Help choosing press

[Furncliff]

I recently bought the Hornaday LNL AP after using a Dillon pistol caliber only press. I've been doing a lot of load testing and no AP press is good for that. But if you are set up and just making a batch of ammo either the blue or the red will do you just fine. I have come to prefer the way the Hornaday handles changing dies, and from what I've experienced so far the Hornaday powder measure seems to be more accurate. Killer deals on bullets when you by a Hornaday press or dies put the icing on the cake.

Bullet Deal...http://www.hornady.com/promotions/get-loaded

[yasushi]

One additional thought on the LNL. If you are just starting out and not ready for the progressive press you may want to take a look at the Hornady LNL "Classic" Kit which you can pick up for around $300 and is a complete kit including the single stage press, powder measure, scale, hand primer, other small accessories and a reloading book.

And when you do decide to move up to the progressive press later, the die/bushing setup are directly interchangeable between the Classic and the AP progressive so it's just a matter of moving them from one machine to another.

BTW, Cabela's was having a sale on LNL Classic kit for $250 and also had a free shipping promo so keep your eyes open, plus Hornady's free bullet promo is icing on the cake.

[xbimmers]

Dillon RL550B is all you need for life....

[21SF]

Let us know what press you get...

And post some photos.!

If you're ever down in Southern Cal you're welcome to stop by and test drive either of my Dillons...!

Dillon is one of those incredibly well run, quality companies. If Hornady is the United States Post Office; Dillon is Federal Express. (Lee's a joke)

I know they may be slightly more expensive; but they are number one in the shooting community for dozens of good reasons.

Bob

Very gracious offer thank you...

One additional thought on the LNL. If you are just starting out and not ready for the progressive press you may want to take a look at the Hornady LNL "Classic" Kit which you can pick up for around $300 and is a complete kit including the single stage press, powder measure, scale, hand primer, other small accessories and a reloading book.

And when you do decide to move up to the progressive press later, the die/bushing setup are directly interchangeable between the Classic and the AP progressive so it's just a matter of moving them from one machine to another.

BTW, Cabela's was having a sale on LNL Classic kit for $250 and also had a free shipping promo so keep your eyes open, plus Hornady's free bullet promo is icing on the cake.

No, i have enough decisions to make already!! lol

Dillon RL550B is all you need for life....

Thats what i keep hearing

[21SF]

I think im set on the LnL AP, been watching you tube videos all night. Im going to order the reloading manual now.

Hows the Hornady 8th addition?

[GeoffLinder]

It's a good manual, but I also recommend having more than one manual. Get the Lyman latest edition too.

[Fyathyrio]

I got the ABCs of Reloading and the Hornady manual to read before buying my press...between those two books I was able to make a bunch of .45 and .38, test them, and choose the correct load for my needs and weapons. I liked the Hornady book because it gave a range of loads with ballistic data...not just min/max. Made it easier to compare my results with theirs. I was able to see that my particular mix of components ran about 50 fps faster then theirs at the given powder levels.

[Oceanbob]

Are you also

I think im set on the LnL AP, been watching you tube videos all night. Im going to order the reloading manual now.

Hows the Hornady 8th addition?

Getting the case feeder..?....the LNL AP is a good press. The auto-indexing feature and extra hole up top will come in handy.

Are you going to MIDWAY to get it or buying it local?..

Post some photos !!

Bob

[21SF]

Ok ill look at the lyman as well as the ABC's that the Lee book ?

No casefeeder for now, im going through midway, definitely will post some pics.

Ill probably be loading .45 acp to start then rifle when i get some experience.

Ill probably post my (girl's) shopping list, here before hand.

[stphnman20]

The Lee book is different.

Also for data, download the bullet and powder manufacturer data.

[21SF]

Ok so here is what im going to order so far...

Hornady LNL AP
Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension Nitride 3-Die Set 45 ACP
Hornady Powder Cop Die (need something that works on rifle)
RCBS Chamfer and Deburring Tool 17 to 45 Caliber
RCBS Primer Pocket Brush Combo
Hornady Electronic Caliper 6" Stainless Steel
Hornady GS-1500 Electronic Powder Scale 1500 Grain Capacity
Hornady "Handbook of Cartridge Reloading: 8th Edition" Reloading Manual

After Christmas when everything settles down I'll get a work bench and a case tumbler.

Im I missing anything?

[tujungatoes]

I'd recommend at least one more manual. Always have more than one, so you can compare.

[Chief-7700]

Ok so here is what im going to order so far...

Hornady LNL AP
Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension Nitride 3-Die Set 45 ACP
Hornady Powder Cop Die (need something that works on rifle)
RCBS Chamfer and Deburring Tool 17 to 45 Caliber
RCBS Primer Pocket Brush Combo
Hornady Electronic Caliper 6" Stainless Steel
Hornady GS-1500 Electronic Powder Scale 1500 Grain Capacity
Hornady "Handbook of Cartridge Reloading: 8th Edition" Reloading Manual

After Christmas when everything settles down I'll get a work bench and a case tumbler.

Im I missing anything?

Yes you are missing a few items:
Tumbler
Brass
Bullets
Primers
Powder
Remember that progressive reloading machines are always hungry for components.
Each time I walk into the shop the XL-650 yells "Feed Me"

[Fyathyrio]

Check out www.manventureoutpost.com to compare prices. I've had good luck and saved some coin with them, and now they have a 5% sale going on with the code right on the webpage. It's easiest to search the site with manf part numbers.

I think I've read a few complaints about the Hornady scale...you may want to look into that further. That could be caused from bad setup location with wind or vibration or poor power supply also. I went with the Brian Enos elec scale for roughly $80 and I like it. It is a bit temp sensative tho, just gotta watch as I reload in the eve as the air cools off. Re-cal is quick and easy, I just ensure zero hasn't drifted before I weigh a charge. Battery life has been great also.

You will need a kinetic bullet puller...looks like a hammer. I like the Hornady one because it's collet (bullet holder) is one size fits all and the pieces are held together with a rubber O ring. Some others have multiple collets depending on what type round…more little parts to lose.

Look at the business end of the Hornady caliper, compare it to the business end of a Harbor Freight caliper and see if they look the same or very similar. If so, then save $20 or so and catch the HF one on sale. I know Dillon and HF look the same in the catalogs I've seen.

Check out Loadbooks USA for the calibers you reload. Cost about $7 and have all the reloading info for a specific round from the major bullet and powder companies in a handy book. This isn't a replacement for a manual or two, just a very handy resource once you have them.

Get a couple cans of the Hornady One Shot Cleaner/Degreaser/dry lube stuff. You will use a bunch getting the preservative oil off the press, plus it's handy to squirt on the dies and primer feed parts every now and then to preserve and lube.

The Frankford Arsenal tumbler kit with media separator...it's about $60 or so on sale. Has all the goodies to clean/polish/prep brass. Then hit the Petco for the crushed walnut lizard bedding to save a bunch on media.

Primer flip tray is right handy and cheap.

Some extra Hornady die bushings for future planned calibers...but you won't need them right away.

MTM makes nice boxes for putting your shiny new rounds in, there's also cardboard and styrofoam ones for cheap. It's nice to have an organized place to store the ammo you make.

Get at least one spare decap pin for each set of dies you buy. While pretty much every manf will warranty, it'd suck to have to wait a week or two for a replacement to come in the mail!

Chronographs are one of the best ways to scientifically evaluate your rounds, the CED Millennium 2 is popular, easy to use, and will auto download data to your computer via USB. I like mine! I put it on a inexpensive tripod that I weigh down with sand bags the wife made to keep the wind from blowing it over.

Basically, unless you have a good case of OCD, your reloading tools don’t necessarily have to match color. I have green bits and blue bits and orange bits to go with my Hornady red press.

[Fyathyrio]

Oh, also a few spare primer pick up tubes in both large and small can be nice. Just make sure they are for the LnL progressive, not the LnL single stage as they are different.

I've also ordered tons of stuff from Midway USA, GREAT customer service, for the few minor things I've had damaged in shipping they've sent out no questions asked and didn't require the broken one to be returned. They also maintain your invoice history for easy future reference. Usually they will win on a large order because of low shipping costs and lower total price even if someplace else has some of the stuff cheaper.