Red or Blue????????

I would personally go with the hornady. It was because of an article I read a while back comparing the hornady, the dillon, and the lee progressive presses. In most categories the hornady was easier to use and the hornady warranty and service is supposed to be just as good as dillon's. Plus I believe it's a bit cheaper than the dillon.
 
I chose red thousands of rounds ago and have no regrets whatsoever. Looked at both extensively before buying it. I just like the simplicity of the Hornady as compared to the Dillon. Cost of my Hornady was substantially less than the Dillon at the time as I think it is today. Which ever way you go I'm sure you will be happy.
 
Originally Posted By: MPFDI don't know about Hornady's presses. But I don't like their bullet seating dies...
If I remember correctly the guy in the article mixed and matched his dies to get exactly what he wanted. He certainly didn't just use the Hornady ones.
 
im not a hornady die fan either, and i think once you add in the cost of tool heads, powder throwers, etc if you want to set up for each caliber, i think the Hornady is waaaaaay cheaper. I love RCBS stuff, but dont really like the pro2000 for some reason.

thanks guys
 
Sometimes it's the little things after the purchase that can make a difference. I use BLUE and have been very happy with no problems, and I bought it used. Not even a decapper pin has broke. A friend has a new RED, and while they support him well, he still has had problems and has to wait for parts to show up to fix what ever broke. Local stores don't handle much in the way of parts for either Blue or Red. My Green is a single stage press, and there's not much to go wrong but when and if I need something, say a primer decapping pin, I can go to at least 4 or 5 local stores, and chances are they'll have the part---no wait.

I've only watched my friend a short time with his red, but it seems that the left hand feeds cases and bullets, with the right hand on the lever. With my BLUE I use both hands-- the left hand for bullets and the right hand for cases, on opposite sides of the machine and it seems to work smoother, but that's just me.
 
I have owned and used the the 550B for near 20 years. It will assemble mass quanities in a short amount of time, once you get timing and coordination of placing the components and turning the shell plate (early on I would make a mess with an ocassional double powder drop).

I like the powder despenser, tool heads, and general functionality. I do not like switching primer sizes, thus I tend to fill all my availble brass prior to switching primer sizes. I run all my straight wall through it (380 to 45-70). Bottlenecks 223, 30-30, even ran a couple hundred 22-250 at one point.

Only problem I have had with mine is my son stretching the primer seater spring and breaking the follower rod for the primer alarm.. Neither of which has stopped it (I do need to order the repair kit.)

Never have used the Hornady, but thought if I was to ever buy a new progressive I would give it a try. Like the looks and the price of it.
 
Just got the Hornady Lock&Load due to price and switch over time between cartriges. Cannot complain about it, very easy to switch over between cartriges and it is whole lot cheaper to buy the convergent parts to switch. It only takes me about 5-10 minutes to switch between 40 cal pistol, 357 mag, or 223 with the neccessary parts and it is about $75-100 cheaper on neccessary parts versa Dillion parts conversion.

This is my first progressive rifle or pistol press I bought so I am a little bias. But, I have reloaded on a dillion and have gone through the process it takes to convert from one cartrige to another. Pain in the A$$ and time consuming.
 
I just spent a good bit of time investigating those exact two presses. I went with the Hornady. Here is why. First the price was less. Second the Hornady has an extra station. So I can use a separate crimp die, and a powder check die. Personally I would not load handgun cartridges on a progressive without both, I like to crimp in separate stages, and safety is priority one for me-so the powder check die is crucial. The free bullets are great, but not my deciding factor. But another factor in my decision none the less.

IMO it is also easier and faster to swich cartridges in the Hornady press.

I also like the auto-indexing of the press. Just one less thing I have to do. And the press can still be used as a single stage. The casings are easier to take out of the shell holder in the Hornady.

Both are quality products, but IMO the Hornady has the edge. Tom.
 
I bought the red, and don't really regret it. It is a whole bunch cheaper. I have a set of hornady 45acp dies and don't mind them. I have never used their rifle dies, so cannot comment there. If you are loading pistol I highly recommend the RCBS lock-out die
 
A very timely thread as I am going to Scheels this weekend to get a progressive press, thanks to my wife. (Christmas present.) I would not have given the Hornady a thought but now will have to give it a look see. I will chime in later with my thoughts on overall impressions of presses available. Thanks for giving me some things to consider. Dave
 


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