
Best Progressive Reloading Press for the Money 2022
Are you an avid shooter? Going through hundreds, sometimes thousands of rounds? Getting yourself a reloading press might be a smart financial move but can also make for an amazing gift for a hunter. Depending on the number of rounds you fire, you might even what to go ahead and get a progressive reloading press. With these presses you have a round going through every step of the process with every pull of the handle.
From a clean shell being loaded to the bullet being pressed down, this is the fastest way to go about reloading your own ammo at a fast rate. Of course, you’ll only want to reload certain caliber rounds depending on the kind of shooting you do. For example, if you plan on doing long range shooting with a Remington 700 then you might want to reload each .308 round with a specific grain weight of powder individually, but if you’re only loading 9mm rounds then you can reload them rapidly with one of these progressive reloading presses.
There is a slight learning curve and it does take some time to get the entire press setup and running, but once its dialed in you can load rounds at an alarming rate. So if you’re looking for the top progressive reloading presses on the market then you’ve come to the right place. Here are our picks for the best progressive reloading presses for the money in 2022.
Enjoy Our Progressive Reloading Press Reviews
Image | Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1. Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Press Kit | Our Favorite | Amazon |
![]() | 2. Hornady 085005 50 Bmg Press Kit | Premium Pick | Amazon |
![]() | 3. Lee Precision Classic Turret Press | Great Value | Amazon |
![]() | 4. Lee Precision Pro 1000 Press | Amazon | |
![]() | 5. Hornady Lock-N-Load Iron Press Ammo Loader | Amazon |
Pricing of these Progressive Reloading Presses Range Between $250-$780
Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Press Kit Review
If you are looking for a durable and dependable gun reloader, look no further and give the Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Press Kit a try. Thanks to its cast frame structure, this instrument gives the highest and clearest visibility of your gun’s cartridge. It also comes with the Lock-N-Load Bushing System that ensures its users can easily and quickly press their cartridges. The body of this press is designed for the best die and shell holder alignment. The device comes in 3 variations: the Classic Kit, the Deluxe Kit that offers shell holders, Sure-Loc rings, and bushings, and the Classic Loader.
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Press Kit introduces the Positive Priming System (PPS) feature. Many users face difficulties when trying to correctly insert the primer, but thanks to PPS, they no longer have to. If you’re one of these people, after the primer in-use ejects when using this press, pick it up and place a new one inside the PPS. The newly inserted primer will automatically reach the bottom of the stroke.
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Press Kit has both small and large punches and solid steel arms that make loading way easier. It includes a reloading handbook, a digital scale, a primer catcher, a chamfer and deburr tool, also all the other items necessary for reloading a gun.
Pros
- Includes LNL Classic Kit
- Lock-N-Load Quick Change Bushing System
- Power-Pac linkage
- Strong angled frame
- Positive priming system
- The package comes with a chamfer
- Free kinetic bullet puller
- Steel dial Caliper
- Three Additional Die Bushings
- Six Sure-Loc lock rings
Cons
- High Price
- Faulty Scale
- May turn the ram at the end of the stroke
Hornady 085005 50 Bmg Press Kit Review
The Hornady 085005 50 BMG Press Kit includes a single press reloader best suited for reloading your own .50 BMG rounds. This reloader features the Lock-N-Load technology. You can shift the shell holder over to the ram-prime, and then move the shell holder to the top plate. This press doesn’t have to be set every now and then like other presses. Once the holder and the ram-prime are in place, there are no further adjustments needed to be done. Moreover, after you switch to a Lock-N-Load bushing, you can shift the ram-prime to the die.
As far as durability is concerned, the Hornady 085005 50 BMG Press Kit reloader has a high-strength frame that ensures rigidity and stability. No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to break this device, nor cause any minor damage to it. You can connect this press with standard dies by using its bushings. If you need to reload your centerfire cartridge, getting the optional Shell Head Adapter will make that possible. With this kit, you get a Hornady 50 BMG Reloading Press, a Hornady 50 BMG Reloading Die Set, a 50 BMG Shell Holder, and a 1½”x12 Conversion Bushing.
If you are concerned about durability, rest assured the steel and heat-treated body frame of the Hornady 085005 50 BMG Press Kit reloader will stand for a lifetime. Getting a hang of this press takes only a few days. If you need to change the caliber, gently spin the die counterclockwise, insert the new Lock-N-Load die and bushing, and that should be it.
Pros
- Stable
- Suited for .50 BMG
- Easy to use
- Comes with a die set
- Single Stage Press
- Lock-N-Load technology
- Solid build
- Bushing for standard dies
- Package includes 12 Conversion Bushings
- Durable
Cons
- Pricy
- Difficult to understand user manual for inexperienced shooters
- Heavy
Lee Precision Classic Turret Press Review
The Lee Precision Classic Turret Press has a solid steel body, so it’s suited for heavy-duty use. It also features a ram that is thoroughly drilled to quickly discard used primers from the attached clear PVC tube. Furthermore, this press comes with a long stroke that allows easier installation of rifles way above the 3-inch (7.62 cm) length, with the automatic index. Its rigid iron cast body supports rams with 12 square inches (77.4 square cm) of area.
If you decide to use Auto-Disk powder with the Lee Precision Classic Turret Press, you should consider getting the Auto Disk riser as well. This additional purchase will go a long way and ensure your Lee Safety Prime is clean. When you are switching between turrets/calibers, you don’t need to readjust the turret relatively to the position of the die. This device uses standard treads and standard sized hex lock rings. You can easily screw a .243 die into its turrets. Moreover, you can load 9mm, 45ACP, 22-250,.223rem, .243win, and 25-06 cartridges with it, as it can handle them all.
If you want to make no compromise with the press you use, don’t think twice and treat yourself with the Lee Precision Classic Turret Press because it features the same instant change turrets as the famous Lee Turret Press. Moreover, its Lee Lever Primer System and Lee Safety Prime tool make priming as fun as hunting.
Pros
- Solid steel linkage
- Attached clear PVC tube
- Heavy-duty construction
- Features Auto Index
- Supports many types of cartridges
- Lightweight
- Instant Change for turrets
- 4 separate holes
- Moderately Priced
- Easy to use
Cons
- Stiff arm
- Makes noise
- Rather low-quality materials
Lee Precision Pro 1000 Press Review
The Lee Precision Pro 1000 Press comes with the much-anticipated roller handle upgrade. You can easily switch between different calibers with this reloader. Despite being a heavy-duty press, you will have no trouble using it for your gun collection. In case you have kids at home, and you are worried about their safety or want to keep gun items out of their reach, you can rely on its added safety measures. For example, powder and primers can be inserted in this loader only when a case is detected.
If you want to experiment with the Lee Precision Pro 1000 Press or perhaps readjust it, you can completely rely on its alternate loading sequence, a feature that ensures you can load one case at a time. This press is suitable for beginners, but this doesn’t mean professionals can’t use it without any disappointment. It comes with turrets, yet if you need extra ones, you need to buy them separately. This loader press works perfectly with 5.56 and 9mm cases.
In case you are wondering if the Lee Precision Pro 1000 Press uses primes at any particular stage, the answer is yes. It will de-prime, shape, prime, fit, and fill your bullet. Along with priming, it also performs powdering, setting the bullet and crimping.
Pros
- Roller handle upgrade
- Lightweight
- Suitable for heavy-duty use
- Easy to use
- Plenty of online documentation
- Requires only a gentle downstroke to start
- Numerous upgrades are available
- Added safety when using a primer
- Comes with turrets
- Beginner friendly
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires hardware troubleshooting skills
- Rather low-quality materials
Hornady Lock-N-Load Iron Press Ammo Loader Review
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Iron Press Ammo Loader is equipped with the patented Lock-N-Load Bushing System and impresses with the Single Stage Press Technology. If you are a beginner, you can benefit from its Manual Prime feature. During manufacturing and assembly, it’s being made absolutely sure that this press has tight tolerance. Furthermore, the loader comes with a cast-iron frame that makes it the heaviest and most durable device of its kind.
If you never have had a press before, you can completely rely on The Hornady Lock-N-Load Iron Press Ammo Loader because it guarantees consistency and precision no matter how many times it has been used. Its Lock-N-Load Bushing System combined with its superior strength make it a top pick too. Moreover, you don’t need to spend hours trying to adjust its Lock-N-Load Bushing System in place. This takes only a few seconds. The press also comes with Press Bushings.
Having a Single Stage press type, a cast iron frame, bottom handle location, and 3 separate mounting holes, the Hornady Lock-N-Load Iron Press Ammo Loader is almost the perfect gun loader. If you have a few RCB dies lying at home, you can go on using them with it, but only for as long as you make sure that you are using the Lock-N-Load Die Bushing. This press comes with a separate auto prime system, but you should install the single primer system when de-priming.
Pros
- Ambidextrous operation
- Patented Lock-N-Load Bushing System
- Shell holder platform
- Superior strength
- Manual prime
- Cast iron frame
- Consistent performance
- Durable
- Press Bushings Technology
- Easy to use
Cons
- Faulty alignment
- Tilted back to front
- Poorly designed
Dillon Precision 16944 XL650 Progressive Auto Indexing Reloading Machine Review
The Dillon Precision XL650 Reloader is a reloading machine designed to load cartridges from a wide variety of common rifles and handguns. This 16944 model comes with the 9mm Caliber Conversion Kit already installed. From the bench, it is around 32 inches tall.
Using this progressive reloading machine, you can produce as much as 800 rounds per hour. Cases are mechanically inserted with a casefeed tube and bullets are manually fed. However, a simple upgrade to a Dillon Precision electric case feeder and a Double-Alpha Mr. Bulletfeeder makes assembly fully automated and could further increase per-hour capacity.
Although the Dillon Precision XL650 (16944) comes at a pretty steep price, it’s generally considered as a great buy because it performs consistently well and it includes everything you need to start reloading. Apart from the pre-installed caliber conversion kit, it includes a powder measure (with small and large powder pars), a primer system, 2 primer pick-up tubes (1 small and 1 large), a low primer alarm system, a loaded cartridge bin, a tool head, a powder die, and a set of Allen wrenches. Just keep your best multitool handy, you might need it from time to time with this beautiful piece of machinery.
Pros
- Comes with pre-installed 9mm conversion kit
- Up to 800 rounds per hour
- Mechanically inserted cases
- Many customization options
- Complete kit to start reloading
Cons
- Relatively high price
- Manually fed bullets
Hornady Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press Review
The Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press features several of Hornady’s patented systems. This includes the quick change bushing system with 5 stations, which makes it incredibly easy to switch between dies. Switching between primers is just as easy, thanks to the Lock-N-Load AP priming system. Whenever you want to change powders, you can easily change the powder measure’s metering inserts as well. Additionally, this press features the company’s renowned EZJect system, which reliably ejects each and every cartridge without the need for any adjustments. On the average, it could reload about 500 rounds per hour.
Another feature that sets the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Reloading Press apart is that it will only dispense powder when a case is there to catch it. At any point of your reloading process, you can also quickly remove or replace a case because of its unique universal case retainer spring. Unlike most reloading presses that does all the indexing on the down stroke, this one has an automatic indexing feature, which allows every station to move partly on the down stroke and partly on the upstroke. That gives it an incredibly smooth performance. This progressive reloading press makes for a great gift for a hunter or any avid shooter.
Pros
- Easy to switch between dies
- Easy to switch between primers
- Quick-changing metering inserts
- Reliably ejects cartridges
- Up to 500 rounds per hour
- Remove or replace cases anytime
- Powder drop is case activated
- Automatic indexing
- Smooth performance
Cons
- No included dies
Lee Precision Load Master 45 Reloading Pistol Kit Review
The Load Master 45 by Lee Precision is specifically designed for 45 ACP and not 45 LC. With its incredibly low price, it’s easy to take it for granted but it actually performs just as well as its higher-priced counterparts.
The Lee Precision Load Master 45 Reloading Pistol Kit gives you all the basics you need to start reloading 45s. Apart from the standard 3-die set (1 powder through expanding die, 1 bullet seating die, and 1 carbide full-length sizing die), each purchase includes Lee Precision’s Pro-Auto Disk powder measure, large primer feed, and universal case feeder. It also includes the turret and #2L shell plate. The press is made of sturdy cast aluminum and takes up about 14 inches of vertical space.
Among its most important features is that it is a 5-station progressive press, making reloading cases that much more efficient. Additionally its Pro-Auto Disk powder measure, which holds about half a pound of powder, guarantees safety and accuracy when charging cases. It does so automatically using 4 charge disks, each with 6 powder cavities. Dies, shell holders, and shell plates for other calibers need to be purchased separately.
Pros
- Relatively low price
- Includes standard 3-die set
- Pro-Auto Disk powder measure
- Large primer feed
- Universal case feeder
- Made of sturdy cast aluminum
- 5-station Progressive press
Cons
- No dies, shell holders, and shell plates for other calibers
RCBS Pro Chucker 5 Progressive Reloading Press Review
The RCBS Pro Chucker 5 is a 5-station auto index progressive press that could load about 600 rounds per hour. It is designed with a quick-change die plate so it’s remarkably efficient not just with loading rounds but also switching between calibers. With its quick-change metering system, you can keep the measure on when draining powder. Additionally, it’s incredibly easy to switch between preset metering screws to dispense the new powder.
The RCBS Pro Chucker 5 Progressive Reloading Press uses standard primer pick up tubes but features a safety-shielded priming system. One thing that makes it so convenient to use is that spent primers are automatically dropped and guided to a trash receptacle.
Apart from the press assembly, each purchase comes with case-activated powder measure linkage and die, die plate, 4 primer tubes, spent primer tube, safety shield and cap, ammo bin, handle assembly, and all the small parts required to assemble the entire press.
If the time ever comes that you feel you need an upgrade, the RCBS Pro Chucker 5 Progressive Reloading Press can easily be converted into a 7-station press through a kit that’s sold separately.
Pros
- 5-station auto indexing
- Approximately 600 rounds per hour
- Quick-change die plate
- Quick-change metering system
- Safety-shielded priming system
- Spent primers are efficiently cast away
- Optional conversion kit upgrades to 7-station press
Dillon Precision RL550C Reloader Review
The Dillon Precision RL550C Reloader is a versatile reloading press that’s capable of reloading more than 120 calibers for both rifles and pistols, when fitted with the right kit. For every purchase, you can select one caliber conversion kit to be included. No matter the caliber, each conversion kit includes the shellplate, powder funnel, and locator buttons.
The RL550C reloading machine by Dillon Precision is a manual indexing press. Although the auto indexing alternatives are known to be much more efficient, manual indexing is perfect for those who are just starting out and have a desire to master the steps. Additionally, manual indexing is also preferred by those who need more control over ever step in the reloading process.
The press’ predecessor, the RL550B was widely accepted as a good progressive loading machine. However, the RL550C boasts a couple of important upgrades including threaded link arm pins for more convenient maintenance work. The newer model also has additional reinforcements that make it the most durable version of the reloading press.
Pros
- Versatile
- Includes 1 conversion kit
- Offers more control over each step
- Threaded link arm pins
- Additional reinforcements for durability
Cons
- Manual indexing is less efficient vs. auto
- No dies included







