What's NOT included w/ Dillon or Hornady

[TStorm]

Getting ready to jump into reloading, but am a bit confused on what pieces and parts are required for a "complete" progressive system.

I've read the stickys. I'm not talking case prep or calipers, scales, flip trays, books, etc. I'm just talking the actual mechanical components of the press itself.

I'd appreciate feedback from Dillon and LnL owners to know what needs to be purchased with these presses, and what options are recommended.

Shell plates, dies, shell holders (???), bushings, specialty dies, powder cop, trays, mounting hardware, the works. Please assume I know nothing and include as much detail as possible.

Thanks in advance!

 

[SASS#23149]

One thing I'll toss out is this; you do NOT need dillon's Strong Mounts for their presses,if you make your bench tall enough.I"ve used my 550b for 15 years without 'needing' them.
the roller handle is 'ok',but the ball handle will suffice.If I had it to do over again I"d pass on the extra bucks for the roller handle.
Extra toolheads to keep the dies locked in and adjusted are a good idea.the stands to mount the toolheads are nice too,but add to the startup cost,and you can make your own,etc.
ONe thing I"ve ALWAYS done when reloading for handguns is seat and crimp using 2 seperate dies.Makes adjusting the 2 settings sooooo much easier.
IF you can afford it, a seperate powder measure mounted on each tool head with the dies is nice,but spendy.

hope that helps

 

[Sport45]

A agree with the above. I've never had a strong mount or a roller handle and haven't missed them.

With the Dillon you'll need a caliber conversion kit for every cartridge you load. This includes a shell plate, locator buttons, and a powder funnel. (Some parts in the conversion can be used for other calibers.) I forget what they call it, but you'll need the die the powder funnel drops into (and the powder measure mounts on top of), I recommend you get one of these for every toolhead you buy.

I don't know about the Hornady system, but sometimes wish I did.... I drank the Blue Koolaid and sometimes wonder if I made the right choice.

 

[Zeede]

The Hornady Lock 'N Load Classic Kit (single stage press) comes with the press, three Lock 'N Load bushings, a scale, a powder measure, a chamfer/deburring tool, a can of One Shot lube, a hand priming tool and a universal loading block. What it doesn't have that you need is a shell holder and a set of dies.

Cameron

 

[lgbloader]

TStorm,
Which Dillon are you asking about.

Zeede,
What part of L.A. are you in?

Cheers...

 

[Zeede]

Monterey Park, you?

Cameron

 

[Shoney]

TStorm:
Since this is your first post in the reloading forum, we collectively know nothing about you or your shooting habbits.

Please tell us what cartridges you wish to load, and the approximate numbers of each cartridge you require per week or month or year.

Until we get some idea of your use numbers, it would be imprudent to recommend one press over another, and the equipment needed will vary with the cartridges.

 

[Dave B]

With the Hornady LNL you need a proper shell holder. If you are loading for pistols, get the pistol powder rotor.

 

[mallc]

The works

Get the strong mounts and the roller handle, a bullet tray, an extra primer tube (then you have one for large and small), and get a quick change kit with powder check alarm, stand and cover for each caliber. Get one primer alarm. Get the large tumbler. And, get the case feeder and all four feed plates. Don't look back.

Then pick up a used Rock Chucker for decapping, and running small batches.

I leave my Dillion stored wiith .223 set up. I change it over when I have a coffee can or so of 9mm then switch to 45 ACP, and then back to .223. It takes about 5 minutes to change it between calibers.

I run batches of 50 or 100 of 30-06, 7.62x54R, 303 British, 30.30, and 6.5x50 JAP thru a turret because it costs too much and is too much hassle to run so few thru a progressive.

Scott

 

[TStorm]

Thanks for the feedback!

Shoney: Where are my manners???

I'm mainly interested in reloading 9mm and .38/.357. I primarily shoot 9mm from 200-600 rnds/month depending on my time and my social coordinator. I do not intend on picking up the extra dies and shellholders for .38 (or other) until I've had some practice and get to know the ropes.

I'm intersted in the Dillon 550 or Hornady LnL AP Progessive systems. Not looking to start the Blue Team vs. Red Team battle, I just was looking for the REAL shopping list. The press manuals will make mention of items "not included," some of which are accessories and some that are required. I've never found a list of this is what you will need to buy with this kit, and here is a list of goodies you may want to purchase. Even "packages" or "kits" are not consistent from one to another since they throw in other accessories not related to the machine itself.

Had this been clear through the manufacturer's, I probably would have started sooner. Here's the press and here's the widgets you will need for such-and-such caliber... now go read alot and have fun.

I've always been worried I'm going to buy the motorcycle, have my helmet, gloves, boots and leathers ready to go, just to find out that I'm missing the sprockets!!!

Thanks again and keep 'em coming.

 

[jmorris]

I'd appreciate feedback from Dillon and LnL owners to know what needs to be purchased with these presses, and what options are recommended.

Shell plates, dies, shell holders (???), bushings, specialty dies, powder cop, trays, mounting hardware, the works. Please assume I know nothing and include as much detail as possible.

I have the LNL AP and all of the Dillon’s except the 550. The Dillon SDB comes with everything you need for one caliber and is even factory adjusted so only minor tweaking and adjustment of the powder measure is needed to get started. The down side of this machine is it can only load 16 of the most common handgun calibers.
With the LNL AP you’ll need at least dies and a shell plate and if you are setting out to load small charges for pistol you will want the proper rotor for the powder measure and expander. There is no means of checking the number of primers remaining the (optional) powder cop gives a visual warning for high/low charges. The case feeder and the entire mechanism is not part of the base machine and has been known to be a PITA to set up for some cartridges.
The Dillon 650 comes with one caliber conversion but no dies (shell plate, expander/powder die, case feeder parts), audio/visual low primer system (a plastic stick and buzzer that also works great on the LNL). Unlike the LNL, the case feeder mechanism is part of the base machine with the Dillon you only have to add the collator (I know Dillon calls this part the feeder but…) because of this everything’s already setup at the factory (AKA everything works) and it’s a $100 less to add than with the LNL. The (optional) powder check system will give you both audio and visual conformation of high/low charges. GSI makes bullet feeders for the 650 that retain the powder check system and make reloading effortless.
Being new to reloading I doubt you’ll consider the 1050 but you never know. The 1050 comes with everything set up at the factory (except powder charge) the only thing I added was the powder check system and a bullet feeder.

 

[Shoney]

TStorm:
I own both the 550 and the LNL AP, and use both, but the 550 is dedicated to one cartridge and all else is loaded on the LNL.

Judging by your number, a progressive is not really justified. I would strongly advocate the Lee Classic Cast Turret. You can get a kitwith this press that has about all the accessries you will need to start loading.

Try this site (They get high praise from a large majority of the people on this forum.); and look at the Classic Turret kit:
https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php...facturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41

If you eventually decide you need a progressive, the LNL is the better machine for many reasons. Do a search in my name and LNL for reference.

 

[45ACPUSER]

Gunstop Reloading Supplies Inc.
14704 Excelsior Blvd.
Minnetonka, MN 55345
1-800-645-7644
(952) 474-0211
www.gunstop.com

call John in the am and he will get you what you need at a very good price!

 

[GaryL]

call John in the am and he will get you what you need at a very good price!

After asking me what I had in mind or wanted to do I've actually had John tell me "I'd like to sell it to you, but you don't really need it". I don't recall what that was for, but I was asking questions trying to figure out what I needed, and once he understood what I was after he steered me towards the best value to take care of the need. Not that he won't sell you something you want, but he does try to think like a customer when it comes to getting the best bang for the buck. (From what I can tell his repeat business does just fine thank you)