Howdy!
'Tho this post started over 3 years ago, one can still get many good ideas. I started on my best friend's RCBS Rock Chucker Jr. I don't believe they are made any more, but it was a quality press. About 8 years later (1982) I purchased a Bonanza COAX press. It was an Army re-enlistment present to myself that was used to load for my new Colt Python, which I call Monty. Monty was ALSO a re-enlistment present to myself. LOL! Next February (of 2012) will be my 30th anniversary with the Bonanza - which is now called the Forster COAX press and is STILL the finest single-stage press money can buy, in my most humble opinion. (IMMHO)
About 1995 or so, Dillon brought out their AT 500 Advanced Turret Loader, and my wonderful wife, Billie surprised me with one for Christmas. With the later purchases of 4 "upgrades" over about a year and a half it is now a full-fledged RL 550B - the mainstay of Dillon's lines. It's not the most advanced or complicated but it will load the most calibers, I think about ALL except for the big .50 BMG rounds and same sized rounds (i.e. 416 Barrett, etc.), which take a MUCH larger press and uses non-standard dies, etc.
I have a lot of Lee equipment, but I don't much care for their presses. I'm spoiled, quite frankly. The single-stage and turret presses they make are FINE, and perhaps the best bargain out there. My biggest problem is with their progressive. I KNOW many have been using them for years and are happy. I have one experience and it spoiled me forever on their big press. After 3 1/2 hours of assembly and
strict adherence to their somewhat limited (IMHO) instructions, I had assembled exactly ONE round, whereupon the press broke a major piece and no longer worked. However, in my experience with OTHER Lee presses, they work fine - I simply was fortunate enough to start with other, better equipment. I did NOT mean this to become a "Why I hate Lee" post, I'm just relaying MY personal experience. Lee dies are excellent; their handheld priming tool is also excellent and I feel EVERY loader should have one as well as the Lee powder dippers. I have 2 of the priming tools (1 for LPs & the other SPs - I SAID I was spoiled!) and I also have a set of the Lee bullet moulds, as sold by Dick Dasterdly to cast the wonderful BigLube
(tm) boolits.
Now you may understand where I'm coming from. I will mention several more of my opinions: You certainly CAN successfully
and safely load BP cartridges on Dillon and other progressive presses, like the fine Hornady Lock-n-Load press system. You will have to make up your own mind regarding using their powder measure - or any OTHER that static MAY affect. Dillon says it will nullify their warranty, but I doubt it'd be put to the test. I modified my own powder measure by replacing the plastic hopper with a large tube of 2.125" (or thereabouts - I fergit, exactly,) copper. ALL powder hoppers - by ANY manufacturer - are made of static-free plastic, as are the plastic containers that some Black Powder is sold in!
Also, I'd recommend to a beginning loader, that if they POSSIBLY can, go ahead and buy the Dillon BL 550, which is simply the AT500 exactly like I got from my Frau, only renamed. It is a turret loader and you won't get better. Then, as you learn and progress, it can be upgraded to the RL 550B Progressive machine.
Actually, IF the money is available and someone already knows they will continue to load - and perhaps had the benefit of beginning to learn on a friend's machine, but wishes their own setup, I'd suggest buying the RL 550 B or Hornady L-n-L from the start! You can always use it as #1) a single stage press by only using station one, or #2) use them as a turret loader. It's soooo simple.
IF you wallet will co-operate. It all gets down to ca$h, doesn't it?! So, if you're on a tight budget, get a Lee or Lyman Turret press (the Lyman is over $200. tho) and do what you can.
The
first purchase should be loading manuals! (Again, I believe some of the excellent deals by Lee INCLUDE a manual written by Richard Lee, an expert.)
Hope this helps! Reloading ISN'T cheap or for the faint-of-heart. You won't save much money by reloading ... but you WILL be able to spend the same money and get MUCH more practice!
Your mileage may vary ...