Originally Posted By: springerI've had a Hornady LnL for years.............
Maybe I was on to something when I see people with multiple Dillon presses in the photo, I just have the one.
IIRC, the LNL progressive was not available when I got the Dillon. Used the first press for years mainly for 30-06 and 45 ACP (large primers). Once in a while loaded for .30 Carbine and .357 (small primers)so planned ahead as these required changing primer system over as well. Usually waited until I had quite a large quantity of MT brass for those runs.
Required a lot less hunting rifle ammo, so loaded .375 h&h, 300 WM & 338 WM were (and still are) all loaded on the old Herters single stage.
Later, I started using a lot of .223 predator hunting, so when I came across a bargain on a used Dillon, picked it up and keep one set up for large, the other set up for small primers making caliber changes take less than 5 minutes to accomplish. No adjustments to make, just switch shell plate and powder bushing or measure and put the pre-adjusted dies in place.
I do keep a third powder measure and pre-set each for my three most popular calibers/powder to eliminate having to adjust the measure when changing more popular calibers.
Both my 450's have had all 550 upgrades done except the frame (how long does it take to unscrew two dies and replace), and I prefer the hand operated priming (just old fashioned, I guess
).
Watched an LNL video and they look like a fine press. The only thing it will do that the old Dillon won't, is automatic shell plate rotation. Cost of the LNL is a bit more than the current Dillon press ($621 to $549), but if I were looking for a first progressive, I'd be hard pressed to decide between the two.
Honestly, no more shooting than I do today, I could get by nicely with just the old Herters single stage.
Regards,
hm