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I'm looking at jumping on the progressive reloaded wagon. Im looking at the Dillon 550, Hornady lnl, or a Lee loadmaster.
Im sure most would say dillon but are there some of you that run the others and have good luck? Let me know what you like and dont like and what presses you have run.
I run the RCBS pro 2000. Great press! I’d tell you to buy Dillon though
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I have the Dillion 550. Love the snot out of that press. When I was considering what press to get I nearly got the 650 but decided that the 550 offered a simplicity and better fit my budget.
My only complaint is the work needed to change out powders. I wish the system was a little more like the Lee where I could turn off the powder dispense, cycle through a few rounds and pull the entire hopper off to empty it. The Dillion is a bit more involved.
My experience with the Lee’s are they are nice when they work well, but unless you mechanically inclined and don’t mind fiddling a bit with things, they can jam up. The Dillion just runs.
Reloading...it’s like knitting for men.
I run Hornady lnl AP, love it. Been a great machine. No issues. I use it more than my 550
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Love my 550. I’ve never used an AP but see no reason to switch since mine just works.
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I just got my 550 oh 6 months back. The tech guys at Dillon told me that most of them ran the 550. That kind of sold me on it. IMO it is also easier to learn on the 550 when you are switching to a progressive because it is NOT auto-indexing. You move it, so you can back it up and correct something or keep it where it is and adjust dies when setting up. They have a great warranty too. I have a couple of RCBS single stage also, so not just a Dillon guy. I don't know about what the other companies have for warranties when you get away from these two brands. Probably the same, but I honestly don't know. Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide.
Dillon 550 hands down. I still use my Lee classic turret press as my prep station though! I like to have everything ready to go without any bumps to slow me down on the Dillon lol.
I vote Dillon 550. I've never owned a Hornady. They may be nice. I had a Loadmaster for 6yrs. No way in hell you could give me one again. It made nice ammo but needed tinkering constantly. All three brands seem to have very good customer service.
I had abandoned priming on Loadmaster cuz it was constant problems. Priming system on Dillon is far superior.
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Dillon.
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After yall's comments and some more reading and watching videos, the Lee is out. I am mechanically inclined, but my patience is not great since my accident. Still considering the Hornady, but the Dillon is leading the way.
I had a Hornady for a couple of years. I came across a good opportunity to buy a Dillon 550. About 6 months later, I added a second 550 and sold the Hornady equipment to buy more conversions for the 550s. I never regretted that decision. Although I have added quite a bit of equipment, bought a sold several different Dillon presses, I still have that first 550.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cooley
The cost of the conversions are a big factor in my decision. I'm gonna reload for 4 or 5 different calibers at least. That's going to be a chunk with the dillon. I'm guessing 200 per caliber from what I've read.
You are looking at $50 for a basic conversion kit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cooley
You can buy nice billet tool heads for less than $20 shipped in pairs.
I recommend a powder die for each tool head @ $13.
Then all you have to do is move the powder throw to whichever caliber you are loading. You can take measurements on your powder throw fit each caliber and return very close to where you need to be.
Used conversion show up for sale, just don’t get in a hurry. Also you might be surprised how many conversions you might be able to build.
For instance the .45 ACP shell plate is used for .308 and all of its associated cases.
Check out this site
http://thegunwiki.com/apps/calconversion/
Probably a good decision to pass on the Loadmaster if your patience isn't great right now. I bought a used one not too long ago with a lot of extras at a good price. It runs great now, even the bullet feeder and priming system but I did have to tinker with it and get a few things figured out. I knew that going in but it still got really frustrating a times. I am happy with the Loadmaster right now and think it is a big improvement over my classic turret press but everyone seems to say Dillon is the best and that is what I will probably have when I can afford it. Hopefully I will appreciate it all the more after having used others.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cooley
You will appreciate it! :) I still use my RCBS single stage, but it is night and day different. I use the Dillon for my AR calibers and 9mm. I shoot a LOT of 9mm. Bought a CZ Scorpion carbine and a CZ SP-01 and those things are fun to shoot. That being said I have to feed them. The Dillon was the only way I could keep up and not pull my hair out. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by davet
I'm glad that I had the Loadmaster first. It gave me a great appreciation for the Dillon I have now. I also learned how things operatedQuote:
Originally Posted by davet
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Dillon XL650
I am at this same crossroads myself as I am torn between the Hornady LNL AP and the dillion 550. Seems like almost every one out there is drinking the blue cool aid. I have watched tons of videos and reviews and one of my observations is that with the Hornady you can can leave your right hand on the lever and place bullets and cases with your left hand, this seems natural to me. Where the dillion you have to load a case with your right hand taking it off the lever then a bullet with your left hand then advancing the shell plate.
Is the dillion as cumbersome as it sounds or am I over thinking it?
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I don’t think so. I replaced the LNL with another 550.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingrich09
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I find the 550 pretty smooth to operate. My left hand is placing the bullet and rotating the shellplate as my right hand is grabbing and placing a case. Then my right hand is right by the pull lever to pull it. My right hand is usually back on the lever ready to pull by the time my left hand has set the bullet nice and straight. I personally like the fact that the 550 doesn't auto index. I do load the majority of my pistol on a square deal b but I don't think the 550 is much slower.
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Where did you get the handle for the redding press? I just bought one and that looks amazingQuote:
Originally Posted by Professor
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Inline FabricationQuote:
Originally Posted by Solomon.trenton
The mounts and light kits for all of the presses also came from there.
https://inlinefabrication.com
Save 15% with promo code BLACKFRIDAY18Quote:
Originally Posted by Professor
?????Quote:
Originally Posted by Solomon.trenton
The question was answered by the original poster two posts up
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