Changed to Hornady LnL AP from 550 Dillon.

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solman

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Well after much thought and fussing with my Dillon RL550B I decided to just get the Hornady. I have the Dillon over 20 years and it is a great machine. I hurt my right hand in a accident some time ago and it made feeding cases in the dillon painfull after 100 rounds or so. I added the Dillon casefeeder to my Older 550 but ran into one problem after another. After many calls to Dillon, some new parts and Modifications the casefeeder still does not feed 100%. Every few rounds the case doesn't align with the sizer die and you get a clunk and stoppage instead of smooth loading. I hate this, reminds me of an old loading press which I bought first 25 years ago. I read all the threads on adjustment and tried many times to make it right but still the problem persists. Also the casefeeder on a 550 will not do rifle or .380 and its also a lenghthy process to take it on and off.
The Hornady feeds cases and bullets from the left side and its a more spacious and open platform than the Dillon 550 is. This will not be any faster than my dillon I don't think but, should save my right hand some pain and discomfort in the loading process. I thought of buying the Dillon 650 but its a lot more money in the end with all the toolheads and changeover parts.
I may still keep my 550 for now and see how it all goes. If the Hornady really does it all, I might sell off all my Dillon 550 stuff to recover the costs of the changeover. I have a lot invested in my Dillon and was reluctant to make the switch but I couldn't stand it any longer.
 
Sorry to hear about your injury. I hope the left hand feeding on the LNL helps. I own a LNL and have loaded on a 550, both are good presses. I just prefered the operation of the LNL. If you add a Hornady case feeder, 9mm cases have a tendancy to bounce off the press. I have a very easy solution to cases bouncing off the press as they are fed from the case feeder. PM and I send you the info.
 
Solman, Sorry to hear your hand injury. The Dillon is a good press but not for all. I have the LNL-AP with the Brass feeder. Does speed up the reloading process greatly. The brass feeder is very touchy to get it running smoothly. One thing that helps a bunch is a bench that is solids and does not shake when you operate the press. Once dialed in it will fly. If you need any help in getting it dial in fill free to pm or email me.
 
I've always thought my Projector was slightly faster because I don't have to take my hand off the handle.
 
Well I just finished a batch of 380's with the LnL. After a few adjustments and tweaking it went fine. I did have the primer feed slide stick in the retracted position once I'm not sure why, but I'll write it off to the break in of a new tool. I don't have a case mouth expander for the Hornady press yet as the dillon uses the powder measure station to flare the case mouth. This did slow my reload speed somewhat so I can't say it was any faster then the dillon, but this wasn't my goal in changing loading presses. I did not have any discomfort in my right hand as with my dillon. I Will load some 223 tomorrow and see how we do. I don't flare the case for rifle and boat tails are easier to start and seat than the small round nose bullets I was loading today. I love the auto index in the Hornady, but after 23 years with my Dillon I have to get use to feeding brass and bullet with the same hand. Its funny how much muscle memory plays into the things we do all the time.
 
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You'll get used to it. I have found when loading 223 and extruded powder, you have to delay at the top to make sure the powder has enough time to flow. Its then when I am grabbing my next bullet first then a case. Because it is easier to set the case in the shell holder using odd fingers than it is to seat a bullet.
 
Thanks to both of you for the links. The expander looks good and I will order one this week. The handle is an interesting idea that I have never seen before. I made my own strong mount and raised the press 8 inches. This height worked out well for me with the standard work bench height. I attached a couple of pictures of it. Its just 2 six inch square plates and a piece of 1 1/2 box tube welded together.
 

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That powder funnel will not work as a PTX, it only flare the mouth. The PTX is design to expand the brass uniformly down to give you a consistent neck tension.

Solman, you need to grease the press ram. To do this correctly you run the ram up to the top then grease. This puts the grease grove where it will fill. Once you feel resistance run the ram up and down before remove from the zerk fitting.
 
I have a LNL.

The ball style handle end was causing me a lot of pain in my right hand/wrist. I removed the ball and fabricated a roller style handle. So much more pleasant to run the press I cannot even describe how much more comfortable it is.

DO NOT USE A BALL TYPE HANDLE end if you are arthritic. Regards,

Nail
 
I also suggest that you use Hornady's PTXs as they will expand and bell the case mouth. When using a PTX, be sure to also use the powder stop that should have come with your press as this makes adjustment of the PTX much easier. I also suggest using the RCBS Lockout Die for safety. The picture below shows the items that I have set up for each caliber that I load for so changing from one to another requires no adjustment (powder stop not in photo).

LNLAccessories.jpg
 
I too, am sorry to hear of your hand issues.
I love my 550, but I hope the LnL works perfectly for you.

There's no such thing as an item that's an end-all, be-all for everyone.


Just my 2¢
 
Thanks to all for the responses and concern. BYJO4 how does the lockout die work? does it stop the press on a powder error or is it just a visual checker? Can you use the same one for all calibers? Once I get it all running smoothly I will add to it. I'm having a bit of stumbling getting used to a new system. Wow it stinks getting old!
 
solman said:
Thanks to all for the responses and concern. BYJO4 how does the lockout die work? does it stop the press on a powder error or is it just a visual checker? Can you use the same one for all calibers? Once I get it all running smoothly I will add to it. I'm having a bit of stumbling getting used to a new system. Wow it stinks getting old!
Click to expand...
The lockout die will stop the press if there is a relatively large error in charge volume. It is not a visual check. I have one and like it quite well.
Getting old is not for the faint of heart.
 
Unfortunately you will find that the priming operation on a LNL requires 2 to 3x as much force as it does on the dillon. If you have a bad right hand that will be problematic.
The angled roller handle may help lessen the effect of this.
 
Solman, if you want another one I have a new, unused, still in the box LNL I'll trade you for the 550 and you can sell off the case feed before the swap.
 
I have an RCBS Lockout die set up for each caliber simply so I don't have to readjust when changing calibers which I do frequently. My lockout dies will stop the press if the powder charge is about 2 gr. plus/minus from the desired charge.
 
Thanks Jo4.
Morris I will be keeping the Dillon for the time being, thanks.
 
>>>I did have the primer feed slide stick in the retracted position once I'm not sure why<<<

Take the primer slide out and run an emery cloth over the edges. A little graphite helps too.
 
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