horniday loc-n-load vs lee classic turret?

[jameslovesjammie]

the legendary "blue press" which all others bow before

A Star Reloader? 

[Wobbly]

Is the lee turret as good at being a single stage press as the Hornady? By this I mean when I end up with a progressive later on will I be just as happy with either the lee turret or the Hornady as my single stage.

As I said, the Hornady will not do single-stage well enough to be called useful. It has an auto advance mechanism that cannot be easily defeated.

The Lee Classic Cast Turret will be happy to be a single-stage or a progressive. To do this feat, it's not a full progressive in the full sense of the word. But it is much faster than the basic single-stage.

Will they both load a gazillion different cartridges?

Oh, yes. Both use standard dies.

Wobbly has a great breakdown in the other post of items needed, what are the items that need to be  top quality?

The measuring devices because you need to know that your work is accurate. For example, you can use a lousy powder measure because you'll have a scale to check it with. When/if you get tired of measuring every 'powder dump', then you can get a better powder measure.

But.... I could make bullets after dark. This may also give me a reason to get to the range to test my reloads. my guess is that the turret would be more than adequate volume for what I want/ think I need.

That's what we do. Reload during the week and empty on the weekends. If it happens to rain on the weekend, then reload some more.

[painter]

I've been trying to drag him to the range for a year now.

I was successful once.

[armed hiker]

Thanks again
Wobbly
"As I said, the Hornady will not do single-stage well enough to be called useful. It has an auto advance mechanism that cannot be easily defeated. "

I was referring to the single stage LNL press not the LNL-AP , so as long as the Lee turret does both well thats good enough. I am getting a bit lost in the alphabet soup of models though.  Thanks for the tip on measuring equipment, any recommendations on some good powder measures to be on the look out for? This is why I am leaning towards putting my own kit together, I would rather spend a bit more and get something I wont want to replace right away. I do assume you still double check with the scale for consistency.

johnnyrees
I missed the used 550B but am keeping my eyes open, If the missus finds a new toy in the house I will be the one on rations.
After reading up on the Hornady AP it sound good as well. I will be keeping a look out for something used for a bit but the plan is to either find a good used unit or pick up something on someones black friday/ holiday deal.

[johnnyrees]

Armed Hiker...jokes aside the statement you made about keeping your eyes open for a second hand 550b is in my opinion the way to go...I do lean heavily towards Dillon gear...my powder scales,dies and even my primer tray are all Dillon...but thats just me...because of the quality of Dillon gear and their fantastic no bull warranty I should never have to replace it....as with anything, a well made tool is a pleasure to behold and work with.

[Wobbly]

Thanks for the tip on measuring equipment, any recommendations on some good powder measures to be on the look out for? This is why I am leaning towards putting my own kit together, I would rather spend a bit more and get something I wont want to replace right away. I do assume you still double check with the scale for consistency.

? I like an infinitely adjustable powder measure with metal parts. Metal parts deal with stick powders better and have fewer issues with static. In that class there are 3 that come to mind: Hornady, RCBS UniFlow, Lyman 55. Both the Hornady and the RCBS unit require dual rotors to cover both pistol and rifle loads.

The Dillon unit is case activated only. It's a great measure, but useless outside the press as a standalone unit. Likewise the Redding units are great, but you'd need 2: 1 for rifle and 1 for pistol.

A powder measure is something you can look on Ebay and buy used. You can't wear out a good unit because the graphite on the powder lubricates the powder measure. So the more you use it, the better shape it's in.

? Likewise I like a beam balance scale. You can get a RCBS 505 or Dillon Eliminator for $70. One of those will last you the rest of your life. My 505 was made in 1973.

You can buy a cheaper digital scale, but then you have to buy the $30 check weight set to go with it. You can use a single weight to check a balance scale, but you need a set of weights to check a digital scale. This because digital scales are thrown off by all the things you can't see (low voltage, breezes, static, magnetic fields, 'sticktion', etc.), and their effects vary in different ranges of the scale. So you can't check with a 200gr weight and then expect to be 'dead nuts' on at 5gr. The cartoon below shows.....




Hope this helps! 

[armed hiker]

Excellent info.

johnnyrees
I will keep up the search for the elusive 550B, It seems there is enough fans of Dillon out there they must be doing something right. They are scarce around here right now so I will be patient. I think the game plan is formulating to pick up a Lee turret to get the ball rolling and start amassing the small bits one by one. If I find a 550B with a full kit I am sure I will find uses for the misc. parts.

Wobbly
Now we are talking, thats the kind of info I am looking for. Simple question what are the dual rotors you speak of? will I probably end up with 2 in the end (1 for pistols and 1 for rifles) or will one of these units be sufficient? If the lyman 55 does not require the dual rotors does it work as well as the two who do?

I am assuming there is a good chance that if I ever do end up with a Dillon press it will Probably have the case activated measure with it (something to shoot for). In the mean time it looks that the other 3 would suit my needs just fine.

On scales I am going to guess I will end up with both beam and digital, I find I like to use non-digital tools the most but sometimes also like the speed/ease to read of a digital. I always like to back things up. Is there a reason to buy a better digital scale and if so where is the price point where you can notice a difference if there is any? On the beam scales I have also seen Ohaus(sp) are they any good? never mind I see they make/made the RCBS scales. How about which size 10.10 or 5-0-5

[Wobbly]

On powder measures...





Most of the major powder dispensers use a rotary action. Since the diameter of the rotor defines and restricts the length of the piston movement (the "stroke" in automotive terms), if you want more of less powder measurement, the only dimension you can play with is the diameter of the piston (or the "bore"). So as shown above the RCBS UniFlow comes with 2 rotors (large bore and small bore). The small bore is required to get accuracy on pistol loads. Large bore is required to get the volume a 30-06 requires.

Both Hornady and RCBS use a nearly identical design involving interchangeable rotors, with slightly different hopper designs. The Hornady is the more evolved of the 2. The RCBS has been around since ~1970 and is a lot easier to find used. Both have available a "case activated" linkage option. The Hornady LNL AP uses this linkage.


On scales.....

In the quality of powder measure you are discussing, you use the scale to set the measure and then use the measure to meter out powder for the next hour or so. So yes, the digital can be faster, but you really only use it when you change the cartridge you're loading. So, if you reload 9mm for 2 hours, then you've really only saved 2 minutes out of 120 minutes. Follow? To most people that's a negligible savings.

Now, on the other hand, if you were going to the Olympics or such and wanted the EXACT powder in each case, then you'd be weighing each load. In that instance your savings would be significant. So it really depends on the type shooting you have planned.

If you really are dead set on a digital powder measure, then jump up to Jay's Corner and look at the Winstead digital scale our sponsor Berry Mfg offers for a discount to CZ Forum users. Click Here   That's a fine scale and the only one under $200 I can recommend.

On beam or balance scales, Ohaus makes almost all of them. Even the ones they don't make, like the Redding, they still make the beam part of the scale. If you scan all the scales on Ebay you'll start to see the same design over and over branded several ways. Those are all Ohaus. All the scales Ohaus has a hand in are accurate to within 0.1gr.

I like a scale that reads to 10 on the adjustment bar. If it only reads to 5, then you have to remember the 2.1gr showing is really a 7.1gr weight. No difference in the scale accuracy, but just another bit to file mentally.






Hope this helps. 

[armed hiker]

Okay I see the logic behind the scales now. got that. I am assuming the 5-0-5 is better for small increments are there jobs where you need the larger weight scales like a 10.10-10? Bottom line will the 5-0-5 cover the larger loads in most rifles?

Makes sense on the powder measures, one simple question. I see the powder measures mounted on a stand alone stand often for I am assuming single stage use.  If I go with a Lee turret or even a Dillon 550B (or Hornady LNL AP) can I use another brands  powder measure on the press? Ie: Hornady or RCBS on the Lee. Will this take adapters or are the mounts universal?

[johnnyrees]

Dillon will only take a dillon powder measure...it is also the case mouth expander

[Wobbly]

Dillon will only take a dillon powder measure...it is also the case mouth expander.

While it's true the Dillon includes the case expander, it is not true that's the only PM you can use. The stock Lee works the same way. There are also adapters for mating RCBS and Hornady rotary measures.

If you want you can put any measure on any press. Can't guarantee the effectiveness, but it can be done.

Here's a Redding on a 550....



Here's a Lee on a 550...



And a Hornady on a 650....



 

[Wobbly]

I am assuming the 5-0-5 is better for small increments are there jobs where you need the larger weight scales like a 10.10-10? Bottom line will the 5-0-5 cover the larger loads in most rifles?

The heaviest thing I weigh is bullets, so that means my high-side limit is 230gr.

The 10-10-10 simply has additional features. The accuracy is the same at 0.1gr, I do believe.

I see the powder measures mounted on a stand alone stand often for I am assuming single stage use. 

If I go with a Lee turret or even a Dillon 550B (or Hornady LNL AP) can I use another brands  powder measure on the press? Ie: Hornady or RCBS on the Lee.

Will this take adapters or are the mounts universal?

Yes, single-stage.

See the answers in the post above. If you get the RL550, then you only get a funnel ! 

Adapters are available. Not in any volume and with unknown quality, but they are out there.

 

[armed hiker]

Alright, I have a plan. scary isn't it 

I am going to keep scouring the local adds for a used setup up until black Friday sales start. If there  none to be had I will pick up the Lee classic turret press.

 Next question on buying the press new will be if I am better off getting the full kit or just a press and building my own kit. If I am following you correctly it seems as though the RCBS and Hornady powder measure are good units but from Wobbly's pictures someone thought enough of a Lee to put it on a Dillon Isn't this Blasphemy?

Just a quick list of items to build on
Press about $100
powder measure $40-50
reloading books $20-35
lee safety prime $20-25 ea.
beam scale  $25
misc small items $10

Okay as I add up the small bits I think I am talking myself into just picking up the kit and then upgrading as I go it appears the small parts are pretty inexpensive and should be easily upgraded. I assume I will become a book collector anyway so whats one more.  Of the list of items included in the kit are there any I should replace right from the beginning?

 

[john16443]

Alright, I have a plan. scary isn't it 

I am going to keep scouring the local adds for a used setup up until black Friday sales start. If there  none to be had I will pick up the Lee classic turret press.

 Next question on buying the press new will be if I am better off getting the full kit or just a press and building my own kit. If I am following you correctly it seems as though the RCBS and Hornady powder measure are good units but from Wobbly's pictures someone thought enough of a Lee to put it on a Dillon Isn't this Blasphemy?

Just a quick list of items to build on
Press about $100
powder measure $40-50
reloading books $20-35
lee safety prime $20-25 ea.
beam scale  $25
misc small items $10

Okay as I add up the small bits I think I am talking myself into just picking up the kit and then upgrading as I go it appears the small parts are pretty inexpensive and should be easily upgraded. I assume I will become a book collector anyway so whats one more.  Of the list of items included in the kit are there any I should replace right from the beginning?

It's a good plan to get the turret.  With all that's on your shopping list though, you'd be correct to buy the complete kit from fsreloading.com or Midway USA for just over $200 total.  That will include the press, the pro auto powder dispenser, all the priming, the scale, the Lee 2nd addition, and a few other misc. bits that will find some use.  The total of all your items at the high side is way more than the cost of the kit.  Get the best shipping quote from both and go from there.

[Wobbly]

I can suggest 2 places that seem to get rave reviews: Factory Sales (which is not connected to the Lee factory at all), and a store called Kempf Gun Shop (kempfgunshop.com). Folks swear those are way cheaper than Midway.

....someone thought enough of a Lee to put it on a Dillon Isn't this Blasphemy?

They are currently burning in "blue heaven". 

Just a quick list of items to build on
Press about $100
powder measure $40-50
reloading books $20-35
lee safety prime $20-25 ea.
beam scale  $25
misc small items $10

You forgot dies sets. Presses don't come with dies.

Okay as I add up the small bits I think I am talking myself into just picking up the kit and then upgrading as I go it appears the small parts are pretty inexpensive and should be easily upgraded. I assume I will become a book collector anyway so whats one more.  Of the list of items included in the kit are there any I should replace right from the beginning?

? Upgrading as you go sounds like a great plan. If you don't know you need it, then you don't need it.

? The kit will come with the Lee book which is pretty good. The only other book I can suggest is the Lyman #49. Until that shows up, just use the powder maker's web pages.

? You should replace all the items that frustrate you. As long as you're happy, what's the problem?