Hornady Lock n Load ap
I am looking into buying a progressive loading press that I will use mainly for reloading pistol ammo. I realize that Dillion is probably the top brand but it also carries the top price tag. On the other end of the spectrum is the Lee Pro Load. I have one of these and am not real happy with it. I am looking at the Hornady Lock N Load AP. What do ya think of it. Would like some input from some of you that use one. Thanks Steve
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Save your money and buy the Dillon 550, best machine on the market and not that much higher in price than the Hornady. 0 -
I will also say save your money and buy the dillion RL550B, it is bar none the best on the market and comes with a lifetime, no questions asked, no BS warentee.
Buy once, buy right, buy dillion0 -
I will also agree with the other's so far. Don't buy the Hornady to just say you have a progressive. It will be the worst mistake you make. All progressive's are not created equal. Not quite 20 years ago, I bought an RCBS AMMO MASTER. Used it twice, and dismounted it, and it has ever since sat in the box under the bench. I love the RCBS Rockchucker line of presses, but their progressive's suck(except the GREEN MACHINE, which they stopped making 20 years ago), compared to Dillon. You will undoubtedly always wonder, what if, if you get any other progressive than a Dillon.
Best0 -
Get a used STAR if you are going to load only one or two calibers.The Star will make a Dillon pale in comparison in the way it is built. and how much easier it is to use. 0 -
As a owner of a Dillon 550 I say DONT BUY IT!
Dont drink the blue cool-aid!
The press itself is real good, but sometimes the primer systems screws up (you must keep it super clean to work right)
But the worst part is the powder measures!!!
THEY DONT WORK WORTH A DAMN!
They work OK sometimes with ball powder only...use stick and your screwed!
And yes I called Dillon, many times, their final answer was to tape a fish filter pump to it to settle the powder so it will be consistant! I thought they were kidding, but, no, they werent!
With the prices they get for their stuff, they told me to do that!!!
My reply was colorful, to say the least!
They need to go back to the drawing board and try again!
Yes, Dillon has great service, but so does Hornaday!!
BUY THE LOCK AND LOAD AND BE HAPPY!!!0 -
quote:Originally posted by the middle
As a owner of a Dillon 550 I say DONT BUY IT!
Dont drink the blue cool-aid!
The press itself is real good, but sometimes the primer systems screws up (you must keep it super clean to work right)
But the worst part is the powder measures!!!
THEY DONT WORK WORTH A DAMN!
They work OK sometimes with ball powder only...use stick and your screwed!
And yes I called Dillon, many times, their final answer was to tape a fish filter pump to it to settle the powder so it will be consistant! I thought they were kidding, but, no, they werent!
With the prices they get for their stuff, they told me to do that!!!
My reply was colorful, to say the least!
They need to go back to the drawing board and try again!
Yes, Dillon has great service, but so does Hornaday!!
BUY THE LOCK AND LOAD AND BE HAPPY!!!
I have been using the same Dillon 550 for 15 years and have never had an issue with the priming or powder measure. The only people I have seen who have problems with the Dillon, don't really take the time to learn how to operate the machine correctly. I have loaded thousands and thousands of rounds and have not had to replace a part or use the warranty service.0 -
I have a Hornady Lock-N-Load since they came out and have had no problems with it.I Love the auto index.[^] 
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quote:Originally posted by the middle
As a owner of a Dillon 550 I say DONT BUY IT!
Dont drink the blue cool-aid!
The press itself is real good, but sometimes the primer systems screws up (you must keep it super clean to work right)
But the worst part is the powder measures!!!
THEY DONT WORK WORTH A DAMN!
They work OK sometimes with ball powder only...use stick and your screwed!
And yes I called Dillon, many times, their final answer was to tape a fish filter pump to it to settle the powder so it will be consistant! I thought they were kidding, but, no, they werent!
With the prices they get for their stuff, they told me to do that!!!
My reply was colorful, to say the least!
They need to go back to the drawing board and try again!
Yes, Dillon has great service, but so does Hornaday!!
BUY THE LOCK AND LOAD AND BE HAPPY!!!
L[}:)]L! Now you've done it ... [:p]0 -
quote:Originally posted by CS8161
quote:Originally posted by the middle
As a owner of a Dillon 550 I say DONT BUY IT!
Dont drink the blue cool-aid!
The press itself is real good, but sometimes the primer systems screws up (you must keep it super clean to work right)
But the worst part is the powder measures!!!
THEY DONT WORK WORTH A DAMN!
They work OK sometimes with ball powder only...use stick and your screwed!
And yes I called Dillon, many times, their final answer was to tape a fish filter pump to it to settle the powder so it will be consistant! I thought they were kidding, but, no, they werent!
With the prices they get for their stuff, they told me to do that!!!
My reply was colorful, to say the least!
They need to go back to the drawing board and try again!
Yes, Dillon has great service, but so does Hornaday!!
BUY THE LOCK AND LOAD AND BE HAPPY!!!
I have been using the same Dillon 550 for 15 years and have never had an issue with the priming or powder measure. The only people I have seen who have problems with the Dillon, don't really take the time to learn how to operate the machine correctly. I have loaded thousands and thousands of rounds and have not had to replace a part or use the warranty service.
YES I TOOK THE TIME TO "LEARN" all about the machine, and like I said I talked to Dillon many times! The measures dont work at all with stick powders! Google it, you'll see thousands of folks with the same problems! Many also show fixes for it, but like I said, for the prices of their stuff, I should'nt have to do anything to them for them to work right!
DONT BUY DILLON!0 -
the middle,
Number one...There are not many measures that work well with EXTRUDED powders...Hornady included. They have a tapper onthe side like the lymans to help with that on some models. The best way to use a progressive is with the powder drop tube, and a funnel, dropping a measured charge of EXTRUDED powder from a LYMAN DPS III 1200.
Number two...If one is bullheaded enough to think they are going to get a regular powder measure to work with EXTRUDED powder, without a tapping or vibratory device, then they are to dense to listen to the conversation they are having with the manufacturer.
Number three...If you cannot get a Dillon progressive to run correctly, then you need to have someone show you how to set it up correctly. There is NOTHING that the HORNADY press can do, that the DILLON will not do BETTER. For that matter, there are very few manufacturer's that can compete with Dillons quality and customer service, in the progressive reloading press arena.
Lastly...The primer tube issue you had is susceptible to ALL presses, that use a priming tube feed system. The need to be kept in adjustment, as they are mechanical, and will loosen up, and wear.
My last suggestion, is that you get yourself some tutoring, by someone with the know, before you hurt yourself, and/or someone else.
Best0 -
I've tapped a powder measure for so long it's become a habit (over 50 yrs.) I wouldn't load without doing it no matter the measure brand or powder type.[:)] 0 -
Lets get rid of a few myths.
Dillion's warranty is better. FALSE.
Hornady has the same warranty.
Dillion is better than Hornady LnL. OPINION.
I have and use the Lnl, it is great. I have used the Dillion 650 and 1050, both nice machines. If cost and versatility are considered, my opinion is the LnL is better. I don't live where money grows on tree's. I purchased the LnL, I also have a friend that uses Lee's turret press. It is worth the upgrade to a LnL. Again, my OPINION.
I load, 40SW, 9mm and 223 with it all in the same night. I can used any standard dies. And feel their priming system is superior. It must be kept clean, as all brands will need to.
I try and use ball powders, I have run several 100 of 223 with XMR2015, but I find I keep my thumb on the powder meter rotor and help "cut" the kernels. If not, it will crimp the brass before the bullet is there, occasionally. Maybe 1 in 12. FYI, I usually use Ramshot X-Terminator for that app.
My LnL is without the EZ-ject system. The only weak point on my machine. I think that has been resolved.
All progressives will take some setup, I had to adjust the prawns(?) for the correct indexing. But otherwise trouble free, I did jam my primer slide one with a small flake of brass that came from a military 5.56 that didn't get de-crimped enough, my bad.
I think both Dillion and Hornady make quality machines, I just feel the Hornady is a better value. Feel free to email me and I can give you some help. But this is my busiest work time and I like to late season hunt, so it may be a couple of days.0 -
quote:Originally posted by tsr1965
the middle,
Number one...There are not many measures that work well with EXTRUDED powders...Hornady included. They have a tapper onthe side like the lymans to help with that on some models. The best way to use a progressive is with the powder drop tube, and a funnel, dropping a measured charge of EXTRUDED powder from a LYMAN DPS III 1200.
Number two...If one is bullheaded enough to think they are going to get a regular powder measure to work with EXTRUDED powder, without a tapping or vibratory device, then they are to dense to listen to the conversation they are having with the manufacturer.
Number three...If you cannot get a Dillon progressive to run correctly, then you need to have someone show you how to set it up correctly. There is NOTHING that the HORNADY press can do, that the DILLON will not do BETTER. For that matter, there are very few manufacturer's that can compete with Dillons quality and customer service, in the progressive reloading press arena.
Lastly...The primer tube issue you had is susceptible to ALL presses, that use a priming tube feed system. The need to be kept in adjustment, as they are mechanical, and will loosen up, and wear.
My last suggestion, is that you get yourself some tutoring, by someone with the know, before you hurt yourself, and/or someone else.
Best
I dont need "TUTORING"!!!!! I KNOW HOW SOMETHING IS SUPPOSED TO WORK AND DILLON DOESNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a piece of crap Lee measure that works better by leaps and bounds!!!
And a Horaday thats works ALOT better also!!!!
STOP DRINKING THE BLUE COOL AID!!!!!
That being said I think Dillon builds some cool stuff (see the Dillon Areo). Like I said the press itself is great, the primer feed system works OK, I feel it should work better. BUT>>>> there are THOUSANDS of complaints about their powder measures....because they
DONT WORK!!!!!!!!!
I dont expect any measure to work to the .00 grain every throw, and Im happy with .03 +/- , like the POS lee and hornaday do. But dillon goes everywhere from dead on one throw to .09 to -.08 grains the next and whats the use of haveing a progressive press if you have to weigh each charge?? That saves NO time at all!!
The most expensive stuff on the market should perform better!!! Without user modifications!!!!!!
Dont tell me I dont know how to use this very simple press, I work on powerhouse generators for a living(which are the size of a house) and am very comfortable with mechanical things!
The man asked for advice and I gave my honest answer, Dillon is not all it is cracked up to be!!!0
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