I'm day one new, still studying and learning. So I don't really know anything. But I went with the system because I (probably mistakenly) thought I'd have to fine tune the die settings each time I swapped them in/out whereas with the system it's fiddle/nudge/cringe/gripe once but then it's finally miraculously set correctly and I don't have to fiddle and cringe every other time. So I thought I was setting myself up to avoid a lot of that. Apparently I set myself up to avoid 17 complete turns to screw in the die by having a 1/4 turn magic solution. And worst case I have to decide to abandon it and reset all my dies once for a "normal" press, then go through the 17 turns each time. But then, I don't know anything yet so all that may be wrong.
@LDB - If I understand you correctly, you're pointing out the main advantage of either the Lee or Hornady bushing systems over the "old way". It's a quick twist to swap a die versus numerous turns of the die body. I admit that is a distinct plus in favor of either system over the old "twist and shout" method.
So you're still dialing in your preferences and you've discovered what I have: For dies that require "fiddling" every time they're used, the Lee / Hornady systems don't eliminate the "fiddling". I've found that I can easily "set it and forget it" for utility dies such as a universal decapper and for my sizing dies. However, I find that I wind up "fiddling" with the settings on seater dies, crimp dies, expander dies (handgun), powder charge drop dies almost every single usage.
What can I say? I like to experiment with my loads. I have some "standard" go-to loads, but I still like to try out new bullets, new powders etc. To do so requires "fiddling". This is where the old "thread it in" approach still shines. A simple lock-down lock ring (or, GASP, a Lee die "lock" ring with the rubber friction o-ring) is the utmost in simplicity for "fiddling" with the die setting.
The Hornady Lock-n-Load system or the Lee system requires three hands sometimes to manipulate the adapter bushing (or hold it so it doesn't twist out of the press while making requisite adjustments) plus they STILL require a die lock ring to bind the die into the adapter bushing. Lee now offers a Breech-Lock bushing with an integrated lock ring, so I'd rate that approach as slightly easier to "fiddle" with. However, Lee's older steel breech lock adapter bushings and their newer aluminum ones without the integrated lock ring also, same as Hornady, and require a separate locking ring if one really wants to have rock-solid retention of settings. AND.... I've found BOTH the Lee and Hornady systems have a tendency for their adapter bushings to work loose from the press during extended sessions. It's annoying to say the least!
Also, I might mention here, since I forgot to do so in my original post, that I move my dies around among my various brands and types of presses quite a bit, so in reality I find that I'm quite often changing the setting on dies that normally would have been "permanently" set due to differences in ram stroke height, tool head thickness, etc. Again, what can I say? I am an incurable tinkerer / experimenter. I also have to shuffle that actual presses onto and off of my bench due to the constraints of a very small work space, but "press mounting and swapping" is a subject for another thread...
