Currently I use a Forster Co Ax for my rifle reloading needs. It does the trick for me, albeit slowly but I dont mind.

 

I'm thinking of getting into pistol reloading, and also perhaps some higher volume rifle for lets say AR .223 blasting for fun type stuff.

 

I'm looking at the 550b and the Hornaday progressives. I don't need the fully auto setup as I don't mind placing the brass and seating the bullet by hand. I'm trying to figure out what I would REALLY need accesory-wise for each setup to get rolling. I get that I would need dies and shellplates, but what else for each.

 

There are quite a few options particularly with the 550b, like the optional strong mount, and some kind of side trays. These things add up quickly. Would I need / really want them. Also the Hornaday, anything else I would need/want/kick myself in the a** for not getting?

 

Not trying to start a blue v. red war, just trying to get the facts of what I should be getting with each setup so I can make my decision.

 

Thanks!

Well, the first point is that the LnL is an automatic progressive so its more a competitor to the Dillon 650. Not sure if you're adamant about not being full progressive, but something to be aware of if thats a major factor. Frankly though, you can place the shell and the bullet by hand on an AP press no matter what color it is, its just a matter of not buying the shell feeder. With the manual press, you do have to the teh advancing but i htink in the end, you'll kick yourself if you dont get one from either brand as it speeds things up immensley. I have a LnL if you're curious to check one out.

Thanks Jon. You are in Keansburg? If so , I'm very close and it would be great if I could check out your setup. I'll pm you.

Id go blue thats all im saying

I have the Dillon 550B. I'm very happy with it.

the 550 you have to index by hand. the 650 and hornady you do not.

 

Dan, I got the lnl in the office if you want to play with it.

 

The only things you need for the lock n load are the extra bushings for die sets, and the shell plate carrier for whatever caliber. Comes with everything else besides the reloading basics.

 

To change over from caliber to caliber, all you need to do is swap the shell plate carrier and dies. less than 2 mins. If you have to switch over primers, small to large, or vice versa, also very quick, much faster than dillon.

 

http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

If all you are going to load is pistol then take a look at the Dillon Square Deal.

Ah I see, so the 650 is more of a comparison to the lnl. I'm not considering the square deal, as I may want do load rifle rounds on it.

 

This will take some consideration.

 

Thanks for the offer maks. Jon is much closer , but if it doesn't happen I may take you up.

If you're going with the Dillon, remember the forum discount in this thread. http://njgunforums.c...group-discount/

 

I just spoke to Vinny the other day, and he's still doing it for members.

I say go with the lnl with a case feeder. You dont have to get the casefeeder right away but it makes the process a lot easier. Plus when you only have to worry about seating the bullet you can keep one hand on the press arm and the other hand in the bullet tray. That leaves you to be able to pay attention to the cases in the shell plate. Which is very important

Dan I have the Dillon 550 and load rifle on it. You are more then welcome to check it out. It is the only one I have ever used so if you want to check someones LNL then check the Dillon let me know. Going through Vinny you get 10% off list and 1/2 off shipping if I remember correctly.

Thanks Jimmy. I'll be checking out Jon's lnl this weekend. I'm now concerned that with the 550, you need to manually advance the stages. I'll be comparing the lnl to the 650 for now on.

Doesn't matter what one you go with, but I would look at both the Dillon 650 and Hornady L-N-L, both are progressive, both can do rifle ammo and both you probably will not grow out of.

 

You can save a little money and not get the case feeder, but I'd bet that would last a week of using it at most before you wound up ordering one.

 

Also here is something else to consider, see who you know that will help you with setting up the machine and be able to mentor you as you learn. That is the only reason I did go with the Dillon 650 over the Hornady L-N-L, the only reason.

 

Each machine has it's great points, and some areas that may need a little work to customize to your liking, but know this, you will not have made a bad choice no matter what of these 2 that you may chose to get.

 

Here is one note from a new reloader who is very green but taking it slow, even though I got the 650 over the 550 being I was thinking I would rather pay once and cry once so I would have the option to load rifle calibers, I do think I would get a single stage press when and if I ever start loading rile ammo. Not sure if others would agree but for the amount of rifle I shoot and the more attention to each step in a single stage, I feel myself personally would produce better rifle ammo on a single stage.

Thats what I gather Harry, that I can't really go wrong with either. Thanks for that feedback.

 

Regarding single stage , rifle only, if you ever want to check out my Forster Co Ax setup, you are welcome to.

Thanks Dan, will take you up on that one of these days..

Thanks Jimmy. I'll be checking out Jon's lnl this weekend. I'm now concerned that with the 550, you need to manually advance the stages. I'll be comparing the lnl to the 650 for now on.

 

I have the 550B and do not miss the auto-indexing feature. I think it helps me keep my eye on the loading, and the quality control stays high.

I have the 550B and do not miss the auto-indexing feature. I think it helps me keep my eye on the loading, and the quality control stays high.

 

This is the reason I went with the 550 also. I am/was new to reloading and wanted to be able to keep my attention on what was happening. I don't think it slows me down enough to ever warrant changing to an auto-indexing press.

 

 

I have the 550B and do not miss the auto-indexing feature. I think it helps me keep my eye on the loading, and the quality control stays high.

 

this is where I had the opposite opinion. I feel I can keep an eye on it better with the auto indexing. Different strokes for different folks

this is where I had the opposite opinion. I feel I can keep an eye on it better with the auto indexing. Different strokes for different folks

 

Have to agree with him. Auto Index is the whole purpose of the progressive press to me. Otherwise, might as well just get a turret press.... wait, even the lee turret press indexes it for you. =P

 

With the auto index, I feel you have more to think about then less.

I guess that is why they make both types . As I index it manually I am checking the powder as my hand grabs a bullet. But to each their own and don't think you can go wrong with either. Which ever you are more comfortable with.

I checked out some vids for the 550, 650, and lnl. I can see the difference involved. Doesn't look like too much of an issue indexing it by hand, but thats just another step to do, and can add up in my mind when pumping out a bunch of HG ammo at a time. I think the auto-index for me will be essential. If I was loading rifle, I think the manual index would be fine, as I wouldn't be loading as many at a time.

 

In addition, the ability to later upgrade to a shell/bullet loader looks nice , and would need the auto-index to really make that effective.

Doesn't look like too much of an issue indexing it by hand, but thats just another step to do, and can add up in my mind when pumping out a bunch of HG ammo at a time. I think the auto-index for me will be essential. If I was loading rifle, I think the manual index would be fine, as I wouldn't be loading as many at a time.

 

In addition, the ability to later upgrade to a shell/bullet loader looks nice , and would need the auto-index to really make that effective.

 

Exactly. One less thing to cloud your mind while loading. You want your attention on the cases not the turret. Dont get me wrong, I am sure you can get a good rhythem with a turret though.

 

I have yet to load rifle on my progressive. However when I start I'm going to run one case at a time thru the press until I get rifle loading down. Thats why I think it's good to go with a progressive. You can run it so you can pump out a round each time, or when learning you can run one thru at a time mimicking a single stage press without having to keep swapping dies and having a separate powder measure.

Midway just put the LnL on sale for under 400. Plus you get 500 free bullets via rebate. Not a bad deal...

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/679228/hornady-lock-n-load-ap-progressive-press

Midway just put the LnL on sale for under 400. Plus you get 500 free bullets via rebate. Not a bad deal...

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/679228/hornady-lock-n-load-ap-progressive-press

 

Then stack a 30 off of a 300 purchase and your even better off.

Schit, at that price, i may just buy another! To hell with switching primer setups ever again!

The 30off coupon I found expired, and they are only good for "non-sale" items. I can use a 10$ off though just with the other non-sale stuff.

 

I'm staring at the cart right now. Hornaday nitride die set, Hornaday powder cop, set of bushing, for $477. Plus I get 500 free bullets. I'd go with their 9mm offering on the rebate which are 115gr HP/XTP.

 

This is almost too good to turn down. That's $75 worth of bullets alone.

Welp, I pulled the trigger. LnL, die set, bushings, large cartridge bin, powder cop die, $505 out the door including $10 coupon and shipping. I'll be getting those 500 bullets as well once everything comes in.

 

I priced the dillon 650 equivalent, and it can't even compare in price. Sure the lnl may not be as industrial as how the dillon appears, but from the reviews here and vids, the LnL should serve me well.

If you live local and want help setting up let me know. The instructions leave a little to be desired.

Welp, I pulled the trigger. LnL, die set, bushings, large cartridge bin, powder cop die, $505 out the door including $10 coupon and shipping. I'll be getting those 500 bullets as well once everything comes in.

 

I priced the dillon 650 equivalent, and it can't even compare in price. Sure the lnl may not be as industrial as how the dillon appears, but from the reviews here and vids, the LnL should serve me well.

Sweet! Like 'Noosh said, if you need some assistance, let us know. Be sure to watch the vids that come with it, it is helpful to get it initially set up. If there's one thing in your order i'd suggest you reconsider, its the powder cop. I have one but its a passive device so i've shelved it in favor of the RCBS lockout die. If anything is amiss with your powder throw, it stops the process in case you miss it. There's a lot going on when you reload so if you can remove one more visual cue (powder cop) and replace it with a force feedback cue (RCBS die), your focus will feel a little less frenetic.

Thanks for the info Jon. I changed the order from the powder cop to the rcbs lockout. Was $20 more, but like you said the benefits are worth it.

 

I had to order the shellplate and holder from another company as midway was out of stock on them. I also have some brass and bullets on the way from brassman.com. Time to get some powder and pistol primers from Salomon's!