Which Progressive kit?

shredder

shredder

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
Location
15 in - 6 out
I've searched and can't find the answer to this question:

What do you think is the best progressive kit of these three:

Hornady Lock-n-Load AP

Lee Pro 1000

Dillon 550B

I'm looking to get started in reloading 9mm and .223 ammo, and would like a do-it-all kit. I plan to load to factory-standard powder charges and bullets.

I'd like to hear pros and cons as well.
 
LNL AP since it is auto-indexing, warranty and quality is on par with Dillon. Much easier to change calibers too. In the end it'll cost you less and give you more than 550B.
 
I have a Dillon 550b and the Lee Pro 1000. I reload .223 on it and have done about 3500 rounds so far on both.

Dillon Pros:

Life time guarantee on all parts
Interchangeable tool heads
Consistent and easy to change powder thrower
Non indexing
Excellent priming system

I find the non-indexing to be a pro in this case. It doesn't drastically slow down reloading and there's less that can go wrong. More time reloading, less time fixing.

I bought the Dillon after my Lee 1000 and was glad I did. I found the priming system on the Lee to be finicky and a pain. Taking apart the Lee 1000 for cleaning is a nightmare too. I also found the Lee powder thrower wasn't as consistent as the Dillon. One thing the Lee has going for it though is how much it costs.

They are both good presses, but I found the Dillon to be superior in my case. Others may disagree and have nothing good to say about the Lee, but for me that's not the case. Do yourself a favor, buy the right press and only cry once.
 
I agree with acrashb's list. Those are a more comparable group.

I have the Loadmaster. It works fine... Only because it has been extensively modified and tuned. Unless you have good mechanical aptitude I would suggest another machine. A bargin (with a price) is the way I look at the Loadmaster...
 
I have the 550 and the Square Deal. I have had the Pro 1000 in the past and will never purchase another one or recommend it to anyone I like!:D
Loaded 400 rds of 308win last night and the only glitch I had was one inverted primer. I was taking my time and was done in about an hour and a half. When I was using my Lee it would take that long just screwing around with the primer feed.

Cheers
JeffA
 
550B is a great machine that'll last lifetime, but I was trying to say that LNL AP is more like 650 for the price of 550 with easier and cheaper caliber changes...
 
My recent progressive purchase was made after reading "acrashb's", now nearly famous, review; (see link within his link above). Its the most objective comparison I've ever read.

Best advice I can think of is to read acrashb's comparison, investigate ALL brands on your list thoroughly (I'd check the RCBS progressive and D 650 out too), and don't get "shouted into it" by well meaning brand cheerleaders. Not that everyone's opinion isn't valuable but YOUR requirements aren't necessarily best served by MY favorite brand. Warranties and service experience should be part of your comparison and keep in mind that testimonial experiences with old models of this or that won't reflect improvements made to some recent models or quality deterioration in others.

When you do get yourself a machine, the day it arrives remove the instructions from the box, reseal the box and don't reopen it until after you've read the instructions thoroughly.

Have fun :D .
 
Can't say anything about the others but my 550b is awsome. Extremely happy with it. Call Dillon any time, they're only too happy to help.
 
Jefferson said:
:agree:

read his post again


and then


read his post again


Jefferson:agree:
Click to expand...

Now he tells me:rolleyes:

I had to break a couple things before I read the instructions.

"If it jams force it and and if it breaks it needed fixin any way"

NOOOO that is not good advise!
 
I have had my Dillon 550-B for over 19 years now and it has never let me down, all the other presses listed have come since I bought mine and I am sure that the Hornady is a great loader. With the 11 calibers I reload with my 550 I can't see switching to gain maybe 100 rounds per hour.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom