New reloading press choice

[Fishinfool]

Been reloading for years using an RCBS single stage press. In the past, this has not been a real issue, as I have been fortunate enough to have had an almost unlimited free supply of most of the calibers I most often shoot.

Now that I have recently retired, that supply is fast dwindling, and I have more time to shoot, so its time to get a progressive reloader.

I have pretty much settled on either the Hornady lock and load progressive, or an equivalent Dillon machine.

I am looking for suggestions, or comparisons between the two systems. 45 acp, 44 mag., .223 and 308 would be the most reloaded cartridges, with my old single stage used for everything else.

Thanks

Larry

 

[Maximumbob54]

I'm asking the same questions to everyone and I keep hearing the same answer: Dillon

I don't know when I will decide but so far it would be going against the 9 to 1 if I went against the blue.

 

[OM18V]

One of the regulars at the local bullseye shoot has the LNL and loves it. Most of us are running Dillons. How's that for a no help at all post.

 

[Maximumbob54]

One of the regulars at the local bullseye shoot has the LNL and loves it. Most of us are running Dillons. How's that for a no help at all post.

I would say that is a little help to him. It follows what I just said to a T. Once again, a little bit of H to a bunch of D...

 

[SMSgt]

Me? I'm still sitting in my recliner, watching TV and resizing/priming my cases with a Lee hand press. My ancient Herter's single-stage only see daylight when I get around to seating and crimping.

 

[schuebob]

Your new loader is a Dillon . . .

I have the Dillon RL 550. It is slow as you have to index manually; but that makes it easy to clear out a boo-boo. You may not be able to see a small powder charge in 9mm or 45 cases. The powder metering system leaks the extra fine wafer style powders. If you don't pay attention, you can double charge like any other press. It needs both a case feeder and five to seven extra large and small primer tubes before you fire it up. It is supported with good customer service. Since it is a four-holer, you cannot trim or swage PP's on the fly. Some brands of dies may nearly run out of threads when installing. Primer system is inherently a weak design & catches a lot of grime and is not self cleaning. (use compressor). I have mine on a high bench, but the riser they sell lets you use your std. height table. There are numerous oiling points. Also, IMHO, use hex wrenches that have adult sized handles for the changeover and adjustments. I have a helper assist me on over half of my sessions as once we are rolling, production speed is good and can do 800-1000 rnds. with little or no down time. My guess is, if you want slow, go RL550, if you want faster, get a bigger number. Hope this helps.

 

[SWP357]

I am waiting on delivery for a Hornady LNL Progressive, used to have a RCBS "Green Machine" very dated, I chose the LNL after much research, I know most people here like the "Blue" but for the money, I think LNL is better. I reload a lot of 357. I also think that they are both good choices, I don't like the blue... as a color.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I have a Dillon XL650 and wouldn't give it up for NUTTIN!

If the Hornady is as good as it, you are going to get a GREAT machine either way.

There are/were some bugs with the LNL when they first came out BUT from all accounts it sounds like they have worked all of them out, well, most of them.

I have heard that the LNL is better when you have to change primer sizes. The Dillon isn't that hard to be honest but some make a big deal out of it. A total change over on the XL650 might take 5 minutes if you are changing primer size as well as bullet type or case length or powder weight.

At any rate, I thought about adding the OTHER red press to the opposite end of the bench but most likely will go with blue again. Thinking of getting one of the new "turret" presses they make, something 550.

In my opinion, the Square Deal B is THE progressive for doing auto ammunition. It is small, short stroked and kind of "close" for big fingers. That makes less travel to get the rounds done in my thinking. It is a pistol caliber only and takes proprietary dies BUT they work and work well.


I know folks speak very highly of the RL550 BUT it isn't a real progressive press in my opinion since it doesn't auto index. Just me though. Folks have loaded lots and lots of rounds on them, that's for sure.

Since I have one XL650 I will probably go with another one of them. Have one for small primers and one for large.

I do hope this helps.

 

[SWP357]

I think that's good advice, Skip, and I'll report back when get mine set-up.
It's all about the fun anyway... right? New shiny bullets to shoot.

 

[Skip Sackett]

It's all about the fun anyway... right? New shiny bullets to shoot.

ABSOLUTELY! Hey, welcome to the forum!

 

[wheelgun28]

Ive got a Dillon 650 also, I think it wonderful!!
I had a Dillon Square Deal, but wanted a bigger machine and case feed.

My advice to anyone wanting a progressive press would be if you can spend the money buy the Dillon. No one ever says I am sorry that I bought a Dillon. However if you need to save some money as many of us can or should, the lnl seems like a decent press and folks are happy with them.

I have even added a bullet feed to the press. It can make rounds almost as fast as you can pull the handle. But you need to keep up with primers, bullets and cases...

With all that said, Id go blue

 

[TacticalBacon]

I have the hornady LNL and have reloaded well over 10,000 rounds with it without a single problem. It is quick and easy to use. Hornady service is great if you're just setting up and need some help or if anything ever goes wrong. Highly recommend the LNL.

 

[Fishinfool]

Thanks for the replies. Its about what I thought - People are happy with both. I'm leaning towards Dillan, but I may just flip a coin...

If I were just reloading handgun ammo, the square deal B would be the obvious choice.

 

[blujax01]

I'm a huge Buckeye fan and as much as it makes me throw up in my mouth to say it:

"GO BLUE!!!!

 

[dd698]

Ill stick with my Dillon 550. It reloads fast enough for me. At this point I reload 45 acp only for 5- 45s including a S&W 625-8 revolver,a SIG 220, a couple of 1911s and a Ballester Regaud [1938 Argentine Border police]

 

[smokinwoody]

Thanks for the replies. Its about what I thought - People are happy with both. I'm leaning towards Dillan, but I may just flip a coin...

If I were just reloading handgun ammo, the square deal B would be the obvious choice.

I have 2 Dillon square deal B's..those are full progressive and are pretty accurate but like said do pistol cartridges..

I also have an RL550B that I came across years ago used in new condition...paid very little for all the Dillon stuff this guy had...he was getting out of reloading about as fast as he got into it...I think he needed the money...the 550 is a semi progressive and I can reload at least 500 rounds an hour...and this press takes whatever die you want to use...I have all my calibers setup with extra powder measures and tool heads...so all I have to do is pull 2 pins and presto changeo...then change the shell plate unless the caliber has the same base...

I have seen the Hornadeys and thought they were cool but Im still a Dillon user and forever will be..plus they have that no BS warranty policy....

 

[Sully]

Dillon 550B model here. Love the thing