Progressive press question

[alfsauve]

Hornady AP

Dillon probably has it on long term dependability and customer support. However, the Hornady has it on versatility. So if you do a number of one off things, you'll find the Hornady more easily adaptable.

Since you Lock 'n Load the dies one each, when you need to do something, like just resize brass, it's no problem. (For my competition rounds, I resize them first. Then chamber check and inspect them. Finally go back and do the rest of the steps.)

I haven't gone back and counted but based on bullets ordered I'm at the 75,000 level on my Hornady. If/when I buy a second press it'll be a hard decision as to which.

If you're interested, it's a 5 years old, here's my thread over at DRTV on my installation and recommendations with Hornady. By the way, I created my own round counter several years before they came out with theirs.

Tips for using the Hornady Lock N Load AP (LnL) Progressive Press

 

[Feinwerk]

My Hornady works well, as did my Dillon. Neither is perfect. Both companies are helpful, as is Lee. Sorry if this does not decide for you, but I think that you will be happy with either the Hornady or the Dillon. Hornady has some very nice rebates.

 

[MyDogReese]

You get what you pay for...

I have had a number of "C" type, turret, and progressive presses over the years and since I want to spend my time loading and shooting, I always want a reliable, easy to use system. As a rule, when you add options and components the reliability goes down. That rules out the two Lee Progressives.

I have used the Hornady, but not with all attachments on board. It is well made and dependable. It is nice that you can start out basic (albeit expensive) and add more and more features and it produces nice ammo. I have loaded from .223 to .475 Linebaugh and have been pleased.

Someone mentioned the Dillon 650XL. This is another outstanding, reliable press. A friend of mine has four (he doesn't like changing calibers) and he can turn out 300 to 400 rounds an hour on each one without breaking a sweat. Again, he keeps it simple: Case feeder, but no bullet feeder, etc.

I have had five Lee presses. Their smaller, simple presses work fine. In fact I have two of their handheld presses that I use on occasion that I really love. Their turret press (non-progressive) seems to work fine, too. It is the Load Master and Pro 1000 that are unacceptable.

I purchased a Load Master (with all the trimmings) about 10 years ago. Setting it up was painful. None of the parts fit together properly and it wouldn't index correctly. I could never get the bullet feeder to work and the powder feeder worked sporadically; something too dangerous to tolerate. Several call to support (who were nice) about the bullet feeder and case loader yielded the recommendation, "Don't use them. Most people never buy them."

I can understand the bullet loader, but the case loader? And when Support tells you not to buy some components, well, that's the end of the line.

Last year, on a lark, I finally got the press to index, albeit without any options on board. But, unless I slam the handle down every time, it won't index and form cases properly. Complete waste of money.

MDR

 

[growr]

Not wanting to argue anything but I've heard that 90% thing for every shooting group in the world. I must only know the 10 percenters as more of them have Hornady, Lee and RCBS than they do Dillion.

This came from USPSA's latest member magazine where they surveyed competitors at the National Championship...I did not make it up or hip shoot this...

Randy

 

[phils]

I have a Hornady progressive which works great and is several years old.
I also hear wonderful things about Dillion, their quality and customer service.

IMO they all make quality goods and provide good service.

 

[fredj338]

This came from USPSA's latest member magazine where they surveyed competitors at the National Championship...I did not make it up or hip shoot this...

Randy

Sim stats coming from 2015 IDPA Worlds. He isn't questioning the data, only that it means anything. I travel in national competition circle, most guys/gals are using Dillon. Maybe he doesn't travel in those circles so his exp is diff? Out of say 50 shooters competing at a high level, that I know personally, all use Dillon. They may also have a Lee or other, but that is what they started on & since bought the Dillon.
This is anecdotal, but worth mentioning. One of my friends is an accomplished machinist, owns his own business. He bought a LNL, all the bells & whistles. After many hours of tinkering, machinist have to measure & tweak everything, he has it running pretty damn smooth. He spent many hours on It, back & forth with the Hornday engineers. After running 100 on my 650, he was impressed. He fell into one cheap & now also has that. He has told me many times, hands down it is a better built machine. Better priming, stiffer ram & more leverage. He used to like the idea of bushing dies until he got a press with tool head. Now he prefers the tool head, nothing to come loose. It's all personal preference, but there is a diff in precision & design features. If you use both, it's readily apparent. As long as you are reloading, it's all good.

 

[Sawfish]

I have owned a Hornady Projector press which is the predecessor of Hornady's current progressive for twenty something years. Very durable and serviceable press. I have loaded many thousands of rounds on this press, both rifle and pistol, with no problem. I have also owned a Dillon, which was also a nice press, but I like the additional station on the Hornady. I do believe that Dillon has the edge on the powder measure, so I use a Dillon case actuated measure on my Hornady press. If you do not need the speed of a progressive, the Forster Co-Ax press is a great press for accuracy reloading, If you just need a bull strong press for case forming, the Lyman Crusher will get the job done.

 

[Snolan4571]

1991 Dillon RL550b

Not much to say. 1,358,750 rounds in 17 calibers of pistol/rifle. Only thing I can't load on it from my inventory is .50 BMG for my Barret.

Only one rebuild by Dillon and it cost me freight each way. Even the primer tubes are free if you hang a primer in one. They are proud of their equipment and safety conscience at the same time.

Not the cheapest product but as is said- you get what you pay for.

 

[5thcommjarhead]

That does it. Maybe I'm listening to a bit too much conservative talk radio. When I saw the headline "PROGRESSIVE PRESS QUESTION" I immediately thought it was about the MSM being in the bag for liberal Democrats.

 

[THEWELSHM]

you made me do it

thewelshm

 

[Carrier]

This came from USPSA's latest member magazine where they surveyed competitors at the National Championship...I did not make it up or hip shoot this...

Randy

Hi Randy not saying that you did. But this quote always comes up when someone is talking about getting a press especially when its a Hornady. There is no doubt that Dillon makes one of the best presses. All I'm saying is most of the shooters that I know who compete in IDPA or IPSC use presses other than Dillion.
Now I'm in no way saying that Dillion doesn't have a huge piece of that market as well just know that where I'm at they don't.
If I needed to reload thousands of pistol rounds every week then a 1050 is what would be needed. But for the few hundred every week or two that I shoot the LNL I have has worked flawless.

 

[bbcappilot]

RCBS Single Stage

I'm new to reloading (about a 1000 rounds reloaded) and purchased an RCBS single stage press for loading .45 and 9mm/.380 bullets. I can easily produce about 50-60 rounds an hour after about an hour of tumbling the brass. There have been, though, times when I wish I did have a progressive press. This is especially true when I have 200 - 300 rounds to reload. My RCBS is a very good beginner's press. The only complaint is the primer catch. It has a tendancy to miss about 10% of the ejected primers. I have made one modification to this press and is the main reason I would get a Hornady progressive with the Lock'n'Load system. I installed a Lock'n'Load adapter and it has made switching between 9mm/.380 to .45 so much more efficient. If I were to start again I would go straight to the Hornady progessive with Lock'n'Load. My only concern would be a steep learning curve for those new to reloading.

 

[Carrier]

I'm new to reloading (about a 1000 rounds reloaded) and purchased an RCBS single stage press for loading .45 and 9mm/.380 bullets. I can easily produce about 50-60 rounds an hour after about an hour of tumbling the brass. There have been, though, times when I wish I did have a progressive press. This is especially true when I have 200 - 300 rounds to reload. My RCBS is a very good beginner's press. The only complaint is the primer catch. It has a tendancy to miss about 10% of the ejected primers. I have made one modification to this press and is the main reason I would get a Hornady progressive with the Lock'n'Load system. I installed a Lock'n'Load adapter and it has made switching between 9mm/.380 to .45 so much more efficient. If I were to start again I would go straight to the Hornady progessive with Lock'n'Load. My only concern would be a steep learning curve for those new to reloading.

I put a LNL bushing on my Rockchucker and sure made loading on it much faster.