Are you looking for the best progressive reloading press? If you truly love shooting, you probably practice just about every day.
Thus, you need a lot of ammo and thus spend a lot of money over time. The good news is that you can make your own ammunition at home through reloading. Reloading ultimately saves you tons of money.
To accomplish this, you need a good quality progressive reloading press to begin producing your unlimited ammunition. Progressive presses produce a completed round of ammunition every time the lever is pulled and can produce anywhere from 500 to several thousand rounds in an hour.
You should have no problem transitioning to a progressive press if you have spent enough time on a single-stage press.
Getting the best one can be pretty challenging because the market is flooded with so many progressive reloading kits. Here are the best progressive reloading kits that are really great options for you:
Best Progressive Reloading Press
1) Hornady 095100 Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press
This high-performance reloading press gives you a smooth feel of responsiveness. It also has a rugged construction and is very powerful. The Power-Pac Linkage System multiplies and accelerates the leverage you apply to the handle.
The AP has automatic indexing, priming, and ejection, ensuring you get a precisely loaded round with every handle pull.
The press also has a reliable EZject System that always delivers 100% reliable ejection of each cartridge without any adjustments.
It nonetheless has a case retainer spring that lets to remove or insert a case at any point in the loading press easily and quickly. Case-activated powder drop dispenses a powder charge only in the presence of a cartridge.
It comes with 5 auto-indexing stations that allow fast reloading with no difficulties. The Hornady progressive press also includes a strategically fitted collecting tray.
Highlights
- EZject system that is reliable
- Universal Case Retainer Spring
- Automatic indexing
- Quick Change Lock-N-Load Bushing System
- Quick Change Metering Inserts
- Case Activated Powder Drop
- Built-in priming system
- Hopper with a large capacity
- 5 station bushing system allows you to change from 223 to 45 in less than 5 minutes
- Auto-progressive reloading press for loading other calibers and switching dies quickly
2) Dillion Precision 14261 RL550C 4 Stage Manually Indexed Progressive Reloading Machine
The Dillion RL550C is a very versatile reloading machine and accommodates the widest variety of cartridges from 32 ACP to 338 Lapua, 416 Rigby, and 460 Weatherby.
The upper link arm pivot pins are threaded in place and have a grease groove around the pin that connects with a lube hole on the end of the pin. A needle fitting on grease can lubricate the upper pivot pins.
This model is also very strong as it reinforces key points of the frame.
It works on all stages to produce ready cartridges in no time. It also includes one large and small pickup tube for primers, making loading them into the primer system easier while ensuring that the right side is always loaded.
The press includes a powder measure that saves time while loading while ensuring consistent measurement no matter the cartridge being reloaded.
Highlights
- Able to load 120+ calibers
- Loads rifle and pistol
- Includes choose caliber conversion kit
- Dies are sold separately
- Versatile as it accommodates various cartridges
- High strength frame
3) LEE PRECISION, Breech Lock Pro Progressive Press
The Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro ensures you have everything you need to reload. The breach Lock System enables instant change once it has been set. Lee Auto Breech lock Pro Shell Plate is needed to use this press but is sold separately.
The press has a modular construction that enables as much or as little automation as the reloader desires with no adjustments. It is also easy to use.
In addition, it has an exclusive auto case placer with no adjustments. Breech Lock quick change feature in all four positions.
It also has a wood grip roller handle, Hex wrenches for caliber changes, and a built-in storage rack for tools.
Highlights
- Easy to use
- Modular construction that enables as much or as little automation as the reloader wants
- Cartridge changeover in seconds
- Measures 17.32x 9.53x 7.4 inches
- Wood grip roller handle that is ergonomic
- Large and small priming arms
- Ambidextrous handle
- 3 mounting holes
- O-frame design
- Spent primer collection system
- 4 breech lock bushings
4) RCBS 9354 RC Supreme Master Kit
The Rock Chucker Supreme Press has been lengthened to enable easy loading of today’s longer cartridge designs. It is suitable for beginners and professionals and has easy operation, brilliant strength, and an ambidextrous handle. Regardless of your skill level, you will get whatever you need from the Rock Chucker.
It ensures that you become a successful reloader.
The accessories of this kit work well, and the whole kit is fairly complete. You can lubricate the cases, deburr the necks, and charge the cases with powder with consistent accuracy.
Its hand primer is also easy to use.
Highlights
- Case lube kit
- Universal Case Load Block
- M500 Mechanical Scale
- Powder funnel
- Hand Priming Tool
- Hex Key Set
- Includes nosler #7 reloading manual
- Outstanding strength
- Easy to operate
5) LEE PRECISION Classic Turret Press Kit
This is the perfect kit for you to start reloading. The Classic turret press is fast and convenient when loading handgun cartridges with rates over 250 rounds per hour.
It includes the Pro Auto Drum powder measure and riser, ideal for all handgun and small rifle cartridges. Large and Small Safety Prime are included making on-press priming easy.
In addition, changing calibers is a snap due to the instant change of turrets. It is revised with all new load data covering 167 cartridges with over 28,000 loads. The case conditioning tools prepare your brass for loading.
Highlights
- Made in the U.S.A
- Includes the Pro Auto-Drum powder measure and riser that is ideal for all handguns and small rifle cartridges
- Perfect for beginners in reloading
- Fast and convenient when loading handgun cartridges
- Press priming is easy due to the Large and Small Safety Prim
- Cartridge-specific case length gauge completes it
- Instant change turrets make it a snap to change calibers
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Factors to Consider When Selecting The Best Progressive Reloading Press
Quality of the materials
Some progressive presses are more cheaply made compared to expensive ones. However, some materials are good, although they are not so expensive. Simple cast iron is of good quality but less expensive. However, when comparing progressive presses, quality becomes more complex as they incorporate much smaller moving parts and are more susceptible to breakage, jamming, and malfunction.
Progressive presses require a significant amount of money to purchase. You, therefore, need to purchase a quality press to save you from many headaches in the future.
Type of ammunition used
Different types of progressive reloading presses reload different cartridges. So, while some have been designed to make shotgun shells, others have produced bullet cases. Therefore, ensure that you choose a press built to reload the specific type of ammunition you use.
Assembly and ease of use
A progressive reloading press usually has many moving parts and is hence heavy. This means that these presses are difficult to use and assemble. Therefore, get a progressive press that is easy to assemble and use.
Ideally, the best reloading press will have permanent features. This reduces the time spent on putting various parts together.
Completed round production
Although progressive reloading presses are one of the fastest-producing presses in the market, not all are created equal. Some are a lot faster than others, and every brand makes several different models of presses and employs various production levels.
One of the ways that a progressive press can help to increase production is through the auto-indexing feature. Some progressive presses require the shell plate between each lever pull to be indexed manually. With others, it is automatically indexed. The automatic indexing significantly increases round production.
The amount of time it takes to change the calibers on the press can also change the output. You will change tools and dies at some point unless you intend to buy separate progressive reloading presses on each caliber you reload. Doing so is a task that can be time-consuming and grueling. You might want to choose a model that makes the task a lot easier if you intend to switch your caliber configurations regularly.
Reloading rates
Consider the number of bullets you can make in one hour before making a purchase decision. The number depends on your level of experience. Some press brands estimate the number of bullets that can be made in an hour. Try to get a press reloading rate from user reviews and manufacturers’ websites. This will determine the best progressive reloading press for you.
Pros of Best Progressive Reloading Press
Saves money
This is because you can get more rounds independently, as the factory rounds cost a lot more. It is thus an efficient machine for making custom ammunition.
Scale
Getting the fastest type of press right from the beginning makes sense. A progressive reloading kit will save you much time in the long run. Getting a decent reloading press means you can make exactly the type of ammunition you need for many years.
Enable you to reload more rounds
This means you can have many more practice rounds to use to improve your shooting skills.
Make cartridges at an impressive rate
Progressive reloading kits make hundreds of cartridges in an hour,
Lead to accurate cartridges
The reloading process of these kits is designed with precise measuring and deburring features that lead to accurate cartridges.
Speed
A progressive reloading press is way faster than a turret press. A progressive reloading kit can produce 300 to 600 rounds in an hour. With time, you get to appreciate the speed of a progressive press.
Changing calibers
They allow you to install all your dies at once and easily swap them. This means that after you install and adjust them, you only need to check that they still function correctly. This makes loading different calibers much easier and reduces errors arising from dies being installed incorrectly. This ultimately makes your ammunition safer and more reliable.
Cons of progressive reloading kits
Cost of the machine
A progressive reloading kit is pricey as it has several moving parts making it pricey to keep it in operation.
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FAQs on the Best Progressive Reloading Press
1) When do I need to use a progressive reloading press?
You would need a progressive reloading press if you make your ammunition and use a lot of it. It is the fastest and most advanced reloading press and will help you save greatly.
2) Are progressive reloading presses expensive?
It is worth noting that progressive reloading presses are a huge investment. Therefore, they generally cost a good amount of money. However, the price range of these machines is wide.
3) Why are progressive reloading kits heavy?
They are usually heavy as they need to be stable, and being heavy keeps them secure in a single spot.
Conclusion
A progressive reloading press is a huge and worthy investment. It is thus important to get the right machine, as nothing is more frustrating than spending money on a low-quality product. The above progressive reloading kits are great options to choose from and offer value for your money.
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