I'm getting ready to move forward fm single stage reloading rifle ammo as needed, to gettting into loading pistol ammo now that I can't get all the free .45 I could shoot anymore. I'm looking at getting a progressive loader, and have read through the sticky here various times. I still have a few unanswered questions though.
For instance, I see that some of the nicer reloaders have both auto shell, and auto bullet feeders with variations on that theme.
The Dillon offers the option of having an auto SHELL loader with the bullets placed by hand; the RCBS offers no auto shell loader that I can see, but for the cost of the Dillon you can get the RCBS with an auto bullet feeder (not for cast bullets though). Hornady offers their unit with both.
So what is really needed on this front? I tend to think if I were to only have one or the other, that the auto shell feeder would be more convenient since inserting the brass into the holder can be a little slower than setting the bullet on top of the brass.

Unless you are reloading for an entire team or commercial, a Dillon 550B will reload enough pistol ammo in a couple of hours to keep you shooting for several range sessions. The more automatic gizmos on a reloader, the more things you have to break, get out of adjustment or otherwise slow down production (KISS principle). Once you develop a rhythm you can manually put shells in the shell plate and bullets in cases quite rapidly. However, get whatever you think you need.

Exactly! A Dillon 550B is the best choice for most reloaders.
I love mine.

To me the Dillon 550 is the most versatile. Without either a auto shell or auto bullet feeder I can load 400-500 per hour and have time to drink my coffee, and not be in a rush. The 550 offers the versatility of loading just about any caliber you may have or ever acquire, (except the 50 BMG) and other excessively long rounds. I have set up and used the Hornady, and it is overly complex and does not lend itself well to making corrections to a given load without a lot of adjustments. The Dillon can be easily adjusted on any individual stage as simple as on any single stage loader.

Only you can determine what your individual needs are, how many rounds you need to load in what period of time.

Do a search here on the forum as there have been several threads about different loaders.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

My friend and I just are still very new to the 550 and we reloaded 500 in 50 minutes without trying to be fast. We just were aware of the time. I am sure many could go faster but how important is speed anyway.

Harrison put it about as well as can be....

I have a 550b Dillon without the auto anything and it can produce all the ammo I need in a very short time...

even when taking my time I can easily run 300 rounds in less than an hour....

You will never regret getting a 550 Dillon especially with the NO BS warranty which I have used a few times and they have always sent me the replacement part the next day NO CHARGE ever.

Randy

Bullet feeders can be added to any progressive. You can run a Hornady or rcbs bullet feeder on a Dillon press. My op on bullet feeders, if you load a lot of one caliber, like 4-5k at a time, they are useful, otherwise the feeder just complicates things. If you change calibers often, bullet feeders are an even Bigger pita.
All progressives have quirks, but some more than others. I wouldn't own a lee if it was free, too many problems. The LNL is a Decent press, but if you want a case feeder, the 650 is a better tool for about $75 more. If ou never want a case feeder & don't care about auto indexing & you want simple reliable 400-500rds per hr, the 550b is a Great press.
As noted, bullet feeders can be added to them all, but if you load conv lubed lead, the are an even bigger pita. The more you add to the press, the more you need to tinker to keep it running right.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

It's possible to add a bullet feeder to a Dillon 650, but to do that you need to eliminate one of the stations. The typical station that is deleted is the powder check but IMO that is the most important station on the press. Almost impossible to double charge (or no charge) a round unless you are deaf. I don't load massive amounts at one sitting, but I load at least 200 rounds per day to replace what I shoot. Total time in the handloading room is less than 45 minutes from turning the lights on to turning them off. (and I load at shall we say a leisurely pace ).

Attached Images

xl650 complete.JPG (151.7 KB, 81 views)

__________________
Minimize the variables

I replaced the arm on my Dillon 550B with a non-Dillon arm produced by a machine company whose name escapes me for the moment. It provides better leverage and makes reloading even easier and smoother on my Dillon. It was worth the investment, around $60.00 as I recall.

I realize you didn't mention Hornady LNL.
Got mine about 10yrs ago w/case feeder. I really like it, have had 0 issues w/it.
Added a Horady bullet feeder a while back. Rather steep learning curve to get it running right and even then it does require strict attention.
Bottom line is it's kind of nice but not really needed.
If I had it to do over would definately get the case feeder and probably skip the bullet feeder.
Good Luck, Kevin

I have had a Dillon 550 for 4-5 years and have produced thousands of rounds with it. I decided to add a Dillon case feeder to my setup. This allows me to keep my right hand on the lever and all I need to do is place the bullet at station 3.

This setup works well for me. One way or another I'm with others here who recommend the Dillon 550B.

LTC

I recently went the progressive handgun loader route and after comparing what is available, I bought a Dillon 650. I've loaded shotshells on progressive loaders for many years and found the auto-indexing feature really nice when I bought my first loader with it. Things like that are kind of like cruise control or power windows on a car - once you have them, you don't want to do without them.

Having said that, I did not buy the shell feeder and after loading several thousand rounds without one, I don't see myself buying one in the future. I primarily passed at the outset because of how high one makes the loader and that would require that I reach around it as I already have to reach around my shotshell loader in order to get things off my loading bench's shelves.

I found I like the standard operating handle better than the extra-cost one (Anyone want to buy it?) and I never move my right hand from that round knob. I just pull the loading gate back with my right thumb, reach through the loader with my left hand to place a case in the track and release my thumb. My left hand then puts a bullet in a case mouth and the handle gets pulled again. Compare the prices of the 550 and 650 and I think the auto-indexing by itself is worth the difference.

If you go with any Dillon model, go with extra Quick Change tool heads with powder measures. Dillon dies don't have lock rings with locking set screws (they could be easily swapped for ones that do, however), so not having to readjust dies and a powder measure every time you change calibers is nice. Even aside from that, they really make caliber changes quick and easy, especially if the primers size remains the same.



Obviously, I like my 650 a lot. After 40 years of loading handgun ammunition on that single-stage RCBS RockChucker IV on the far end of my bench, I can say that reloading is a LOT more fun on the 650! I still prefer the RockChucker for my rifle ammo but that represents many fewer shells.

Ed

I believe you're talking about Inline Fabrication Dillon | Inline Fabrication, I don't have their handle but I did get their lighting system.

Attached Images

side light.JPG (149.3 KB, 46 views)

__________________
Minimize the variables

I would be interested in this how did you find it? My aging shoulder sometimes feels rough when reloading
Thanks

OP, I want to fill in some factors I didn't see well-addressed in previous answers.

The Dillon 550 is a 4-hole, manual index press. Brian Enos, whose opinion most "Dillon Blues" respect, says the 550 isn't designed for auto-feeders, and it doesn't make much sense to add either one to it. FWIW, I agree. You still need to bring your left hand to the press to index, and adding a bullet feeder would take up one station. The remaining 3 would then not support both a powder check die and separating seating from crimping which many people find important.

Having said that, the 550 is fast enough for most people. See changeover comments below.

If you go Dillon 650 or Hornady LnL AP . . . these are 5 hole auto-index presses. Watch videos to see exactly how these presses are operated - they require different setup operations and different hand movements. Check out the Dillon on your own, but as for the Hornady . . .

The Hornady requires the left hand to do 2 operations (case and bullet) while the right hand stays on the handle. So the case feeder is extremely beneficial, doesn't take up a station, and is a significant time saver. Adding a bullet feeder takes up a station, but then the press operates by just cranking the handle . . . until a stoppage occurs lol.

FWIW, I have the case feeder and no bullet feeder . . . and if I were buying again would buy the same way.

Note that adding these devices considerably increases caliber changeover time. Frankly, if you are changing calibers and doing less than 2k batches, there may well be NO time savings gained by adding the devices . . . though it will be easier on your arms

I have a 550b and can't say enough good things about it & Dillon's no BS warranty.

The speed of all the auto stuff is negated by having to fill primer tubes. It makes no sense to me to fill a handful of primer tubes hen pecking your way through hundreds of primers. The more money you pour into speed the more you find you want more stuff. Dillon offers a primer tube feeder and brother it ain't cheap but then neither is a 650 or OMG the 1050. I went with Hornady and while I enjoy the case feeder it's more of a pain to switch between calibers than it's worth. If you want it just for your one main use cartridge then it might be worth it. The bullet feeder is nice but I can only keep everything running if I first use the Lyman M die and then the bullet feeder. Otherwise the bullets like to tip or fall off during rotation.

And really when it all comes down to it I still prefer to load on my Lee Classic Turret.

So the gist of my question was how much I really need auto feeders. Sounds like the bullet feeders are more trouble than they are worth for my application. If I use a shell feeder, than that would need tinkering with every caliber change over, and use one of the five die slots. Right now I'm looking at reloading for bulk on .45 auto, .38 sp, and .204 Ruger. I'll likely do runs of each, 1000 rnds or so, then lay off that rnd until I get low. With no auto shell feeder, I'm looking at moving my left arm twice per evolution (insert a shell, insert a bullet) of the right hand lever. With the shell loader, once with the left arm per evolution. The other consideration is using up a die space on the 5 station models. If reloading handgun ammo, what would be the standard die configuration? I would like to include a powder check die in that.

This is so over stated. Buy 10 tubes, sit in front of the tv watching the news & fill them. If you are really slow, it might take you two minutes to fill a tube, big deal. From start to finish, with clean brass, I can fill tubes & load 700rds/hr on my 650. If the tubes are preloaded, I can get 800/hr without pushing hard. It's only one handle pull every 4.5 sec. Still plenty of time to visually check powder drops. I rarely load for more than an hour though. It's not something I love to do anymore.
Fwiw, auto indexing offers no speed advantage. I loaded on my 650 for 2 months w/o a case feeder. It was no faster than my 550, you have to place a bullet after it indexes or place the bullet on the 550 as you index it, same speed.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I agree with this. My rank would be the 650 is the best, followed by the LNL-AP then finally the manually indexed 4-hole 550.

Time is money and with a young family I don't get a lot of time to spend on my hobbies. The Dillon 650 with case feeder is fast enough for my purposes. I had a LNL-AP for a few years and the 650 is just a better press (with the pricetag to match although.)

Chris

The case feeder does not take up one of the die slots, it's actually outside of the die area (the case is pushed into position one which is the decap/size die). When I got my 650 I didn't get the auto case feeder on purpose so my wife would have something to get me for birthday/Christmas (after 37 years you run out of ideas ). The 650 comes standard with the feeder tube for the cases, the electric sorter and feeder is optional. The difference is that with just the tube, you have to fill it with cases (around 22) and then remember to fill it up before you run out. I got pretty good but sometimes forgot (not a real problem, without a case, a primer falls into the catch tray and no powder is dropped). With the optional feeder, I just dump around 400 cases in the hopper and load away. I've attached a picture of the 650 without the electric case feeder. I have to admit that I do prefer the electric feeder though.

Attached Images

Dillon 2.JPG (155.3 KB, 41 views)

__________________
Minimize the variables

I can load 400/hr, .45 ACP with my Dillon 550B. With case prep (trim, chamfer and swage) that drops to about 100/hour including external time. It's no big deal to set cases and bullets by hand. That's about four trips to the range for me. If you shoot a lot, then the 1050 might be right for you. IMO, the 650 offers one extra station, which can be used for a fill failsafe, or something else.

Based on my experience in packaging, part feeders take a lot of setup and debugging time. They work great until they don't. One inverted case (or bullet), or a 9mm nested inside a .40, and you shut down until the press can be cleared and cleaned.

You develop a rhythm for manual feeding. I ALWAYS index immediately after each stroke, so if I drop a case or bullet, there's less chance of a double drop on resuming. I insert the new case with my right hand, start the bullet with my left - working from trays near the press.

If you must stop, run out all the stations and leave the press empty. On resuming after a delay of 10 minutes or more, check one or two drops before proceeding (powder tends to settle in the measure).

With the Dillon, all of the dies are set in one tool block, so their settings are locked in. For another $80 or so, a quick-change kit includes a tool head stand and a powder hopper/measure.

Hornady LNL dies are easy to change, but they are separate, not in a removable tool block. The shells are retained in the shell plate with a long spring, which can break and launch itself into a black hole. Dillon retains shells with removable pins. The only loose spring on the Dillon is the primer feed return.

The primer feed is simple and reliable. However you have to reload the drop tube every 100 rounds or so. The drop tube is reloaded using a pickup tube, which can be loaded ahead of time (spares are inexpensive). I think of it as a 5 minute break, but there is a ($$) automatic pickup tube filler, instead of one at a time from a flip plate.

I bought a 450 Dillion in 1984, over the years I upgraded with a non Dillion kit. As soon as Dillion came out with the auto priming and case mouth powder drop systems I jerked the un-brand stuff of my press. After 25 or so years I upgraded the frame and basically have a 550b press. I installed a case feeder. I found that a case feeder makes loading easier but not any faster, and is only for pistol cases. Make sure you have 6-10 primer tubes of each size. Fill as many as you want to load and go to town. I have the bullet tray, but a home made one will be just fine! The rack for the tools is nice but you can get by without it very easily. I have about 10 tool heads and 4 powder drops, I load cartridges in a specific order. 45 Colt then 44-40WCF, Same shell plate and with 2 different powders I don't change the measure settings. Then I go to 44 Mag then 44 Special then 44 Russian, I still haven't had to change shell plates. Then I can switch big time, but usually to 45ACP. At this point I used to go to Rifle cases like 308, 30-06, and the Mausers. Next would be Change the primer system to small and do 9mm then the 223 family ( my old shell holder was the same, I don't know if the newer ones work that way) and with 30 Mauser and I could do 30 Luger, but never had the need. Finally I would do 38's and 357's. Loading small lots of 200 or less was done on turret presses. Once in a while an additional round would be inserted into the mix (mostly 45-70 or 50 AE when on the 44-45 shell plate) but those usually were done in smaller batches. Back in the 80's I loaded a batch of 20,000-223's that took over a month and there were several 9mm Luger batches over 5000. I looked into having a bullet feed that sized a cast bullet then fed it, but it was beyond my engineering abilities. I hope this gives you some more ideas on how to best use your press.

I also own a Hornady L-N-L AP I bought used, It is not well engineered in my opinion. That is around the 4th or 5th generation of their progressive, and problems that existed in 1st (07) and 2nd generation (007) designs are still happening. RCBS has some good and bad progressive designs but discontinue them quickly, I don't know what support you get!

Have fun loading! Ivan

Specific answers above in red.

The setup and use of a progressive for many rifle rounds may differ. Cases that need "case prep" (trimming, etc) are often decapped and/or resized, prepped, then cleaned. They return to the progressive for the rest of the operations. Since priming occurs BETWEEN stations 1 and 2 (powder), you cannot easily make use of the extra hole open at this stage.

OTOH, some folks who know their rifle cases will not exceed max length after prep run them just like pistol rounds.

Long, but hope this helps.

Price them equipped the same, the 650 is about $75 more. Consider how much better the feeder & priming system is, well worth it. Hate reloading after a year, you'll get more for the dillon any other press. I call it a wash.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I load 223 on my 550. I prep new/once fired brass then load it on the press. I use the RCBS x die, so only have to prep brass once. Stn 3 is a powder check, I seat & if I crimp, rare, I do it in one step @ 4.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Yup, that's one of the ways you can load rifle like pistol I thought that was a little TMI for the OP.

The spring on the Hornady is a 2 minute fix at best. The system functions great.


thewelshm

For your reading pleasure


thewelshm

Attached Files

DILON VERSUS hORNADY.pdf (339.3 KB, 43 views)

When I was making this decision about 18 months ago, I found the document above comparing Lee/Hornady/Dillon to be very helpful. There are some good threads here and they link to a lot of good videos.

I chose the Hornady LNL AP without any of the auto case/bullet options.

Here is a good deal right now, $390 TTL shipped to your door!!!!
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...ressive_Press_

Good luck.

Need Info. on Hornady LNL AP

Hornady LNL-AP press setup Hints and Tricks

__________________
Really? U saw it in Wikipedia?

Forgot to mention, the 500 bullet rebate is available too!

http://www.hornady.com/promotions/get-loaded-2014

My reloading sanctuary will hopefully be finished this weekend!

__________________
Really? U saw it in Wikipedia?

The 500 "free" bullets is kind of a joke. You get a limited choice, not really what you want. It's a nice touch, but it's not getting me to buy a lesser press.
If you want a case feeder, buy the 650. If you never want one the LNL is more user friendly, but he priming system & bushings are still an issue for me.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I started with a 450 progressive, the upgraded when available and ran it for about 20 years. Then went to the 650 with the bells & whistles.

You gotta learn how to operate the 650, and it runs fine. It requires understanding now & then needing a little loving too. You can fight it & be unhappy, or learn what it needs & it will reward you with all the ammo you can use.

Case feeder is essential with the 650 or you're wasting your time & $.

I'd rather be shooting than reloading, and the 650 treats me right.

Besides the design of the machine, the actual CUSTOMER SUPPORT is a great model for how .gov should work.

I just learned a NO COST trick from the Dillon rep last week, and haven't had an upside down 9mm case in the 1000+ rounds I've run since then.

For me, the annoying parts of the 650 protocol, means I haven't carefully evaluated what functional anomaly needs attention.

Running a 650 is like operating a piece of equipment or playing an instrument; once you learn the tricks it ain't hard to do.

__________________
Dum vivimus Vivamas

I read the comparison between the Dillon 650, Hornady and Lee progressive loaders. Very informative!

Once you set the dies in the Dillon block, they stay set. No matter how careful you are, lock nuts slip, and if you remove and replace dies, you have to check their setting each time. The block itself is not expensive ($15), and can be stored on a shelf if you remove the powder hopper (two cap screws). If you leave the hopper in place, the die block fits on a stand ($25), together with the shell plate and retaining pins.

The hardest station to set up on the Dillon is the powder funnel, which serves to expand and bell the case. The powder funnel comes with the caliber change kit. I purchase an extra powder die ($10), and leave it, adjusted, on the tool block. You can remove or attach the powder measure without affecting the die setting.

Dillon dies are expensive, nearly twice as much as a comparable RCBS set. However, they are optimized for use on a progressive press - tapered lead in the resizer, separate seating and crimping dies. The post in the resizing die can be used to force out a stuck case (which usually results in a broken rim). The seating die can be easily disassembled for cleaning, without changing the setting or removing the die from the block. You can also remove the decapping post completely, and drive a case out with a pin punch and hammer

The powder adjustment is just an hex head screw, with no calibrations. Someone makes a micrometer head to replace the screw. If you count turns and uses a divided difference approach (q.v., binary search), you can set up in 10 drops or less. For calibers I load a lot, I buy the complete setup for that caliber, which cuts changeover time (not including primers) to about 5 minutes.

Dillon has a special powder die for use with a rotary measure, like the RCBS, Hornady or Lyman. You have to operate it by hand, but it might be worth while with some problematic powders. I have a micrometer head on my RCBS measure, which makes it easy to set up and adjust.

Neumann, that is a very good post. Just wanted to mention that Dillon Dies are not nearly twice as expensive as RCBS, as RCBS dies are now priced around $50/set and Dillons are around $65.

The Dillon Dies ability to be disassembled and cleaned by means of pulling a pin will be of less value in the future.

Many people are now POWDER COATING or HI-TEK coating projectiles,

thus leaving behind older WAXY/MESSY lubes.

More commercial casters are also changing over to coated rather than waxy lube formulas.

Clean equipment and a clean you to go along with clean barrels.

__________________
NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

OP,

IMHO you've been given a lot of good advice and opinions on what's available. Only reason I decided to jump in again is the thread is showing hints of "blue wash" (some of you in the high tech world may get the other meaning here, equally appropriate).

I'm not bashing any vendor by saying that, just pointing out that I noticed a large lean to blue with all these smart and helpful folks

It was at this point in my decision process that I took all the input, did more independent research (that white paper was a major help to me), looked at what people around me and around the area had in stock so I could physically review the equipment, did some online window shopping for plates/dies/accessories, took a class, and then made a plus/minus sheet.

I'll bet that once you do that, set a price point, and then pick a press, you'll be happy, regardless what color it is. BTW - Hornady customer support is outstanding too FORGOT to add an answer to a Q you posed, you can add either the case or bullet feeder independently now or in the future.

PS - don't know why one poster said the free bullets weren't the right type because they sent me exactly what I wanted and I also got more with each die set and I most certainly did NOT get a lesser press! That was the first clue to me that the thread was leaning a bit! It also wasn't a major piece of my decision but it was a nice bonus. BTW, I've got everything for my LNL to load 9, 40, 45, 45C, and .223. I'm actually considering a second LNL at that price in the link I added early. I think it may expire today but not sure!

Best of luck. I'm happy with MY choice and it was a thread very similar to this one that helped me in my decision.

__________________
Really? U saw it in Wikipedia?

Strictly due to brand loyalty, my first choice actually was not a Dillon. With the exception of a few die sets, I have used nothing but RCBS equipment for over 40 years and I originally wanted one of their Pro2000 loaders. But a call to my contact at ATK (RCBS' parent company) to place an order resulted in learning that they were so loaded with backorders for much more popular items that any production of that loader probably would not take place for nine months - and that was his optimistic estimate.

The 650 was my very close second choice and was readily available so I bought it and in retrospect, am glad I did.

Ed

Ed you brought up the RCBS Pro 2000, which is timely because I was getting ready to ask about that one since no one has posted anything in this thread about it. I use RCBS equpt currently, and am very courious to hear from anyone who has one and have used the others as well for their thoughts. Looks like it has a simple die set exchange system similar to Dillon, and is a manual index machine. The primer system looks very simple, does that version require anything special when changing out primer size other than use a different size strip?
The price is higher than the Hornady LNL though.

Dillon is the benchmark the other manuf shoot for. It's the reason many go Dillon, they just work, often right out of the box. Having run all the progressives but the RCBS, it's easy to see strengths & weaknesses.
As to hornady's free bullets, maybe they have changed their policy, but you used to get a list to choose from. Still, 500 bullets is not getting me to buy a lesser press, well maybe 500 50bmg Amax, yeah not gonna happen. The cost of the 650 & LNL, sim equipped, is about $75. Over just a year, what, $6/m? The LNL is a good press, especially w/o case feeder. I agree, the 650 w/o feeder is no faster than a 550, been there done that.
IMO, far too many guys/gals agonize over the initial cost of equip. If you are in It for the next 20yrs, then buying top end gear means never replacing it, ever. High end gear means less time tweaking & more time reloading & shooting. I would buy a 1050 if I thought it would work for me, still about $6/month over 20yrs? Regardless of what you buy, make sure it works for you. For many of us, time is still valuable. A good progressive solves the time excuse for not reloading.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Another reason I'm high on my 650 is the powder measures. When I went to a progressive loader, I was concerned about the quality of the ammo I would be producing so I compared 50-round 25-yard groups shot from a rest using ammo loaded with the same recipes and same lots of powder and bullets on my single-stage equipment and the new 650.

With my RCBS Competition Powder Measure, I would find a variation of a tenth of a grain and sometimes two tenths, depending upon the coarseness of the powder, when I would randomly check charge weights. With the Dillon's powder measures, I get the exact charge every time. As I load only handgun ammo on the 650, I haven't tried those measures with extruded powders but it is dead-nuts on every time with Clays, SR4756, AutoComp, TiteGroup and W231.

That consistency showed up on my test targets as the target ammo loaded on the 650 outshot the same recipes loaded with the rotary drum powder measure in all five handgun calibers I load - .38 Special, .38 Super, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45ACP. The difference was not dramatic but it was visually noticeable.

Ed

Like other bodily parts, we all have opinions.

__________________
Really? U saw it in Wikipedia?

So why so defensive, not sure of your choice? I am only stating facts from what I know running both machines. So my opinions are based on fact & not emotion. The case feeder & priming system on the 650 are superior, unquestionable. The bushings vs tool head, subjective. better leverage & tolerances on the 650, measurable. I can afford what I want. If I really thought the LNL was a better press, I would own one. If I never wanted a case feeder & had to have auto indexing, I might have bought one. For what you want a progressive for, I am sure it works for you.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I guess no one here has used the RCBS Pro 2000?

I've never used a RCBS Pro2000, but will give you my take on it. It is priced too high based on competitor models, and people don't seem to have taken to the APS primer strip system.

I agree as mentioned above in another post that opinions, however stated, are opinions.
I did a similar comparison as you, yet I chose the Hornady LNL ( actually I have 2 of them) because my analysis showed the LNL is unquestionabley the better choice - for me.

An opinion would be stating, "I have looked at A, B and C, and I like A best." Describing attributes you look for, and ranking A, B and C according to those attributes is an analysis. Others may rank or score these attributes differently, which is part of an objective decision making process. Some people like swimming pools, others think they are a liability. Either way, "swimming pool" is on their check list.

What attributes describe a progressive press?

• Initial cost
• Cost of change parts
• Time to change over
• Ease of operation
• Speed of operation
• Availability
• Maintenance cost
• Flexibility

You get the idea. This thread has done a pretty good job suggesting attributes for this list. Notice "color" is not among them.

The 2000 is basically a 5 stn 550b, maybe slightly better I might ave bought one way back but for the primer strips.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

The primer strips were not a positive attribute for me either but my contact at ATK/RCBS informed me that the loader can be made to function with loose primers as well. Since his next words were "maybe in nine months," I didn't press him for further details.

Ed

Before leaving for work this morning, I was looking through my August-September issue of Handloader magazine and spotted a review on pages 64 through 68 by Charles E. Petty of a new bullet feeder for progressive loaders marketed by RCBS. It costs $37.95 and works well with cast lead bullets. The article includes lots of photos and real-world use experience with the item on a Dillon 650 and an RCBS Pro2000. It's worth a look for those interested in such a feature.

Ed