Progressive Press Preference?

[2inchpattern]

I recognize that when it comes to reloading presses opinions are varied and vehement but I'm going to ask anyway. From your experience, what are the relative advantages and disadvantages of the Hornady Lock N' Load AP, the RCBS Pro 2000 Auto Index, and the Dillon R550-B? I've never reloaded before but am about to take the plunge and get into reloading for a number of calibers (9mm Luger, 45ACP, 223, 257 Roberts, 270 Win, 30-06, 30-40 Krag, and 338 Win Mag) so will be sinking a pretty good chunk of cash into equipment and want to get as much of the straight skinny as I can from those of you who have been using these things for a while before I drop my cash on the counter. Thanks.

 

[Walkalong]

They are all good presses. For me it was the ergonomics of the press I chose. If at all possible get your hands on them. Study pics and think your way through the moves etc.

There are a good many threads discussing the merits of the various presses.

Welcome to THR

 

[RUT]

I've had a couple of Dillon 550Bs in the past, but my next loader will be a Hornady Lock-N-Load.

 

[amlevin]

I finally bought a Dillon and won't need another press in my lifetime. Neither will my grandkids, whichever ends up with it. Over 20,000 rounds and it has yet to break or wear out ANYTHING (except my arm gets sore sometimes).

I'm sure others are good but all to often I hear "I sure wish I had just bought the Dillon" from those who "tried" something else.

 

[cfullgraf]

All of those presses are good ones with good support from the manufacturer.

Here is something to consider, as Walkalong said, ergonomics can be important and what is important to some one else may not fit your style. So, I would recommend getting a single stage kit to start with and learn the ins and outs of reloading. Some of the rifle cartridges you mentioned you probably would not load in high volumes anyway and a single stage press is all you would need for them.

Also, most of the auxiliary equipment you will need will work with both a single stage and progressive, even the dies, so you would not have to double spend very much to add a progressive.

Finally, there are some tasks in reloading that it is handy to have a single stage press around for.

So, once you have some experience, you can make an informed decision on which progressive to buy.

I don't shoot in any high volume competition and reloaded on a single stage press for 29 years before adding a progressive to my reloading room. Except for 30 Carbine and my XM-193 223 Remington clone, all my rifle cartridges are still loaded on the single stage, even the 30-06 for my Garand. I bought the progressive for other reasons than just increased volume of reloads.

Finally, a good single stage press, if properly cared for, will last forever.

There are as many opinions about starting reloading as there are blades of grass in a pasture. It won't make you decision any easier but doing the research will help.

 

[rbernie]

I recently popped for the Dillon 550, specifically because of its Strong Mount option and excellent manufacturer support.

 

[joed]

I've had all the Dillons except for the SDB. They have all been good and I still have a 650 and 1050. The 550 is a good press to but it has one disadvantage in my opinion, only 4 stations. That said a word of advice, don't own a progressive without a station for a powder check die. That is why I sold the 550.

I see no disadvantage to owning the Dillons. Advantages are parts are easy to come by.

Have friends that own the Hornady LnL. I looked at one 10 years ago and passed. At the time it was a 5 station press with no room for a powder check die. In the 10 years since I've looked they have combined case belling and powder drop into 1 station and changed the shell plate. Two things scare me about the Hornady. The first is ask someone how many rounds an hour it can do and most can't give you an answer, that tells me there is a lot of tinkering going on. Second and worse reason is Hornady doesn't support previously made presses, Dillon still supports their older presses. How would you feel if you bought a LnL and 1 year down the road they stop supporting them for a new press?

I don't think you could go wrong with any of the above though.

Even though I own 2 Dillon progressives I load rifle cartridges on a Rock Chucker. I feel that I just don't shoot enough rifle to justify loading on a progressive. However, I did do a .223 run of 2000 cartridges for a friend.

 

[2inchpattern]

I realize that there seems to be quite a temptation among some reloaders to bash the manufacturers of products that they are not using. That's really not what I'm interested in here. I appreciate the input from those of you who have used more than one of these machines and, in the case of those where there is only experience with one of the brands, I appreciate the details you are providing regarding why you made your decisions the way you have. Doing my best to soak it all up like a sponge. Thanks.

 

[Hondo 60]

I have several Lee's and a Dillon.

BUT - I wouldn't recommend a progressive press to a new person.
There's FAR too much going on to be able to get the "feel" of it.
And yes, there's a LOT of "feel" in this hobby.

I'd recommend a turret press like the Lee 4-hole turret.

Even once you get the hang of it, that first press won't go to waste.
I still use all 4 of my presses for different things.

 

[2inchpattern]

OK, so help me to understand because I'm getting confused... The Dillon 550 is a 4 stage manually indexed press and the Hornady is a 5 stage automatically indexed press. If, as I'm gathering from input on this and other forums, the customer service of each of them is not only comparable but very good to boot so the brands are pretty much moot, I guess the question is, is there an advantage to one of these setups over the other?

 

[Magoo]

I'm new to reloading, and don't have any expertise to offer. I did, however, do a lot of research before buying my LNL-AP. I've no regrets.

If you haven't seen them, Hornady has a multi-part (9-12) video series on the AP on YouTube that is a good watch.

The primer feeder shuttle is commonly "sticky". A bit of filing/sanding and some powdered graphite tuned that up for me.

I'm using a Hornady Cop Out die, but wish I'd bought an RCBS lock out die.

Again, the voice of a newb that should be ignored... I agree with your choice to start with a progressive. I first bought the Lee Anniversay Set and it sat lightly used for almost a year. I only reload .45ACP and it was just way to tedious (for me) to do single stage. I've just ordered a bullet puller setup for it and am knocking the dust off of it so it will be of some value to me (finally). Many of the very most experienced handloaders in here will disagree with me, and I respect their experience and opinons immensely, but as a reloader of a single, straight wall caliber my (ignorable) opinion differs.

Get several manuals. Read a bunch. Throw out the BS. Go slow. Pay attention. Double check. Stay safe.

 

[rbernie]

If, as I'm gathering from input on this and other forums, the customer service of each of them is not only comparable but very good to boot so the brands are pretty much moot, I guess the question is, is there an advantage to one of these setups over the other?

In thirty years, Hornady will likely refuse to talk to you about your 2010 vintage press while Dillon will still stock spare parts and update kits.

 

[Crashbox]

There's a comparison of the Dillon 650 and the LnL AP at http(colon)//www(dot)comrace(dot)ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison(dot)pdf

FYI. Also has the Lee Loadmaster in there.

I've had my LnL AP for a little over a year now and it works great for me. I only reload .357 Magnum and .40 Short & Wimpy on it, though. The LnL AP can be quite finicky to get running correctly (the indexing pawls are very touchy) but once it's set it should be good for a while. The primer shuttle area is also intolerant of any powder falling into it; I keep a small paintbrush handy to dust off the shell plate regularly.

I think the LnL AP is a very good press for the money. I must also add that I purchased a single-stage press a couple of months later for tasks better suited to such.

But if I had LOTS of money I would get a Dillon Super 1050 with the Ponsness-Warren AutoDrive unit!

 

[cfullgraf]

OK, so help me to understand because I'm getting confused... The Dillon 550 is a 4 stage manually indexed press and the Hornady is a 5 stage automatically indexed press. If, as I'm gathering from input on this and other forums, the customer service of each of them is not only comparable but very good to boot so the brands are pretty much moot, I guess the question is, is there an advantage to one of these setups over the other?

The Hornady L-N-L is really more comparable to the Dillon XL650.

The auto index of the Hornady increases production a little than on the Dillon 550b since there is one less thing to do while operating the press. Auto indexing might reduce the chance of double charges a little but there are still ways to double charge on an auto indexing press.

The five positions on the Hornady allow for more flexibility in die usage than on the Dillon 550B. With a through the expander die powder delivery one can add a powder cop die and a separate crimp die from the seater die.

 

[greyling22]

I think this is the link crashbox was posting http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

it's a pretty good read. basically he says hornady better than dillon, both very good, and better than the loadmaster.

 

[GW Staar]

I would recommend you buy a Single Station Press like the RCBS Rock Chucker or Lee Classic Cast, first. You will always use such a press for prepping rifle cases, and loading calibers you don't shoot much of, even after you start loading on a progressive...plus they are simpler to use while you are learning the hobby.

On progressives:
You listed a lot of calibers you want to load! IMO, the best press for that particular need is the RCBS Pro 2000. That's exactly why I chose it over the Dillon 650. (I load lots of calibers) If you were loading just 2 or three, you might like a Dillon 650 or Hornady AP, but RCBS has the fastest caliber changes, and the simplest press, and the safest primer system (fastest primer system, if you buy APS CCI primers). What they don't have is a case feeder...I bought a bullet feeder for mine, which for me is just as good.

This press is the only progressive you can buy as either manual advance or auto-advance. If you buy the manual advance to learn on, you can upgrade it to auto-advance for less than $110 any time you want.

BTW, RCBS supports every press they ever made...still...just like Dillon. Their customer service is incredible.

 

[GW Staar]

Now how did that happen? Double tap.

 

[jmorris]

I have or have had most all of them. My autodrive 1050 is better than a round wheel but cost more than my first two cars.
The 650 is at the top of the "sane" price level after that I would go LNL before the 550.

 

[2inchpattern]

Thanks for the input. I appreciate your approach and the info you have given me regarding each of the different machines. I try to strictly avoid the attitude that "I bought an xyz and like it, so it is the best and don't even bother looking at anything else" and am grateful for the input that you all have offered me. The objective thoughts on the options I layed out have been very helpful as I try to navigate the hazards of this realoading thing. Per suggestions from a number of you, I think my next step will be to drop by a store that carries the models in which I am interested and actually see what it's like to set them up and pull handles etc. I have to admit, at this point I am leaning a bit toward the Hornady Lock N' Load AP as its relative cost and comparable ease of use seem to give it a slight edge over the Dillon 550. The 650, at least according to some of the replies I have received, sounds like it may be a bit more that I want to try handling as a first machine while the RCBS Pro 2000 sounds like it may be just a bit lower in the overall quality category. However, as somebody mentioned in their reply, all of these machines are high quality machinery, each with its own slight advantages and shortcomings, so at this point, without actually putting hans on the equipment, basing my decision on whether I want a red, blue, or green machine in my garage is just about as good as basing it on any other criteria. Thanks.

 

[GW Staar]

RCBS Pro 2000 sounds like it may be just a bit lower in the overall quality category

I don't understand where you get that idea. The only thing lower in quality is RCBS's poor marketing. They don't do much flag waving for some reason. Don't mistake fewer parts for less quality. The Pro 2000, once set up doesn't, doesn't require tweaking to keep it running or in sync. It's primer system is modern, faster and safer than the last century designs of all other presses. It is the only progressive made of cast iron other than Dillon's 1050. Yes, the other 2 presses in its class are bigger....they have to be with their aluminum castings.

 

[2inchpattern]

Thanks, GW Starr - didn't realize that the 550, 650, and LNL weren't cast iron as well. So now I have reason to preview a third press to actually see and feel it in action before I make my decision. If I recall, isn't the RCBS Pro 2000 actually built of Chinese-manufactured parts and just assembled in the USA? Or do I have it confused with another?

 

[GW Staar]

Thanks, GW Starr - didn't realize that the 550, 650, and LNL weren't cast iron as well. So now I have reason to preview a third press to actually see and feel it in action before I make my decision. If I recall, isn't the RCBS Pro 2000 actually built of Chinese-manufactured parts and just assembled in the USA? Or do I have it confused with another?

That was a very long running and very false rumor. RCBS has lots of enemies. Who knows who started the rumor. The truth is, RCBS does have a few small, nonessential parts in some of their products made in China. So does everyone else. Go to Home Depot...I'm afraid there's an awful lot of foreign products, everywhere you look. Nevertheless, all of RCBS presses are cast in their California factory...and always were. Once they are cast, they are machined in the same factory, using the latest modern computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools, to achieve near perfect fit and alignment. No I don't work for RCBS. Why do I know all this? I too had these questions, so I asked RCBS to explain how and where their flagship presses are made...the Pro 2000 and the Rock Chucker. They answered in detail. Ask them yourself if you want. I do know this, if you truly want to know all about Ford....you don't ask Chevy lovers.

Last year Hornady had a real problem on their hands. Their LNL bushings were failing, and they were scrambling. They outsource those parts and they were coming in enough below spec that they were failing. They wasted no time fixing the problem and replacing the defective parts, but for a couple of months a person couldn't buy them. Water under the bridge and things are running smoothly again. Obviously they get the parts elsewhere or got the supplier's attention. That was only a few months ago and people looking for a press these days don't even know about it. That's the way it should be. At the same time the false rumor about RCBS and China simply won't go away. Makes you wonder why that is? Who's perpetuating it?

 

[EddieNFL]

Who knows who started the rumor.

Probably the same folks who condemn aluminum products.

 

[gordy]

Dillon 550 B

 

[GW Staar]

Probably the same folks who condemn aluminum products.

Wouldn't dream of it....but they do have to be bigger....and the good products are...bigger. That said, I personally prefer a smaller footprint that gives me more space on my bench, though that alone would not be a deciding factor for me, on choosing a press. We were talking about how "inferior" RCBS was. My only point is...it isn't...it holds its own just fine.

They have made great strides with aluminum alloys. But realize airplanes are made of it because it's lighter, popular in that industry for obvious reasons. Trains, trucks, and cars are mostly made of steel...because they don't have to fly. Racing engines excepted...they do have to fly. And then there is the push for better gas mileage...the reason alum. blocks are becoming popular. Aluminum is useful, but not because it is stronger than steel.