Hornady progressive press experiences? VS Dillon?

[saki302]

At Raahauges I was checking out the Hornady progressive press unit- the guy told me they sell for around $500.

How do they compare to Dillon, and are they considered a good press? I like how the Hornady is supposed to be compatible with all standard dies. The quick release die holders are a neat touch, though it would be just as simple to unscrew a die if the lock collar was set.

-Dave

[armyguy209]

I researched the CRAP out of this. I first decided on the Lee classic turret press. After loading 150 rounds of .223 and seeing how time consuming it is, I decided in the long run the Dillon 1050 was the machine for me. I just got it up and running for the most part today. The thing is a tank. Many people compare the Dillon 650 to the Hornady LNL-AP. I don't think you can go wrong with either. Both seem to be highly praised.

[asm_]

I did a bunch research before making my purchase as well. I end up going with Hornady Progressive. As for the LNL bushing, I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor, considering all major reloading press mfgs has something similar. A quick change bushing (Hornady) or tool head (Dillon, RCBS, Lee) are simply convenience feature.

Both Dillon and Hornady has lifetime warranty for the original purchaser. I could be wrong, but I believe Dillon also goes beyond that and warranty the secondary market as well. Since I was buying the press new and have no plan to sell it, this was not important to me.

Considering both unit has similar features. At end of the day, it was the price that made the decision for me. Initial purchase cost for Hornady press was much lower, if I remember correctly, it was about half. For money I saved, I was able to purchase additional dies, powder and other crap I need to get my setup going.

In any case, I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

By the way, I believe RCBS and Lee also have their version of progressive presss. Search for the Youtube video to see either one in actions.

B

[HighLander51]

I picked up a Hornady LNL as product win from a match in the late 90's, had nothing but problems with it. Sold it to a buddy for half of what they cost new, got a Dillon 12 years ago and have run over 200,000 rounds on it with only a broken swing arm that was replaced the next day after I called.

[EL_NinO619]

I have both, they are all great machines. They all have minor flaws and kinks. LnL is cheaper, also cheaper to change over calibers and a little quicker/easier IMHO. But it will take tweaking to make it run perfect.

Dillons are great, but they can be EXPENSIVE!! They have a better priming system as far as force needed to prime. The Dillon casefeeder is better PERIOD. You will also have to perform minor tweaks to make perfect.

This is how I feel, if you don't want to spend a ton of money and you change calibers often, get a LnL. If you have the extra money get a Dillon 650, the 550 is not comparable (sorry 550 owners).

[alfred1222]

I run a LNL, but do all my brass prep on a hornady single stage. If you're loading primarily pistol, with only the occasional rifle rounds, a LNL is a good investment. If you're loading more rifle, a dillon is better. I'm buying a super 1050 in the next few weeks

[gemoose23]

Have you committed yourself to a Progressive? Is it a NEED or just a WANT?

All the Big Brands have great Customer Service.

IMHO. If you shoot more than 100rds a week, the initial equipment investment of a progressive over a single stage could be worthwhile. (Turrets are great in this area).

Also remember that having reloading equipment doesn't make ammo fall from the sky, all the supporting items have to on your shelf as well (Primers, powder, bullets, brass).

With that being said.. Dillon 550's aren't progressives, great press but not a progressive.

Dillon 650's and Hornady L-N-L AP are comparable. Both of them fully kitted, with case feeders end up being very close in MSRP. Dillon 650 have been around much longer so there are just more "users" of 650's than the Hornady LNL AP. The Hornady LNL-AP gets the nod, if you want a progressive, but aren't going full kitted from the beginning. It has $$ value on the base unit and allows for expansion.

My Info and Gear:
I am still pondering purchasing a Dillon 650 or a Dillon Super 1050, switching from my base model Hornady LNL AP. While adding a case feeder is a feature and option for the LNL AP, I want to see how the other side lives.

My other press is a Forster Co-Ax, amazing single stage.

[Bill Steele]

...With that being said.. Dillon 550's aren't progressives, great press but not a progressive..

Geez, you were doing so well, great post in general, until you said the above, the Dillon 550B is most certainly a progressive. It is indexed by hand (a feature many actually prize), but it is none the less a progressive. One round per handle pull = progressive.

To the OP's original question. The reloading market is very competitive. If one brand or offering was not worth what the company tried to sell it for, they would be out of business in no time. If you go in assuming that whatever anything costs is just about exactly what it is worth to the experienced reloader, you will be pretty safe. The above reality likely doesn't solve your particular problem.

If you post what you want to load, how many you shoot per week or month say, you will get very specific recommendations from guys here that have done it all. If I had to guess totally in the dark, I would say you need a Lee Classic Turret (if you are loading handgun and it is your first press).

The last thing I will leave you with is life is short so really, you should get what you want.

Apologies to Gemoose23, sorry I jammed you 2 days in a row.

[shooting4life]

I enjoy my hornady lnl ap. it has worked well for me so far. Though my round count is low compared to many others. Change over including priming is less than 5 minutes and most of that time is setting up the powder measurer, with multiple powder dies the time could be reduced. The powder measurer works great, very even drops. The priming system works well also. The only thing I hear people complain about is the case feader being hard to set up, I don't have a case feader but I will at some point. You can also get a bullet feeder but I prefer to look into the case for powder before placing the bullet.

[anhero]

I have a LNL, 550 and now a 650. I DETEST my LNL. I commend the folks that like them, but there are some things that just irritate me.

Having to constantly replace the spring that holds the cases in, having the powder drop come apart at the joints and having to take apart the last batch of bullets i just made, or the fact that the bushings unscrew themselves and having to take apart the last batch i just made, and the inconsistent seating depth. google that last one and see all the reviews.

I have since replaced the powder drop with a dillon powder drop. call Hornady and tell them you're putting a dillon trimmer on your LNL and they will send you a lock washer to prevent the dies from moving. Ask or buy enough for all your dies and save yourself the headache.

I do, however, love Hornady's bullet and case feeders and run them on all my presses. Their bullet feeder is affordable and cheap to change over.

round count:
LNL: 60,000 +/- (dedicated large primer)
550: 40,000 + (currently dedicated small primer / will be special runs only)
650: 0 (pending dedicated small primer / rifle prep)
1050: pending (dedicated rifle)

[drkphibr]

This is a Ford vs. Chevy discussion.

Each platform/vendor, as folks have stated, have both pros and cons. It will come down to what you like/want based on your needs. For example, a deciding factor for me on Blue or Red was (no intent for bullet or case feeding options for me) inserting brass/bullet and operating ram arm. For one vendor, all the brass/projectile handling is done with the left hand while the ram is operated by the right hand (my preference). The other vendor has the right hand operating the ram/arm as well as inserting brass. Wasn't my preference of operation, so to me, it was a factor. I prefer the rhythm of right hand ram, left hand brass/bullet, especially with having my brass/bullet trays mounted to the left side of the press. Simple/little things like that might make a difference to you, depending on the model(s) you're looking at.

Money is always a factor as well. When you have everything optioned to your satisfaction, there's not a huge difference in pricing (huge being a relative term). For example, I wouldn't spend $300 on a dedicated primer tube loading setup when I can buy a $50 Vibra Prime (or spend nothing and frustrate myself with the pickup tubes). Likewise, I wouldn't spend hundreds of dollars on a trimming setup when I can spend $25 on a Lee or Lyman setup that isn't as fancy, but gets the job done. But on the flip side, I'd buy a Thumler B to wet clean/polish my brass with stainless steel media and that alone is 1/2 the cost of a blue or red press. To each his or her own.

The big names stand behind their products. I have had the most incredible customer support from Lee and Hornady, regardless of the issue or who is at fault (usually me).

[shooting4life]

This is a Ford vs. Chevy discussion.

Each platform/vendor, as folks have stated, have both pros and cons. It will come down to what you like/want based on your needs. For example, a deciding factor for me on Blue or Red was (no intent for bullet or case feeding options for me) inserting brass/bullet and operating ram arm. For one vendor, all the brass/projectile handling is done with the left hand while the ram is operated by the right hand (my preference). The other vendor has the right hand operating the ram/arm as well as inserting brass. Wasn't my preference of operation, so to me, it was a factor. I prefer the rhythm of right hand ram, left hand brass/bullet, especially with having my brass/bullet trays mounted to the left side of the press. Simple/little things like that might make a difference to you, depending on the model(s) you're looking at.

Money is always a factor as well. When you have everything optioned to your satisfaction, there's not a huge difference in pricing (huge being a relative term). For example, I wouldn't spend $300 on a dedicated primer tube loading setup when I can buy a $50 Vibra Prime (or spend nothing and frustrate myself with the pickup tubes). Likewise, I wouldn't spend hundreds of dollars on a trimming setup when I can spend $25 on a Lee or Lyman setup that isn't as fancy, but gets the job done. But on the flip side, I'd buy a Thumler B to wet clean/polish my brass with stainless steel media and that alone is 1/2 the cost of a blue or red press. To each his or her own.

The big names stand behind their products. I have had the most incredible customer support from Lee and Hornady, regardless of the issue or who is at fault (usually me).

Good point regarding the left/right hand operation.

Another thing I forgot is how the lnl handles spent primers is great. They go through I drop tube right into the trash. It really helps reduce the mess which can clog any press.

Here is a great comparison of the presses on the market, anyone looking to buy an auto press should read this article

http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

[madjack956]

I havent owned anything but Dillon presses so I cant comment on the other brands.

As far as my Dilllons go, I own a Square Deal and a 550. I have had no problems with either press whatsooever. I used the hell out of the Square Deal years ago (late 80's - early 90's) and then loaned it out for about 14 years. I acquired it used originally, and its still going.

A friend gave me his 550 his ex left out in the rain, and after a few parts from Dillon (mostly free) and some elbow grease, I've been cranking some pretty nice rifle and pistol rounds out.

Dillons customer service has always been great.

Good luck in your decision, with all the great equipment out there, it always seems to be a tuff choice to make for someone buying their first press.

[asm_]

The only thing I hear people complain about is the case feader being hard to set up, I don't have a case feader but

Since I have a case feeder, I can assure you that it is not difficult to setup at all. Changing from .40S&W to 223 Rifle require 1. changing the delrin case pick up wheel inside the case feeder. It's a simple pull out and drop in deal. Take less than 2 seconds. 2) adjust the metal assembly that drop one case at the time to accommodate longer case of 223. Again, 30 seconds deal.

All said and done, it takes me about a minute to do the switch. Now, switching powder drop from .40S&W to 223 did took about 10 minutes. For that, I am considering buying another powder drop for rifle ammo.

B

[gemoose23]

Apologies to Gemoose23, sorry I jammed you 2 days in a row.

BAHAHA... My opinion is.. without the Hand indexing the 550B, it could be related, that the a Turret is also a progressive, since you could turn the turret after each pull resulting in the ammo slowly being formed with each hand index.

Yes, the 550b is much more elegant than a Turret, but adding bullet & case feeders to the 550b pulling the handle on the press, will not result in completed ammo, which the same applies to a turret press with Bullet and Case feeders.

It is my opinion that a progressive press.. you pull ammo and poof ammo falls out. I also think this was a reason why Hornady Labeled their Progressive press as "AP" for Auto-Progressive taking a direct marketing swipe at the Dillon's 550b.

And this was my 2 cents..