Inexpensive pistol-caliber-ONLY press with proprietary dies.
Dillon RL 550B
Std 7/8-14
4
Progressive
No
Yes
No
338 Lapua
Manually indexed. Inexpensive caliber conversions. More available calibers than any other Dillon.
Dillon XL 650
Std 7/8-14
5
Progressive
Yes
Yes
No
338 Lapua
Middle ground between 550B and 1050
Dillon 1050
Std 7/8-14
6
Progressive
Yes
Yes
Yes
???
Top-end Dillon press; frequently used for a single caliber due to expensive caliber conversions..
Dillon BFR
Std 1 1/2"-12
4
Progressive
No
No
No
50 BMG
Manually indexed shellplate rotates clockwise OR counter-clockwise.
Forster Co-Ax
Std 7/8-14
1
Single stage
No
Yes
No
338 Lapua
Can do 338 Lapua but seating the bullet requires some careful hand placement. Uses universal case clamp instead of shell holder
Harrells Turret
Wilson
2-4
Turret
No
No
No
???
Harrells Combo
Wilson
1
Single stage
No
No
No
???
Harrells Compact
Wilson
1
Single stage
No
No
No
???
Harrells Arbor
Wilson
1
Single stage
No
No
No
???
Hornady 50 Cal BMG
Std 1 1/2"-12
1
Single stage
No
???
No
50 BMG
Hornady Lock N Load AP
Std 7/8-14
5
Progressive
Yes
Yes
No
???
Several magnum cases listed; unsure which is longest.
Hornady Lock N Load Classic
Std 7/8-14
1
Single stage
No
Yes
No
???
Lee 3 Hole Turret
Std 7/8-14
3
Turret
No
Yes
No
???
Lee 4 Hole Classic Turret
Std 7/8-14
4
Turret
<4" OAL
Yes
No
???
Lee Classic Cast
Std 7/8-14 and Std 1.5"-12
1
Single Stage
N/A
Yes
No
50 BMG
Cheapest press capable of loading 50 BMG
Lee Hand Press
Std 7/8-14
1
Hand-held
N/A
No
No
???
Only press I know which doesn't have to be mounted somewhere; perfect for load testing at ranges..
Lee Load Master
Std 7/8-14
5
Progressive
Yes
Yes
No
???
Lee Pro 1000
Std 7/8-14
3
Progressive
Yes
Yes
No
???
Lee Reloader
Std 7/8-14
1
Single stage
N/A
No
No
???
Lyman 310
Lyman
1
Hand-held
N/A
?
?
?
Hand loading press with proprietary dies.
Lyman Crusher II
Std 7/8-14
1
Single stage
No
Yes
No
4.5"
Press opening is 4.5"; it is assumed that 4.5" long cases can be loaded.
Lyman T-Mag II
Std 7/8-14
6
Turret
No
Yes
No
???
RCBS Ammomaster-2
Std 7/8-14 and Std 1.5"-12
1
Single stage
No
Yes?
No?
50 BMG
Ammomaster-1's require a conversion kit to accept BMG dies
RCBS Piggyback-3
Std 7/8-14"
5
Progressive
No
Yes
No
223 Rem
Conversion kit; attaches to Rock Chucker or Reloader Special 3 or 5 press
RCBS Piggyback-4
Std 7/8-14"
5
Progressive
No
Yes
No
30'06 (3.340")
Conversion kit; attaches to Rock Chucker Supreme press
RCBS Pro 2000
Std 7/8-14"
5
Progressive
Upgrade
Yes
No?
???
APS Priming
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme
Std 7/8-14"
1
Single stage
No
Yes
No
???
RCBS Reloader Special-5
Std 7/8-14"
1
Single stage
No
Yes
No
???
RCBS Partner
Std 7/8-14"
1
Single stage
No
Yes
No
???
RCBS Turret
Std 7/8-14"
6
Turret
No
Yes
No
???
Understanding This Table
Die Type: This is what type of die the press will accept. There are a few common types.
7/8"-14: These are the most commonly encountered type of die.
1 1/2"-12: These are the most commonly encountered die for cartridges too big to fit into the 7/8" dies. This is typically encountered for 50 BMG, 50 DTC, 416 Barrett, etc etc.
Die Stations: The number of stations into which dies may be inserted. There may be more stops on the toolhead, but this is only counting dies.
Press Type: Presses have a spectrum of automation levels.
Progressive presses have a shellplate which the cartridges are placed on, and they rotate through the stations in order. A progressive press is generally designed to take brass in and dump out completed rounds (usually with user intervention to seat bullets)
Single Stage presses have a single station which goes up and down. The operator must manually insert and remove each case.
Parallel presses (my term) have multiple stations on their toolhead, but the operator must move each shell to the next station manually (vs a progressive, where the operator or the machine will move all the shells at once via a shellplate).
Turret presses have a single station like the single stage above, but there's a rotating toolhead above into which the dies are connected. This allows the operator to rotate through a number of operations on a single shell.
Auto-Index: Whether or not the press automatically advances shells to the next station during operation.
Priming: Some presses have built-in priming systems, and others don't. Generally, presses without built-in priming systems can accomodate a priming die, but this is not built-in.
Swaging: Some presses can automatically swage primer pockets as part of their operation. This is useful for resizing military-crimped brass.
Longest Case: This is the longest cartridge which this press can handle.
Conversions available for all but .410. Don't know if the 410 press can load the other calibers or not..
Lee Shot Shell Reloading Press
Yes
Single stage
12ga, 16ga, 20ga
2.75"
3.0"
MEC 600Jr
Yes
Single stage?
10, 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410
2.75"
3"
Conversions available on parts page
MEC 650N
No
Progressive
12, 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410
2.75"
2.75"
MEC 8567N Grabber
No
Progressive
12, 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410
2.75"
3" (except .410)
MEC 9000
No
Progressive
12, 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410
???
???
MEC Size Master
Yes
Single stage?
10, 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410
2.75"
3"
Conversions available on parts page
MEC Steel Master
Yes
Single stage?
10, 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410
2.75"
3.5"
Not sure if 3.5" requires separate press
RCBS Mini Grand
No
Single stage
12ga, 20ga
2.75"
3.5"
Separate presses must be purchased to load different gauges.
RCBS Grand
Yes
Progressive
12ga, 20ga
2.75"
3.5"
Understanding This Table
Conversions: Whether or not conversion kits are available to load different calibers with the same press. In the shotshell world, there are a lot of dedicated presses out there.
Press Type: Presses have a spectrum of automation levels.
Progressive presses have a shellplate which the cartridges are placed on, and they rotate through the stations in order. A progressive press is generally designed to take brass in and dump out completed rounds (usually with user intervention to seat bullets)
Single Stage presses have a single station which goes up and down. The operator must manually insert and remove each case.
Gauges Supported:
Priming: Some presses have built-in priming systems, and others don't. Generally, presses without built-in priming systems can accomodate a priming die, but this is not built-in.
Swaging: Some presses can automatically swage primer pockets as part of their operation. This is useful for resizing military-crimped brass.
Longest Case: This is the longest cartridge which this press can handle.