Charlie98
Member
I remember when that thing was released... I seriously considered getting one. The 'no sale' part was the proprietary dies... I went with the ProJector instead.
help picking a press
- Thread starter JO JO
- Start date
I remember when that thing was released... I seriously considered getting one. The 'no sale' part was the proprietary dies... I went with the ProJector instead.
Howland937
Member
I've observed 3 squibs in my life. One was a .357 Mag load my dad made on a Rockchucker. First he'd ever had (or admitted to) but he's definitely starting to slip in various life functions when attention to detail is required.
Another at a match, when the guy was loading ammo at the last minute. 9mm loaded on a Dillon 650 with no powder cop or low charge indicator.
3rd was my own. 9mm, Entirely my fault, on my LNL AP. Had loose powder in the tray with finished rounds. Found the round missing the primer and primed it. No way of knowing how much powder fell out, but thought I'd try it and see if it worked. Yes, by that time it was a controlled experiment since I knew exactly which round was faulty. (Hint, pulling a bullet is definitely easier than unsticking one from a barrel).
Point being, paying attention is pretty important.
CQB45ACP
Member
Okay I hear you, sounds like you know what you're comfortable with, but I was actually asking OP.
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,294
How was it? My Brother and I went in 50/50 on our first one. I still have it and the other one we bought so we never had to convert priming systems.
It's nuts to think about how much more than $130 it has cost them to support those machines, as long as I've had them. One of them has been shipped to them twice for refurbishment and the only thing I have paid for was shipping to them. Now I just email Gary with what I need and it shows up in a few days.
I like it, just don't understand how it works, from business perspective.
Charlie98
Member
Actually, it's a very smart business model. If you buy a SquareDeal, for example, and get good service out of it, you are likely to upgrade/expand with Dillon products in the future. Dillon has a brand loyalty other manufacturers would die for... I call them the Dillon Moonies, and I don't mean that in a disparaging way. Much like HK Moonies, Glock Moonies, or any other brand that has rabid support for it's product.
Wildbillz
Member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2010
- Messages
- 1,024
300 rounds a month total or 300 rounds a month of each caliber?
300 rounds total I would get a good single stage and not worry about it. 300 rounds of each caliber (1200 rounds total) a month I would be looking more toward the progressive press. This pistol stuff will load fast on a progressive. I find the rifle stuff to be a pain to reload on a progressive due to the case lube. So with the rifle calibers I end up using a single stage.
But that's just me. Your mileage may vary
WB
Now you know why I don't get involved in "what press to buy" Just like brass cleaning
But here in order. Lee Challenger single stage, Lee Classic Breech lock, Lee Classic Turret, Rcbs 2000 (sold it), Hornady Lnl AP
I don not need a lot of ammo but I do load a lot of calibers, the LCT is the easiest and cheapest to switch over calibers for me.
Dillons business model is not about reloading presses. They make great machine and charge enough up front to cover any repairs.
Reloading is a side line for them. They make money with government contracts and weapons systems!
Blue68f100
Member
When you start setting it up and run into problems there are several of us that can walk you through any problems you may run into.
I've helped a couple of friends set up their Hornady LNL presses. Things I always recommend to improve your experience:
1. Inline Fabrication: Ultra Mount and Ergo Handle (Short)...I've also added other IF accessories, but they can wait
2. KMS (squared): UFO Reloading Press Light system
3. Braggin Rights Precision: Pawl Adjustment and Primer Slide Adjusting kits
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BJung
Member
If you are new and don't like the hobby of handloading, will be a reloader, and want to shoot. I will suggest a Hornady L&L. My reason is because you can set up all the dies on a plate and just change out the plate and alternate between cartridges. I suggest keeping your powder away from your press and alternate your powders one at a time. You don't want to put pistol powder in your rifle cases.
To let you know. I use an RCBS single stage Rockchucker press. I assemble mostly test loads and the time taken to adjust dies for 5-10-15 test loads each for a progressive is not worth it. Assembling 300 rounds is not impossible. I can have 3 trays of 100 and load them up.
To let you know. I use an RCBS single stage Rockchucker press. I assemble mostly test loads and the time taken to adjust dies for 5-10-15 test loads each for a progressive is not worth it. Assembling 300 rounds is not impossible. I can have 3 trays of 100 and load them up.
lordpaxman
Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2011
- Messages
- 2,443
The LNL was my first progressive, I still have it and load various calibers on it. I highly recommend the RCBS Lock Out Die, not the powder cop die. You should be visually verifying a powder drop but a lock out die can double check you. Some calibers became higher volume so I added an RL1100 for those. Have fun with the LNL and don’t forget the free bullets!
When I am not taking a medically-enforced leave from the bench, I can easily load 300 rounds a month using an RCBS Reloader Special press. After all, that's just 10 rounds per day.
If the OP wants a progressive press, that is up to him, but it is not necessary to incur the cost for that number of rounds.
If the OP wants a progressive press, that is up to him, but it is not necessary to incur the cost for that number of rounds.
pert near
Member
I say start with a single-stage press - new or used. If you go the volume route later, you'll still keep the single forever. I suggest a nice RCBS, Redding or Lee in that order. 300 rounds is a pleasant evenings or 2 of reloading. Don't over think this.... JIMHO
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I bought a single stage C press first because it was cheap and what I could afford. However there‘s really no advantage from a learning stand point especially with the LNL. Put in one die and treat it like a single stage. When you finish that process swap out dies, easy to do with LNL, and do the next process. Then as you gain experience any combination is up to you. Single step, or resize and prime and expand, or resize and expand only w/ prime off press, powder on or off, then seat and crimp. Or any combination that makes sense to you. I resize all my 9mm in a single step mode so I can do chamber check and primer pocket exam. Put in all the dies and the reload in full progres mode.
Mike P Wagner
Member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2018
- Messages
- 68
I thought a lot about this a decade ago when I loaded 45 LC on a Lyman turret press a friend loaned me.
I am about to get back into reloading, and I will definitely go with a progressive - mostly because I think that I would have to be significantly more boneheaded to create a squib load or a double charge on a progressive press with a powder check die than on a single stage or turret press.
The way that I look at it, creating a squib or double charge on a progressive press with a powder check die is going to require mechanical errors with two mechanisms simultaneously - and a bit of stupidity on my part.
To do the same on a single stage or turret requires only a bit if stupidity on my part - there is no mechanism needs to fail.
When I was loading 45 LC on the Lyman, I had a flashlight and a protocol, and I used Trail Boss - or some other powder that was fluffy enough that a double charge was impossible - so I never had an issue.
But I would rather have the mechanical backup.
I am about to get back into reloading, and I will definitely go with a progressive - mostly because I think that I would have to be significantly more boneheaded to create a squib load or a double charge on a progressive press with a powder check die than on a single stage or turret press.
The way that I look at it, creating a squib or double charge on a progressive press with a powder check die is going to require mechanical errors with two mechanisms simultaneously - and a bit of stupidity on my part.
To do the same on a single stage or turret requires only a bit if stupidity on my part - there is no mechanism needs to fail.
When I was loading 45 LC on the Lyman, I had a flashlight and a protocol, and I used Trail Boss - or some other powder that was fluffy enough that a double charge was impossible - so I never had an issue.
But I would rather have the mechanical backup.
