I have narrowed my choice to the Dillon 550b or the Hornady LNL AP. I'm not terribly mechanically inclined so I'm looking for a user friendly progressive to load 9mm, .40S&W and .45 ACP. I know the differences between the 2, I just want to know if one is easier to setup & maintain than the other.
Which press more user friendly?
- Thread starter rljan
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550
The 550 is probbly the best bet for you. Its easier to change calibers.
Its not a true progressive but its a great place to start. If you decide to
upgrade to a 650 you'll be able to sell your 550
I know of several LNL and both have had problems i do not want.
wood
The 550 is probbly the best bet for you. Its easier to change calibers.
Its not a true progressive but its a great place to start. If you decide to
upgrade to a 650 you'll be able to sell your 550
I know of several LNL and both have had problems i do not want.
wood
Linear Thinker
Member
If you are not mechanically inclined, the 550 is perfect for you. Stay away from high-speed progressives, they require a lot of adjusting and constant mechanical attention. Even having an engineering degree does not prevent me
from being stumped by my Dillon RL1000s and 1050s on occasion.
Stay away from Lee turret and Pro models, they require a good mechanical ability on the part of the operator to work.
LT
from being stumped by my Dillon RL1000s and 1050s on occasion.
Stay away from Lee turret and Pro models, they require a good mechanical ability on the part of the operator to work.
LT
Outlaws
Member
Why is the 550 not a true progressive? As far as I know, there were no commercial made "progressive" presses until Dillon made the 450. Auto indexing has nothing to do with being "progressive". If we want to split hairs, not even the Hornady puts the bullet in the case for you. So its not really one pull does it all.
loadedround
Member
The Dillon 550B by a longshot!
Linear Thinker
Member
Outlaws - the progressive presses have been around for many decades before Mike Dillon went into business. The Star press has been around since before WW2, and I saw a Potter from 1920s that operated similarly to a Dillon 450. Should have bought it for my collection...
For that matter, my 2 Dillon RL1000s predate the 450 by 5-6 years.
The reason most folks would not consider a 550 a progressive press has to do with manual indexing. You need to do 5 operations with each stroke - rotate the ratchet, insert an empty case, insert a bullet, upstroke, downstroke to prime - vs. 2-3 operations on most "progressive" presses. The 550s greateness lies with it's ease of use, bulletproof design (sorry about that), and almost-100% cartridge compatibility. But, not really a progressive.
LT
For that matter, my 2 Dillon RL1000s predate the 450 by 5-6 years.
The reason most folks would not consider a 550 a progressive press has to do with manual indexing. You need to do 5 operations with each stroke - rotate the ratchet, insert an empty case, insert a bullet, upstroke, downstroke to prime - vs. 2-3 operations on most "progressive" presses. The 550s greateness lies with it's ease of use, bulletproof design (sorry about that), and almost-100% cartridge compatibility. But, not really a progressive.
LT
Outlaws
Member
lol...so 2-3 operations is still "progressive".... 
RustyFN
Member
The way I understand it is one handle pull = one bullet = progressive. That sounds like the 550 to me.
Rusty
Rusty
Linear Thinker
Member
Progressive, schmogressive!
Just enjoy it! RL550 is a great machine.
Maybe the speed has something to with the "progressive" designation.
RL550 is slower than some others in the price range.
The only real "progressives" are Camdexes or Ammoloads, anyway.
LT
Just enjoy it! RL550 is a great machine.
Maybe the speed has something to with the "progressive" designation.
RL550 is slower than some others in the price range.
The only real "progressives" are Camdexes or Ammoloads, anyway.
LT
glockman19
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I am new to loading and have been doing research and have decided on the Dillon 550 due to it's easy asembly and function.
Shoney
Member
I own both a Hornady LNL and a Dillon 550. The LNL is not only a superior machine, but the LNL costs much less. Read
http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf
I started reloading in 1960, and have loaded for 27 rifle and 17 pistol cartridges. I have loaded metallic cartridges on various presses made by (alphabetically not by preference): - Dillon, Herters, Hornady, Lee, Lyman, Pacific, RCBS, and Redding. In the early 90’s, I got a 550 (which I still own) at a garage sale, where they had no clue to its value. I then became an official member of the blue buffoon battalion, and then became guilty of spreading “lots of BS” blue bullroar. I was like so many of the dishonest or blindly brand loyal people who have never owned or loaded with any other progressive, yet cluelessly advocate a single brand.
"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." - Demosthenes c.383-322 B.C.
Then I saw the LNL and I was shaken by the better and more inovative design. Do yourself a big favor, get the LNL, it requires a little time to be proficient, but when you get stuck, we are always here.
http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf
I started reloading in 1960, and have loaded for 27 rifle and 17 pistol cartridges. I have loaded metallic cartridges on various presses made by (alphabetically not by preference): - Dillon, Herters, Hornady, Lee, Lyman, Pacific, RCBS, and Redding. In the early 90’s, I got a 550 (which I still own) at a garage sale, where they had no clue to its value. I then became an official member of the blue buffoon battalion, and then became guilty of spreading “lots of BS” blue bullroar. I was like so many of the dishonest or blindly brand loyal people who have never owned or loaded with any other progressive, yet cluelessly advocate a single brand.
"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." - Demosthenes c.383-322 B.C.
Then I saw the LNL and I was shaken by the better and more inovative design. Do yourself a big favor, get the LNL, it requires a little time to be proficient, but when you get stuck, we are always here.
The Hornady LNL is very easy to use. It's a 5 station press just like the 650 and a lot cheaper.
You can get one for $329 along with 1000 free bullets. Order a pistol rotor and insert at the same time and you can be reloading in a hour.
It took me a hour to set mine up and start turning out rounds. The collets make changing calipers real easy. Once you set up a die you never have to adjust it again, it just twist out and stays set for the next time.
I've had 3 friends with Dillon 550's use mine and they all said the same thing.
They liked it and couldn't belive how fast you can change calibers.
You can get one for $329 along with 1000 free bullets. Order a pistol rotor and insert at the same time and you can be reloading in a hour.
It took me a hour to set mine up and start turning out rounds. The collets make changing calipers real easy. Once you set up a die you never have to adjust it again, it just twist out and stays set for the next time.
I've had 3 friends with Dillon 550's use mine and they all said the same thing.
They liked it and couldn't belive how fast you can change calibers.
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I concur with Shoney
I have a been reloading since about 1960 but, always on a single stage press. I bought a MEC 9000 for shotgun about 15 years ago and had a revelation as to the benefits of a progressive loader and LOTS of shooting. I got interested in pistol competition and that meant a lot of ammo. SOOOO, I started the search for a progressive press.
Let me state this up front (Lest I be attacked by Dillon owners). The Dillon is an outstanding machine and had been on the market a long time. For your needs, I'm sure you will be happy with the Dillon 550. HOWEVER, every single "blow-up" (i.e. double powder charge!!!) I have read about on the web over the last couple years has come from a Dillon 550. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE 550 MACHINE IS INFERIOR. Quite the contrary, it's an EXCELLENT machine (Be nice Dillon owners!) It's just that it is EASIER to make a mistake if you are distracted with MANUAL INDEXING than with auto-indexing. The Dillon 650 won't have this problem but, it is a whole lot more money than the Hornady Lock and Load.
I have had the LNL for about a year. It took me about 2 hours to set up and start loading. I had a few growing pains while learning which is expected FROM ANY NEW LOADING SYSTEM. I feel the LNL is by far the best AP press for the money. I am very satisfied and my friend and mutiple Dillon owner simply stated, "That's a VERY NICE SETUP!!
I have a been reloading since about 1960 but, always on a single stage press. I bought a MEC 9000 for shotgun about 15 years ago and had a revelation as to the benefits of a progressive loader and LOTS of shooting. I got interested in pistol competition and that meant a lot of ammo. SOOOO, I started the search for a progressive press.Let me state this up front (Lest I be attacked by Dillon owners). The Dillon is an outstanding machine and had been on the market a long time. For your needs, I'm sure you will be happy with the Dillon 550. HOWEVER, every single "blow-up" (i.e. double powder charge!!!) I have read about on the web over the last couple years has come from a Dillon 550. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE 550 MACHINE IS INFERIOR. Quite the contrary, it's an EXCELLENT machine (Be nice Dillon owners!) It's just that it is EASIER to make a mistake if you are distracted with MANUAL INDEXING than with auto-indexing. The Dillon 650 won't have this problem but, it is a whole lot more money than the Hornady Lock and Load.
I have had the LNL for about a year. It took me about 2 hours to set up and start loading. I had a few growing pains while learning which is expected FROM ANY NEW LOADING SYSTEM. I feel the LNL is by far the best AP press for the money. I am very satisfied and my friend and mutiple Dillon owner simply stated, "That's a VERY NICE SETUP!!
Hunter0924
Member
Hornady L-N-L progressive.
http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf
http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf
bogie
Member
Lee makes a bullet feeder...
One can do a lot to avoid blow-ups when using ANY press by picking a powder charge that is fairly obvious to spot when something's "wrong". It is tough to do with revolver cases, but in 9mm and 45ACP, it is easy enough.
My pet .45 load uses Win231 - it takes about 15gr of this powder to fill the case to the brim, so I can easily spot a double of my intended charge weight.
My 9mm load uses around 7 grains of AA #7. 13 grains of this powder will overflow the case.
It ain't foolproof, but it helps.
Another thing I do is load in 50-round batches. If I screw up royally, my problem is isolated to a single batch.
As for which press? Well, I'm in the blue buffoon group (as Shoney so nicely put it). I also only live 25 miles from Dillon, and 5 of my co-workers also have Dillon presses (good support network). With that said, this thing is awesome, and it is dead easy to switch calibers.
I considered the LnL, but decided not to go against the flow - I'm happy I didn't. I'm sure the press works well, though - and I swear by Hornady products as well.
My pet .45 load uses Win231 - it takes about 15gr of this powder to fill the case to the brim, so I can easily spot a double of my intended charge weight.
My 9mm load uses around 7 grains of AA #7. 13 grains of this powder will overflow the case.
It ain't foolproof, but it helps.
Another thing I do is load in 50-round batches. If I screw up royally, my problem is isolated to a single batch.
As for which press? Well, I'm in the blue buffoon group (as Shoney so nicely put it). I also only live 25 miles from Dillon, and 5 of my co-workers also have Dillon presses (good support network). With that said, this thing is awesome, and it is dead easy to switch calibers.
I considered the LnL, but decided not to go against the flow - I'm happy I didn't. I'm sure the press works well, though - and I swear by Hornady products as well.
BigJakeJ1s
Member
Given that the LNL AP is auto indexing (one less thing to remember to do), and has room for a powder lock-out die (one less thing to remember to watch), I'd think that the LNL AP would be easier to use than a 550b.
Andy
Andy
Master Blaster
Member
NONSENSE, blaming a press for somones careless reloading practices, is like blaming a gun for the shooting. I own a Dillon 550B, have had it for 8 years and loaded around 100,000 rounds of ammo in 4 calibers on it. Last year I bought a second press a Hornady LNL. I am now running 9mm in the Dillon and .45acp in the Hornady, the dillon and the hornady are both good machines but you do have to pay attention to what you are doing. I have had 1 squibb load from the Hornady, and no squibbs from the dillon to date.
Squibbs are a bigger problem than double charges on a progressive, no double charges for me because I dont use powder that will not overflow the case on a double charge.
The bottom line is pay attention to what you are doing. You dont need a lockout die unless you plan to reload with your eyes closed. Its very easy to see the powder charge when you go to seat the bullet if you have decent lighting. Without good belling inserts that work 100% the 5 stations of the hornady are no advantage over the Dillon.
Both presses have advantages and disadvantages, and both will require a bit of adjustment to get them running 100%. The Hornady has more leverage and will require less effort for big bore pistol and rifle loads, it also auto indexes which the 550 doesn't. You cant go wrong with either press.
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CMcDermott
Member
By far the most user friendly progressive press is the RCBS 2000.
Easiest to change die plate, just pull two pins and switch plates, then re-insert the pins; the powder measure is NOT mounted on the die plate so you don't need to mess with it when changing dies. Easiest to change shell plate, remove one bolt with an allen wrench, switch plates and put the bolt back; nothing else to change or adjust. Easiest to change between small and large primers, the primer ram is easily accessible on the side of the press and they simply screw in and out; a lock nut lets you set the adjustment. The APS primer system works MUCH better than anyone else's tube primer feeds; much easier to load strips than tubes, safer and less of a chance of getting a primer upside down or sideways and crushed. This press has five die stations to allow room for a powder check die to prevent double-charging a case by accident. You get almost everything you need with the press, just a couple of common wrenches needed to put it together and do the adjustments are all you need to supply; it comes with plastic trays for empty cases, completed ammo and a metal tray for bullets. Mine also came with some empty APS strips and the tool needed to load the APS primer strips with other brands of primers besides CCI; not sure if this is still given with the press or not.
Easiest to change die plate, just pull two pins and switch plates, then re-insert the pins; the powder measure is NOT mounted on the die plate so you don't need to mess with it when changing dies. Easiest to change shell plate, remove one bolt with an allen wrench, switch plates and put the bolt back; nothing else to change or adjust. Easiest to change between small and large primers, the primer ram is easily accessible on the side of the press and they simply screw in and out; a lock nut lets you set the adjustment. The APS primer system works MUCH better than anyone else's tube primer feeds; much easier to load strips than tubes, safer and less of a chance of getting a primer upside down or sideways and crushed. This press has five die stations to allow room for a powder check die to prevent double-charging a case by accident. You get almost everything you need with the press, just a couple of common wrenches needed to put it together and do the adjustments are all you need to supply; it comes with plastic trays for empty cases, completed ammo and a metal tray for bullets. Mine also came with some empty APS strips and the tool needed to load the APS primer strips with other brands of primers besides CCI; not sure if this is still given with the press or not.
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