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Hornady Lock -n-Load ? Worth the $$

Brown Bass HunterBrown Bass Hunter Member Posts: 36 ✭✭
edited October 2008 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
I was considering purchasing a new hornady lock-n-load progressive press and was wondering if anyone would offer any info on the ease of use and any problems they might of had with this press.

I would be reloading 40 S&W, 38/357, and .223 Remington.
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Comments

  • dclocodcloco Member Posts: 2,967
    edited November -1
    Go Dillon 550B. Researched this quite a while and am VERY happy with the Dillon.
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  • shootlowshootlow Member Posts: 5,425
    edited November -1
    Dillon 550B and dont look back
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  • skyfishskyfish Member Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hornady all the way, I purchased one about 5 months ago, love it. I've loaded 1000 40 s&w with it will be doing 223 as well, easy change over, especially if your primers stay the same size. Very easy to use and well put together. The only thing that could be improved is the ejector but its okay. For more than one calibur, its the way to go.
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  • OdawgpOdawgp Member Posts: 5,380 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by skyfish
    Hornady all the way, I purchased one about 5 months ago, love it. I've loaded 1000 40 s&w with it will be doing 223 as well, easy change over, especially if your primers stay the same size. Very easy to use and well put together. The only thing that could be improved is the ejector but its okay. For more than one calibur, its the way to go.


    +1

    I have loaded 2k 45acp and 1k 40 S&W and about 500 223 so far I would agree that the only thing I would change is the ejection mechanism but I have noticed since I moved the bullet seat die to the fifth station the occasional eject problem has went away.

    easily worth every penny, the dillon is also a good machine but a little more $$$ is it worth more $$
    IMO no
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  • Brown Bass HunterBrown Bass Hunter Member Posts: 36 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks so much for the info and advice.
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  • OdawgpOdawgp Member Posts: 5,380 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    BBH

    I got your email and will help answer any questions you have

    I hadn't heard from you, and didn't know if you had received my response
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  • fire for effectfire for effect Member Posts: 121 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dcloco
    Go Dillon 550B. Researched this quite a while and am VERY happy with the Dillon.


    I have used a Dillon 450, for 30 years, a Dillon 550, for 10 years,and a Hornady Lock and Load for 3 years. the Hornady Lock and load is a far superior press to the Dillon Presses. The auto indexing Mechanism is made of steel rather than the cheap plastic of the Dillon 650, and the Priming mechanism is very similar to the Dillon 550.

    If Hornady gave me the opportunity, I would gladly trade in my Dillon presses for a discount on Hornady Lock and Load presses.

    NRA Certified Reloading Instructor
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  • Brown Bass HunterBrown Bass Hunter Member Posts: 36 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks very much for all the help.

    Good to get the info from the "front line".
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  • chappsynychappsyny Member Posts: 3,381 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a LNL AP with the case feeder and I love it. The case retention and priming systems are far superior to the Dillon. There's nothing wrong with dillon, but I have used a 650 and didn't like it as much as my LNL. The Dillon 1050 is a major step up, but at $1500 that's a different animal all together.

    With the "get loaded" program that Hornady is offering where they will give you 1000 XTP bullets in the caliber of your choice it's makes the Hornady press much cheaper.
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  • chappsynychappsyny Member Posts: 3,381 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I forgot to mention: if you do get a LNL get Hornady dies. Other brands will work just fine, but Hornady dies are a little longer to account for the bushing system. It just makes things easier. Plus, the hornady die boxes are a little taller to accomodate the bushings. I find that I can't close the lid on the Lee and Redding boxes because of the rim on the bushing.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    In my view, anyone who says "Dillon all the way and don't look back" or "Hornady all the way" or whatever can only make that sort of recommendation honestly IF they have owned both of said presses. Maybe you all have, I don't know. Fire for effect states such up front, so I very much trust his opinion. The rest of you are most likely- and this is fine- supporting something because you like it, but in truth can't say if you'd like the compeition better or less.

    I've not owned the Hornady Lock n Load system so I cannot comment on it in terms of reliability, funcitonality, etc., but my impression- as well as with the new Lee system of similar design- is that it's a fix for something that is a non-issue. It takes me what, 4,5 seconds to screw a die in? If that's really such a burden for a reloader, I don't think they should be reloading to begin with if they are that impatient.
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  • OdawgpOdawgp Member Posts: 5,380 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by jonk
    In my view, anyone who says "Dillon all the way and don't look back" or "Hornady all the way" or whatever can only make that sort of recommendation honestly IF they have owned both of said presses. Maybe you all have, I don't know. Fire for effect states such up front, so I very much trust his opinion. The rest of you are most likely- and this is fine- supporting something because you like it, but in truth can't say if you'd like the compeition better or less.

    I've not owned the Hornady Lock n Load system so I cannot comment on it in terms of reliability, funcitonality, etc., but my impression- as well as with the new Lee system of similar design- is that it's a fix for something that is a non-issue. It takes me what, 4,5 seconds to screw a die in? If that's really such a burden for a reloader, I don't think they should be reloading to begin with if they are that impatient.


    I have not owned a Dillon but have used one extensively and until I moved I had no need to buy a progressive reloader of my own as I had one that I could use anytime... it was great and did what was asked of it.. When I did start to look to buy one I researched long and hard. In the end the biggest reasons I went with the LnL was cost. Having now used both it seems that reliability & functionality is a toss up between a Dillon and LnL.

    Dillon makes a great reloader but there is a premium for the Dillon name that some of us just aren't willing to pay. having the Dillon name on the press doesn't make the final product anymore functionable or reliable it all goes bang in the end!!

    quote:I forgot to mention: if you do get a LNL get Hornady dies. Other brands will work just fine, but Hornady dies are a little longer to account for the bushing system. It just makes things easier. Plus, the hornady die boxes are a little taller to accomodate the bushings. I find that I can't close the lid on the Lee and Redding boxes because of the rim on the bushing.

    +1

    As with any manuf, they make their dies to work best in there presses

    I use Lee dies and haven't had any problems they are shorter than Hdy

    I am close to needing more adjustment but until then I will use what I already had and will upgrade as needed
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