I am new to reloading , I have been using a Buddy's dillon 550 , have loaded about 1000 rounds with it in 223s , I have been looking at Hornadys L N L AP press, will the L N L press and Hornady die set give me the great rounds I got with the 550 , I see the L N L seats and crimps at the same station, which the 550 is in separate stations will this make a difference in the round , What dies set would be best for this set up,I will using H335 powder , Winchester primers , winchester cases ,and if I get the L N L hornady 55 SP bullets. Thanks New Guy At A Cross Road , TEDMI. PS Have done a few searches , still dont know which way to go .
Thinking about Hornady L N L
- Thread starter tdb
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Why do you say the LNL seats and crimps at the same station? It has 5 stations to do what you want. I'd recommend Hornady dies and use the Hornady crimp die at the 5th station (other dies may not work without modification).
Here's what Hornady recommends:
1) decap/resize
1.5) prime
2)bell/powder (with powder thru expanders)
3)Powder cop
4)seat
5)
You can vary this a bit as I do. I have lots decap/resized brass so I don't need to decap/resize on the Hornday- I bell separate from powder drop.
Here's what Hornady recommends:
1) decap/resize
1.5) prime
2)bell/powder (with powder thru expanders)
3)Powder cop
4)seat
5)
You can vary this a bit as I do. I have lots decap/resized brass so I don't need to decap/resize on the Hornday- I bell separate from powder drop.
LNL
Thanks for the reply , I don't know enough about the L N L to know what it does , in there ad they say the press seats and crimps at the same station ,can you do this at separate stations on the L N L press with the hornady die set , if so which die set would I need . Thanks TEDMI.
Thanks for the reply , I don't know enough about the L N L to know what it does , in there ad they say the press seats and crimps at the same station ,can you do this at separate stations on the L N L press with the hornady die set , if so which die set would I need . Thanks TEDMI.
DaveInFloweryBranchGA
Member
tdb,
You're answers in context below.
"I have been looking at Hornadys L N L AP press, will the L N L press and Hornady die set give me the great rounds I got with the 550"
Yes, though a lot of the quality depends on you doing a good job of reloading by setting the press, regardless of brand, up correctly and using a good combination of components.
"I see the L N L seats and crimps at the same station, which the 550 is in separate stations will this make a difference in the round.
The seating and crimping isn't controlled by the "station," but rather, is controlled by the dies that you use. You can combine seating and crimping using one die or you can separate seating and crimping into two stations.
"What dies set would be best for this set up,I will using H335 powder , Winchester primers , winchester cases ,and if I get the L N L hornady 55 SP bullets."
Since I don't know what caliber you're reloading for, I can't suggest a die set. That said, I have used most all brands and gotten good results. With the Hornady, you can remove any die individually to clean it, so brand of die doesn't matter much. I use Hornady, Lee and RCBS dies in my Lock N Load press. I've begun to buy many more Lee sets and supplement the Lee dies with specific application dies from other companies.
That said, your questions indicate you need to buy a book or two on reloading or check them out at your local library so you know a bit more about the reloading process. There is a sticky at the top of the forum for newbie reloaders. It lists several books. I suggest you acquire the first two and read them before you go much further, so you understand the reloading process better.
"Have done a few searches , still dont know which way to go."
Not sure what you're talking about relative to which way to go, but the Lock N Load is more comparable to a 650 than a 550, if that's what you're talking about.
"I don't know enough about the L N L to know what it does , in there ad they say the press seats and crimps at the same station ,can you do this at separate stations on the L N L press with the hornady die set , if so which die set would I need?"
I think before you go any further, you need to do some reading, so you understand the process better and can make better informed decisions. The books above will help you with this. Otherwise, you're flying blind and folk's recommendations won't make a lot of sense. Read the sticky for beginner reloaders, acquire those books, read them and then you'll be ready to ask more questions and understand the answers you get better.
Regards,
Dave
You're answers in context below.
"I have been looking at Hornadys L N L AP press, will the L N L press and Hornady die set give me the great rounds I got with the 550"
Yes, though a lot of the quality depends on you doing a good job of reloading by setting the press, regardless of brand, up correctly and using a good combination of components.
"I see the L N L seats and crimps at the same station, which the 550 is in separate stations will this make a difference in the round.
The seating and crimping isn't controlled by the "station," but rather, is controlled by the dies that you use. You can combine seating and crimping using one die or you can separate seating and crimping into two stations.
"What dies set would be best for this set up,I will using H335 powder , Winchester primers , winchester cases ,and if I get the L N L hornady 55 SP bullets."
Since I don't know what caliber you're reloading for, I can't suggest a die set. That said, I have used most all brands and gotten good results. With the Hornady, you can remove any die individually to clean it, so brand of die doesn't matter much. I use Hornady, Lee and RCBS dies in my Lock N Load press. I've begun to buy many more Lee sets and supplement the Lee dies with specific application dies from other companies.
That said, your questions indicate you need to buy a book or two on reloading or check them out at your local library so you know a bit more about the reloading process. There is a sticky at the top of the forum for newbie reloaders. It lists several books. I suggest you acquire the first two and read them before you go much further, so you understand the reloading process better.
"Have done a few searches , still dont know which way to go."
Not sure what you're talking about relative to which way to go, but the Lock N Load is more comparable to a 650 than a 550, if that's what you're talking about.
"I don't know enough about the L N L to know what it does , in there ad they say the press seats and crimps at the same station ,can you do this at separate stations on the L N L press with the hornady die set , if so which die set would I need?"
I think before you go any further, you need to do some reading, so you understand the process better and can make better informed decisions. The books above will help you with this. Otherwise, you're flying blind and folk's recommendations won't make a lot of sense. Read the sticky for beginner reloaders, acquire those books, read them and then you'll be ready to ask more questions and understand the answers you get better.
Regards,
Dave
Hornady only sells their short crimp dies (to work in 5th station of LNL-AP) in 9mm, 40, 45, and 460 pistol calibers. To use a 223 crimp die in the 5th die station would require cutting the die body shorter (to clear the ejection wire) or removing the ejector wire and pulling loaded rounds by hand. Another option (as listed above) is to just not use the 5th die station however that means no powder check die with seperate seat and crimp. I cut a lee 223 crimp die to work in the 5th station since a powder check was important to me.
Since you have used a 550 some, I would suggest you find someone with a LNL-AP and compare how it works up close in the calibers you are interested in. I had a 550 for years, tried the LNL-AP for several months then sold it recently and went back a 550. So try one before you buy if possible. 223 and 45 mostly loaded fine but 9mm gave me fits.
Since you have used a 550 some, I would suggest you find someone with a LNL-AP and compare how it works up close in the calibers you are interested in. I had a 550 for years, tried the LNL-AP for several months then sold it recently and went back a 550. So try one before you buy if possible. 223 and 45 mostly loaded fine but 9mm gave me fits.
Shoney
Member
I have both the 550 and the LNL. Comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges. The 550 is not auto indexing, that means you have to rotate the sell plate by hand every time; while the LNL and 650 are auto indexing, the shell plate rotates automatically with the pull of the lever.
The most pronounced difference between Dillon and Hornady presses is in the quick change system. The Hornady system is quicker, and more vesitile to change, and the price is significantly lower than Dillon$.
The quality of the finished cartridges is equal between Dillon and Hornady; except with some powders, the Hornady powder measure is more accurate.
I still load with the 550, but use it for my lowest volume cartridge. The LNL is hands down a better loader and at a lower price.
The most pronounced difference between Dillon and Hornady presses is in the quick change system. The Hornady system is quicker, and more vesitile to change, and the price is significantly lower than Dillon$.
The quality of the finished cartridges is equal between Dillon and Hornady; except with some powders, the Hornady powder measure is more accurate.
I still load with the 550, but use it for my lowest volume cartridge. The LNL is hands down a better loader and at a lower price.
I have two Hornady LNL presses plus an older ProJector press and highly recommend them. Obviously I would not have bought the last two if I didn't like the first one. For the last 40 years I have used only RCBS dies regardless of press brand (C-H, Bair, RCBS, Hornady) because they have always worked well for me. Since there is more than one way to load, other reloaders may recommend other methods and/or equipment. To make an informed choice, you need more understanding. Recommend you buy and read "ABC's of Reloading" to gain better understanding of the general process and specific functions involved in reloading ammo. Will not only save you a lot of confusion but enable you to load safely.
Good shooting and be safe.
LB
Good shooting and be safe.
LB
robctwo
Member
I went through the Hornady/Dillon debate back in late 2003 early 2004. Decided on the Hornady. Auto indexing was a must. I find the caliber change very easy and relatively inexpensive. The primer feed and powder drop are exceptional. I use the Lee factory crimp dies and have removed my ejection wire. I tried the auto case feeder and have removed it as well. For some reason feeding the cases by hand, setting the bullet in the case and removing the rounds by hand just meets my needs.
I load mostly 9mm, .45 and a lot of rifle calibers, .204 through 300WSM. Very nice machine.
Lots of guys at my club are sold on Dillon. I have never pulled a Dillon handle or been in a room where one was set up so have no opinion on them first hand. My press is not perfect. Hornady has stood behind their product 100% on the small glitches I've experienced.
When it comes right down to it all presses are free. We save so much reloading that the cost of the press is covered within the first few months. we also get free guns and the dies and equipment to load for those guns on the savings. If you want a more detailed explanation to run by the wife give me shout.
I load mostly 9mm, .45 and a lot of rifle calibers, .204 through 300WSM. Very nice machine.
Lots of guys at my club are sold on Dillon. I have never pulled a Dillon handle or been in a room where one was set up so have no opinion on them first hand. My press is not perfect. Hornady has stood behind their product 100% on the small glitches I've experienced.
When it comes right down to it all presses are free. We save so much reloading that the cost of the press is covered within the first few months. we also get free guns and the dies and equipment to load for those guns on the savings. If you want a more detailed explanation to run by the wife give me shout.
+1 to LNL being a great press. i have had no issues so far. don't worry about the 5th station with other crimp dies. just get out a dremel or use your bench grinder and knock the edge of the die back about an 1/8". it's a simple fix that takes only a few seconds
redneck2
Member
I have a Dillon 550. That said, if I were starting out, I'd also consider the L-n-L. IMO, the 5th station isn't a big deal for rifle. Where it would really help out is pistol with the powder check.
Auto advance is harder to use when setting up, but it's nice after initial adjustment. I have mixed emotions.
I like Hornady dies with the sliding bullet seater or Lee Deluxe with the collet die for rifle. I have some RCBS dies. They are less expensive to buy, but I REALLY like the Lee collet for rifle (comes in the Deluxe set). Dillon dies are expensive but excellent for pistol on a progressive. They have more flair in opening and make progressive operation much quicker and easier IMO. Whatever you do, get carbide dies for pistol.
Hornady, Lyman, Lee, RCBS, or Dillon will all make very accurate ammo. David Tubb set his high power records with a little cheapie Lee handloader.
Auto advance is harder to use when setting up, but it's nice after initial adjustment. I have mixed emotions.
I like Hornady dies with the sliding bullet seater or Lee Deluxe with the collet die for rifle. I have some RCBS dies. They are less expensive to buy, but I REALLY like the Lee collet for rifle (comes in the Deluxe set). Dillon dies are expensive but excellent for pistol on a progressive. They have more flair in opening and make progressive operation much quicker and easier IMO. Whatever you do, get carbide dies for pistol.
Hornady, Lyman, Lee, RCBS, or Dillon will all make very accurate ammo. David Tubb set his high power records with a little cheapie Lee handloader.
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