If you are looking for the best budget progressive reloading press, you came to the right place, in this post, we go through the best on the market, their features, and more.
Many shooters prefer to reload their own ammo, it is fun and also a good cost-saving investment. As a reloader one of the main things you will be needing is a good reloading press.
Reloading presses vary in type, shape, styles, colors, and sizes. Some are expensive while others are quite affordable.
The progressive reloading press is common for reloaders who wish to do loads of reloading at one go. The best budget-friendly progressive press requires some experience and can provide high amounts of ammunition in no time.
These types of reloading presses are suitable for participating in gun games. They can come with four or five stations, as well as a series of functions.
With the progressive press system, the user sets the hull or case into the first loading station (de-priming and resizing die) then with just a drop of a lever, the remaining functions are completed.
Best Budget Progressive Reloading Press
1) Lee Precision 90938 Load Master Progressive Press Kit
This Lee 90938 loadmaster progressive press is one of the best Budget Progressive Reloading Press kits for reloading both rifle and handgun cartridges with ease. It has enough clearance for even the largest Magnum rifle cases and can be used as an automatic indexing progressive press or as a single-stage press. The press features five stations that accept the most popular reloading dies. These dies are held by a detachable turret that allows them to be removed and reinserted without adjusting. The reloading press is made of steel and cast aluminum frame material which makes it highly durable. Features
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2) Dillon Precision 14261 RL550C 4 Stage Manually Indexed Press
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3) Hornady Lock-N-Load Ammo Plant
Hornady Lock-N-Load Ammo Plant represents the ultimate reloading setup for maximum ammo production in shorter sessions. This kit includes the Lock-N-Load Auto Progressive (AP) Press, AP Pistol Bullet Feeder, AP Case Feeder, and nearly 30 other tools and accessories. The kit is equipped with the most intuitive reloading system, which delivers the high speed and performance you need to reload hundreds of your favorite cartridges in a limited time. This Hornady ammo plant comes with a single pull of the handle, giving you a more comfortable experience compared to other ordinary reloading ammo presses. It gives smooth responsiveness, rugged construction, and most of all great power. It also has automatic indexing, priming, and ejection, which ensures each ammo is a precisely loaded round. Also included is a Lock-N-Load Powder Measure, Rifle and 12 Pistol Metering Insert and Rotor, Powder Cop, Deluxe Die Wrench, Case Activated Power Drop, Die Busing 10-pack, Cartridge Bins, Large and Small Primer Pickup Tubes, Primer Slide Springs, Deluxe Spent Primer Catcher, and a Vintage Tin Sign. Features
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4) RCBS – Pro 2000 Progressive Press With Auto-Indexing
This RCBS – PRO 2000 PROGRESSIVE PRESS is one of the easiest to use on the market. You simply insert a case and bullet, cycle the handle and a complete round drops out. The five-station automatic indexing progressive press does not need you to rotate the shell plate hence you will have your hands free for inserting the next case and bullet. The five-station design allows for the use of a Powder Checker or Lock-Out die or you can seat bullets and crimp cases in separate operations. The press features the RCBS APS priming system which automatically loads primers for you and includes APS priming strips along with the Strip Loading Tool that allows you to work without touching your primers. The quick-change removable die plate allows quick cartridge changeover for more reloading time. These die plates accept any standard 7⁄8″-14 threaded dies. The Pro 2000 also includes a Uniflow Powder Measure with the Case-Activated linkage system which means powder charges will be dispensed accurately and only if a cartridge case is present. The PRO 2000 has a rugged cast iron frame with a large working window to allow easy insertion and removal of cases. Also included is a bullet tray, loaded ammo bin, and empty case bin. Features and accessories
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Related: 9 Best Ammo Reloading Kits
Other Types of Reloading Presses
- Turret Press- this offers flexibility, precision, and improved speed making. It is ideal for loading larger batches of ammo.
- Single Stage Presses- these presses are low cost and have few moving parts to break, require less space, and are very solid. They load one bullet at a time and thus require more time to finish a completed round than more complicated presses. They are ideal for beginners
Advantages of Reloading
Cost-saving – Reloading your ammo makes for a great cost-saving alternative. You can buy components individually, including the reloading press, then take advantage of bulk buys and large component purchases to drive down the cost per cartridge loaded. The components can as well be re-used.
Independence- most firearm owners do not like depending on the market for ammo. Being able to load custom ammo gives them a sense of self-sufficiency and security. It will also allow you to reuse certain essential components, increasing the life of ammo availability in the case of a shortage.
Control- Reloading your ammo gives you complete control over the process. You will be able to choose the components to use, work up your loads, and take responsibility for each step of manufacturing and quality control.
Accuracy- shooting sports are most about shooting firearms as accurately as possible. When you load your ammo, you will be able to pay more attention to every individual round compared to ammo companies. It also gives you the ability to test different types of ammo with a single rifle for the best accuracy.
Factors to Consider when Choosing Best Budget Progressive Reloading Press
Brand
When in the reloading world, you understand that a brand becomes famous due to its reliability, quality, and innovative features. It is much easier for you to trust a famous brand known to manufacture the best reloading equipment, but an unknown brand is yet to prove itself.
Ammo compatibility
The reloading press should be designed for the ammo you wish to work on. There’s no point getting a shotshell reloader when you want to use it for pistol and rifle rounds.
If you have several types of pistols and rifles, however, you can get a progressive reloading press that allows for quick caliber changes. Some of these systems allow for very smooth transitions to another caliber.
When looking for the best 223 reloaders, however, you may want to go with a press that is suited for that caliber already.
Reloading Rate
The manufacturer of the press may give you a figure regarding how many rounds per hour you should be able to do using their progressive reloading press.
Although it might not always be accurate, the figures are important. The rate may require you to be an absolute expert and things go perfectly.
Number of Stations
Each station is designed for one specific operation. This means that you will want at least 4 of 5 of these stations in your reloading press. Where possible, go for 6 stations.
Available Accessories
It will be better if you purchase a reloading press that comes with all the accessories you need. At the very least, the manufacturer should have these accessories as a separate purchase.
Some of these accessories can automate various processes that you usually have to do by hand. Having these accessories can save you a lot of time.
Indexing
Having a press with the automatic indexing feature is better than the manual indexing press. However, some people may want to go with the manual index because it is less complicated and much easier to use.
Ease of Use
Progressive presses are more complicated than single-stage reloading presses. Some of them are easier to use than others. Depending on your level of expertise, you should choose something that is relatively easy to work with.
Powder Management
A good powder management system doesn’t just minimize spills and waste. It also makes sure that you have the right amount of powder for your cartridges.
Ejection System
A good system ensures that the bullets are ejected cleanly so that they’re not marred afterward.
Conclusion
Reloading your own ammo has numerous pros than cons. With the right equipment, you will be able to personalize your ammo for better control and accuracy.
The best reloading presses offer you the security and confidence you need in the field, as well as contribute to saving you money that would have otherwise been used on the much more expensive factory-loaded ammo.
See Also: 8 Best Reloading Handbooks. Best Reloading Manuals