A good Press But....
I have had this press for about six months. There is a lot to like about it and some things i don't like about it. This is NOT a press for the person who does not understand how machinery or mechanical devices work. You have to understand how this press works to get maximum benefit from it. When i works it works really well, when you have an issue you need to STOP and figure out what the issue is, other wise you will get very frustrated with it.
It is a good press for the money, and nothing else really competes with it, in the price range for progressive reloading presses. It will in fact load about 350-400 rounds and hour with no trouble.....when it's running and tuned up properly. It took me quite awhile to really understand the nuances of this machine, but once you get it running it works quite well.
Things to pay attention to are:
Primer feed: It is quite easy to run out of primers and not realize it when it's running well, It will literally put out 100 rounds in under 15 minutes.... so watch your primers. If you run out of primers, plan on having to take them apart. The tiny arm that moves the primer horizontally from the trough can jump off the pin too.... You won't notice it usually, unless your paying very close attention to your priming operation. This also applies to your powder. It is easy to run out of powder when the press is running well. It runs so smooth and fast that you can just overlook the powder & primers and not realize you loaded 25 rounds with no Primers or powder So just watch these closely as your loading
This press works very well with a light touch and some finesse. Do not try to strong arm it or go to fast with it. Steady and methodical is the name of the game with this press, if you try and force it you'll end up breaking something or really causing yourself headaches. it takes a certain amount of "feel" to get it perform for you, ....which you acquire, after some trial and error. .
Indexing: can be tenuous and problematic, it is necessary to understand how the indexing works. When it works... it works good, when it gets out of time it wont' work at all, There are two or three causes for the indexing not to work properly. There are many you tube videos on this machine, some are very well done others are not much help (oldblue If i remember, is a good one) The flat chrome plate on the shell holder (the plate that ejects the finished shell ) is very important to the process it keeps the shell plate from moving backwards, Make sure it's doesn't get bent. The main aluminum housing that nests/holds the shell plate, is adjustable rotationally and it is important to know how to adjust it, if your shell plate won't index. It's not hard or difficult, but not covered all that well in the instructions, It is talked about... but just in passing. If the press won't index this is something to look at and consider. The "Key" is important too.
AS to the instructions, they are woefully lacking in my opinion. The pictures are poor, they are taken from to far away, and the detail is lacking....they are black and white which is not itself bad, but the angles are not good and neither is the lighting (no highlighting as to what your looking at).... the wording for setup and trouble shooting is not very well articulated.
I do not care for the way the spent primers are removed from the press column. But that said, it works OK just not that convenient. A tube on the bottom of the press main column would have been simpler and just as effective...but it does work ok
The shell Col later works great. With 45 ACP make sure you are loading either large primer pockets OR small pockets. You can't mix them! This will bring the press to a halt pronto
Over all this is a good press for the money but you have to be willing to make it work for YOU I have help friends with Dillion press that had issues too, so in my experience they all have some issues at some point. I have successfully loaded well over 6000 rounds on it in about six months or so. It fit my budget and i have enjoyed using it and leaning about how to use it (for the most part)
it can be a frustrating machine. if your not patient and willing to figure out what the issues are, don't buy this press One thing i found was.... it likes to be kept clean. Don't put a bunch of oil on it, and clean up the powder residue and primer gunk, every 1000 round or so and it will work, play nicer than if you don't.
Overall: this is a good press for the money. It has it's idiosyncrasies, but so do the other presses that cost three times what this one costs It is well made. some parts are plastic, they are replaceable and reasonably priced from Lee
Lee customer service has always been very good when i called for assistance. They are very willing to help, and have sent me parts for free when i fully expected to pay for the replacements. They are a family owned business and i like that. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
