Thinking about upgrading presses

[johnnymg]

JMO, but I would recommend a Dillon 550 or 650.

I have the LNL with case feeder and my brother has both Dillons. My LNL has been somewhat problematic compared to my brothers Dillons. Note, that all of the progressive presses are somewhat tricky to setup and get running 'right'.

good luck with whatever you get.
JohnG

 

[fredj338]

If the speed is not a factor, just stay where you are. Progressives are for speed, why they wre made. I am NOT a Lee guy, don't care for their stuff, but the turret press is a decent press. Their progressives are sad, but many like them becuase of cost. All produce the same level of ammo.
Your powder drops can be made better by switching to a an adjustable measure. It will give you more range. Don't let the OCD get to you on OAL, a variation of 0.005" is pretty normal, bullet noses vary that much & using mixed brass always causes minor variations.
The LNL is an ok press, I have run my buddy's a bit, & if you never want a case feeder & like auto indexing, go for it. You may have to tweek the priming system a bit, but it's workable. I like the 550 a lot, very versital & the manual indexing is no slower than the LNL. If yo umust have a case feeder, the 650 is a better press, hands down. Equipped the same as the LNL, it's less than $100 more & worth it IMO. Better priming, better case feeder. The powder measure is accurate to 0.1gr with all ball & most flake powders. Stick powders in ANY measure are going to cause issues.
In the long run, equip is cheap, even the best setup is a cup of coffee a month over 20yrs of reloading. Good equip will last long enough to pass on to your kids or grandkids.

 

[JJP161]

Ok I have to admit I am rather intrigued by the Dillon 650. But with that said trying to figure out what I need on the website is complicated and it seems that caliber changes are pretty complicated and time consuming on the 650. So I'm guessing I will be well over a $1000 for everything?

I load or plan on loading the following

40 S&W
45 ACP
9mm
.223
.308

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

If you dont want to go full progressive, check out the Redding T7 turret press. If you wish to step into a progressive the Dillon 550 is a great choice.

I up graded,IMHO, to a first addition REDDING turret years ago and have never been sorry. Priming is done off press as is powder-- I am sure the T7 IS JUST AS GOOD. I use a BOSS for my rifle loadings--

 

[TexasRider]

Ok I have to admit I am rather intrigued by the Dillon 650. But with that said trying to figure out what I need on the website is complicated and it seems that caliber changes are pretty complicated and time consuming on the 650. So I'm guessing I will be well over a $1000 for everything?

I load or plan on loading the following

40 S&W
45 ACP
9mm
.223
.308

Probably more than that depending on what you have already and/or what else you have to buy.

A 650 with the case feeder, a couple of shell plates, and some mild accessories will go over $1200 with out the dies and conversion kits.

But I would not let that change your mind as the 650 is a great machine.

If you load all of that on a regular basis I can see 2 650s in your future .

 

[TexasRider]

The caliber changes are not that tough. And one way to make them even easier is to purchase the separate priming systems and powder measures so it all goes on a set. It is also faster to change. It is also more expensive .

My next stop at Dillon is going to be the auto primer filler. Nice - but it cost a bit too.

 

[chief38]

I recently about 4 months ago upgraded from a Dillon Square Deal B that I had for 30 years to my new Dillon XL650. The only thing I am upset about is that it took me 30 years to do the upgrade! The machine is just wonderful, cranking out high quality and consistent ammo in record time. I would highly recommend it and think that it is a step above the Hornady presses - but admittedly that is a personal opinion.

I also have an RCBS Rock Chucker that I still use for 38-55 and 45-70 rifle cartridges. With those two cartridges I load only a few hundred a year and actually like loading them slowly and carefully as they do contain large amounts of powder. Since I only shoot a hundred or so of them per year there is no need for speed and I truly do enjoy doing those by hand. I even use a Lee Auto Primer tool to install new primers in them.

 

[blujax01]

...
So anyway, overall I'm happy with the Lee Classic Turret Press and the speed at which I can produce ammo. I guess what I'm curious to know is if I upgraded to a Hornady Lock-N-Load® AP press would I see more consistent powder throws and an overall higher quality reloads than I'm producing now. I know it is capable of producing a lot more ammo an hour but I'm not wanting to do that. I like taking my time so the speed is not a factor.

Thank-you in advance for the advice and insights,
Joe

No need to throw out the baby with the bath water.

Keep the press if you are happy with it.

I believe the RCBS UniFlow powder measure is just the ticket. But, you must remember to "season" it like the instructions say. Open 'er up and put a pound through before you load anything. And make sure you get the one with the small cylinder (9002). The large cylinder Uniflow (9010) is for rifle loads, 15 - 115 gr., and the small cylinder conversion kit (9004) is a $35 add-on with a 6 week lead time.

$85 most places and sometimes RCBS has a rebate.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I had problems with the Auto-Disk Adjustable Powder Charge Bar being accurate, so I just use the disks instead. I find that Unique, Win231, Bullseye, HP38, AA #5 and Power Pistol work really well.

Agreed. I've been running LTC's since they came out and have a few observations .
Yes, The adjustable can give varying results. I've had much more consistent results with the disks. Even with a notoriously hard powder to measure like Clays (which is flaked) I can usually hold to within a tenth of a grain or so. That said, I fund a couple of secrets to help me get that accuracy.
First, Try to keep the powder measure topped off with a consistent reserve.
Use firm and quick strokes to run the press when ever possible. This shakes the powder measure a little with each stroke.
Try to position the measure so it swings outside of the turret radius. Again, this helps shake /settle the powder with each stroke.

I tuck a small strip of anti static dryer sheet into the hopper and capture the end between the hopper and cover.

I'd try these things and retest before getting another press.
Even then , there are ways to adapt other brand measures to the LTC.

 

[JJP161]

I haven't had a chance yet to try out all the great tips you guys have given me but will hopefully have a chance this week. Sounds like the OAL is within acceptable allowances and that the powder drops will get worked out with the tips you guys have given me. I do find that the disks give more consistent results but sometimes the disk is in between the grains I'm looking for so I try the charge bar. With that said I still really like the LCT press my biggest question was just overall quality of reloads. Is there really a noticeable quality difference in the ammo I will produce from a Lee or a Dillon or a Hornady? Or what are the advantages of say the Hornady over the Lee?

If I were to make a change I would probably lean towards the Hornady Lock-N-Load® AP just because of the price. I've seen them for $425 locally. One feature I do like with the Dillon and Hornady is the powder check. Is there a similar item available or adaptable for the LCT?

 

[Bkreutz]

I haven't had a chance yet to try out all the great tips you guys have given me but will hopefully have a chance this week. Sounds like the OAL is within acceptable allowances and that the powder drops will get worked out with the tips you guys have given me. I do find that the disks give more consistent results but sometimes the disk is in between the grains I'm looking for so I try the charge bar. With that said I still really like the LCT press my biggest question was just overall quality of reloads. Is there really a noticeable quality difference in the ammo I will produce from a Lee or a Dillon or a Hornady? Or what are the advantages of say the Hornady over the Lee?

If I were to make a change I would probably lean towards the Hornady Lock-N-Load® AP just because of the price. I've seen them for $425 locally. One feature I do like with the Dillon and Hornady is the powder check. Is there a similar item available or adaptable for the LCT?

The Dillon powder check requires an extra open position on the die plate. It will screw into any standard press hole. The Dillon is a 5 position press. I think the Lee is 4 (but I'm not sure, my Lee turret is so old it's only a 3 hole).

 

[MajorDude]

I picked up a Classic Turret last year on sale to replace my aging three hole Lee Turret, and I have to say it has become my go to press. I don't try to use it as a progressive though. I prefer to prime off press to feel the primers seat, and I take the bar out so I can manually index it. I like to inspect all my charged cases in a block before seating any bullets. I have a 550B that I have used for competition loads in 45 acp and .223, but my needs have changed and I tend to load in shorter runs these days and I like how fast you can change calibers with the Lee. The Dillon is a fantastic press, a pain to change caliber with. I have also had trouble with the adjustable charge bars' consistency with Unique and have gone back to the disks which are working out well. I have a Redding competition powder measure, the Dillon powder measure and two Lee measures and they all have problems with Unique. As others have said, keep it full of powder, use consistent technique. I use the dryer sheet trick and I also washed mine well with dish washing soap and let it dry without rinsing, which I think has helped with static. There is nothing wrong with your equipment. The Lee CTP is a great press, maybe just not great as a progressive. You give something up in safety and accuracy, in my opinion, to get progressive speed.

 

[rwsmith]

Is there a good time for a few knocks?

Finding a routine of knocks on a powder measure when the powder chamber is being filled before it drops can reduce weight variations.