Newb Hornady Progressive Question

[sisyphus]

so years ago when I was a bird hunter I loaded my own shells, but I have zero experience with reloading cartridge ammo.

Decided I would like a progressive loader and started to do the homework. Early on in my homework it seemed that no one was unhappy about buying Dillon, and I was leaning that way. However when reading about the Hornady Lock n Load AP they make it sound like due to the bushing system you can swap out your dies in a couple of minutes. That sounds perfect because my interest is in producing my own 357 and 41 ammo.

Do I have that right, changing from 357 to 41 is just a matter of switching dies, changing whichever feed parts in the system that aren't shared between the two calibers, readjust the powder drop and I'm good to go? Because if so then the Hornady is definitely the way for me. Thanks for your feedback.

 

[cfullgraf]

Yes and the shell plate as well.

I have a Hornady L-N-L Progressive and like the bushings. Many folks prefer the tool head system that Dillon uses. You have a tool head for each cartridge. You swap out the tool head and all dies are swapped at the same time.

 

[sisyphus]

so that makes it sound like the Dillon is just about as easy to switch calibers as the Hornady. I'll take anything you guys have about using one of these for two calibers, just want to make sure I invest in the right setup for what I want to do. Thanks

Yes and the shell plate as well.

I have a Hornady L-N-L Progressive and like the bushings. Many folks prefer the tool head system that Dillon uses. You have a tool head for each cartridge. You swap out the tool head and all dies are swapped at the same time.

 

[Reeferman]

Are you wanting to load a lot of one caliber or many calibers? Pistol, rifle or both? It’s going to make a difference which progressive press you get on what you plan on doing.

 

[sisyphus]

just 357 magnum and 41 magnum pistol

 

[lordpaxman]

so that makes it sound like the Dillon is just about as easy to switch calibers as the Hornady. I'll take anything you guys have about using one of these for two calibers, just want to make sure I invest in the right setup for what I want to do. Thanks

You’re asking the “do I buy Ford or Chevy”, “Nikon or Cannon” question. I went with the LNL system because I got tired of the paralysis by analysis problem. At some point, pick one, and see. Either will work and either has nuances you’ll have to deal with. what I wanted for my progressive process was a case feeder. That helps a lot IMHO. Good luck!

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I agree, with what has been said above. Dillon or Hornady either one will do what you want and then some.
Dillon is a little more expensive and may be more user friendly for some, but I have the Hornady LNL-AP and find it to be an extremely good press for me.
Switching from .357 Mag to .41 mag will consist of changing the dies, (seconds for either one), changing the primer assy (a couple minutes), changing the shell plate, and tuning in the powder drop.
This is assuming the dies are already set.
So which color do you like the most or which name floats your boat.
Dillon has a "NO BS warranty on their presses if you buy the press from them.
Hornady has a really good warranty also. Neither one will let you buy parts from them if you need them.

When the press is new to you, it's going to seem like there is way to much going on to keep track off at first, but that goes away quickly and they become second nature in a short period of time.
The more you use them the more you will appreciate them. But what I find with mine is that I can load enough ammo in short period of time, to last a couple months so the press just sits in between those times. I love to run mine so I don't load in bulk anymore, I shoot then I reload them even if it's just 50 rounds, just to keep in practice with the press. The problem is once I get going with my Hornady, I don't' want to stop and the Dillon would be no different.

 

[sisyphus]

how about turret presses? People seem to really like the Redding T-7 and I like the idea of having two turrets and just switching. How much slower is it to punch out a couple hundred rounds on a turret?

 

[cfullgraf]

A progressive press turns out a loaded round with every stroke of the handle.

With a turret, it still takes four or five strokes to complete a round. Some folks use a batch process and do one step of the reloading process with many cases. Some folks process each case through the entire process before moving on to the next case.

The Lee turret press is a bit of a different animal as it indexes the turret automatically with each cycle of the handle. It still takes four cycles of the press to make a loaded round.

Except for the Lee, I'd rather buy a single stage press and put the money saved by not buying a turret towards more reloading gear. I see no benefit to using a turret press. Lots of folks have turrets and like them.

I have a Hornady L-N-L, Dillon BL550 and SDB, and an RCBS Pro2000. They all have advantages and disadvantages. Choose the press whose color best matches the decor in your reloading room. It will serve you well.

 

[JJFitch]

I have a Hornady A/P, Hornady L-N-L, Dillon BL550's and SDB's! I've been reloading since the late 60's!
I don't like changing settings to keep things as precise as possible.
My D-550's are at least 30 years old as well as the SDB's They're in pairs because I have one for small primers and one for large primers. I like the ability to sit down for an hour or less at a time to reload 100-200 rounds. I find it relaxing and don't want it to be a chore!

The Dillon 550 is semi-automatic since the platen must be moved by hand . No big deal but the Hornady is fully automatic.

I also prefer the primer system on the Hornady LnL and the powder drop is better on the Hornady. There are lots of Dillons with Hornady powder drops in place of the Dillon! The Dillon SDB is fully automatic however only for pistol cartridges.

There is nothing wrong with the Dillons. I have 5 Dillons and two Hornadys!

(Midsouth has the Hornady LnL on sale at $439 and Hornady includes an offer for 500 of their bullets, FREE!)

PM and we can discuss this further via telephone.

Smiles,

 

[sisyphus]

thanks guys, my thought was the Hornady coming in and you didn't say anything to change my mind. Appreciate the feedback.

 

[Frulk]

I run two T7’s and love them. One is dedicated to .357 and the other one is used for multiple pistol calibers. I like their simple, non-finicky operation and when I get into my routine I can crank out about 200 rounds an hour while keeping a close eye on every round produced. Build quality and operational smoothness is exceptional. You won’t wear one out in this lifetime.

I purchased both for well less than $300 dollars each and since then they’ve gone up to $336 with extra turret heads going for around $80. Depending on how much ammo you need to produce could factor into your decision. One T7 and an extra turret put you close to a LnL.

Might want to give the new Lyman Brass Smith All American Turret a look over. I haven’t used one but for the money the appear to be solidly made.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
Been running a pair of Hornady LnL progressive presses for a few years now. One set up for small primer and one for large primer.
Easy to crank out 4-500 rounds in an hour or so.
My son and I shoot every weekend and go through a lot of handgun ammuntion.
He runs the LnL presses for 9mm, 10mm, .40S&W, .45ACP and .357Magnum. Very few weeks don't see him using one or the other of those presses. He works full time so the output of these machines is important.

I load all of our big bore revolver cartridges (.41Magnum, .44Special, .45Colt, .44Magnum and .45AutoRim) plus.38Spl. on my RockChucker. I am retired and enjoy the process of prepping cases in batches and then reloading on a single stage press. I regularly load up to a thousand rounds a week on my RockChucker...more interesting than watching television, plus I enjoy producing something of value with my own hands. Very satisfying and time well spent.

 

[Dudedog]

I would recommend picking up a RCBS lockout die. Very handy IMO
If the powder charge is off enough (none and doubles always are, a little light or a little heavy depends on the case and the powder but for example in 9mm wiht my load anything off by more than about .2 or .3 causes a lockout)
For example if there is no charge, the die prevents the press from going to the top of the stroke so you know something is wrong..

https://ultimatereloader.com/2010/09/19/rcbs-lock-out-die-part-i-theory-of-operation/
https://ultimatereloader.com/2010/09/21/rcbs-lock-out-die-part-ii-setup-and-maintenance/

 

[lordpaxman]

thanks guys, my thought was the Hornady coming in and you didn't say anything to change my mind. Appreciate the feedback.

I second the RCBS lockout die. I make sure I have it on when doing production runs. I’d also advise getting some LED lighting to see inside the case for powder before seating the bullet. I use the PTX on the powder measure, then that leaves room for the lock out die, and a separate seat and crimp die. Good luck!

 

[George P]

The LNL is simple to change - the included Allen wrench takes about 10 seconds to change the shell plate; the dies are in bushings so once set, it is a 1/4 turn to remove and then out the new one in. The major time would be spent changing the powder measure, OR you simply buy a second for the other cartridge and set it (assuming you'll be loading one charge for each)

 

[Lafitte]

In addition to changing dies and shell plates there is also the change from small pistol primers to large pistol primers.
Lafitte

 

[Tilos]

I don't have anything to add to this Hornady verses Dillon bebate..
Accept to say I have 6 progressive presses and none are Hornady or Dillon, or a turret of any brand.

 

[D Rock]

I don't have anything to add to this Hornady verses Dillon bebate..
Accept to say I have 6 progressive presses and none are Hornady or Dillon, or a turret of any brand.

Come on, you have to tell us now!

Dave

 

[giggitygiggity]

how about turret presses? People seem to really like the Redding T-7 and I like the idea of having two turrets and just switching. How much slower is it to punch out a couple hundred rounds on a turret?

The other members are right... At some point, you just have to pick Hornady or Dillon and be confident in your decision. I have the Hornady and it works really well. Also, Hornady usually runs a 500 free bullets (pay about $15 in shipping) rebate for the progressive presses so that is something to consider. Between Dillon and Hornady, there are pros/cons. Dillon is usually more user friendly and the die plate swap is, in my opinion, a better system. The cons are that Dillon is more expensive.

Between a turret and a progressive, I’ve got a Lee turret press with auto index and I can do maybe 60-90 rounds in an hour if I am really moving and don’t have issues. I can do about 3-4x that amount with my Hornady AP and that is without the brass and bullet feeders.

I quickly outgrew my turret press and, in hindsight, wish I would have just went progressive from the start. That said the turret is good for reloading ammo plinking ammo that I don’t shoot in huge quantities, but that I go through more of than my hunting/match grade ammo. For instance, I think .38/.357 is good for me on the turret as is ammo for surplus rifles that I like shooting just for fun and on occasion.

 

[Tilos]

Come on, you have to tell us now!

Dave

Nope, don't want to soil his thread or start a drift/flaming war...
Some are green though, and others are red

And the addition of a bullet feeder and/or a case feeder, even simply tube fed, takes loading up a notch on ANY progressive (jmo).

With both, you're right hand never leaves the lever, and your left hand has nothing to do and doesn't require you to look at it.
Even with either or feeding device your left hand input is reduced to one action, only needs to place the bullet or place the case and speeds up the process over doing 2 tasks.
jmo

 

[lordpaxman]

The major time would be spent changing the powder measure, OR you simply buy a second for the other cartridge and set it (assuming you'll be loading one charge for each)

Instead of buying a powder measure, you buy:

QUICK CHANGE POWDER DIE
Item #050074
PTX POWDER MEASURE STOP
Item #290049
Standard Pistol Metering Insert for Pistol Rotor
Item #050116

The powder die is set for each cartridge, the powder measure stop is set for the amount of bell you want on each cartridge, and the metering insert is set for a specific powder drop. I have several metering inserts for the various powder/bullet combinations. Good luck!

 

[Rule3]

so that makes it sound like the Dillon is just about as easy to switch calibers as the Hornady. I'll take anything you guys have about using one of these for two calibers, just want to make sure I invest in the right setup for what I want to do. Thanks

But the $600 dollar (or more) question is HOW MANY rounds of each caliber do you need to load??

Do you really NEED a progressive press????

I have loaded on a Lee Classic Turret for many years and got the Hornady LnL, Other than not has many pulls on the handle it is not all that much faster than the Turret. The turret is easier toi set up, easier to change primers, easy to mess with if you make a mistake (not often) The progressive if you miss a stroke you need to start all over, Changing primers size is a PITA, filling primers tubes takes time

The rounds per hour (doing everything on the press) is not at all what they claim. I bit faster that the turret but not by much. If you go to fast you WILL screw up!

 

[Horskinator]

I agree with what has been said in this thread. I use a LNL and have been happy with it. It does what I need it to do. I am just upgrading to a case feeder for it and I have had it for around 12 years.

The parts mentioned for the powder measure are all you need. I have two powder measures, one for pistol and one for rifle (aka pistol and standard rotors). You just keep those pieces in your die box as they should fit or you get another empty box and label it.

I primarily use RCBS dies and find that most everything fits in the box. You can do these caliber conversions pretty cheap. If I were to switch to blue (Dillon) I would get the complete kits for each caliber since everything is on a separate tool head but that cost would add up quickly for the calibers I load.

I also have a Rockchucker that I have converted for the bushings with the conversion bushing and arbor shims to make it so all my dies can go between presses without being reset.

So you can say I am a red and green fan as that is what has and will continue to work for me and my needs but your may vary. I will say Dillon makes great stuff but I am content with my set up.