I've been relaoding .223 on a Lee Classic Turret Press for about 7 years now. I have finally decided to start reloading 9mm and .45 acp. I am considering getting either the Hornady Lock n Load with the case feeder or the Lee Loadmaster. I don't shoot as much as I would like anymore mainly due to time. I am lucky if I make it out every few months. Those same time constraints are the reason I am considering a progressive press. With my situation would you spend the extra money on the Hornady or go with the Lee? Is it stupid to even get a progressive press with how little I shoot? How is the bullet feeder on either machine?
Debating Progressive Press Purchase
- Thread starter Ryegye
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Not a progressive press user but, with the little research I've done, I would go with a Dillon (I know that wasn't one of your choices). I've been reloading for many years, single stage, turret (and Lee Loader 
) and online in forums for mebbe 12 years. The majority of complaints I've read about progressive presses is the Lee needs a lot of "fiddling" to get it going. Not so many complaints with the Hornady although whenever anyone says "progressive", most think Dillon...
) and online in forums for mebbe 12 years. The majority of complaints I've read about progressive presses is the Lee needs a lot of "fiddling" to get it going. Not so many complaints with the Hornady although whenever anyone says "progressive", most think Dillon...
thomas15
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While the OP is looking into buying a progressive press and asking for opinions on what to get, this poster is stocking up on popcorn.
jmorris
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I have had most all of them and have made them all work well. With the exception of the Lee bullet feeder but the Hornady one worked fine on the Loadmaster.
The Dillon's take the least amount of knowledge, time and understanding to keep them operational, the Lee would be at the other end of the spectrum and the others somewhere in between. As you migh have guessed the Dillon's cost the most and the Lees the least, the rest fall in between.
No free lunch when it comes to progressives and everyone is different. I could pick one for you about as well as I could pick out a pair of shoes for you. Too much depends on you as to what's best.
The Dillon's take the least amount of knowledge, time and understanding to keep them operational, the Lee would be at the other end of the spectrum and the others somewhere in between. As you migh have guessed the Dillon's cost the most and the Lees the least, the rest fall in between.
No free lunch when it comes to progressives and everyone is different. I could pick one for you about as well as I could pick out a pair of shoes for you. Too much depends on you as to what's best.
Dog Soldier
member
I would not recommend the LEE Progressive to a novice in this type of press. If you want a fast and easy to operate press for handgun ammo go DIllon. Check out the "Square Deal B" press. This a simple reloader. Buy the optional stand for mounting to your bench.
2bfree
Member
Keep in mind the Square Deal by Dillon is for handgun only, no rifle.
Blue68f100
Member
I've had my LNL-AP going on 10 yrs now I think, lost rack of time. As with anything mechanical it takes time to learn it's in and out. None of them are perfect, Dillon has it own set of problems as the LNL-AP. Lee I rate below these, more temperamental. With proper setup they all can run smoothly. I do have the brass feeder on mine and I asked my self what took me so long to add at. It can be the most problematic, if not setup correctly. I load 9mm, 45acp, 38/357 pistol and 223R, 458SOCOM, 308W and Rem 7mm Mag.
If you decide to move to the Dillon 650, there is not a lot of price difference for the initial press. The difference is caliber conversion, Dillon being more expensive. And most add powder dispensers to there tool head to save them time in swapping, expensive doing it that way. With the LNL-AP it's very easy to swap over.
If you decide to move to the Dillon 650, there is not a lot of price difference for the initial press. The difference is caliber conversion, Dillon being more expensive. And most add powder dispensers to there tool head to save them time in swapping, expensive doing it that way. With the LNL-AP it's very easy to swap over.
I have been around Dillon( 550b and 1050). Hornady AP and Lee load master. They all have problems and solutions. For that they are equal. The Dillon is the smoothest and I would rate the hornady a bit smoother than the Lee. I'm going to give the ease of changing over to Lee by a long shot. Also value for your dollar goes to Lee by a long shot. The more calibers the more you save with Lee over the Dillon and hornady. I have a 550b and a load master, also could have gotten a used 1050 from my dad for free without the calibers I shoot. Yet I find I just leave the load master on the bench and am perfectly content. The only thing I don't like about the Lee is the useless second die station. It really needs to have one more die station with that set up of priming on the upstroke.
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AR-Bossman
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I just put together another LnL AP setup. I love it. It feels much better than the one I got last year (used) that was already a couple years old.
thomas15
Member
From the OP the choice is between a Load Master and a LNL-AP with casefeeder.
There is a huge price difference between the Lee and the Hornady. You can probably get everything you want including dies in a Load Master for about $300.00
The Hornady is going to cost $389.00 for the press, about $30.00 for a shell plate, $335.00 for the case feeder, $30.00 for the small case feeder insert. This is $785.00 and does not include dies. So a bit over $800.00 for a Hornady with case feeder.
Food for thought. Consider the Hornady without the case feeder. That would bring your price to about $450.00
A lot of posters are brand loyal to one thing or another and have strong opinions. But do a search on this and you will see that most (not all) fans of Lee Precision are cautious about recommending a Load Master. I have a friend that has one and it works for him but he is constantly tinkering with it. My main press is the Hornady and I have very few problems with mine. But I'm just some guy on the internet. If you could find someone local that has the presses and would allow you to try them it would be a good idea.
Free internet advice and microwaveable popcorn. What a time to be alive.
I have the Hornady LnL AP and Loadmaster currently set up on the bench. Between the two examples I have, the Loadmaster has been the better press. Yeah, I just typed that.
I bought the LnL three or four months ago. Nothing worked on it out of the box. I don't mind setup and adjusting. Most of the time I take apart new machines and study them before using them anyway. Good thing since timing was adjusted way off and powder measure was assembled wrong. Shouldn't have to do much modifying to get something to function, though. The priming system required Dremel time before it would function. Interesting that most posters who use the LnL have the caveat, "I prime off press anyway". Always laugh when I read that. My subplate and three shell plates (ordered all at same time) were warped. Called Hornady CS and it went something like this: me...I think shell plate #45 is warped and #8 is warped and ....CS interrupts: Sir, that's not possible. me: just send me a RMA for press. I'll send it to you and you can send me one back that works. CS: ok then! Got back the same press with new subplate, new hub drive and three new shell plates. I'll give'em credit for finding the other warped parts. New subplate has different priming problems. LOL at LnL on that one. The LnL inserts don't all lock and load either. Two of them don't lock. Dies pop out. I'll fix that since Hornady CS is, what am I looking to say?, not really interested in problems?
The Loadmaster priming has been flawless. Works all the way to last primer. Press Worked out of the box after setting up dies. Bullet seating attachment worked well, but added much more effort to work handle. Miner mods to improve operation: polished all bearing surfaces, penny mod to brass feeder, screw mod to powder measure disk, solid mount to bench, polished head of primer ram, use universal die in station one with sizing die in station two with decapper removed (aligns case to insert primer), put nylon fishing line in threads of tool head knurled knob, continually check shell plate knurled nut. But, it worked out of the box. Have loaded many thousands in last 2-3 years.
With that said I can't recommend one press over the other. The LnL didn't work out of the box and has been a lot of time and trouble to get to work. I don't think this is the usual occurrence with LnL, or the Loadmaster either. I know I would not give full price for the LnL! Mine was $303 delivered to my door. Top that off with 500 free bullets that I was already in the market for and I have $150 in my LnL. Hornady CS is not spectacular but they do get the job done. So even with the possibility of problems you'll eventually get a working press. The major difference for me is that the LnL cams over. On the Loadmaster you push against a wall. Only a problem with 9mm, really. I've developed a bad habit of pushing hard against that wall to get decent OAL. Which the Loadmaster does not perform well at, COL. My arthritic right shoulder prefers the cam over of the LnL, and better COL.
Enough thumbing keyboard on this iPad and rambling along. Pick your poison. They both work. You may need to be a little more mechanically inclined on Loadmaster. More observant on LnL as with it you could easily double powder fill a case. Two different systems you'll have to put in the time to learn.
Think I'll try the XL650 next. :gasp:
I have the Hornady LnL AP and Loadmaster currently set up on the bench. Between the two examples I have, the Loadmaster has been the better press. Yeah, I just typed that.
I bought the LnL three or four months ago. Nothing worked on it out of the box. I don't mind setup and adjusting. Most of the time I take apart new machines and study them before using them anyway. Good thing since timing was adjusted way off and powder measure was assembled wrong. Shouldn't have to do much modifying to get something to function, though. The priming system required Dremel time before it would function. Interesting that most posters who use the LnL have the caveat, "I prime off press anyway". Always laugh when I read that. My subplate and three shell plates (ordered all at same time) were warped. Called Hornady CS and it went something like this: me...I think shell plate #45 is warped and #8 is warped and ....CS interrupts: Sir, that's not possible. me: just send me a RMA for press. I'll send it to you and you can send me one back that works. CS: ok then! Got back the same press with new subplate, new hub drive and three new shell plates. I'll give'em credit for finding the other warped parts. New subplate has different priming problems. LOL at LnL on that one. The LnL inserts don't all lock and load either. Two of them don't lock. Dies pop out. I'll fix that since Hornady CS is, what am I looking to say?, not really interested in problems?
The Loadmaster priming has been flawless. Works all the way to last primer. Press Worked out of the box after setting up dies. Bullet seating attachment worked well, but added much more effort to work handle. Miner mods to improve operation: polished all bearing surfaces, penny mod to brass feeder, screw mod to powder measure disk, solid mount to bench, polished head of primer ram, use universal die in station one with sizing die in station two with decapper removed (aligns case to insert primer), put nylon fishing line in threads of tool head knurled knob, continually check shell plate knurled nut. But, it worked out of the box. Have loaded many thousands in last 2-3 years.
With that said I can't recommend one press over the other. The LnL didn't work out of the box and has been a lot of time and trouble to get to work. I don't think this is the usual occurrence with LnL, or the Loadmaster either. I know I would not give full price for the LnL! Mine was $303 delivered to my door. Top that off with 500 free bullets that I was already in the market for and I have $150 in my LnL. Hornady CS is not spectacular but they do get the job done. So even with the possibility of problems you'll eventually get a working press. The major difference for me is that the LnL cams over. On the Loadmaster you push against a wall. Only a problem with 9mm, really. I've developed a bad habit of pushing hard against that wall to get decent OAL. Which the Loadmaster does not perform well at, COL. My arthritic right shoulder prefers the cam over of the LnL, and better COL.
Enough thumbing keyboard on this iPad and rambling along. Pick your poison. They both work. You may need to be a little more mechanically inclined on Loadmaster. More observant on LnL as with it you could easily double powder fill a case. Two different systems you'll have to put in the time to learn.
Think I'll try the XL650 next. :gasp:
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Captaingyro
Member
If you have enough money for a Dillon 650, get two Hornady LNL's. With the free bullet offer the price is about the same.
I have the Hornady, and a good friend has the Dillon. Neither of us has many problems with our respective press, and the warranty service for both seems about equal. They produce ammo of equal quality as far as either of us can tell.
I have the Hornady, and a good friend has the Dillon. Neither of us has many problems with our respective press, and the warranty service for both seems about equal. They produce ammo of equal quality as far as either of us can tell.
If you're just thinking about adding 9mm and 45, I would consider thinking about a Pro1000. I don't think they are much more than $160 or so and come set up with dies. Heck, you could get one for 9 and 45 and still be way cheaper overall. Keep the Classic turret for the rifle rounds.
ny32182
Member
If you are looking at spending over 800 bucks, save up another 100 and get a 650.
Thanks for all the replies. I will give Dillon a look again. I originally dismissed them awhile back because of the cost to change calibers. I will only load three calibers on it max for now so I guess it would not be too bad. Does Dillon or anyone else have black friday deals on Dillon presses?
OP, in re-reading your original post, I would just add to the LCT press you already have. If you only get out to shoot every few months then it doesn't sound like you need mass quantities of ammo. You would add dies and tool heads to your LCT. The dies you will still need for the progressive press you will eventually buy. The tool heads for the LCT are cheap so not like it's much of an investment to stay with the LCT a little longer. Load a little here and there along the way should make plenty of ammo for that 'every few months' you get to shoot.
Loading on the LCT is relaxing to me. The progressive reloading is work. I use the progressives to keep up. My wife will come home from work some days and shoot hundreds of rounds off the back deck. She grabs rounds out of my reloading room in 1000 round ammo cans. That P938 suits her. She would shoot it all day.
Loading on the LCT is relaxing to me. The progressive reloading is work. I use the progressives to keep up. My wife will come home from work some days and shoot hundreds of rounds off the back deck. She grabs rounds out of my reloading room in 1000 round ammo cans. That P938 suits her. She would shoot it all day.
Cannibul
Member
I've got both a Dillon 650 XL and a Hornady LnL AP.
Both are good presses. Both work. Both companies have great customer service.
If I was in the market for another progressive press I'd probably go with another Hornady due to it having an additional station.
Both are good presses. Both work. Both companies have great customer service.
If I was in the market for another progressive press I'd probably go with another Hornady due to it having an additional station.
greyling22
Member
Between loadmaster and hornady, get the hornady.
I can't speak to the hornady, but I moved away from the loadmaster to the Dillon 650. I liked the loadmaster, parts of it are brilliantly designed, but I could never get it to work quite right. The priming gave me fits, and I did everything the internet said to do as far as tweaks and getting updated parts from Lee. I got rid of it before Lee released the new primer tray, so I don't know if they finally fixed it for good.
So I bought a Dillon 650. and (assuming Lee was working 100%), the lee was like a Gerber knife, and the Dillon a benchmade. It is just a more expensive, nicer smoother press. I went with Dillon over hornady because it was cheaper. That's right. The Dillon was cheaper. That's because I took some of the best parts of the Lee press and Incorporated them into the Dillon. I bought a 650 and added the lee case collator to the back of the press, then sold the Dillon powder system and bought 2 Lee auto drums. It works awesome and was significantly cheaper than the hornady with case feed. And since I'm using a powder drop attached to the toolhead, and I'm staying with small primer cases, caliber swaps are a breeze.
If you are not going to get case feed, I'd look at the other Dillon presses. Square deal and 550b. Or the hornady.
I can't speak to the hornady, but I moved away from the loadmaster to the Dillon 650. I liked the loadmaster, parts of it are brilliantly designed, but I could never get it to work quite right. The priming gave me fits, and I did everything the internet said to do as far as tweaks and getting updated parts from Lee. I got rid of it before Lee released the new primer tray, so I don't know if they finally fixed it for good.
So I bought a Dillon 650. and (assuming Lee was working 100%), the lee was like a Gerber knife, and the Dillon a benchmade. It is just a more expensive, nicer smoother press. I went with Dillon over hornady because it was cheaper. That's right. The Dillon was cheaper. That's because I took some of the best parts of the Lee press and Incorporated them into the Dillon. I bought a 650 and added the lee case collator to the back of the press, then sold the Dillon powder system and bought 2 Lee auto drums. It works awesome and was significantly cheaper than the hornady with case feed. And since I'm using a powder drop attached to the toolhead, and I'm staying with small primer cases, caliber swaps are a breeze.
If you are not going to get case feed, I'd look at the other Dillon presses. Square deal and 550b. Or the hornady.
Ha! Nice try. Read on down to the arthritis part.
I've seen your videos. You make anything run like a top. I'll get this LnL running. 9mm on the LnL, .45acp and .223 on the Loadmaster. Rifle on Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Breechlock. LCT is boxed up waiting on my son to come get it.
Wait, your Loadmaster is not in a box. It's in your videos. Running like a champ.
springer99
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- Feb 3, 2007
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I went from using a Lee LCT press to the LnL AP some months ago, and can't say a bad thing about it. To be honest, although the Lee Turret press has been a great reliable tool to use, too much bad press about their true progressive presses turned me off. Yes, I'm mechanically apt but the Lee progressive presses just seem to be a bit too "fiddly", and I'm not that tight with my bucks. I did look closely at Dillon, but their SDB presses would have made me buy all new dies(not a small item), their 450 didn't index automatically(kind'of a step backwards in my view), and the 550 was really more than I needed. The LnL AP, which I found on sale and came with 500 free XTP's, was right in my sweet spot.
I have a Hornady L-N-L, a Dillon SDB, a Dillon BL550 and a RCBS Pro2000. I like them all for the purposes that I use them for. They all have their advantages, idiosyncrasies, and aggravations.
I probably use the Hornady the most because I like being able to install dies individually in different positions depending on the task at hand. For instance, sometimes I load a small quantity of a test load and I do not bother to set up the on press powder measure. I'll move the bullet seater and crimper to different position in the press to minimize powder spilling.
Also, I find it easier to store the dies individually as opposed to mounted in a tool head. Dies with the L-N-L bushing installed work well in either RCBS or Lyman die boxes if one of the saddles next to the box clasp is trimmed.
That said, choose the press whose color best matches the decor in your reloading room. It will serve you well.
I probably use the Hornady the most because I like being able to install dies individually in different positions depending on the task at hand. For instance, sometimes I load a small quantity of a test load and I do not bother to set up the on press powder measure. I'll move the bullet seater and crimper to different position in the press to minimize powder spilling.
Also, I find it easier to store the dies individually as opposed to mounted in a tool head. Dies with the L-N-L bushing installed work well in either RCBS or Lyman die boxes if one of the saddles next to the box clasp is trimmed.
That said, choose the press whose color best matches the decor in your reloading room. It will serve you well.
bbqreloader
Member
Rye, re read your post, how much do you shoot anyway? I load 40 45 and 9mm, but if it was just me shooting I would have stayed with my Rock Chucker and called it good. But since it is a buddy and I that load and shoot 2 to 3 times a month, bought the LNL.
If you find yourself getting to the bench a few times before going shooting, have fun doing it and still provide enough ammo for your experience, then stay your single stage.
Would it be an option to buy the dies for the 9 and 45 first and see how much you do actually use them?
I bought the LNL, after looking at others and found a great deal on it, because I am fortunate to be able to get out to shoot as much as I do.
I like my LNL, took some time to learn it, had a few problems along the way, but the people here at THR gave me some good advice and I have worked thru them. I do not have the case feeder, IMO thought it was over priced and a simpler tube like the new RCBS design should be an option.
If you find yourself getting to the bench a few times before going shooting, have fun doing it and still provide enough ammo for your experience, then stay your single stage.
Would it be an option to buy the dies for the 9 and 45 first and see how much you do actually use them?
I bought the LNL, after looking at others and found a great deal on it, because I am fortunate to be able to get out to shoot as much as I do.
I like my LNL, took some time to learn it, had a few problems along the way, but the people here at THR gave me some good advice and I have worked thru them. I do not have the case feeder, IMO thought it was over priced and a simpler tube like the new RCBS design should be an option.
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