progressive reloading stations

[richard_123]

looking for feed back on progressive reloading stations for 223 and 308. pros and cons. most reliable brands. If this article has already been addressed please forward the site of discussion.

 

[bheadboy]

Richard, i use a Hornady LNL and RCBS ammo master, both are good the LNL more precise,

i do not load for competition except IHMSA, casual target, pd, hunting, ipsc, if you are really into comp rifle, thin look elsewher or single stage

Bob

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Dillon is the far and away leader. Many of the top shooters in a lot of different competitions use them. They are number 1 for good reason....great products and outstanding service. You just can't go wrong with big Blue.

 

[7stubby]

+1 for the Hornady LNL. Really good press and customer service with Hornady is top notch. Caliber conversions on the LNL are much cheaper then on the Dillon. Watch some Youtube videos on both presses and if possible find someone or a store that might have both and compare them in person to see which one you would like better. Everyone can say which one is better, but when it comes down to it, its what feels better to you and works better for you too. Just my 3 cents. Jake

 

[jonbearman]

I love my dillon,but there was a learning curve.I realized that their dies work much better on the smaller cased rounds.You can make dumb mistakes like I have ,like no powder in the case etc.Like I say their is a learning curve.Dont ever leave and come back unless you are sure where you left off,that is all I am saying.Dillon uses alot of pot metal just like the lee loaders.It seems to hold up well though.That is my only grumble besides their auto powder measure wont load stick powder.If they went to solid carbide bars in the powder measure they would cut any powder.So far they have not tried to do it.These are my gripes and I am sticking to it.I still love my machine and wont change to any other brand because of their unbelievable service dept.I lost a decapping stem with a carbide expander ball.I LOST IT! They replaced it because I am a loyal customer.Rcbs sometimes gives me a song and dance,but rarely.Hornady's lock and load system is great and if I had to do it all over I would buy the hornady due to a conventional powder measure and the frame is cast steel instead of powdered burfullgum.(burfillgum,basically cheap s#@t.) Hornady has just as many options in their press line's and plenty of other reloading products that are extremely nice.Their press takes up less space on the bench and mounts conventionally. They also give you 500 free bullets.If you go to midsouth or natchez they have sale's and rebates from time to time.I have excellent luck buying from either supplier.By the way you can load match grade ammo on almost any automated reloader out there.I was reading on our forum a while back and a gentleman said he had massive runout using these type's of machine's,so I ran downstairs and loaded about a hundred round's on my Dillon and guess what,Less than .001 tir(total indicator runout using hornadys new tool for measuring this.I am sold on progressive machine's and always have a rockchucker for forming case's or small lots of ammo.The most accurate way of reloading is with wilson hand dies and a arbor press.This is the most accurate and the slowest way of reloading but it has great merit.I hope I have been able to help you make up your mind.

 

[tomj44]

Good info here: http://www.usrifleteams.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4314

 

[drano38]

+2 on Hornady LNL AP.
I got one the first year they came out. It works great. I'd guess the improvements over the years makes them even better. Does all a blue 650 for less money.
I shot IPSC and ran 5,000+ rounds a year for several years thru it, and it worked great.
Hornady service is very good also. If you ask nicely, they will normally replace non-warranty items. The only thing that has broke on mine is the shell retainer spring. Now I keep a spare.
I load .223 and don't remember the runout, but it was close to what I get on my Redding Big Boss.
Die changes are quick w/ the LNL feature, and you don't need to buy a tool head and powder measure for simple caliber changes like w/ big blue.
The shell plate is bigger for easier access if you need to pull a case, and the spring retention makes cases easy to pull out for a powder scale check.
Since mine is an early model, I don't have the powder measure LNL inserts. But I do have the rifle and pistol micrometer powder insert adjusters, and like them because I keep track of the micrometer setting for various powder throws--NOTE, validating with a scale and adjusting is required because it will always be a little different, especially when changing back and forth between the rifle and pistol inserts.
Make caliber changes quicker by purchasing a powder die stem for each caliber. Get them adjusted for each caliber, and leave it set. I've got 5 on the bench for various rifle and pistol calibers. Here's a link if this sounds greek.
http://www.hornady.com/store/Case-Activated-Lower-Assembly-1-Each/
You won't be missing anything that the blue coolaid says they have. (blue makes a nice press too--they wouldn't own the market if not--and their catalog and calendars are nice).
Give a hard look at all. I see red as the winner for me.