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Very true. For decades I scoffed at progressive presses, wasn't interested, didn't need one, my old Rock Chucker was plenty good enough for me.I last loaded 45 ACP over 10 years ago and still have some ready to go from that batch. Obviously I don't shoot as much as I used to, but when loading for the 45 I rarely load less than 500 rounds at a time. That's where the progressive really shines.
Then one day a dozen years ago or so, I ran across a Dillon 550 for so cheap I couldn't pass it up. I've never used any other progressive so I can't compare it, but it's a good, solid machine that has worked well for me.like I mentioned before, I wouldn't want to go back to loading volume on the single stage.
If you never load or shoot volume, a good single stage press is fine. Loading up a box or two off .270 for hunting season and a couple boxes of .38 or .45 now and then, you'll be perfectly happy with the single stage.
If you load volume and don't tinker around with small batches and oddball stuff, then the Dillon (or whatever progressive) is a great choice.
For someone like me though, the ideal setup is both. I like the Dillon when I use it, but I also have numerous die sets in many calibers, including oddball old surplus rounds, and a box full of shellholders. Trying to buy tool heads and shell plates for everything I load would be an exercise in frustration and put me in the poorhouse.
So yeah, the correct answer is "BOTH", a good Dillon or equivalent, in the flavor of your choice, and a solid single stage to go with it.
It's a bit like asking what the best hammer is. Should I get a framing hammer, a roofing hammer, a ball-peen hammer? Well, it depends. The average person really needs more than one.