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- Thread starter johndfb55
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wasn't planning on getting a case feeder on either press... maybe I should rethink this...
I load now, have an RCBS Rockchucker IV, and a Lee Turret Press I use for .38spl / .357 mag
Going to start loading 9mm again, and I'd like to pump out a lot of ammo....
I'm pretty struck on Dillon, but I just started thinking about the Lock N Load from Hornady...
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
You can pump out a lot of ammo with either machine.... Personally I find a case feed and auto indexing invaluable for big runs of pistol and .223... Sounds like you should be looking at a 650 not a 550.
Ok, 650 it is. What about the LnL ?
if you look at a Dillon 650 with case feeder and the LnL from Hornday with case feeder, they end up being very close in price. I think the Hornady press is more but the case feeder is cheaper. Those are with the prices at P&D. Ends up being which one you like better. I was in the very same situation and my research led me to that conclusion. I personally like Dillon, I have a 550 already so I can use some of the extras on the 650. Powder bar, primer tubes and so on. Some guys have the Hornady and really like it. They used to have a promotion for free bullets, which some guys took advantage of. You might be able to find better deals if you look around.
I just bought the LNL from Budget Shooter Supply and I love it. I only use it for 9mm as I go through a butt load of it between me and my wife. Once set up it runs pretty flawlessly and taking it easy I can turn out 300 rounds an hour. If I really get going I've done 450. The only "problem" I had with it was the primer feed. The shuttle can stick if you get a brass filing stuck in it, and when you pull the lever it sticks a bit and if you try to force it you will bend the guide rod. Its easily fixed in about 5 minutes but a frustrating problem if it happens. If you pay attention to what you are doing you wont have any trouble with it, all my hiccups with it have come from inattention. Any dies will work with it and the powder measure is easy to adjust and very accurate. If you keep it clean and well lubed you will be very happy with it.
Apparently the Hornady bullet offer is being carried over this year so that helps with cost recovery. I bought mine with a bunch of supplies to go along with it and was only out $850. For 9mm, with the right bullet and powder choice, payback is around 5000 rounds
Oh and I dont have a case or bullet feeder as I'm too cheap to pay for it, but I'm quite ambidextrous so pulling the lever and feeding at the same tome are pretty easy for me.With a case feeder I would think 600 rounds an hour is doable, the only thing that will slow you down is loading primers into it
Apparently the Hornady bullet offer is being carried over this year so that helps with cost recovery. I bought mine with a bunch of supplies to go along with it and was only out $850. For 9mm, with the right bullet and powder choice, payback is around 5000 rounds
Oh and I dont have a case or bullet feeder as I'm too cheap to pay for it, but I'm quite ambidextrous so pulling the lever and feeding at the same tome are pretty easy for me.With a case feeder I would think 600 rounds an hour is doable, the only thing that will slow you down is loading primers into it
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Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
The 650 and LNL both have there ups an downs, but they both churn out the ammo at a shocking rate and require little or no constant fiddling... It's a matter of deciding if blue or red go better with your curtains.
You will find initial cost to be up and running with either machine plus a case feeder to be around the $900 ballpark with a few extras but shop around!... I have seen the price of the 650 from $550 to as much as $750 plus the case feeder and the LNL is typically around the $450 mark plus case feeder... 500+ rnds per hour is a leisurely pace with either machine.
650 model is the one who should be compared to the LnL. Both are automatic index. The 550 is manual indexing I believe.
I own the LnL and like the priming system better. I also like the 5 stations with quick release bushings set up better then the 4 station "block" on the Dillon. The system is super simple and you can swap form small to large primers in minutes.
Powder drop? The powder drop system on the Hornady works very well. Clean and only operates if a case is present on the shell holder. Precise enough most of the time ( .1/.05 g ) Powder mesure will stay precise. I check mine often and rarely I have to adjust the mesure.
The down side is that if you plan to reload rifle ( small - large ) with it you need to swap the powder drop "drum" every time and also swap the powder mesure. THis sucks.
I got 2 complete powder drop system. One for pistol and one for rifle. Makes it easier. I got my extra one for 100 used in very good condition.
Some say that the powder drop system is not super accurate and consistent. Well mine is but you need to clean the powder tube and parts very well prior to use. and use only some dry lube for it. I used silicon spay lube on mine to start with. Works very well.
I paid 500$ for my LnL. Basic set up. Work very well for pistol rounds. In 1 year I had to correct dies and powder drop settings only a few times. Keep the primer system very clean would be my advice. And please order a few spare "Springs" ( 3$ ) for the shell retention system under the shellplate. If it get caught between the ez-eject system and the case if might get damage. Good to have another one ready to go instead of waiting 2 weeks for Hornady to ship one for you. add another 100-200$ for shell plate and dies for a caliber. Depending on the quality you are looking for. I suggest a carbide resize die. Will make it super smooth on the handle.
P.S. I broke a shellplate spring once in 3 years... Just saying.
Never used the case feeder. To expensive and I can reload 300-400 rounds per hour taking my time. good enough for me. And rifle rounds? Not needed. I use my progressive press just like a single stage for rifle rounds except for the plinking .223. Bullet feeder? With a progressive press you will have a free hand to place the bullet yourself... hehe... Also quite expensive.
Cheers.
I own the LnL and like the priming system better. I also like the 5 stations with quick release bushings set up better then the 4 station "block" on the Dillon. The system is super simple and you can swap form small to large primers in minutes.
Powder drop? The powder drop system on the Hornady works very well. Clean and only operates if a case is present on the shell holder. Precise enough most of the time ( .1/.05 g ) Powder mesure will stay precise. I check mine often and rarely I have to adjust the mesure.
The down side is that if you plan to reload rifle ( small - large ) with it you need to swap the powder drop "drum" every time and also swap the powder mesure. THis sucks.
I got 2 complete powder drop system. One for pistol and one for rifle. Makes it easier. I got my extra one for 100 used in very good condition.
Some say that the powder drop system is not super accurate and consistent. Well mine is but you need to clean the powder tube and parts very well prior to use. and use only some dry lube for it. I used silicon spay lube on mine to start with. Works very well.
I paid 500$ for my LnL. Basic set up. Work very well for pistol rounds. In 1 year I had to correct dies and powder drop settings only a few times. Keep the primer system very clean would be my advice. And please order a few spare "Springs" ( 3$ ) for the shell retention system under the shellplate. If it get caught between the ez-eject system and the case if might get damage. Good to have another one ready to go instead of waiting 2 weeks for Hornady to ship one for you. add another 100-200$ for shell plate and dies for a caliber. Depending on the quality you are looking for. I suggest a carbide resize die. Will make it super smooth on the handle.
P.S. I broke a shellplate spring once in 3 years... Just saying.
Never used the case feeder. To expensive and I can reload 300-400 rounds per hour taking my time. good enough for me. And rifle rounds? Not needed. I use my progressive press just like a single stage for rifle rounds except for the plinking .223. Bullet feeder? With a progressive press you will have a free hand to place the bullet yourself... hehe... Also quite expensive.
Cheers.
- Location
- Fort McMurray
I have a LnL ... good press, no major issues. A few minor things here and there, as said previously. Called Hornady a couple times in regards to a couple parts that didn't fit right, or weren't working properly ... they sent out new ones right away with no complaints.
I would suggest polishing the bottom of the shell plates you get right away. It helps make it run smooth. I also got an ergonomic handle for it http://ww w.inlinefabrication. com/ and that thing makes life a pile easier.
All that being said, I found myself with a major case of tennis elbow about 6 months ago which set me back. Reloading and shooting suffered in a big way. So I decided to go with a Dillon 1050 and a PW autodrive for it. Since I shoot 500+ rounds a week of .40, it was a pretty easy sell.
Right now my LnL has sat idle for over 2 months. Probably going to sell it and get another 1050 in 9mm
I would suggest polishing the bottom of the shell plates you get right away. It helps make it run smooth. I also got an ergonomic handle for it http://ww w.inlinefabrication. com/ and that thing makes life a pile easier.
All that being said, I found myself with a major case of tennis elbow about 6 months ago which set me back. Reloading and shooting suffered in a big way. So I decided to go with a Dillon 1050 and a PW autodrive for it. Since I shoot 500+ rounds a week of .40, it was a pretty easy sell.
Right now my LnL has sat idle for over 2 months. Probably going to sell it and get another 1050 in 9mm
