Hornady ammo plant experience anyone?

Complete press, case feeder, bullet felder, everything.
I know I know,,, "Get a Dillon",, but the $$$$$ says not now.
I used a Lee Loadmaster, actually getting ready to set it back up, but wasn't happy with the primer system.
So anyone have experience with the Hornady presses?

Currently load .45acp, 9mm,, progressive, and .223/5.56 single stage. Looking to load the .223 progressive as well.

https://www.hornady.com/reloading/presses/lock-n-load-ap#!/

Thanks,
Tom

I’m far from a reloading expert, but the cost of the Hornady is in the Dillon XL750 territory, or am I missing something here? FYI someone is selling a brand new 550b for $750 on CL - located in Nokesville (no idea how legitimate it is, but I just did a quick search). Also, and this might not matter to you, the Dillon would probably hold its resale value better. I’m sure someone with better knowledge will chime in soon.

copasetic said:

I’m far from a reloading expert, but the cost of the Hornady is in the Dillon XL750 territory, or am I missing something here? FYI someone is selling a brand new 550b for $750 on CL - located in Nokesville (no idea how legitimate it is, but I just did a quick search). Also, and this might not matter to you, the Dillon would probably hold its resale value better. I’m sure someone with better knowledge will chime in soon.

Click to expand...

The Dillon is a "basic" press. Case loader, bullet loader, caliber set, you basically are in the $1500 range.
Close enough to the range of the 1150, but still no bullet feeder.

The Dillon site is difficult to "build" a press, this is included, this isn't included, you need this, you might want to add this.

Also, as near as I can tell,,, Hornady is still US made, (as is the Dillon)

Is the primer system of the Hornady better than the Lee? I am resorting to hand priming the Lee.

Also,I know the 1150 Dillon will swage primer pockets, but I already own a Dillon super swager. I also like to deprime before I clean cases,, so the swage operation although nice,,, I'd probably not utilizeit.

Here is my two cents.

When someone asks about a progressive press, I always recommend a Dillon. Why, because they have be at it the longest and have a history of being long lasting with very good customer service. The next thing I ask is how many rounds are you going to shoot a week? Unless you are sponsored and traveling around the country to matches, you can do well with a 550 or 650 machine without auto bullet and case feeds. I shoot 300 to 500 rounds a week and I use 550 and 650 machines. The only thing i have auto is auto fill for primer tubes.

As for Hornady, they have been around a long time and make some good equipment. I have used their single stage press and dies but that is about it. I will say from experience, using a rotary powder measure will give less consistency using stick powders than the Dillon slide type of measure.

John from MD said:

Here is my two cents.

When someone asks about a progressive press, I always recommend a Dillon. Why, because they have be at it the longest and have a history of being long lasting with very good customer service. The next thing I ask is how many rounds are you going to shoot a week? Unless you are sponsored and traveling around the country to matches, you can do well with a 550 or 650 machine without auto bullet and case feeds. I shoot 300 to 500 rounds a week and I use 550 and 650 machines. The only thing i have auto is auto fill for primer tubes.

As for Hornady, they have been around a long time and make some good equipment. I have used their single stage press and dies but that is about it. I will say from experience, using a rotary powder measure will give less consistency using stick powders than the Dillon slide type of measure.

Click to expand...

John,.

A couple questions for you,, and other Dillon users.

A friend used a Lee 1000, got a killer deal (so he says) on a Dillon 650. (Pre owned, NIB)

He said the Dillon is a PITA to get setup correctly.
It ran well,, but when something went wrong, it was tough to get it sorted out. He isn't an idiot, I'd say above average mechanically inclined, and a very experienced shooter. He suggestion, TO ME, for my amount of shooting is shy away from a Dillon, mainly from a cost aspect. I don't want to "regress" to a turret, as I run a progressive now.

So. Is a Dillon as "difficult" to setup as he makes it to be?

Without a case feed,, how are cases fed on a 750?

Thanks.

I have been using a Dillon since 1985 and the biggest problem I had was aligning the base plate (they didn't have a tool for sale then). That caused problems with the primer timing and I ruined a few primers until I figured it out. Since I don't use bullet or case feeds, the only other possible issue is adjusting the powder measure. That is easy if you remember one thing, you want the slide to be fully extended when the ram is at the top of the stroke. This adjustment takes a little time but you only do it once and then it is set for that caliber/toolhead.

I don't know anything about the 750 sorry. On the 650 you load cases in a plastic tube and they are fed automatically like the primers. You put the bullet in manually on the left side similar to the 550.

I managed to get my LnL to work. I've had it now for about 8 years. It was my first and only progressive, so I don't have anything to compare it too. I tried and tried to get it to prime and just gave up and use my single stage for depriming and priming.

On the LnL to prime, a "button" must push the primer in and therefore must be supported on the other side of said button, by a study surface. That surface of the press was wearing away. I was dumbfounded that could be. I added shims to support it and it was a cluster. I must have been doing something wrong, but I was never able to figure out what.

I'll tell you that I do like putting shells and bullets into the press with the left hand, while the right hand sits on the ball of the press lever/handle. For me to change to the Blue press and use one hand for shells and the other hand for bullets, then reach for the press handle would piss me off, because I can't in good conscious sell this press, so I can't finance the Blue. Now if I stated with the Blue one I think I'd have better attitude towards it.

John from MD said:

I have been using a Dillon since 1985 and the biggest problem I had was aligning the base plate (they didn't have a tool for sale then). That caused problems with the primer timing and I ruined a few primers until I figured it out. Since I don't use bullet or case feeds, the only other possible issue is adjusting the powder measure. That is easy if you remember one thing, you want the slide to be fully extended when the ram is at the top of the stroke. This adjustment takes a little time but you only do it once and then it is set for that caliber/toolhead.

I don't know anything about the 750 sorry. On the 650 you load cases in a plastic tube and they are fed automatically like the primers. You put the bullet in manually on the left side similar to the 550.

Click to expand...

I THINK the 750 replaced the 650.

I believe my friend PROBABLY had an earlier machine as well.

So you have to individually load each case into the tube? With the Lee, I have 4 tunes with a funnel/ collator on top.

Again. Just trying to get all info, before I grab the plastic.

I find the Dillon very easy to set up. IF you do it step by step.

I have a 650 with case feeder, but no bullet feeding. I can load 1000 rounds of .45 ACP in a hour. 9mm runs about 800 - 850 per hour. 5.56 about 700 - 750 (I pause to ensure full powder feed). Once you get the rhythm, bullet feeding by hand is pretty fast.

I have never had problems that required much to fix.

The 750 did replace the 650. I have 2 Dillon 650's I sold my Hornady LnL AP press many moons ago and bought my first Dillon. I will tell you this I've owned both and I will Never buy a Hornady LnL AP again. The Dillon is so much nicer. I also have been thinking about getting a 750 so 1 of my Dillons may be up for sale I haven't decided what I'm doing with it as of now. I'm waiting for the Crap storm to be over.

I forgot to tell you I moved on from the single tube to a six tube manual set up. It is sold by a company called Double Alpha. It is called the 650 mini case feeder.

It holds about 150 cases in six tubes and you rotate them as one empties. It cost about $50.

John from MD said:

I forgot to tell you I moved on from the single tube to a six tube manual set up. It is sold by a company called Double Alpha. It is called the 650 mini case feeder.

It holds about 150 cases in six tubes and you rotate them as one empties. It cost about $50.

Click to expand...

That is very similar to what the Lee uses, (Lee is 4 tubes) but you drop cases into the funnel, they drop into tubes, when tube is empty, rotate to the next.

A friend of mine decided to get out of reloading and gifted me his LnL Ammo Plant. I currently use a standard LnL progressive and have had good results as long as I keep an eye on the timing of the press.

I am in the process of building a dedicated table for the Ammo Plant now, pan on using it for bulk pistol loading only as setting it up for rifle seems ridiculously comicated....will let you know how it turns out..

I run a 550. The manual indexing of the 550 can be helpful depending on your load process.

Either or... which ever one suits your needs / budget..
with that said both work.
Dillon figure in the cost of tool head swaps,addons, where as Hornady uses
a bushing system for the dies figure in addons also. Both presses work, both
have their quirks, both have pro's / con's, both have their followers, both
setup properly will run. If you get one out of the box and put it together and
all is well, then fine. I'm not brand Loyal, what works, works for me, I
don't own any Lee equipment other than some Old round tray autoprimes,
so cannot comment on anything other than that. I own Dillons, Hornady
LNL-AP's, Pro 7's, Projector's, Star's, CH Champions, they all work, they
all reload ammo, once you get them "tuned" properly.
Figure you needs, how much your gonna reload and if you want to do
conversions between calibers,and of course your funds. Some are so
consumed about quanity, numbers, time spent, does it really matter?
It's not a job, numbers are just numbers, reload at a pace that is
comfortable to you.Keeping up with the "Jone's" is funny at least.

-Rock

I hadn't decided on blue or red when I got my LNL AP. Through a lucky combination of Cabela's bargain cave, 20% and 50% "buy X get Y discount" coupons and spend X get $50 Cabelas bucks I ended up with an AP, case feeder, 4 shellplates, 2 case feeder plates, rifles & pistol micrometer powder measure drums, several sets of lock rings, two big packs of LNL bushings and an extra set of .223 dies (I use the Redding and Forster set single stage for match ammo) for about $750. That price decided me. Plus it has 5 die stations and is autoindex. I do not use a bullet feeder as none of them work worth a shit with cast bullets.

The Hornady has a few quirks and a steep learning curve but once you get it running it works just fine. Customer service is helpful when you hit problems and has replaced a few parts for me. Second quirk is remove the primer system cam wire when not using the press to prime, for some reason it likes to pop loose when you're not priming on press. It takes a bit of practice to adjust the case feed first time, every time you switch caliber.

Biggest quirk is it will not seat hard primers like CCI No.41 deep enough in .223 cases. These are fat, hard primers meant to be tight in the pocket. No big deal since I really prefer to hand prime bottleneck cases and do a last case inspection at the same time.

Really helpful aftermarket items are the Inline Fabrication riser and skylight with dual lights.

In the past year I have loaded approx.-

15,000 .45 Colt (decapped, tumbled, then full progressive from belling in the first station on, seat and crimp separate dies)

15,000 .223 (decapped and full sized, tumbled, hand primed, progressive for powder, powder cop, seat, cannelured bullets crimped separate die)

7000 .45acp (same as .45 Colt)

3000 .308 (same as .223 but no case feeder as I don't have a large rifle plate yet)

2000 .30-06 (same as .308)

I do NOT use the PTX expanders, causes more powder variation and finicky to adjust.

For the pistol cases I pop in the carbide sizing die and run them through the case feeder with no other dies in the press. For the bottlenecks I give them a short (15 minute) wet tumble with detergent and no pins, let dry then lube for sizing. The .223 I use the case feeder, the .308 and .30-06 I leave off the V-block and hand load the case on the shellplate (cases autoeject into a bin at the end so still faster than single stage decap/size). I have found .223 does not need inisde neck lube but the .30s do, case lube I use is 1:10 or 1:12 liquid lanolin to Iso-HEET sprayed on in a ziploc and tossed a bit, wet tumbling with pins, detergent and Lemi-Shine cleans it off. After drying cases get 30 minutes in walnut media with a shot of Nu Finish, they stay slick and shiny longer.

BTW- I would still do all those steps on a Dillion.

Spare parts to have handy: primer slide spring (1, easier to have a spare if it pops off and gets lost when changing primer slides), powder measure return spring (1, easier to have one handy if it flies off and gets lost when changing drop tubes), Lock 'n Load AP bracket (1, part of the priming system, I have been told this can break being plastic but haven't had it happen), case retainer spring (5 or 6, it WILL eventually kink) and finally extra primer pickup tubes.

Supposedly new case feeders ship with a reinforcing bracket for the pivot body. If yours doesn't have it a call to Hornady gets you one free.

Powders:

Trail Boss use the rifle drum, it can bridge in the pistol drum, throws +/- .02gr reliably (yes my Sartorius scale is that accurate).

Varget and H-4895 have thrown +/- .2gr reliably for me and most folks aren't going to notice that.

IMR 4166 throws +/- .3gr reliably.

BL-C2 and Titegroup have thrown +/- .04gr reliably.


Primers:

As mentioned fat, hard small rifle primers do not seat deep enough. I prefer to hand prime all rifle cases anyway so not a real issue for me.

Federal and CCI large pistol primers work just fine.

Let me know if you want some pics of my set up.

I have a Hornady LnL but not the ammo plant. I got a 3D printed case feeder that works great and I also use a Mr Bulletfeeder bullet feeding die and use SoCall S&W bullet mags to feed the bullets I have no problem loading 600+ rounds an hour. I hand feed the cases into the case feeder with my left hand is free anyway and I found hand loading the case into the shell plate sometimes stick to my fingers enough to back out of the shell plate as I took my hand away and then I would crunch a case.

I just got a Dillon 750 about two weeks ago after wanting one for a long time. I don't proclaim to be an expert but I found it very easy to set up. It comes with really good instructions and there are several good videos on youtube with a rep from Dillon helping guide through the process. I was able to fairly quickly get into a rhythm and load 400 rounds without any real issues. The case loading tube that comes with it holds maybe 20 or so cases. (I got the case feeder so I didn't really count). Double alpha also makes a multi-tube bullet feeder like the one shown in the post above but in order for me to use it, I would have to forego the powder check in position 3 or use a combo seating/crimp die that DA also sells. I might look into it down the road. All in all I am very happy with the 750 so far.

gmharle said:

I just got a Dillon 750 about two weeks ago after wanting one for a long time. I don't proclaim to be an expert but I found it very easy to set up. It comes with really good instructions and there are several good videos on youtube with a rep from Dillon helping guide through the process. I was able to fairly quickly get into a rhythm and load 400 rounds without any real issues. The case loading tube that comes with it holds maybe 20 or so cases. (I got the case feeder so I didn't really count). Double alpha also makes a multi-tube bullet feeder like the one shown in the post above but in order for me to use it, I would have to forego the powder check in position 3 or use a combo seating/crimp die that DA also sells. I might look into it down the road. All in all I am very happy with the 750 so far.

Click to expand...

I went with the SoCal S&W bullet magazines because they hold more bullets then the Mr Bulletfeeder ones. The rifle bullet magazine hold 162 bullets and the Pistol ones hold 140+