Published: October 2025 | Last updated: June 2026
Disclaimer: Specifications and pricing in this article are drawn from manufacturer and retailer sources current at time of publication. Always verify current pricing before purchasing.
The Dillon CP 2000 is not a reloading press. That distinction matters enough to establish immediately, because the CP 2000 appears in the press category and looks like a press – it has a handle, a shell plate, and a set of stations. But it loads no ammunition. It seats no bullets, drops no powder, and installs no primers. What it does, at up to 2,000 cases per hour with its electric case feeder (3,000 per hour with the optional DA3000 auto drive), is prepare cases – decapping, full-length sizing, and swaging crimped military primer pockets – as a dedicated stand-alone operation separate from the loading workflow.
This distinction determines who this machine is for and who should look elsewhere.
For a competitive shooter running a Dillon RL 1100 at full production speed with 5,000+ rounds per month and a steady supply of once-fired military surplus 223 Remington or 9mm Luger brass with crimped primer pockets, the CP 2000 is the machine that handles the brass prep bottleneck. Crimped primer pockets must be swaged before any progressive press primer system can seat primers, and swaging thousands of pockets per session on a single-station hand swager is a production bottleneck that limits total throughput. The CP 2000 removes that bottleneck with an integrated swager, electric case feed, and eight-station dedicated processing capacity.
For a reloader who loads 500 rounds per month of commercial brass without crimped pockets, the CP 2000 is expensive overkill. A Dillon Precision Super Swage 600 for the rare crimped case, a universal decapping die on your existing press for batch decapping, and manual case prep with a case prep essentials workflow are completely adequate without the CP 2000’s footprint and cost.
Knowing which reloader you are is the entire purchasing question.
What’s in the Box
The Dillon CP 2000 ships with:
- CP 2000 8-station case processing assembly with roller handle
- Motorized case feeder with variable-speed control and five plug adapters
- Built-in primer pocket swager with large and small primer swager kits
- Swage hold-down die and swage checker
- Standard toolhead with reinforced bolt and washer
- Shellplate auto-indexing system
- Case retention buttons and tabs
- Case bin and brackets
- Complete set of Allen keys
- Owner’s manual
What’s not included: caliber conversion kits (shellplate plus other caliber-specific hardware), casefeed plates, die sets, or case lube. As with Dillon’s reloading presses, the CP 2000 ships as a platform – all caliber-specific tooling is sourced separately. Each caliber you want to process requires the appropriate conversion kit. For 9mm Luger, 45 ACP, and 223 Remington, budget for the corresponding caliber conversion kits before the first session.
The variable-speed electric case feeder is included rather than being an optional upgrade – which is the right choice for a machine whose purpose is throughput. A case feeder that can be dialed to match the operator’s processing pace without stopping to manually place cases makes the CP 2000’s 2,000 case/hour rating achievable in practice rather than theoretical.
What the CP 2000 Actually Does: The Eight-Station Layout
Understanding the CP 2000’s function requires knowing what its eight stations handle and why each step matters for high-volume brass preparation.
A typical eight-station configuration for military surplus rifle brass:
- Station 1: Decapping die – removes spent primers
- Station 2: First swage station – initial primer pocket swage
- Station 3: Second swage station – finish primer pocket swage
- Station 4: Full-length sizing die
- Station 5-8: Additional prep operations, inspection positions, or empty for specific workflows
The two-station swager arrangement is the CP 2000’s defining design feature. Single-pass swaging is possible but puts more stress on the swage rod and case head. Two-station progressive swaging – a partial swage pass followed by a finishing pass – handles the full range of military crimp depths more consistently and with less force per station. For 5.56 NATO / 223 Remington brass from military supply, where crimp depth varies between lots and between manufacturers, two-pass swaging is the difference between consistent results and cases that occasionally resist the primer feed on your progressive press.
The swage checker is a component mentioned in passing in most reviews but worth understanding in detail. As each case passes through the swager, the checker inspects the case head for conditions that indicate a problem: a case with a ringed web (the visible ring that indicates case head separation risk), a case that’s too large or deformed to process correctly, or a brass piece that’s loaded into the machine mouth-up rather than mouth-down. When the checker detects any of these conditions, it stops the machine before the case reaches the swager – preventing damage to the swage rod, the shellplate, or the machine. At 2,000 cases per hour, a single ringed case or inverted case that makes it through the swager unchecked can cause a tool breakage that stops production and requires replacement hardware. The swage checker is the machine’s self-protection mechanism.
The Integrated Swager: Why This Is the CP 2000’s Core Feature
For reloaders who work exclusively with commercial brass from standard domestic ammunition, primer pockets are never crimped. The crimp – a small ring or stake around the primer pocket’s edge that locks the primer in place for use in automatic weapons – is a military specification feature that prevents the primer from backing out under rapid fire. It’s found in military surplus brass (headstamped LC, TW, FA for 5.56 NATO; LC, WCC, ADC for 7.62×51), in some foreign military brass, and in commercial brass made to mil-spec for military contracts.
When crimped brass reaches the priming station on a progressive press – a Dillon RL 550C, Dillon XL 750, or Dillon RL 1100 – the primer can’t be seated because the crimp prevents the primer from entering the pocket. The result is a stopped primer feed, a partially seated primer that could detonate, or damage to the priming punch. None of these outcomes are acceptable in production.
The solution is swaging – a cold-metal-forming process that pushes the crimp material back into the pocket wall, removing the crimp without removing metal. After swaging, the primer pocket accepts primers normally and the brass reloads indefinitely with proper care.
A hand swager like the Dillon Precision Super Swage 600 does this one case at a time, which works for moderate volumes. At 5,000 crimped cases per month, however, single-station hand swaging becomes a production bottleneck that consumes more bench time than the loading operation itself. The CP 2000’s integrated two-station swager processes those cases at 2,000+ per hour as part of the complete prep cycle – decapping, swaging, and sizing in a single pass. That integration is the machine’s core economic justification.
Key Specs and Compatibility
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Machine Type | Dedicated case processing (NOT a reloading press) |
| Stations | 8 |
| Die Thread | Standard 7/8-14 |
| Processing Speed | Up to 2,000 cases/hour (3,000 with DA3000 auto drive) |
| Case Feeder | Variable-speed electric, universal voltage, included |
| Casefeed Plates | Separate purchase: small pistol, large pistol, small rifle, large rifle |
| Swager | Integrated two-station, large/small primer kits included |
| Swage Checker | Included – detects ringers and inverted cases |
| Auto Drive Compatibility | DA3000 optional upgrade |
| Trimmer Compatibility | RT1500 optional upgrade |
| Caliber Conversion | Separate purchase per caliber |
| Mounting | Bench mount |
| Warranty | Two-year limited (NOT Dillon’s No B.S. lifetime warranty) |
| Origin | Dillon Precision Products, USA |
The two-year limited warranty is the specification that most surprises reloaders familiar with Dillon’s presses. The Dillon RL 550C, XL 750, and RL 1100 all carry Dillon’s No B.S. lifetime warranty against defects under normal use. The CP 2000 does not – it carries a two-year limited warranty. Verify current warranty terms directly with Dillon Precision before purchasing. For a machine at the CP 2000’s price point that will see sustained high-cycle production use, this warranty difference from Dillon’s press lineup is worth noting.
The caliber conversion kit requirement is the other cost that doesn’t appear in the base machine price. Each caliber requires a caliber-specific shellplate and casefeed plate appropriate for the case head size. If you’re processing 9mm Luger, 40 S&W, and 223 Remington in the same operation, you need three different casefeed plates and the appropriate shellplates. Budget these as part of the total CP 2000 investment calculation.
Where the CP 2000 Fits in a High-Volume Setup
The CP 2000’s role is pre-processing brass before it reaches the reloading press. In a production workflow centered on the Dillon RL 1100, the workflow splits into two parallel tracks:
Track 1 (CP 2000): Raw brass, possibly dirty, possibly crimped → decap → swage → size → clean case ready for the primer and powder
Track 2 (RL 1100): Prepped, clean, swaged brass → prime → charge → seat bullet → crimp → finished round
The CP 2000 handles Track 1 so the RL 1100 handles Track 2 without interruption. When the reloading press is running at production speed – 600-1,000 rounds per hour on the RL 1100 – any interruption to address a swaging issue, a decapping problem, or a dirty case that jams the primer feed costs disproportionate time. Separating the case prep from the loading eliminates those interruption sources at the loading press.
For reloaders who run a single progressive press for both case prep and loading – which is how most hobby reloaders operate – the workflow is: decap all brass on the progressive, clean, then reload. This works fine and doesn’t require a CP 2000. The CP 2000 becomes relevant when the volume is high enough that the case prep cycle on the progressive press represents a meaningful fraction of total bench time, and when military surplus crimped brass is a regular part of the supply.
The Upgrade Path: DA3000 and RT1500
The CP 2000’s optional upgrades extend its capability from a manual-cycle machine to a nearly automated case preparation system.
DA3000 Auto Drive. The DA3000 converts the CP 2000’s manual roller handle into an electrically driven automatic cycle. With the DA3000, the machine cycles continuously without operator input – cases feed from the electric feeder, index through all eight stations, and drop into the collection bin in an uninterrupted loop. Processing speed increases from 2,000 cases per hour to 3,000 cases per hour. The operator’s role becomes feeding cases into the input tube and monitoring the output rather than cycling the handle for each case.
For a setup where the CP 2000 runs alongside the RL 1100 – processing Tuesday’s batch of military surplus while the operator loads with the RL 1100 – the DA3000 enables genuinely parallel operation. The CP 2000 runs unattended while the operator’s attention stays on the loading press.
RT1500 Trimmer. The RT1500 integrates case trimming into the CP 2000’s station sequence. Rather than a separate trimming pass, cases are trimmed to length as they cycle through the prep sequence. For calibers where consistent case length matters for performance – 223 Remington for semi-auto reliable cycling, 6.5 Creedmoor for precision seating depth consistency – integrating trimming into the prep cycle eliminates a separate handling step.
The DA3000 and RT1500 together transform the CP 2000 from a high-throughput manual prep machine into a near-automated case preparation system. The total investment is substantial – base machine plus both upgrades represents a serious capital commitment. Whether that commitment is justified depends entirely on monthly case volume and the value placed on operator time at the bench.
Competitors – Four Direct Comparisons
Dillon RL 1100
The Dillon RL 1100 is the question most commonly asked alongside the CP 2000: “Can’t I just do case prep on the RL 1100?” The answer is yes – the RL 1100 can be run in case prep mode, processing brass without powder or bullets through decapping and sizing stations. But combining case prep and loading on the same press means the press alternates between roles, which reduces the throughput advantage of each role. The RL 1100’s production speed – 1,000+ rounds per hour in full loading mode – is reduced when it’s handling case prep functions. The CP 2000 lets the RL 1100 run full-speed loading while case prep happens simultaneously on a parallel machine. For reloaders at the RL 1100’s production volume, pairing the two machines is the right production architecture. For reloaders running an RL 1100 at moderate load volumes, using the RL 1100 for case prep is adequate.
Choose the CP 2000 if: you run an RL 1100 at near-capacity loading rates and want case prep to happen in parallel without reducing loading throughput. Choose the RL 1100 for prep if: you have adequate time and your loading volume doesn’t push the RL 1100’s capacity, making a dedicated prep machine unnecessary.
Mark 7 Apex 10
The Mark 7 Apex 10 is a ten-station automated progressive press that can handle case prep and loading in an integrated high-automation setup at a very high price point. The Apex 10 is a full reloading system, not a dedicated case processor – its ten stations can accommodate case prep functions alongside the loading sequence. For a commercial or high-competition operation that wants maximum automation in a single machine, the Apex 10 is the consideration. For a setup that already has a Dillon RL 1100 and needs dedicated case prep throughput, the CP 2000 is the more cost-effective path.
Choose the CP 2000 if: you want a dedicated case prep station to pair with an existing Dillon progressive press at a lower total cost than replacing the loading press with the Apex 10. Choose the Mark 7 Apex 10 if: you’re building a high-automation setup from scratch and want maximum integration and automation in a single system at a premium investment.
Hornady Lock-N-Load Case Prep Center
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Case Prep Center is a bench-mounted motorized case prep tool that handles multiple case preparation functions – trimming, deburring, primer pocket cleaning, and more – at a significantly lower price than the CP 2000. It does not have an integrated swager, which is the CP 2000’s primary capability differentiator. The Hornady Case Prep Center is appropriate for reloaders who need motorized trimming, deburring, and pocket cleaning but whose brass is commercial non-crimped and doesn’t require swaging. For reloaders specifically processing crimped military brass in volume, the Hornady’s absence of a swager means it can’t replace the CP 2000 for that application. For all other case prep functions at moderate volume, the Hornady is a capable alternative at much lower cost.
Choose the CP 2000 if: crimped primer pocket swaging at high volume is a core requirement of your brass prep workflow. Choose the Hornady Case Prep Center if: your brass is commercial non-crimped and you need motorized trimming, deburring, and pocket cleaning at a practical hobbyist price point.
Dedicated Single-Station Swager + Decapping Setup
This isn’t a single product but a workflow comparison: the Dillon Precision Super Swage 600 as a bench-mounted dedicated swager combined with your existing progressive press for decapping and sizing. The Super Swage 600 handles crimped primer pockets one case at a time at a fraction of the CP 2000’s price. For a reloader who processes 500-1,500 crimped cases per month, the Super Swage 600 plus manual decapping is a completely viable alternative. The economic argument for the CP 2000 only holds at the volumes where single-station swaging consumes a meaningful fraction of total session time – typically 3,000+ crimped cases per month where the throughput difference between single-station and CP 2000 production becomes a real time-cost.
Choose the CP 2000 if: monthly crimped case volume is high enough that the CP 2000’s integrated throughput saves enough bench time to justify the investment. Choose the Super Swage 600 if: your crimped brass volume is moderate and single-station swaging is manageable within your normal session time budget.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Dillon CP 2000 | Dillon RL 1100 (prep mode) | Hornady Case Prep Center | Dillon Super Swage 600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Dedicated case prep | Loading press (prep capable) | Case prep (no swager) | Single-station swager |
| Integrated Swager | Yes (2-station) | No (separate die) | No | Yes (single station) |
| Case Feeder | Electric (included) | Electric (standard) | No | No |
| Processing Speed | 2,000-3,000/hr | 600-1,000/hr (loading) | Manual rate | ~300-400/hr |
| DA3000 Auto Drive | Compatible | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| RT1500 Trimmer | Compatible | No | Yes (motorized) | No |
| Swage Checker | Yes | No | No | No |
| 7/8-14 Die Station | Yes (8 stations) | Yes (integrated) | Multiple stations | No |
| Caliber Conversion | Separate purchase | Separate purchase | Separate purchase | Separate purchase |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | Lifetime No B.S. | Lifetime limited | N/A |
| Price Range | $$$$$+ | $$$$$+ | $$ | $ |
| Best For | High-volume dedicated prep | Commercial loading | Moderate prep functions | Occasional crimp removal |
Setup and Mounting
Bench requirements. The CP 2000 needs the most robust bench surface in this press review series – Grade 8 bolts, 2-inch minimum hardwood, positioned near the electric case feeder’s power supply. The electric feeder motor creates vibration during operation; secure mounting reduces that vibration from propagating through the bench into the machine’s indexing mechanism.
Case feeder setup. Install the case feeder bracket and column per the manual, with the casefeed plate appropriate for your caliber. The variable-speed potentiometer controls case feed rate – start slow and increase speed until the feed rate matches your processing pace without cases backing up or gaps developing in the shell plate. For 9mm Luger and 45 ACP at high speed, the small and large pistol casefeed plates feed consistently once the speed is dialed in. For 223 Remington rifle brass, the small rifle plate requires more attention to case orientation at the feed – rimless rifle cases can occasionally present in a way that the feeder can’t correct without the operator’s intervention.
Shellplate and die installation. Install the appropriate shellplate for your caliber. Install the decapping die at station 1, the two swage stations (hold-down die and swager), and the sizing die at their respective positions. The swager setup requires the most attention: the swage rod depth must be set correctly for your specific brass’s primer pocket depth and web thickness. Military brass from different manufacturers has different web dimensions, and the swage rod position that works for Lake City 5.56 NATO may over-swage or under-swage Radway Green brass from the UK. Test with 10-15 cases of each lot before running production batches.
Swage rod adjustment for different brass lots. Military surplus brass from different sources has different primer pocket and web dimensions. When changing brass lots – particularly mixing manufacturers on the same machine setup – spot-check the swaged pocket with a primer punch before running the full batch. A pocket that’s been under-swaged still has residual crimp and will resist primer seating. An over-swaged pocket is loose and may allow primer movement that affects ignition reliability.
Lubrication. Light oil on the shellplate indexing mechanism, the cam follower, and the case retainer spring every session. The swager rod wipe gets a light oil film. Avoid oil in the swage area itself – oil in the primer pocket contamination is harder to clean than primer compound and affects primer seating consistency. Use oil sparingly and direct it to the moving parts, not the case contact areas.
Real-World Use Notes
The CP 2000’s production rate – 2,000 cases per hour with the feeder running and the operator cycling the handle – is achievable once setup is dialed in for a specific brass lot. The machine is not difficult to run once configured, but the initial calibration for swage rod depth, casefeed speed, and case retention button position is the time investment that pays back over subsequent sessions. Setting up the CP 2000 for the first time with a new caliber or new brass lot takes 30-45 minutes; once set, the configuration is repeatable.
For 9mm Luger commercial brass without crimped primer pockets, the CP 2000 runs as a decapping and sizing machine without the swager engaged. Processing speed in this configuration is the same as with swaging, and the output is clean, sized, decapped brass ready for trimming (if needed) and then loading on the progressive. For the reloader who runs a Dillon XL 750 and wants to batch-prep an entire month’s supply of 9mm brass in a single session before loading sessions, the CP 2000 makes that practical.
For 223 Remington military surplus from LC, TW, or similar headstamps, the two-station swager handles the crimped pockets consistently and the sizing die produces sized, properly headspaced cases ready for the primer. When feeding into a Dillon RL 1100 for 5.56 NATO loading, having the brass already swaged, sized, and confirmed as primer-ready eliminates the most common source of RL 1100 primer feed stoppages.
The swage checker earns its reputation in real use. Ringed cases – where the case web shows a visible ring indicating head separation risk – appear in used brass collections more often than new shooters expect, particularly in brass that’s been fired many times. Finding a ringed case at the swage checker is better than finding it at the primer feed of the RL 1100, where it would either jam the primer system or, if it got through, produce a case at serious head separation risk in the next firing.
Troubleshooting
Primer pockets still resisting after swaging. Swage rod depth may be insufficient for this brass lot’s crimp depth. Remove a processed case and check the pocket with a primer punch – a pocket that requires more force than your production press applies is still retaining crimp. Increase swage rod depth in small increments, testing after each adjustment, until processed cases accept primers without unusual resistance. Note: over-swaging creates pockets that are too loose and allow primer movement – check a few cases after each adjustment for both tight-fit and loose-fit conditions.
Casefeed plate not releasing cases consistently. Check the plate position and the case retention tabs. Cases that drop through the feeder without seating in the shellplate usually indicate a casefeed plate that’s not positioned correctly at the shellplate interface. Also check for debris in the feed plate’s case holes – 9mm Luger and 40 S&W brass accumulates primer residue in the case head area that can prevent consistent positioning on the plate.
Swage checker stopping the machine on good cases. The swage checker is calibrated for a specific case head dimension range. If the machine is stopping on cases that appear visually normal, check whether the brass lot has a smaller or larger case head diameter than the checker’s calibration. Cases from different manufacturers can have enough web dimension variation to trigger the checker incorrectly. Verify the checker position per the manual and test against a known-good batch of the same brass before running production.
Sizing die sticking or cases requiring excessive force. Case lube is required for bottleneck rifle cases even on the CP 2000. A sizing die processing dry 223 Remington or 308 Winchester cases will stick and potentially produce a stuck case at 2,000 cases per hour – a production-stopping event. Apply case lube before loading 223 Remington cases into the feeder. Pistol carbide sizing dies don’t need lube.
Indexing not advancing cleanly. Check the shellplate detent and spring for debris accumulation. Clean with solvent and compressed air. The CP 2000’s indexing system needs clean shellplate detents to advance consistently at production speed. Also verify the shellplate is correctly installed and the mounting bolt is torqued to spec – a loose shellplate creates inconsistent indexing that appears intermittent rather than systematic.
What to Buy with It
Caliber conversion kits. Required before processing any caliber. Each kit includes the shellplate and other caliber-specific hardware. For 9mm Luger, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP pistol and 223 Remington and 308 Winchester rifle, each needs its own kit.
Casefeed plates. Four variants: small pistol, large pistol, small rifle, large rifle. Purchase the variants appropriate for your primary calibers.
Die sets for sizing. The CP 2000 uses standard 7/8-14 dies. RCBS, Dillon, Redding, Hornady, and Lee carbide pistol dies and full-length rifle dies all work. For rifle calibers, a small-base sizing die is appropriate for brass that will load on a semi-auto platform.
DA3000 Auto Drive. The upgrade that transforms the CP 2000 from manual operation to near-automated processing at 3,000 cases per hour. Essential for the highest-volume operations; optional for moderate high-volume use where the operator is at the handle anyway.
RT1500 Case Trimmer. For calibers where trimming is part of the prep workflow – 223 Remington and 308 Winchester being the primary candidates – integrating the RT1500 into the station sequence eliminates a separate trimming pass.
Case lube. Mandatory for bottleneck rifle cases through the sizing die. Apply before loading cases into the feeder.
Powder scale for QA. Not for the CP 2000 itself, but for the verification step after processing – checking swaged pockets accept primers correctly before the prep batch goes to the loading press. The RCBS Rangemaster 2000 at the bench covers this QA function.
FAQ
Is the CP 2000 a reloading press?
No. The CP 2000 is a dedicated case processing machine – it prepares cases for reloading but does not seat primers, charge powder, seat bullets, or crimp. A completed pass through the CP 2000 produces decapped, swaged (if applicable), and sized cases ready for tumbling/cleaning and then loading on a reloading press.
Who actually needs a CP 2000?
The CP 2000 makes practical economic sense for three situations: (1) reloaders processing 3,000+ crimped military surplus cases per month where single-station swaging consumes unacceptable bench time; (2) production operations that need case prep running in parallel with a loading press to maximize total throughput; (3) commercial or high-competition operations loading 5,000+ rounds monthly where case prep is a genuine workflow bottleneck. For all other use cases, less expensive alternatives cover the need.
Why is the warranty two years instead of Dillon’s lifetime No B.S. warranty?
The CP 2000’s two-year limited warranty is a specific warranty term for this machine, different from the lifetime No B.S. warranty that covers the RL 550C, XL 750, and RL 1100 reloading presses. Verify current warranty terms with Dillon Precision directly.
Can it process 308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor brass?
Yes. 308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor brass runs through the CP 2000 with appropriate shellplates and sizing dies. Commercial 308 Winchester brass typically doesn’t have crimped primer pockets; military 7.62×51 brass does. The swager handles 7.62×51 military crimps using the large primer swager kit.
Does the CP 2000 clean brass?
No. Cleaning – tumbling, ultrasonic, or wet tumbling – is a separate operation. The CP 2000 is most effective on clean or cleaned brass. Running very dirty brass through the CP 2000 accelerates die wear, contaminates the swager, and causes more frequent jam clearances.
What’s the practical throughput with the DA3000?
Dillon rates the CP 2000 at 3,000 cases per hour with the DA3000 auto drive. In practice, operator monitoring and occasional case feed adjustments reduce the realized rate. A reasonable expectation for sustained operation is 2,000-2,500 cases per hour over a production session.
Conclusion
The Dillon CP 2000 is a specialized production tool that justifies its substantial cost only within a specific operational context: high-volume case preparation, particularly for military surplus crimped brass, at a throughput level that single-station alternatives can’t match. For commercial reloading operations, serious competition shooters who load 5,000+ rounds monthly, and production setups where case prep running in parallel with a loading press is the efficiency goal, the CP 2000 is the right machine.
For everyone outside that context, the CP 2000 is expensive overkill. The Dillon Precision Super Swage 600 handles occasional crimped brass at a fraction of the cost. The Hornady Lock-N-Load Case Prep Center provides motorized case prep functions for moderate volume without the CP 2000’s footprint and price. The case prep essentials guide covers the systematic approach that works for the vast majority of hobby reloaders without a dedicated machine.
The two-year warranty, rather than the No B.S. lifetime warranty on Dillon’s press lineup, is the only notable caveat to the machine’s reputation – verify terms directly with Dillon before purchasing.
Choose the Dillon CP 2000 if you process 3,000+ crimped military surplus cases per month, run a Dillon RL 1100 or comparable production press and need case prep to happen in parallel at the same throughput rate, or operate at a volume where the CP 2000’s 2,000-3,000 case-per-hour processing speed is economically justified by the bench time it saves.
Choose the Dillon Precision Super Swage 600 instead if your crimped brass volume is moderate and single-station swaging fits within your normal session time budget at a fraction of the CP 2000’s cost.
Choose the Hornady Lock-N-Load Case Prep Center instead if you primarily need motorized trimming, deburring, and pocket cleaning on commercial non-crimped brass at a hobbyist-appropriate price.
Choose the Dillon RL 1100 for prep mode instead if your production volume doesn’t require a dedicated case prep machine running in parallel with your loading press.
Editorial note: Originally published October 2025, revised June 2026. The revision established at the outset that the CP 2000 is a case processing machine, not a reloading press – a distinction the original article buried. Added dedicated sections explaining the integrated two-station swager as the machine’s core feature, the swage checker’s role as production safety mechanism, and the DA3000/RT1500 upgrade path. Rewrote the economic justification section to be specific about the case volumes that make the CP 2000 the right choice versus single-station alternatives. Added the two-year warranty as a specific caveat versus Dillon’s No B.S. lifetime warranty on their reloading presses. Full internal linking updated throughout.
