Press Help

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RonPaul2008

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Well, I am new here and would like to know which press should I get out of these three?

I am not new to reloading mind you,

1. Lee Classic Turret Press

2. Hornady LNL AP (buy once cry once)

3. Lee Pro 1000/Loadmaster

Mainly Im trying to find out whether or not I should just buy the Hornady once and be done with it.

I will load 9mm, .38, .308, .270, .45 acp, .455 WEB.
 
Quote: Bush Pilot.
#4-Dillon 550, sorry, helped you out

+1... I got the BLUE FLU too!!
 
RonPaul2008: Welcome to the forum!!!!!

I appologize for the rudeness of the above posters.

Before anyone can make an intelligent answer, we first need to know more about you. Of the cartridges you want to load, what are the approximate numbers of each that you will be shooting per week or month or year? And what budget range do you want to follow?

I have several single stage presses, a Dillon 550 and the Hornady LNL AP. Although I cannot say whether or not I would recommend the LNL to you, it is certainly superior to the 550, and a lot less money, for initial purchase and for quick caliber chages.

Good Shooting!
 
Hey RP2008,

+ on part of what Shoney said. How many cartridges per month, your budget, and what kind of tools you have now. Presses??

give a bit more info and we will have enough info to try to kick you in the right direction, Mate.


Cheers...
 
Welcome to the board!

As the people above have stated it's hard to know what you're intending to reload. If I made the assumption that you're reloading pistol ammo and lots of it, then out of your choices I'd go for the Hornady LNL AP. If I was reloading rifle ammo for benchrest competition then I would probably pick a different press.

Have a good one,
Dave
 
#4-Dillon 550, sorry, helped you out
Click to expand...
WOW 6 minutes..........what kept you so long?

First off I do not think the pro1000 will work for 270 there wont be enough case clearance. Everything else will work the best cheapest option in the lee cast turret, if reloading alot as much as I like lee I think you would be better off with the LNL
 
With your selected, and excellant, choices, get the LnL. It will give you excellant volume for handgun stuff and will do rifle stuff too. I have a turret and just don't think any conventional turret press adds a bit of speed to my total loading process, go progressive or go single stage.

Even with a progressive, I would still want a solid single stage, likely the Lee Classic Cast, for rifle ammo. But, since you're not new to loading, maybe you already have such a press.

This type question: "What tools do you suggest?", will get more answers, faster, than any other! :)

Even if you don't win the presidency, you have a good hobby.
 
Ron Paul,
I can't help much; both my presses are antique Herters Super #3's, but Welcome! to the Forum and best of luck!
----Gnarly
 
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Midway's site still shows free bullets with the Hornady progressive.I"d seriously consider goiing that route if I was buying a set-up.
 
Wow thanks for all of the replies, I will be reloading 200 rounds a week for each, I really don't have a budget. So money is not an Issue, I am just thinking should I get the LNL once and be done for the rest of my life, or will a lee press do what I need it too for less money? I already have an RCBS single stage Press.

Well once again thanks all of the help here.
 
either will work for you the lee classic cast will load everything up to 50bmg it will be slower than the lnl which is the trade off speed vs money. 200 a week is a moderate amount I might think about the lnl as " whats your time worth" becomes a factor.
 
For 3 of your 6 listed cartidges, 9mm, 38 and 45, you are at 600 per week. I'm betting the rifle will be a lot less, but your numbers are between 750 and 1000 per week, and shooting usualy increases once you get going. Definitely in the progressive range.

Hornady has a 1000 bullet rebate deel if you buy the LNL AP. By purchsing the LNL and buying the most expensive bullets (I think you can mix and match, but read up on that one.) and the end result of the price of the LNL minus the cost of the bullets yields a cost of under $100 for the LNL.

Impressive! Yes Grasshopah???:D
 
With the 1000 free bullets offer (unless they changed it from last year, you can't mix and match) the LNL-AP is a heck of a bargain. But if you have a progressive press, you'll also want a single stage press for doing load development (they are available used, cheap, or buy a new Lee Hand Press.)

With the Lee classic turret, I assume it can be used like a single stage press for doing small lots. I'm not sure if it's rigid enough for rifle target loads or not.

I started out a few years ago with an old 'H' style press, and I bought a LNL progressive last year. I probably use them about equally now. I actually like loading on the single stage better, but it's also really nice to be able to crank them out rapidly when my stock gets low.
 
at roughly $380 for the press hornaday bullets must be through the roof if
the LNL minus the cost of the bullets yields a cost of under $100 for the LNL.
Click to expand...
is true. I get .356 dia bullets for $70/1000
 
at roughly $380 for the press hornaday bullets must be through the roof if
Quote: "the LNL minus the cost of the bullets yields a cost of under $100 for the LNL."
...is true. I get .356 dia bullets for $70/1000
Click to expand...

It's not true, but it does work out to considerably less than $200. And don't forget that it comes with a fancy powder measure. (you don't get premium rifle bullets for $70/m)
 
I was faced with this many years ago. I went the cheap route (Lee Progressive) and ended up buying two Dillon 650's. Not really but I spent a lot of money before I actually bought the XL-650. Should have bought the Dillon first time around. If not Dillon at least the L-N-L. The only money I spend on Lee anymore is for their Carbide Dies. The rest uses too much plastic or "pot metal".

"It is not how much you spend, It is how many times you have to spend it!"
 
Those would be the only two I'd consider. The Hornady is a really good deal with the 1k of bullets IF the bullets being offered are of a type you will shoot.

(I've got a Dillon 650 with casefeeder and absolutely love it)

Regards,
Dave
 
Most reviews I've seen rate the LnL a little higher than the 650. I've only owned the LnL, so can't compare. I do know that it's a lot cheaper than the 650, and caliber changes are much less expensive. Even more important is primer changes. On the LnL changing sizes takes a minute or two. With the 650 guys actually buy a second press just to avoid primer changes. The choice is actually a no-brainer, but some people believe in Dillon, and that's that. Their choice, their money.
 
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