Reloading Press Questions

[nubrun]

Single stage press is fine for that volume. I have sold everything but my RCBS Rockchucker. Yes not many Lee on the used market - why? because they are cheap and not worth reselling. Dillon are a lot of money and it will take you forever to save enough to zero out your investment vs buying new ammo. 9mm almost isn't worth reloading as you can buy reloads for very little more than your price for components.

[MrElectric03]

I’d suggest starting with a manual as you will need it anyway.

As for presses, if you are worried about going too fast or overcharging a round I would suggest the 650 over the 550. You can’t double charge on a 650, on a 550 you can. If your concern is cost, then yes I’d go with a 550. Caliber conversions and toolheads are plentiful and fairly priced on eBay and it can run any standard dies, and can even run a casefeeder if you decide to add one later.

Also, nothing wrong with starting on a progressive if you are disciplined enough. You will still need a single stage for simple tasks. The 550 is capable of loading 22-250 for a bolt gun but all of my bolt gun rounds are loaded on a single stage, primers seated by hand, powder weighed by chargemaster. The progressives do make case prep nice if you are prepping a lot of brass but again I prefer everything done on hand trimmers for bolt actions.

[XDJYo]

[RestrictedColt]

I started with a Hornady LNL AP and have stuck with it for almost all my reloading. I do all your calibers and a bunch more. I can't say it's better than a 550, but it's faster and cheaper. One of my buddies does precision .223 on his LNL and gets great OAL and concentricity measurements from it.

I started out doing one at a time to learn and quickly moved into full progressive. I then added shell & bullet feeders and can crank out 100 9mm in under 10 minutes without trying. Without the feeders I think I was at around 15 minutes with minimal effort and 20 minutes at a relaxed cruising pace. When I'm doing .338WM I usually do them one at a time for various reasons, but they can be run progressively.

The only caliber I don't do on it is .25acp because it would require a custom $135 shell plate, and I like to hand weigh the charges so the progressive is kinda pointless.

It's hard to beat the prices on cheap commercial .223 and 9mm, but it can be done. All the others are no-brainers. The other advantages are having another ammo source, being able to tailor your ammo, and the pride of accomplishment.

[nubrun]

I started with a Hornady LNL AP and have stuck with it for almost all my reloading. I do all your calibers and a bunch more. I can't say it's better than a 550, but it's faster and cheaper. One of my buddies does precision .223 on his LNL and gets great OAL and concentricity measurements from it.

I started out doing one at a time to learn and quickly moved into full progressive. I then added shell & bullet feeders and can crank out 100 9mm in under 10 minutes without trying. Without the feeders I think I was at around 15 minutes with minimal effort and 20 minutes at a relaxed cruising pace. When I'm doing .338WM I usually do them one at a time for various reasons, but they can be run progressively.

The only caliber I don't do on it is .25acp because it would require a custom $135 shell plate, and I like to hand weigh the charges so the progressive is kinda pointless.

It's hard to beat the prices on cheap commercial .223 and 9mm, but it can be done. All the others are no-brainers. The other advantages are having another ammo source, being able to tailor your ammo, and the pride of accomplishment.

I have a 650 coming tomorrow that I am going to mount next to my Hornady LNL AP. I'm curious how they run side by side. My biggest complaints with the LNL is it seems like I constantly run into little hangups if it gets even slightly dirty. Like the case feeder rod will pop out of hte detent, or when it drops will bounce off the feeder slide. Another one is if the primer shuttle gets even slightly dirty, it won't feed a primer and then I end up with spilled powder which effects the indexing... When it runs it runs good, but when it starts to have little issues it gets annoying. I also had to modify the case feeder with a kydex piece to prevent a shell from jamming up the feeder plate.

[Revoman]

It seems that from what I'm reading from the OP, his mind is made up to get a 550. He is well versed at shotshell loading and likes to reload.
Dillon has a great press and great service. I too load shotshells and like to reload.
It's a slam-dunk. I would buy used if possible however, you usually get a little more bang for the buck, but be sure to look at the product closely. If it is unkempt, watch out.
Have fun with your 550!

[RestrictedColt]

I have a 650 coming tomorrow that I am going to mount next to my Hornady LNL AP. I'm curious how they run side by side. My biggest complaints with the LNL is it seems like I constantly run into little hangups if it gets even slightly dirty. Like the case feeder rod will pop out of hte detent, or when it drops will bounce off the feeder slide. Another one is if the primer shuttle gets even slightly dirty, it won't feed a primer and then I end up with spilled powder which effects the indexing... When it runs it runs good, but when it starts to have little issues it gets annoying. I also had to modify the case feeder with a kydex piece to prevent a shell from jamming up the feeder plate.

That'll be interesting.

I solved cases bouncing off by putting a little piece of tape on the drop tube to 'trap' the case in front of the slide while the ram is up. Just scotch tape hanging half way off the tube on the side facing the shell plate.

I had the rod pull off a few times and don't remember what the cause or solution was for sure, I think I just had it too low and it wasn't far enough into the plastic thing.

The primer shuttle can be finicky and it has caught me too, but you're supposed to be feeling them seat and stop if you don't feel resistance.

My case feeder has worked great with 9mm and .223, haven't tried others. I've used the pistol bullet feeder with pistol and rifle bullets and it works great.

[Red9]

Question?
LNL seems like it needs fiddling? Not to be like that. But... My 550 never needs tweaking.
Ok, the powder knobs sucks, but a 3d printer helps.

That'll be interesting.

I solved cases bouncing off by putting a little piece of tape on the drop tube to 'trap' the case in front of the slide while the ram is up. Just scotch tape hanging half way off the tube on the side facing the shell plate.

I had the rod pull off a few times and don't remember what the cause or solution was for sure, I think I just had it too low and it wasn't far enough into the plastic thing.

The primer shuttle can be finicky and it has caught me too, but you're supposed to be feeling them seat and stop if you don't feel resistance.

My case feeder has worked great with 9mm and .223, haven't tried others. I've used the pistol bullet feeder with pistol and rifle bullets and it works great.

Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk

[RestrictedColt]

Question?
LNL seems like it needs fiddling? Not to be like that. But... My 550 never needs tweaking.
Ok, the powder knobs sucks, but a 3d printer helps.

Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk

The 550 isn't an auto progressive so it's not at all comparable. My feeders aren't a standard Hornady set-up which may be a factor. The majority of the issues I've had were with getting the feeders to work right. There is one issue that's probably not because of the mods, but not sure. The primer shuttle issues I've had come almost entirely from powder in the mechanism or damage caused by ignoring a problem. Note to self, don't let your friend run your AP press without verifying he has a knack for it. On the upside, I got to experience Hornady customer service. When I called Hornady to buy the parts he broke they wouldn't let me. Sorry you were able to break our product, you should have new parts in a couple days.

All APs are more likely to have issues than a manual. Some people get one that works perfectly no matter who's it is, including the low $ Lee, and even if you spring for the most expensive AP it's common for them to need some tweaking and force acceptance of imperfect operation at least on occasion. They all have common issues and different DIY fixes.

I have no particular bias towards the Hornady, it's just what hit me as having the best balance of all factors combined. If I'd been planning to run feeders from the start I would have looked harder at the 650 before deciding, but without feeders the LNL was a no-brainer.

[XDJYo]

The 550 isn't an auto progressive so it's not at all comparable. My feeders aren't a standard Hornady set-up which may be a factor. The majority of the issues I've had were with getting the feeders to work right. There is one issue that's probably not because of the mods, but not sure. The primer shuttle issues I've had come almost entirely from powder in the mechanism or damage caused by ignoring a problem. Note to self, don't let your friend run your AP press without verifying he has a knack for it. On the upside, I got to experience Hornady customer service. When I called Hornady to buy the parts he broke they wouldn't let me. Sorry you were able to break our product, you should have new parts in a couple days.

All APs are more likely to have issues than a manual. Some people get one that works perfectly no matter who's it is, including the low $ Lee, and even if you spring for the most expensive AP it's common for them to need some tweaking and force acceptance of imperfect operation at least on occasion. They all have common issues and different DIY fixes.

I have no particular bias towards the Hornady, it's just what hit me as having the best balance of all factors combined. If I'd been planning to run feeders from the start I would have looked harder at the 650 before deciding, but without feeders the LNL was a no-brainer.

I love Dillon for the press first and foremost, and secondly for their warranty/support.

I purchased mine 2nd hand and even though I've had some teething issues, they've sent out replacement parts and answered every question I've had quickly and promptly! All of the techs I've talked to have been very friendly and knowledgeable about the process too. Not some, 1-800 "Sure, I can help you with that Mr. XD. Let me consult my handbook while I give you a canned answer....Hmmm....Please hold...hmmm...I'm sorry Mr. XD, please call another division who is now closed. They are open between 12:00 and 12:30 am M-Tues..."

Just about every time I've either ordered items or they sent out a replacement part, it has arrived within 2 days. Minimal downtime. Awesome!

[nubrun]

The 550 isn't an auto progressive so it's not at all comparable. My feeders aren't a standard Hornady set-up which may be a factor. The majority of the issues I've had were with getting the feeders to work right. There is one issue that's probably not because of the mods, but not sure. The primer shuttle issues I've had come almost entirely from powder in the mechanism or damage caused by ignoring a problem. Note to self, don't let your friend run your AP press without verifying he has a knack for it. On the upside, I got to experience Hornady customer service. When I called Hornady to buy the parts he broke they wouldn't let me. Sorry you were able to break our product, you should have new parts in a couple days.

All APs are more likely to have issues than a manual. Some people get one that works perfectly no matter who's it is, including the low $ Lee, and even if you spring for the most expensive AP it's common for them to need some tweaking and force acceptance of imperfect operation at least on occasion. They all have common issues and different DIY fixes.

I have no particular bias towards the Hornady, it's just what hit me as having the best balance of all factors combined. If I'd been planning to run feeders from the start I would have looked harder at the 650 before deciding, but without feeders the LNL was a no-brainer.

I agree 100% about Hornady customer service, they have sent me parts no questions asked. In fact last night I just busted a pawl and the index gear on the bottom and Hornady is already sending the parts. I had a primer that the resizing die didn't punch all the way out and wedged between the shell plate and the press locking it up. I was in a rythm and heard the "pop", and wasn't even applying much force. The benefit of having two LNL AP's is I can scavenge parts from the one I'm not using while the replacement parts come.

Its been a good press for the most part, I've probably loaded 20k rounds on it and have only broken 3-4 parts.

One other issue that I forgot to note is that I had to glue a washer under the primer station in the press. The piece that inserts the primer into the case had put an indentation in the press body resulting in primers not being inserted fully and rounds that wouldn't go off without a second primer strike. Easy fix, but it seems like a poor design that is well known.

I think I'm going to do a full side by side review of the LNL and 650 after I have about 3k rounds loaded on the dillon. The price point of the LNL is more attractive but is it really a better price for what you get...

[tonyjr]

I will say Lee kind of sucks in the warranty dept .
Way to long to get a plate for the 45 ACP . As I said earlier , when
you buy something for reloading or press - get 2 .
Lee is good for sending decapping / sizing pins . If we buy new it will
be another loadmaster .
Free , I / we take anything . Changing brands - it would have to be
really cheap .
I have 6 nephews and 2 nieces that reload here and their reloading
friends are here , seems like at least once a month .
Most are surprised when changing calibers. Pop out die holder , maybe change plate , adjust for powder drop and go for it .
I / we deprime and reprime off press .
I have extra tubes for bullets and cases already loaded / filled .