Beginner's info to start with Turret presses for plinking/target shooting

[Zombie Steve]

Typical price as shown with optional accessories is $736.60

[fly boy]

It is a single stage. Just happens to have a rotating shell plate and places for 3 dies & powder fulle / drop. AND yes, you can do precision loading with the 550. Look at 1 in person before dismissing it. For the price point it's a life time investment, that pays off after the first 100 or so rounds. YMMV.

4 station progressive loader
Station 1) resize/deprime/prime
Station 2) powder drop/flare
Station 3) seat
Station 4) crimp

This is what is confusing me. I know there is a difference between single, turret, and progressive. The 550b looks like a turret that you can make into a progressive. Is that what I understand?

[fly boy]

this is what he is drawn too...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/622..._vc=subv622290

[Zombie Steve]

4 station progressive loader
Station 1) resize/deprime/prime
Station 2) powder drop/flare
Station 3) seat
Station 4) crimp

This is what is confusing me. I know there is a difference between single, turret, and progressive. The 550b looks like a turret that you can make into a progressive. Is that what I understand?

On a turret, you still have to pull the handle the same amount of times as a single stage... it's just that the other dies are already lined up and you index to the next station. On a progressive (like the 550), one pull of the handle and 4 things are happening at once. The base is essentially one big ram with 4 shellholders. You could use a 550 like a single stage, but I've found your powder drops will change if you don't have brass in all 4 stations. Nothing wrong with getting a 550 and a single stage press.

[KS63]

4 station progressive loader
Station 1) resize/deprime/prime
Station 2) powder drop/flare
Station 3) seat
Station 4) crimp

This is what is confusing me. I know there is a difference between single, turret, and progressive. The 550b looks like a turret that you can make into a progressive. Is that what I understand?

From your first post, you said he wants to load basic 5.56 and some pistol rounds. IMO, if a person wants absolute precision rounds, then a dedicated single stage press would be best. But, that's not where he's at. Many have made superbly accurate ammo on a 550b, so it's capable of this task. The Dillon 550 isn't a Automatic progressive press ie: you need to manually advance the shell plate to the next station; where as a true auto progressive like the Lee Pro 1000, Hornady Lock n Load, Dillon 650/1050, advance it for you. The 550 is just the most versatile machine out there. I use my Lee Pro 1000 now just to decap brass really fast and keep the Dillon clean and Blue.

[fly boy]

okay. Just youtube'd a couple reviews and understand the difference now. The 550b looks like a TON is going on at once, almost to much for a newbie reloader. Maybe I will suggest a Single stage until he understands the process and then could step up to a progressive.

[Zombie Steve]

Not a terrible idea. He'll get good at setting the dies.

[fly boy]

Not a terrible idea. He'll get good at setting the dies.

I think that's why I was leaning more towards a Turret..... He would still have to pump it as man times as a single stage, but still couple pump out a few more rounds.

[Great-Kazoo]

okay. Just youtube'd a couple reviews and understand the difference now. The 550b looks like a TON is going on at once, almost to much for a newbie reloader. Maybe I will suggest a Single stage until he understands the process and then could step up to a progressive.

It's so simple, even a texan could understand it. Probably take 2 to figure out the shell plate and not tool head rotates.

[smchop]

THIS is why I suggested T-7 or Lee CTP. The progressive 550b is just a bit much for a beginners first press. - Even though a year or two later he will want to upgrade.

Any thoughts on the RCBS turret?

I disagree with this, I learned on a Dillon 550 and couldn't be happier that I did. I would have been disappointed in upgrading shortly after. A little time with a person that knows how to run one goes a long way. I have added a single stage to my kit since, mainly for larger rifle rounds and larger powder capacities. I started on a 550 and ran it until a week ago until I got a 650, I see no reason for me to go above a 650 at this point going forward. Just an opinion is all, some peoples learning curves may vary (not as an insult, just truth, I'm mechanically minded).