Upgrading from Lee to...

[SixPointEight]

I don't want to spark the whole red vs blue debate.

I've been loading on a Lee Classic turret. It's a decent press, and I've done pretty well with it. But I'm ready to move onto something more progressive for pistol and 223 loads.

I have experience with, and have loaded at tens of thousands of rounds on both the Dillon 550 and 650. Based on price and also ease of caliber conversion, I had determined that the RL550B would be the right press for me.

Then somebody whispered that I could run an LNL AP without case feeder for significantly less money, or with case feeder, and get a truly progressive machine for only slightly more than a 550B. I was concerned about caliber conversions, but after finding some YouTube videos, it seems that the LNL is equally as fast to convert at the 550B. Caliber conversion costs are much lower on the Hornady. I come up with ~$110 including 5 bushings, shell plate, and powder measure. On the Dillon 550b I'm seeing $150 for the quick change and caliber conversion.

Now, I worked at a store that sold Dillon products, so I know how the Dillon accessories work, I know what is "needed" to have an efficient setup (strong mount, bullet tray, case bin etc) and each of these items have costs that I know how to account for. On the Hornady, I'm not sure what else is needed other than the press, and shell plate. Which is why I thought I'd ask here if I'm missing anything.

So far:
550b 9mm/38 Super
Strong Mount
Bullet Tray
Case Bin
Caliber Conversion 40
Caliber Conversion 223 Rem
Quick Change Kit (40)
Quick Change Kit (223)
Quick Change Kit (38 super)
Primer tubes
=$985

Hornady LNL AP
9mm Shell Plate
40s&w shell plate
223 shell plate
10 pack Bushings
10 pack Bushings
Powder measure (40)
Powder measure (38 super)
Powder measure (223)
Primer tubes
=$775

[9mmepiphany]

I don't think you quite understand how the Hornady system works.

Caliber conversions are the bushings, a shell plate, a Quick Change Powder die, and a Powder Measure insert.

You don't need a separate powder measure for each caliber. You just have a pre-adjusted (to cartridge length) powder die that you move the powder measure into, then you install the pre-adjusted powder measure insert into the measure drum and you're ready to load

[AandO]

The neat thing about the 550 is the manual indexing forward and backwards ability for when, not if you need to do so.

I've owned both the 650 and 550 and to be honest, I kinda like the 550 better. And that for the reason stated above.

Although the 650 really produces, probably 50% more per hour.

Speed is no longer an issue for me

[jericho89]

For 150 on the dillion that better have a powder drop attached. I have 2 powder drops, one set up with a big bar (rifle) and one small bar (all of the pistols) it is 2 screws to move a powder drop and then adjust for your load (which I do every to prime I walk to a press even if it is set up with the caliber I want to run. That will drop your cost of conversions drasticly. You can also reduce cost by mixing and matching shell holes and pins an such, but I found it easier for me to pay the few extra dollars and have every part for the caliber.

As for case feeder they are nice and I personally would not give mine up. I run a 650.

[SixPointEight]

Guys, both are priced out with a powder measure for each Caliber. I know it's not necessary, but I prefer it that way for fastest and easiest Caliber changes

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[cindynles]

I went through the same thing, I just outgrew the Lee. The 550 was the better choice for me. I was lucky that I have a friend with the LNL and another with a 550, so I was able to try both. The thing that turned me off about the LNL was the "snap" of the shell plate, it spilled a lot of powder when loading 9mm.

[kylednf]

I upgraded from a Lee Classic Turret to the LNL and could not be happier with my decision. I actually use the Hornady powder measure for rifle and my Lee Powder measure for pistol.
The bushing system alone is worth going Hornady IMO.
I recently just got the Hornady 9mm bucket feeding die. It holds about 8-10 bullets and acts as a bullet feeder. All you are doing with your left hand now is feeding cases. (I don't have the case feeder)
You can get used shell plates on eBay for pretty cheap.
The thing I have learned from going to a progressive press is keeping it as clean as possible.

Also take into account the Hornady Bullet Rebate. Pretty sure you would qualify for 500 free bullets for a caliber of your choice. That's a significant amount of money that you would spend anyways. You do have to pay shipping though.

What brand of dies do you use? The lock rings on my lee dies got replaced with locking Hornady ones. Consider that into your total cost.

[poefernando]

i've been loading close to 20 years and my 550b made thousands of rounds and not a single parts broke(knock on wood)all original.

[SixPointEight]

Currently a mixture of Lee, RCBS, Hornady and Forster dies

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[gvbsat]

The first production press I had was the Lee turret first gen. Going from single stage to the turret was pretty awesome. I had some time on the 550 before, but back then my kids where young and I was married at the time, so my range days/training was about what you would expect at that time in life. So i didnt really need the production, and wanted to keep costs down. I loaded well over 100k rounds on that press. And when the ram started to get a little wonky, it was time to upgrade. Where I am in life now, kids are older, no nagging wife and my available range/training days are weekly; I upgraded to the 650 w the case feeder. Never looking back. The first day after set up, first time working that press I turned out 300 rounds in under :45 with no fuss. The primer system worked. The case feeder worked. The indexing worked. Smooth operation. I should have gone blue years ago. Ordering the 223 trim setup next month. I havent reloaded 223 for a while now with it so cheap. But if it is as easy as pistole, theres no reason not to. Besides, I figure I will get it before the ammo ban comes down here in PRK and beat the crowds and back ordering.

[SixPointEight]

Some good info so far. I think I'm going to stick with my first thought, the Dillon. I'm experienced with the machine, I know some of the tricks to run it pretty fast, I like that I can visually check powder while seating a bullet.

I really don't feel that auto-indexing makes a press faster unless you have a case feeder and bullet feeder anyways. My technique of the 550 was to pull the handle, lower the handle and prime all with one hand in the bullet tray. Let go of the handle, move the left hand to index the press while placing a bullet in the case. While doing that the right hand is grabbing a fresh case and feeding it in. It's actually a very efficient motion, and I've beaten Dillon's quoted loading rates many times. With that said, I did have a dozen primer tubes ready to go, so that really keeps the pace pretty quick

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[BajaJames83]

After playing with both side by side I had to go with the 550.
Everything about it just felt better.
-better quality
-simplicity
-not having to adjust, tighten etc all the time.

I have loaded tons with my 550 from 380, to 30-06 and the ease of use and maintenance keep me going back to it. I have a 1050 as well.....
I will never sell that 550

[RickD427]

I'll share all of the previous comments about the Dillon 550 press.

It's definitely a league above the Hornady and RCBS products and a couple of leagues ahead of Lee products.

The 550 may not be as fast, or have as many gadgets as the 650, but I see that as an advantage. "Fast" is not really a good thing when you're reloading. At the same time, the manual indexing of the 550 is a big plus.

I personally have found Redding dies to be a bit better than all of the competition (including Dillon). They make a set just for progressive presses (no belling die because that is done by the powder station) and a separate crimp dies. Dillon understands. They also sell Redding dies.

My only complaint about Redding is that they do not offer dies for large rifle calibers.

[SixPointEight]

I balled-out buying Redding dies for my 308(bushing sizing die and micrometer seating) but $100 die sets for pistol!!

With that said, what makes the Redding a better die than the Dillon? I know that Dillon dies have many features that are driving me to want to replace my Lee dies. Anti - corrosion plating, snap ring disassembly, reversible bullet seating plug, all dies can be disassembled and reassembled without losing adjustment etc

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[RickD427]

I balled-out buying Redding dies for my 308(bushing sizing die and micrometer seating) but $100 die sets for pistol!!

With that said, what makes the Redding a better die than the Dillon? I know that Dillon dies have many features that are driving me to want to replace my Lee dies. Anti - corrosion plating, snap ring disassembly, reversible bullet seating plug, all dies can be disassembled and reassembled without losing adjustment etc

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The Dillon dies are quite good and I'm sure that you would be happy with either.

I've found that the Redding dies are just a little better finished, and easier to make fine adjustment to. That "snap-ring" set up on the Dillon is a little too flimsy for my liking.