Most used progressive presses

According to a poll of 2,070 people by Ultimate Reloader, users of progressive reloaders said they use the following presses the most:

1. Hornady LNL (37%)
2. Dilllon 550 (17%)
3. Dillon 650 (17%)
4. Lee LM (9%)
5. RCBS Pro 2000 (3%)
6. All others (17%)

Are these findings any surprise to you?

 

I would have expected the Dillon 550 to be number one.

 

Loaded - me too, but if you add the 550 + 650 = 34%, which kind of surprises me, since it still falls short of the LNL.

Does anyone have anything bad to say about the RCBS? You always hear the Dillon vs. Hornady debate, but I never hear anything about the RCBS. Their dies, powder measures, single stage presses and other stuff is top notch, I wonder how their progressive is.

 

Just about what I'd expect. I've read two reviews that compared Hornady LNL and Dillon 650 loaders, which stated that they are pretty much equal in every respect, with Hornady having a slight advantage in ruggedness, usability, and powder measure reliability, as well as a fairly significant price advantage.

I had about made up my mind to get a Dillon 650, but the reviews and the price difference changed my mind.

Lee came off a poor third in almost all respects. That's pretty much reflected in the ownership stats: 37% Hornady, 34% Dillon, etc.

 

For me, the surpise is that the RCBS Pro 2000 is so low. It is not a new press, so that is not a factor in the poll.

 

I wonder how the responses would differ if the LNL and 650 were compared when both had a casefeeder? The LNL's weakpoint is when you add the casefeeder. Also there can be priming issues with the LNL.

My guess is that the survey is just indicative of the people that filled out the survey: I know there are many, many Dillon owners who don't care about the internet, forums and surveys!

 

I cant believe that this blue versus red recial war is still alive and well even after all this time.
Wow...

 

lol..............Numbers don't lie... the truth hurts...Hornady LnL is better!

 

Yes, I am a bit surprised. I would have expected to see the Dillon 550B to be number one. Doesn't Dillon advertise it as the "best selling progressive on the market"? Not too surprised by the 650, but thought it might have been a bit higher. The Lee LM with 9% must be the number (out of 100%) that actually worked when shipped from Lee. Or maybe the LM is being used as something other than a reloading press. It makes a fine paper weight, or as an example of why you should buy quality for example.

 

Yes, I am a bit surprised. I would have expected to see the Dillon 550B to be number one. Doesn't Dillon advertise it as the "best selling progressive on the market"? No too surprised by the 650. The Lee LM with 9% must be the number (out of 100%) that actually worked when shipped from Lee. Or maybe the LM is being used as something other than a reloading press. It makes a fine paper weight, example for example.

 

You can't buy a Dillon at any of the big box sporting goods stores or catalogs so that may influence the numbers.

 

that's like saying a honda civic is the best car on the road because more folks drive them

that was my first thought. if you know nothing about reloading and set out to buy a progressive press without doing some research first, you'll most likely end up with a hornady. they seem to work for a lot of folks, so whatever.

 

It’s really starting to remind me of a bunch of 5 year old kids. “My daddy is bigger that your daddy.”
I bought my Dillon XL650 long before Hornady made a decent progressive press. And I have never been sorry. If you guys want a L-N-L, go for it. But don't tell me it has advantage in ruggedness, usability, and powder measure reliability, because that is just B.S.

 

Going to have to agree with M/S, but I fall in the #6 category , give me a LnL, RL550 or a XL 650 and it'll hit the classifieds asap BTDT.

I honestly think their poll results are to do with the type of traffic they get, I figure that if the poll was put to other forums it would provide a different result

 

Scheels sells both the Dillon 550B and 650, so they are available at "big box sporting goods stores". Most gun shows I've been to have had Dillon dealers around.

 

Without knowing anything about their sampling methods, the poll means nothing. I wouldn't read anything into it or consider it a valid indication of anything other than what those that frequent Ultimate Reloader (whatever that is) and chose to respond to the poll use. Are they an actual representative sample of U.S. reloaders? Don't know. Can't say. Unsafe to assume so.

I don't even know what "Ultimate Reloader" is so saying that they are representative is probably a stretch.

 

But Scheel's is a regional chain and nowhere near the size or scope of a Cabela's or Bass Pro which I would consider a "big box". Sportsman's Warehouse carries Dillon as well, but since their bankruptcy their market share and market penetration is miniscule as well.

My LGS can order anything I might want. He STOCKS Dillon. I've never used a Hornady, but it would have to be pretty spectacular to get me to give up my 550b. I do actually see another 550 in my future in fact, though I might actually look at a LnL since either one will be permanently relegated to .223 duty.

 

What? They got 2k-ish responses on what I guess is a website and you think that is representative and that I'm some kind of imbecile because I don't know, or really care, what it is.

 

NeuseRvRat
"that's like saying a honda civic is the best car on the road because more folks drive them"

lol......thanks for the laugh.

 

A year or so ago the stats from a national IDPA competition had the stats on equipment used by the competitors.

Regarding reloading presses:

Dillon 199
Hornady 8
Lee 14
RCBS 9

It looks like where the question is asked has a lot to do with the outcome.

 

i have no idea how representative their results are. i just think it's funny that you would write something off simply because you've never heard of it.

 

LNL is used more according to this survey. That doesn't necessarily translate to 'better'. I suspect it has something to do with the convergence of good quality and competetive price that puts it on top of this popularity list.

 

i've never heard of Scheel's. doesn't matter what they sell, gotta be junk.

 

Production sales numbers would tell the true story, I'm sure those are available somewhere.