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  #1  
Old 11-24-2011, 07:50 PM
samdweezel05 samdweezel05 is offline
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Hello all. I am loading more and more these days and I find myself in need of a decent progressive press. I do have a Lee 1000 progressive that I have messed around with and when it works I can produce lots of rounds in a very short amount of time. The problem starts when it doesn't work. I want to upgrade but I am not at the point where I want to spend the money on a Dillon. Maybe a Hornady LNL or something similar. Main calibers are 9, 40 and 45. Any of my large revolvers or rifles get loaded one at a time.
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Old 11-24-2011, 08:42 PM
ken158 ken158 is online now
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You are on the right track with either Dillon or Hornady LNL - I have had several Dillon models and just set up a new LNL. Been running 45 acp for a few days and seems to be doing well after initial setup. Midway had them on sale recently for I think $369 which is a steal.
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Old 11-24-2011, 08:54 PM
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Head out to Ultimate Reloader and take a look at the many videos of different progressives that Gavin has out there.
You'll be in a position to make a well informed decision after watching a few of those videos.
He has videos on the Hornady LNL, Dillion 650 and the RCBS Pro 2000.

I own an older RCBS AmmoMaster Progressive and love that thing. That is the precursor to the current RCBS Pro 2000.
However, I think if I were to buy another progressive right now, I would have to seriously consider the Hornady LNL.
That looks like one nice press to me.
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Old 11-24-2011, 10:07 PM
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I have now become addicted to loading on my LNL AP. What an amazing machine. I have to say that I was scared at not joining team blue for all the chatter about their products. But mine came with smooth auto indexing, an amazing powder measure, and five stations. And then there are all kinds of upgrades to chose from if you want anything extra. I don't regret buying from Hornady one bit, and they even bribed me with free bullets.
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Old 11-25-2011, 02:53 PM
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I've had a Dillon, and still have an early Hornady Projector, an earlier LNL-AP, a RCBS Ammomaster and finally a CH Auto-champ.

I can't say enough good about Hornady LNL-AP. It's been reliable, the customer service is top notch. They even sent me a sub-plate free of charge when mine broke- it was the updated one so now I have the new style primer seaters and the protrusion to put on a case feeder if I ever desire. I should have told a family member that it is not to be used for cracking black walnuts.

They even fixed me up with a custom shellplate for .56-50 Spencer, and .410 shotshells. If you have a custom caliber you want to load- that they don't list a shellplate for, give them a call and see if they have it on their "special" list, and if they don't- send them the brass and they'll make it.
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Old 11-25-2011, 04:21 PM
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Quote:
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I should have told a family member that it is not to be used for cracking black walnuts.
Opie sure does get into some trouble, don't he Andy?
Or was it Aunt Bee?
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Old 11-25-2011, 04:28 PM
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Either a Dillon or LNL, both are good machines. If you do NOT want a case feeder, either the 550B or LNL. If I wanted a case feeder, I would pony up the extra $120+ for the 650. It's got better priming & case feeder plus I am not a huge fan of the LNL bushings & prefer the tool heads of the Dillon.
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Old 11-25-2011, 08:52 PM
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They all have their place. It depends on you. Well, I would stay away from the Lee but other than that, it is a toss up.

Hornady knows they are competing with Dillon and their customer service. So, it boils down to if you want red or blue on your bench!
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Old 11-26-2011, 07:31 PM
samdweezel05 samdweezel05 is offline
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I have been watching a ton of videos on the LNL and the Dillon. I assume you have to use only Dillon dies with a Dillon press? I am not against the Dillon but it will come down to money. I already have dies here and would like to end up with a press that I can use them on instead of having to buy all new dies for everything I load for. This will start out being used for the 9mm, .40cal and the .45 ACP but if it will produce consistent ammo that could be considered "match grade" then I would use it for a lot of my rifle calibers as well. I will still load for the hand cannons that run at max pressure one at a time.
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Old 11-26-2011, 07:56 PM
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Only with the Square Deal Press do you have to use Dillon dies. The 450, 550, and 650 use standard dies. Dillon dies are made by Redding are are some of the best available.

Buck
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Old 11-27-2011, 05:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by samdweezel05 View Post
I have been watching a ton of videos on the LNL and the Dillon. I assume you have to use only Dillon dies with a Dillon press? I am not against the Dillon but it will come down to money. I already have dies here and would like to end up with a press that I can use them on instead of having to buy all new dies for everything I load for. This will start out being used for the 9mm, .40cal and the .45 ACP but if it will produce consistent ammo that could be considered "match grade" then I would use it for a lot of my rifle calibers as well. I will still load for the hand cannons that run at max pressure one at a time.
As noted, the 550B or 650 will take any 7/8 dies. You still need a Dillon Powder thru die for the powder drops & expanding the mouth on handgun brass, but that is all.
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Old 11-27-2011, 06:43 PM
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I've had the LnL since 2004. Had to send it to the factory at around 85,000 rounds for a refit of the base plate. They rebuilt the whole thing for free.

I run everything from 300 WSM to .380. Mostly loading 45 ACP & Colt, & 9mm. I've got the neighbor using it as well. Looking like close to 200,000 at this point.

I load about 300 pistol per hour including filling primer tubes at a comfortable pace.
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