Sharp as a Marble - It’s the 9mm vs .45 argument of the reloading world

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It’s the 9mm vs .45 argument of the reloading world

Reloading

Planning on upgrading my reloading gear. I have a Lee Turret press right now which is too slow for really cranking out rounds and, honestly, the tolerances of the press aren’t that hot and consistency is an issue.

So, it’s down to the Hornady Lock & Load or a Dillon 550. Reading this, (where I picked up from Lyle as he’s thinking about the same thing) I’m leaning toward the Hornylady. Cost is important, and I’m not really going to be loading thousands of rounds a week where the Dillon 650 has the advantage.

What says the peanut gallery?

posted @ 1/6/2012 8:47:41 AM

Comments

Brice says:

on 1/6/2012 8:53:32 AM

I own the Lock and Load. Just added the case feeder this christmas. I've got shell plates and such to load .223, 308, 9mm and .357 mag. But for the most part this press just does 9mm. Loading a primer tube takes about 8 minutes and about that long to empty it back out. Using titegroup for my powder and CCI primers when I can get them. I've also run a Dillon loading .45acp, also with the case feeder. I like the charge bar more on the Dillion, but the primer feeder on the Hornady is hands down better.

Either press is capable of loading more rounds than you want to sit there and make.

Justin says:

on 1/6/2012 9:22:14 AM

Having owned a Honrady LnL and since sold it, I can say I was not overly impressed with it. The machine had several issues, mostly around the priming system, and while Hornady was excellent to deal with, it just never ran consistently. Too many stopages and issues to really get any use out of it. Considering I was loading for USPSA, which is to say high volume, it just didnt work for me.
I sold it and bought a Dillon 650 and will never look back. Buy the best and forget about it!

Joe says:

on 1/6/2012 9:26:19 AM

I've been using a Hornady LNL for about four years now and I've been happy with it. I can't say that I've ever had any major issues with it and I've always found Hornady good to deal with.

AllenF says:

on 1/6/2012 9:35:20 AM

Have the L-N-L. The primer cam needs fine tuning, but once it's set this has been a rock star. Like Brice, I just added the case feeder, too. Hoping to go full ammo factory and add the bullet feed for my birthday.

It's been more than enough for my USPSA and 3-Loading. Unless you shoot Max Michel quantities, I think you'll be fine with the L-N-L.

BalloonGoesUp says:

on 1/6/2012 9:44:29 AM

I recently bought the L-N-L AP and I am very happy with it so far. I will be testing my 1st reloads an about 15 minutes... But this post covers the only adjustments I needed to make to it.

http://www.balloongoesup.com/blog/2012/01/my-first-reloading-experience/

guffaw says:

on 1/6/2012 10:46:00 AM

I had a Dillon 650. It was great!

1 With A Bullet says:

on 1/6/2012 11:23:02 AM

I have a LNL with case feed and like it. Prior to that I loaded a couple hundred thousand rounds on a pair of Lee pro 1000's. Those were cost effective enough to keep one set up per caliber I use for competition. (I have yet to drink the Dillon kool aid; I can't justify the price.). Back to the LNL: something also to consider is that there is a promotion where you can get 500 free bullets from Hornady.

Lazy Bike Commuter says:

on 1/6/2012 11:43:05 AM

I just started reloading after Christmas and I'm only using a Lee Challenger.

But as little as I can afford to buy components right now it's more than enough for me.

thatguy says:

on 1/6/2012 12:04:43 PM

If your only going to reload 1 maybe 2 pistol calibers I would recommend the Dillon Square Deal B. I know plenty of guys who have the monster press then off to the side is the baby Dillon for their favorite pistol caliber.
For reloading precision rifle get the Forster Co-Ax press.

DirtCrasher says:

on 1/6/2012 12:16:49 PM

I have a single stage and am jealous of all you guys with multis, but you have to learn the basics somewhere.
What has so-far backed me off Dillon is it seems you need as dedicated machine for each caliber? I can't afford that either financially or space-wise. Reloader's Nest seems like a good resource to help with the decision making, but if AllenF has the L&L then I'm favorably influenced.

STW says:

on 1/6/2012 12:40:44 PM

I have a LnLAP that had some adjustment issues early on. I shipped it to Hornady and it was turned around in one day after replacing one of the sub-assemblies. Nothing but roses since. I can easily crank out 1-200 rounds almost casually. Once I got the primer system adjusted correctly it has worked like a charm. Get a RCBS lockout die. That way you'll never know if you should have.

Andrew says:

on 1/6/2012 1:15:04 PM

Been loading .30-06 and .30 Carbine on my Hornady Lnl for 2 years and it has been great. I load in two stages so I can trim after sizing, but it is still pretty fast. Caliber changes aren't as costly as Dillon and the die bushings are great.

harrysucio says:

on 1/6/2012 2:46:13 PM

I've been on my LNL for a year. I broke lots of parts in the beginning but Hornady replaced them quickly and for free. Once I stopped being a brute and learned what the machine is supposed to feel like when it is working properly, I have been happy as a clam.

What my Dillon using friends tell me is that the Hornady has the following advantages. I am told that if you load 45, it is advantage Hornady, because:

if you should accidentally use a small primer .45 case when you are set up for large primers (and you will), it's no big deal in the Hornady. Worst case scenario you spill some powder. I am told it's a big PITA in the Dillon.

Caliber changes in the Hornady are a piece of cake and very fast. After a year it takes me maybe 5 minutes.

Brice, I have a primer flipper tray, it maybe takes me a minute to load a primer tube.

I am loading approx 400 rounds an hour at a nice moderate pace (including all supplementary activities). I do not have the case feeder.

DC says:

on 1/6/2012 3:20:19 PM

Another +1 for the Hornady LnL AP. Go to ultimatereloader.com for some videos of all the major presses in action. The main point for the LnL (for me) was the caliber changes are WAY cheaper on the Hornady; all you need is the correct shellplate, plus dies. I did have to adjust the feed pawls a tiny bit to get the primer cam to line up consistently (intermittent failure to index the shell plate all the way to the detent) and I have "issues" with getting the powder measure to meter stick powders consistently without sticking; ball powders work fine. You'll have to play around a bit getting the case activation on the powder measure to have the proper throw when changing from pistol to rifle cases (I sprung for extra powder bushings to minimize this). Also +1000 on the LnL quick-change die bushings; changing out the dies is a snap and you just keep them set once you have the die adjusted. I bought the bushing insert for my Rock Chucker and haven't looked back.

Hank says:

on 1/6/2012 4:57:59 PM

I went from a Lee Turret press to a Dillon 550B in October. No experience with the L-n-L so I can't give a direct comparison.

Danno says:

on 1/6/2012 5:22:04 PM

I love my 550B and Dillon's "if it breaks, we'll fix it no matter what" warranty is top of the line. It also helps they are just up the freeway for supplies.

The downside is gearing up for a new caliber is about $200 (dies+shellplate+tool head & powder measure etc.)

For low volume rifle stuff I use a Lee single stage. Total cost for the first caliber was under a c-note. Cost to add a caliber is only about $30 (Dies + quick change collets)

Oh and the Dillon catalog always feature nice eye-candy.

Sean says:

on 1/6/2012 5:54:17 PM

For those stuck in single stage land (me), the biggest improvements in efficiency are using a good metering (usually ball) powder and proper case prep.

I do 100 LSWC .38spl target loads with trail boss in about an hour on the budget lee single stage.

Pete says:

on 1/6/2012 7:33:19 PM

+1 for lock n load. I do not have any experience with the dillon. I went straight from lee single stage to hornady.

I love it. Add the case feeder and pistol bullet feeder (or make your own for a lot less) and you have yourself a small arms ammunition plant.

Skip says:

on 1/7/2012 1:43:11 AM

I'm still using two Lee turrets for pistol and rifle.
I use a RCBS powder charger and weigh every fifth round.
Visualy inspect the block for over/under charges and seat/crimp.
It takes me: prep brass, prime, charge, seat about 45 minutes to do fifty.
I have never in five years of once a week shooting had a bad round.
Accurate rifle is an hour+ for fifty.
I'm an asshole about 'the book' on those.

Arcticelf says:

on 1/7/2012 8:55:14 AM

I'm using a Dilion 55B, with a case feeder. I'd recomend it, but I've never played with a LNL, so I cann't realy compair.

AE

Homer says:

on 1/7/2012 10:35:23 AM

I've had a Dillon 550 for over 20 years and it does everything I want a multi-stage press to do.

Not as fast as the 650, but caliber changes are cheaper and easier. I've got complete tool heads - each with powder measure - for each of the calibers I load. Once you settle on a good load, you almost never have to adjust the measure (but check it every time with a good scale to accommodate different powder batches). With complete tool heads, caliber switchover is under 2 minutes. A tip: use a vibrator of some kind to settle the powder in the measure when you fill it. I use the side of an electric engraving tool, but I've seen X-rated vibrators rubber banded to the measure and they seem to work well.

Pistol ammo (9MM, 40, 10MM, 38/357, 45) runs very comfortably on the 550 at about 475 rounds/hour, but I've occasionally pushed to almost 700/hr in 45. That's real work. I don't sit down at the press until I have about 1500-1800 pieces of empty brass, and bang them out in 4 hours. Get 10 more primer tubes and a Dillon primer flip tray - what consumes time is loading the primer tubes. If you have 1K primers ready to go that cuts your time per 1K rounds considerably.

Using any progressive press you absolutely, positively have to stay completely focused on the task, which is an argument for 1K batches which can be done in under 2 hours.

Another tip: First, the Dillon warranty and support cannot be beat. Cannot. Be. Beat. Second, run the press for a few thousand rounds then ship it back to Dillon for a warranty refurb - tell them it's working kinda stiff. They'll strip, clean and adjust the press and you won't believe how smoothly it runs after that.

maddmedic says:

on 1/7/2012 2:11:29 PM

Leaning towards Dillon myself.
I am going to start loading 9mm and using my single stage Lee, which has served me quite well!! Is a bit slow...
But Hornady makes good stuff...so I really am still "deciding"...

Merlin says:

on 1/8/2012 8:22:20 AM

Anecdotal evidence here, not personal experience.

My Dad has the Dillon 550. He used to reload quite a bit, and then got away from it for 20 years or so. Decided he wanted to get back into it, so he pulled his 550 back out and got everything set up again.

There was some sort of issue with his primer tube. It wasn't dispensing correctly in some fashion.

So, he called up Dillon. They did some over-the-phone troubleshooting with him, declared it bad, and shipped him a new one, under warranty, free of charge.

20 years after he'd last used it.

On a 30+ year old press.

And they just fixed it.

Yeah, my first press will be a Dillon.

Joe S. says:

on 1/8/2012 10:08:23 AM

I use a Dillon 550B and am pleased with it. I would add a Dillon 650 if I had the need for one. I believe you'll feel the same if you go with the 550B.

SPQR says:

on 1/9/2012 1:33:00 PM

Another neat thing about Dillon in the past has been that as they came out with upgraded models, they sold kits at a decent price to upgrade.

I bought a Dillon 450 in the mid '80's and upgraded it with most of the features of the subsequent new models since. I don't think a single piece of the original 450 is still there ...

Ken Rihanek says:

on 1/10/2012 7:28:54 PM

3rd year on my LnL. Easy; loading primers, priming cases, caliber changes... Powder drop does not like VV320, stick powder. Titegroup, WST, Power Pistol all meter very well. The only real problem I have is depriming 40SW, sometimes the spent primer sticks and does not drop. Never happens to me with 9mm or 45ACP.

You will like the autoindexing LnL better than a 550. If you want to go Dillon you need a 650.

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