progressive presses

for the benefit of those that don't know , the dillon 550 is NOT a progressive- you have to turn a STAR WHEEL to get it to advance from one station to the next- at best it's a semi-progressive- a true progressive auto- indexes so that only pulling the lever is required-
 
t-star

What a load of hooey! Your definition might include the fact that a Progressive Press has to auto index but you won't find many who think that way. You are a couple of decades late in defining what a Progressive Press is or isn't.

Tale Care

Bob
 
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t-star said:
for the benefit of those that don't know , the dillon 550 is NOT a progressive- you have to turn a STAR WHEEL to get it to advance from one station to the next- at best it's a semi-progressive- a true progressive auto- indexes so that only pulling the lever is required-
Click to expand...


I suppose technically this may be correct, but for all intent and practice it is progessive. Every pull of the handle you get a finished round, and in some ways the manual rotation can be considered a failsafe. Personlly I have a Hornady, but these work too.:D
 
Smoothbore

There is an ongoing discussion of Lee Equipement here. You might want to read through the thread, General concensus is their equipment is entry level and doesn't stand up. You can form your own opinion. From what I read I wouldn't waste my money on a Lee Progressive. Good equipment made by Dillon, HOrnady and RCBS will last you your lifetime and longer without the headaches.

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=22554

Take Care

Bob
 
Lee stuff is ok if you have some mechanical apptitude. Most need a bit of tweaking or tuning in, then run well. If you can't tighten a spark plug, buy something else:) . It is built to a price point (ie cheaper, more plastic and soft castings) but if taken care of can work well. If your going to load ten of thousands or rounds, I'd probably buy something else. For a thousand or 500 a month, probably would be fine. It's important to keep them clean and lubricated, softer components will grind down if you run them dirty. The primer feed from a tray rather then a drop tube is nice, no filling tubes. Its a cost thing. I have a hornady and really like it, I bought it in preference to a dillon. Would I buy a lee? Depends on the deal. For loading nothing but handgun I'd probably buy it over a square deal. The square is a better press but I don't like the proprietary dies or the slow change over. For anything else I'd buy the hornady, and if I was going to do custom reloading as a buisiness, it would be a dillon 1050.

my .02
 
the 550 and the RCBS Pro 2000 are PROGRESSIVE PRESSES, they are manual indexing, not auto indexing, but that doesn't mean they are progressive. Progressive refers to doing more than one job at a time.
 
Whats the big deal about auto indexing?:confused:

When you place the bullet on the charged case, your thumb is what, about an inch and half away from indexing manually? To far to reach? Thumb get sore?

Now if you had an auto bullet feeding, auto powder pouring, primer loading press that was hooked to a motor that operated the handle, then you would have something.......:p
 
"Now if you had an auto bullet feeding, auto powder pouring, primer loading press that was hooked to a motor that operated the handle, then you would have something...."

Actually they do now. If you do a search on the web you should be able to find the name of the supplier. I am guessing but I think they go for around $15,000,000 and generally are to large for most basement gun rooms. :D :D :D

Take Care

Bob

sorry I just couldn't resist.
 
(((Echo)))

Hornady costs about the same as a Dillon 550. If you can't afford a Dillon you aren't going to be able to afford a LnL either. That said, you are buying a machine for a lifetime of use. Your needs are going to change. Buy the machine you want that will do you your lifetime. Both will do that.

Take Care

Bob
 
btw i DO have a 550b, had it since 91, but only use it for the 308- to me it seems backward not having the auto index for the money- the rest of my progressives are lee 1000 and a loadmaster- for revolver rounds- and they DO make a loaded round for every pull of handle,and pulling the handle is ALL i have to do
 
Canuck44 said:
Hornady costs about the same as a Dillon 550. If you can't afford a Dillon you aren't going to be able to afford a LnL either. That said, you are buying a machine for a lifetime of use. Your needs are going to change. Buy the machine you want that will do you your lifetime. Both will do that.

Take Care

Bob
Click to expand...

I couldn't find a new dillon 550 for within 200$ of the LNL, and from talking to the people who've tried both, they seem to prefer the LNL, stating that it's smoother and has a stronger design. Hunt around and you'll find them for 400-450, +30$ for the shell plate of your choice. And they auto index as well, more comparable to the 650 then the 550. Their case feeder is cheaper to purchase as well I believe.
 
Dillon sells the 550B for $369.95 US = $421 Cdn. I can't believe you can get a LNL for $200Cdn. The $369.95 includes all you need for one caliber no dies.

Take Care

Bob
 
I can't imagine not having my D550. It was my first press in 2004 and I have 5 quick-change assemblies, the strong mount and roller handle. The luxury of a second 550 would only be to avoid switching from small to lg pistol primers.(occasionally I've found that troublesome until tweaked.)The support system and accessories from Dillon are great with excellent phone service. One can do most reloading with it, I believe, but if not, one could buy a single stage press appropriate to that unusual application....eh what? But it's all been said.... I would also understand others who picked one of the other systems, stuck with it and feel the same way as I do, and cheers to you. Generally it wouldn't make much sense to have multiple systems where interchangeability of components is not possible. But we we don't necessarily think that way when we buy our various firearms, mags and holsters, etc....Come to think of it, I don't feel very bright at the moment. Mule
 
Dillon vs Hornady

(((Echo))) said:
Damn, now you guys got me thinking about getting a Hornady LnL AP. I can't afford a Dillon, and don't reload enough to warrant one.
Click to expand...

Canuck44 said:
Hornady costs about the same as a Dillon 550. If you can't afford a Dillon you aren't going to be able to afford a LnL either. That said, you are buying a machine for a lifetime of use. Your needs are going to change. Buy the machine you want that will do you your lifetime. Both will do that.

Take Care

Bob
Click to expand...

The Dillon I was refering to was the 1050, one sweet looking machine.
I did a more complete price comparison and the 650XL looks like it comes out roughly on par with the LnL. Dillon's case feeder is cheaper though (less $$$). Now I gotta compare the extras (toolheads, accessories...)

A couple of questions for Hornady and Dillon owners:

Spent primers.
How do each of these deal with them?

For those who have Dillons, can you comment on the powder dispenser?
Micro adjustable, swap out cavities.....?

(E) :cool:
 
Canuck44 said:
Dillon sells the 550B for $369.95 US = $421 Cdn. I can't believe you can get a LNL for $200Cdn. The $369.95 includes all you need for one caliber no dies.

Take Care

Bob
Click to expand...

I've never seen a canadian supplier with one listed under 600$. I try to buy from canadians, but I realize in this case it would be a significant saving to go south. If you want to compare a press to the LNL though, you really need to price the 650, not the 550.
 
(((Echo))) said:
The Dillon I was refering to was the 1050, one sweet looking machine.
I did a more complete price comparison and the 650XL looks like it comes out roughly on par with the LnL. Dillon's case feeder is cheaper though (less $$$). Now I gotta compare the extras (toolheads, accessories...)

A couple of questions for Hornady and Dillon owners:

Spent primers.
How do each of these deal with them?

For those who have Dillons, can you comment on the powder dispenser?
Micro adjustable, swap out cavities.....?

(E) :cool:
Click to expand...

The LNL doesn't need tool plates, just bushings, cheaper and easier to change. ( not that the plates are a big deal to swap in or out either). Hm, didn't know they had a good price on their case feeder, sweet!

For the LNL, there is a tube running out the bottom of the die that you route to your garbage can. Never had it jam up or need cleaning, just keeps putting them in the can! The LNL powder drop is great, and the new ones flare as well so you can run a powder check die. If you load pistols, get the pistol micrometer insert for the drop (30$) easier to set and more consistent for charges below 10 grains then the stock one (which is more of a rifle size. It works but I found more variation in the weights with it, couple tenths plus/minus) The primer feed on the LNL is sweet too. No tweaking, and only 2 parts to change, three if you count the tube. My best time so far on a change over excluding setting my powder drop is about 5 minutes. I could do better if it was time trials. :D
 
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