them a place on the list. Therefore, the best progressive reloading press will depend largely on what you are looking for. If you want quality that is uncompromising any one of the Dillon models will do. On the other hand, if you want a reliable and affordable press for your shotgun shells, the Lee Precision II will be ideal. On the other hand, if you are looking for a cheap progressive reloading press the Lyman is the one you want. In conclusion, this list has something for everyone.
