Just got my hornady lock and load back from hornady

[Gasitman]

I sent it in because I could not go more than 20 rounds without some kind of failure. Mostly with the primers either not going in properly, turning, or not going in at all. Also the powder measure would stick in the up position, thus why I got the squib load a few months back. So I bought a rcbs powder check die.

Anyways, they send me a letter and guess what, they blame all my problems on.........................everyone else. Yep, they tell me not to use the 700x powder since it is flakes and not grains, that is why the powder measure is bad, and also not to use Federal primers as they are not cut to spec. Really? I know, I know, Dillon right, well I do not have the cash to replace everything.

Anyone else have these issues with their L-N-L?:banghead:

 

[ranger335v]

"Just got my hornady lock and load back from hornady "

Not sure what tool you're refereing to; about half of Hornady's stuff now carriies the meaningless "LnL" label. (Doesn't work on me, I'm less likely to buy something with silly or repetitive marketing names.)

 

[Gasitman]

Progressive press, sorry.

 

[Canuck-IL]

I've had a very satisfactory 8 years with the L'n'L. Got to keep the primer slide clean, a little lube beneath the plate when switching calibers, thoroughly cleaned all components when starting to get rid of the packing grease (possible powder drop issue?). I always keep a brass rod on top of the primer stack to ensure smooth feeding to the very last ... really no significant issues.

It definitely doesn't drop Clays flakes accurately enough for use without careful inspection - -I get the occ complete bridge and an empty shell. The rifle rotor actually handles small drops of Clays better than the pistol size. Other powders, ball, short extruded, semi-flake, have been good to go.

/Bryan

 

[nofishbob]

I am sorry you are having these problems, Gasitman.

I know it does not help for me to say that I have had none of the problems you have had with primers, and only an occasional "crunch" from the powder measure with Varget.

I have learned that a lot of these problems can be improved or even solved with some dedicated tinkering.

The primer slide mechanism especially can be operated veeeeery slowly while watching and listening to what is happening. Perhaps you will be able to figure out what is going on.

The worst case would be give up and use other than Federal primers.

Good luck!

Bob

 

[mallc]

Nothing I couldn't fix

I have 2 LNLs and a Dillon 650. The LNLs are not the equivalent of the 650 but they cost a LOT less and I got my money's worth.

Scott

 

[Brian10]

Hornady is not the only one to not like Federal primers. Lee doesn't like them as well, so I think there's more to it. On rare occasions my powder drop will get stuck on Varget, but I no longer run Varget through the progressive. I unfortunately kind of agree with Hornady support. Use whatever works best in your press.

For 223, that's TAC + any primer other then Federal. Avoid the stick powders and really big flake powders.

 

[Gasitman]

I have 2 LNLs and a Dillon 650. The LNLs are not the equivalent of the 650 but they cost a LOT less and I got my money's worth.

Scott

What makes a dillon so much better? I hear it all the time, do they just run flawless?

I am seriously considering buying a electric powder thrower so i do not deal with the issues, but I am wondering if I should cut my losses and put my hornady up for sale and just buy the dillon?

 

[cfullgraf]

I had some problems with my Hornady L-N-L powder measure sticking. I have begun lubricating it before a reloading session with dry lubricant. Squirt some on the drum and the drop tubes and let it dry before adding powder. So far so good.

I had trouble with Federal primers when I first got my press in 2009. Maybe they were the problem with the primer feed system. Learn something every day. I don't normally use Federal primers but it was all I could get during the Great Gun Shortage of 2009.

I prefer to clean cases between resizing and reloading, so I just began to prime off line with a hand primer. I have even turned down the expander balls on the powder measure drop tubes so they do not expand the case mouth (already been done with an expander die) and cause some sticky operation.

I know, I lose some of the advantages of the progressive, but I don't have the hiccups with the primer system.

I like the flexibility of the die mounting system on the Hornady.

 

[ranger335v]

"What makes a dillon so much better? I hear it all the time, do they just run flawless?"

Dillons are by no means flawless but they cost so much and others praise them so much owners are reluctant to say otherwise, it would tend to make them look foolish for being the exception.

 

[fields]

progressive press comparison

Is there a comparison of the strenghts and weaknesses of both the dillon and the honady on the internet somewhere?

 

[orionengnr]

Dillons are by no means flawless but they cost so much and others praise them so much owners are reluctant to say otherwise, it would tend to make them look foolish for being the exception.

Idle speculation, or actual experience?

Exhibit A: My first press was a ~30 year old Dillon that a friend of mine gave me about three years ago. I had a few initial setup problems, mostly due to my own ignorance (and occasionally using the "when it won't fit, force it" method). A phone call or two to Dillon sent me brandy-new parts (free of charge) and support to get it working 4.0.

Exhibit A.1: When I went to buy my first press, it was a Dillon 550. Worked great from the get go.

Exhibit B: I inherited a Hornady Pro 7 this fall from another friend who was moving away. It was (is) missing some of the primer feed parts. I called Hornady, and their reply was that they do not stock those parts. Their recommendation was to buy a current model. Yeah, right. When Hornady builds a new press, they just discontinue support for the prior model. I have been searching forums, gun shows, eBay to find the parts I need, and am currently trying to fabricate them myself, because they are nowhere to be found.

Exhibit C: I bought a well-used (abused) 550 at the gun show a couple weeks ago. Rusty, missing a bunch of parts, but clean-up is coming along well, and new/replacement parts are on order. Dillon is actually giving me some of these parts free of charge, although I didn't ask for that treatment and the parts are not "damaged" or "inoperative"...they were just flat out lost by the prior owner. Because Dillon still makes and stocks parts, the abused 550 will soon be up and working fine.

Verdict: That's the bottom line for me. My Dillons will be functioning and supported for a long time. Your Hornaday may work fine today, but as soon as they come out with a new model...good luck.

Dillon has not jumped on the "planned obsolescence" or "disposable" bandwagon. That kind of commitment to customer support is worth something to me.

Even in my short hand loading career, I'm pretty sure my habit has paid for itself. Knowing that I will not have to replace the equipment unless I choose to upgrade has a further intrinsic value. I plan on living a while longer...and hand loading a while longer...and maybe my widow will sell my presses and components after I'm gone, instead of having to give them away.

 

[Hondo 60]

Went to a mall about 50 miles away last Sun.
They have a sporting goods store that handles Dillon parts.
They had a new RL500b setup. (bought mine 2nd hand - it was purchased new in 1993)
the linkage for the powder hopper looked a little bit different, but other than that it was the same every where else.

So even though it's 18 years old, parts are still available.

 

[cencrunner]

I guess you hear praise for Dillon because they deserve it. The customer service is second to none and the presses(at least my 550 and a friends SDB)just work, with a minimum of problems. The only complaint I have with my 550 is it tends to send spent primers flying in strange directions on occasion.

That being said, I have a Hornady 007 press that I use for rifle reloading that has seen a lot of use and is still going strong. I recently lost the large primer cup and Hornady sent me a whole new arm, and both cups free of charge, even though I told them I had lost the part. You certainly can't complain about that kind of customer service. I think Hornady will do fine in that department going forward. I wouldn't be afraid of buying from either company.

 

[doctorxring]

Hornady LNL-AP and Dillon 550

.

"What makes a dillon so much better? I hear it all the time, do they just run flawless?"

They sell a lot of "blue koolaid" with fine looking young women, but they also
make a good product and have good service.

But... I've had both and I think the current LNL-AP is a better press than the comparatively priced 550B. I run the LNL-AP at this time.
Hornady also has good service.

I just think the LNL-AP is a technical refinement over the 550B. Most that have used both will agree
that the 550B is now in second place, but still a good machine.

Both both can be FUBAR'ed big time by poor set-up or poor maintenance.
.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Dillon makes a great press and has a great warranty. IMO, their prices are inflated upfront, which allows them to give you a part or two down the road....Of course this thread is about the L-N-L AP. Mine has been trouble free.

 

[gregj]

I recently upgraded to a LNL AP press, picked up a used one on Fleabay. It was missing some springs and other small parts. Called Hornady up, and they sent the parts I needed, free. It has required a little tweaking, but certainly nothing that I would consider out of the ordinary. Sorry you're having so much problems with your LNL. If you decide to change, I do know if you list it with a reasonable price, it will probably be sold very quickly.

 

[WV_Vizsla]

Primers tipping still?: Check in this order
1 using the right size droptube, shutle, and ram seater
2 graphite lube on the shuttle
3 use wood or plastic rod as a weight to keep the primers feeding Mine works fine with Win primers. I also use a Dillon primer busser to anuonce 105 cartarages made and reprime
4 check that the inner drop tube is fully seated and remains down might, need to tape in place
5

Powder measure: Large flake shotgun powder seems to bother most progresives. Win Super Field WSF works great for me in 9, 45. Redicculisly consistant weights in the pistol rotor. 4064, 4350 R22 are fine, would use short cuts if available.

Seven friends and myself are not looking to to trade from LNL. But....
$200 and shipping could remove the LNL from you and force me to build a third press bench.

Echo if you need more assistance or want to sell

 

[Brian10]

The previous post does remind me. Make sure the inner drop tube is oriented correctly. Each side of the inner drop tube is different. If you put in the wrong side, space will exist which will probably allow the primer to flip.

 

[kludge]

Is there a comparison of the strenghts and weaknesses of both the dillon and the honady on the internet somewhere?

Yup!

http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

Enjoy.

I read this article a dozen times, though about the cost to convert for the 4 or 5 ammo types that I wanted to load, and came " this close to buying a LNL-AP.

And then I bought the Lee with all the conversions I needed for half the price.

 

[Maj Dad]

Where's George Leonard Herter when we really need him...?

RCBS and Dillon have been the sine qua non of customer service and solid quality parts, in my experience. I, too, received parts for equipment I broke, and that I bought knowing parts were missing, and acknowledged to RCBS, gratis. My Herter's U3 and RockChucker are bullet proof; my 550 is a machine with moving parts and requirements for operator proficiencies of a modest degee. Failing functional mechanics and that modest degree of proficiency, it & any similar machine will fail and/or suffer from operator error, other things being equal. I've been around for a while, I've seen most of the reloaders out there, and I'm content to stay with the 550 with which I've had such good luck, both mechanically and especially from a support standpoint. I won't repeat the kudos for Dillon and RCBS, just second them.

 

[Gasitman]

Well, I offloaded the hornady and put a sizable order in today with Brian Enos on a xl 650, case feeder and a few other goodies. I hope the Dillon is all that and a bag of chips like everyone says.

 

[EddieNFL]

Dillons are by no means flawless but they cost so much and others praise them so much owners are reluctant to say otherwise, it would tend to make them look foolish for being the exception.

Based on numbers, Hornady is the exception.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

7oox isnt a good powder to use in any progressive press. Use it long enough and you will have squibs whether your press is blue or red.

 

[GaryL]

Well, I offloaded the hornady and put a sizable order in today with Brian Enos on a xl 650, case feeder and a few other goodies. I hope the Dillon is all that and a bag of chips like everyone says.

As soon as you add in the auto advance, it requires more of the operator in terms of attention paid to the reloading process, and in setup and maintaining the machine. All machines have their quirks, just like all people. The $64,000 question is, is it a good match?

I think you will probably like it.