Dillon 550 or Hornady Lock N Load AP ?

[HappyHunter]

I have decided to get a progressive press.  I am between the Hornady Lock N Load AP  and the Dillon 550.  I am aware that one is auto indexing and the dillon in not.  

I will load the following on a monthly basis:

45 acp 500-1200 month.
357 mag 300-500 month.
38 special 300-500 month.
44 mag.  200 month.

Later I will be loading other pistol coalibers.

I will also be loading 223 rem.  infrequently and 500-1000 at a time.

All other rifle calibers will be done on the Rockchucker.

I heard a rumor that the Hornady does not work well with 45 acp?

Any advise and good sources for press are welcome.

Thanks
Fred

[Hairtrigger]

Both are great machines with the same warranty. The dillon will be a bit more money for each caliber change. The Hornady is less complex of a machine (less parts)

[1GLOCK]

I'm using the Dillon 550 for all my loads. Because you have to index it yourself it gives me a second to double check myself, with my 40s&w loads for my Glock thats important to me. The only problem I have is the primer feed system hangs up one in a while despite keeping it as clean as possible. Not a big problem but it is a pain when you dump the powder and it sifts through the primer hole (this has happened only a few times in about 1000 rounds). Overall Im very satisfied with the Dillon though and would buy another one.

[Hcliff]

Love the Dillion.  They have that great warranty.  I wore out my primer cup springs twice (they last at least 10,000 round they told me if my memory is right) and they sent me new one no charge.  they are great.  I like this machine for using it as at turret press also.  Great for try out new loads.

Hcliff

[HappyHunter]

The Dillon is what I went with, it is on order.  Don't think I will retire the rock chucker yet, will use it for rifle ammo.  

Thanks for the input I will post my results.

Fred :-)

[Questor]

I like the Dillon 550 and have no experience with the Hornady. It's a standard around here for reloading pistol ammo in high volumes. It, like other progressive presses, requires occasional maintenance.  Getting the maintenance kit at about $20 is a good idea because you'll have spares for all of the parts that are likely to need routine replacement.  I particularly like having the "canned air" to blow the crud out of it after I'm done with each reloading session.  

The most regular problem I encounter is in the primer feed.  Take some extra time to learn that part of the mechanism so that you can make routine cleanings without it detracting too much from your reloading sessions.  Mine needs some attention about once every 5,000 rounds.

I use mine only with one cartridge. If I were doing multiple cartridges I'd get extra tool heads so I didn't have to set up the dies every time I made a change.  Also, I don't think I'd want to switch from cartridges requiring small primers and large primers. It's extra work in setup, although it only takes a few minutes to make the change.

[HappyHunter]

Questor,

Sounds like good advice.  I did order the maintenance parts kit as well as 4 die heads.  I plan to load 357 mag, 38 special, 44 mag and 45 acp.  Later I will do 41 mag when I find the right S&W.  Possiblly 40 and 9 mil for my brother, and son.  The machine will see some serious use.

Just like when my wife gets a new piece of furniture it affects the furniture in the entire house to get it to fit in...my gun room is undergoing an overhaul.  I am building a new 8 ft  bench and relocating other press and measures.  It is truley a labor of love.  

Thanks for your input.
Fred

[Alice Cooper]

after using a single stage lyman spartan for 30 years, the dillon is pure MAGIC!! you'll love it once you get familiar with it.but the single stage is right beside it,used for times when i load something i don't have conversions for...and sizing with the lee sizer.