I never loaded before I bought my 650 xl DILLON. what a machine. It's hard for me to believe somebody does it better. I love the thing did 1500 rounds of .357 yesterday. Not one burp.. It eats. I just had dillon rebuild the thing 57.00 bucks..like new.
progressive press?
- Thread starter bnewc75
- Start date
Just go ahead and drink the blue kool-aid. You'll never look back...
The Hornady vs. Dillon debate only got serious the past few years when Hornady improved their primer system. Before that, the Dillon was the hands-down best. Now, I think the Hornady is a very good option for a progressive and may be the best bargain.
BoDog
Member
I have loaded on Star, Hollywood, Lee, Lyman, RCBS, and Dillon presses. I have Dies of many brands and have no major complaints with any of them.
Star and Dillon are the only progessive I have used. The DL650 is a great press but I can get plenty of ammo (200-300 rounds per-hour) out of a DL550. I like them so well I have two (one for large primers and one for small) , I am a real finatic about primer seating and don't like the change over time for Dillon primer feeds.
I have loaded pistol and rifle on the Dillons and am very happy with them. By the way according to a G. David Tubb video the 550 was used to load Palma Match Ammo.
Dillons customer service is second to none. Gremlins have carried of a few locater pins in the past and they were replaced at no charge by Dillon.
Star and Dillon are the only progessive I have used. The DL650 is a great press but I can get plenty of ammo (200-300 rounds per-hour) out of a DL550. I like them so well I have two (one for large primers and one for small) , I am a real finatic about primer seating and don't like the change over time for Dillon primer feeds.
I have loaded pistol and rifle on the Dillons and am very happy with them. By the way according to a G. David Tubb video the 550 was used to load Palma Match Ammo.
Dillons customer service is second to none. Gremlins have carried of a few locater pins in the past and they were replaced at no charge by Dillon.
Vfeldman
Member
I agree A+ 550B
I have a Dillon 550 and it is great. One nice thing abou it is you can reload an unbelieveable number of different calibers.
I agree, especially when you hear about these people with Dillons that buy two machines, one for small and one for large primers. Talk about expensive, getting even more expensive...
This is done because changing out primers is not real quick and easy with the Dillon. You don't hear about too many people buying 2 Hornady LnLs for this reason, because it is quick and easy to go from small to large primers. I suppose it is more convenient, regardless of manufacturer, to have two machines for large and small primers, but again, the Hornady set up is very easy to change over.
And this is why I went with Dillon. The Hornady stories are often accompanied by "the only problem...".
The only argument against the Dillon is $$. I have the $$$ and I thought, why not go top shelf?!
That being said, my research on the Hornady showed it's a true performer with a good Customer Service rep. Not a bad (second) choice.
And this is why I went with Dillon. The Hornady stories are often accompanied by "the only problem...".
The only argument against the Dillon is $$. I have the $$$ and I thought, why not go top shelf?!
That being said, my research on the Hornady showed it's a true performer with a good Customer Service rep. Not a bad (second) choice.
I'm glad you like your Dillon, they are a very good machine. And, not to be smug, but I've got the money, too. But after researching both brands, and talking to folks that own both, and loading on both Dillon and LnL machines, I decided that the Hornady was the best choice for me... I really do think the LnL is the best choice, and do not feel it is second to any other machine, it's top shelf quality. But, different strokes, for different folks. I've got no 'the only problem' experiences with mine.
Hey, who knows, maybe some day I'll get a nice Dillon set-up too, just to spite myself!
I have the Hornady LNL, I've never used a Dillon, all I know is what I've read about them.
One thing to consider: all presses have the occasional stoppage. From what I've read, I think the LNL is easier to recover from stoppages. With it's retaining spring, it is easy to remove shells from all positions of the shell plate. No buttons/pins to remove, drop, or lose.
I think Hornady's bushing system is superior to the toolhead/turret of other presses. The bushing system makes it easy to set up the dies because each can be added/removed individually without losing settings.
At the beginning of each session, I remove all the dies except for the powder measure, throw charges and adjust until it correct, then I can plug the dies in and start loading.
I read one of the Dillons (not sure which one) primer handling has a problem - it doesn't handle the "no case present" condition. If there is no case to seat the primer, it is dumped on the floor. It always grabs a new primer from the magazine even if it has no place to go. The LNL doesn't do this - you can cycle the press with a full magazine and no cases on the press and it won't dump primers on the floor. It has been a few years since I've researched presses, so Dillon may have fixed this by now.
One thing to consider: all presses have the occasional stoppage. From what I've read, I think the LNL is easier to recover from stoppages. With it's retaining spring, it is easy to remove shells from all positions of the shell plate. No buttons/pins to remove, drop, or lose.
I think Hornady's bushing system is superior to the toolhead/turret of other presses. The bushing system makes it easy to set up the dies because each can be added/removed individually without losing settings.
At the beginning of each session, I remove all the dies except for the powder measure, throw charges and adjust until it correct, then I can plug the dies in and start loading.
I read one of the Dillons (not sure which one) primer handling has a problem - it doesn't handle the "no case present" condition. If there is no case to seat the primer, it is dumped on the floor. It always grabs a new primer from the magazine even if it has no place to go. The LNL doesn't do this - you can cycle the press with a full magazine and no cases on the press and it won't dump primers on the floor. It has been a few years since I've researched presses, so Dillon may have fixed this by now.
Good points, John. The 'no case present' primer handling of the LnL was one of the advantages that resonated with me at the time I purchased my press.
Also, with the Hornady powder measure, I just use the LnL powder inserts when changing calibers, just pop one out, and click another in. I never have to adjust powder throws with these inserts; very easy to change. I would imagine other powder measures have this feature, but I'm not sure...
Also, with the Hornady powder measure, I just use the LnL powder inserts when changing calibers, just pop one out, and click another in. I never have to adjust powder throws with these inserts; very easy to change. I would imagine other powder measures have this feature, but I'm not sure...
VAdoublegunner
Member
The point about early Hornady L-N-Ls having a primer mechanism issue is valid. They had a plastic piece that was prone to cracking/breaking. That was fixed nearly a decade ago.
Dillon's are good machines, many people seem satisfied with them, and they have learned to work with their quirks. Those who do not acknowledge there are a number of quirks about them only need to search a few threads to find that they do exist, and yes, the Hornady's may have on occasional problem too. Although it may not have always been the case and was long one of the main selling points for Dillon, both companies now offer the same level of support and service as well. That is no longer a valid issue for comparison. But in terms of user friendliness and adapatability, you'll have to go with a Dillon 650 to get the features of an L-N-L. And you will still have the same issues with primer changeover, additional costs for toolheads, etc to keep it competitive for changeover speed, if not cost, as in the lesser models.
You really can't go wrong with a Dillon 650. And you really can't go wrong with a Hornady L-N-L. You just have to decide which one fits your pocketbook and has the user features, maintenance aspects, operation/set up ease and adapatability for your needs that you find important to you. I went with an L-N-L. In fact I now have 2 of them. I am more than pleased.
Isn't it a great time to be a handloader with all these great choices!
Dillon's are good machines, many people seem satisfied with them, and they have learned to work with their quirks. Those who do not acknowledge there are a number of quirks about them only need to search a few threads to find that they do exist, and yes, the Hornady's may have on occasional problem too. Although it may not have always been the case and was long one of the main selling points for Dillon, both companies now offer the same level of support and service as well. That is no longer a valid issue for comparison. But in terms of user friendliness and adapatability, you'll have to go with a Dillon 650 to get the features of an L-N-L. And you will still have the same issues with primer changeover, additional costs for toolheads, etc to keep it competitive for changeover speed, if not cost, as in the lesser models.
You really can't go wrong with a Dillon 650. And you really can't go wrong with a Hornady L-N-L. You just have to decide which one fits your pocketbook and has the user features, maintenance aspects, operation/set up ease and adapatability for your needs that you find important to you. I went with an L-N-L. In fact I now have 2 of them. I am more than pleased.
Isn't it a great time to be a handloader with all these great choices!
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Yes it is!
BTW sometimes I play a little rough and hope I didn't offend anyone. As others have correctly stated, the LnL is one fine machine and the OP wouldn't go wrong if that was his choice.
Any progressive takes a little dose of mechanical aptitude to set up and run. Personally, I like to tinker so that's part of the recreation.
I think the Hornady bushing system is pretty neat. I have a blue press, so I don't get to take advantage of that particular feature.
I load handgun rounds on a progressive, rifle rounds (low volume hunting/target) on a Redding turret. It isn't that the progressive can't do the rifle rounds, but I have had the Redding and 60 sets of dies for years!
As far as caliber changes on the blue press, I can do it in <2 minutes. People who talk about 20 minute changes must drink a lot of coffee. It sounds a lot worse than it is, and, I was initially worried about it.
There are tips and tricks to any progressive, and, they do require maintenance. You need to keep them clean and lubricated, regardless of brand.
I wouldn't think twice about buying either brand if it appealed to me for any particular reason. I bought blue because I'd always wanted to and I don't regret it. If Redding had made one, I would have bought that!
I think the Hornady bushing system is pretty neat. I have a blue press, so I don't get to take advantage of that particular feature.
I load handgun rounds on a progressive, rifle rounds (low volume hunting/target) on a Redding turret. It isn't that the progressive can't do the rifle rounds, but I have had the Redding and 60 sets of dies for years!
As far as caliber changes on the blue press, I can do it in <2 minutes. People who talk about 20 minute changes must drink a lot of coffee. It sounds a lot worse than it is, and, I was initially worried about it.
There are tips and tricks to any progressive, and, they do require maintenance. You need to keep them clean and lubricated, regardless of brand.
I wouldn't think twice about buying either brand if it appealed to me for any particular reason. I bought blue because I'd always wanted to and I don't regret it. If Redding had made one, I would have bought that!
bamacisa
Member
I am 72 years old and retired. I usually shoot about 50 rounds of 38 Spc every week. I could easily afford a Dillon, but I really don't want or need one. I enjoy using my Rock Chucker press and can load as good a round as anybody can on a progressive press. I realize peogressives are faster, but I don't need to reload a thousand round per week.....so for me a single stage press is fine. I have dies for most popular caibers. I have not fired a 30-06 in about a year or so. In short, my RCBS Rock Chucker press does any thing that I want or need.
VAdoublegunner
Member
I couldn't agree with you more, bamacisa.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a good single stage press. I would hazard to guess that most of us who have progressives started on one and still have it. And use it.
If you really enjoy the act of handloading, and like to craft the best of precision loads, a good quality (and get a really good quality one, it will last forever) single stage is a pleasure to use.
I handload some of my own defensive ammo (it is solely my choice and a conscious personal decision to use it for that purpose) and it is always made up on my Rockchucker, with hand seated primers in new brass with clean flash holes and pockets, brass trimmed square to uniform length, every load precisely checked for charge and OAL. I *know* it will work. I do the same with precision hunting loads. It is not about volume sometimes. It is precision, or the pleasurable act of creating your own ammo, that makes a good single stage almost a first 'must have' for every serious handloader.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a good single stage press. I would hazard to guess that most of us who have progressives started on one and still have it. And use it.
If you really enjoy the act of handloading, and like to craft the best of precision loads, a good quality (and get a really good quality one, it will last forever) single stage is a pleasure to use.
I handload some of my own defensive ammo (it is solely my choice and a conscious personal decision to use it for that purpose) and it is always made up on my Rockchucker, with hand seated primers in new brass with clean flash holes and pockets, brass trimmed square to uniform length, every load precisely checked for charge and OAL. I *know* it will work. I do the same with precision hunting loads. It is not about volume sometimes. It is precision, or the pleasurable act of creating your own ammo, that makes a good single stage almost a first 'must have' for every serious handloader.
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HAGEN
Member
Dillon 660
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I bought a Dillon Square deal ( will only load pistol calibers ) about 28 years ago and it has served me very well- but at the time I bought it I had no interest in reloading rifle calibers. About 12 years ago that changed, so I went out and bought a RCBS Rock Chucker. The combo works OK for me, but if I had known then what I know now I would get the Dillon 650 which will do it all and has the auto index feature that the 550 does not.
By the way, Dillon's customer service is simply the best!
chief38
By the way, Dillon's customer service is simply the best!
chief38
Wee Hooker
Member
The Dillon 550 is arguably the "go to" press for those who shoot ALLOT. It's costly(!) up front but will serve a lifetime.
That said, if your not willing/ready for that kind of an investment or just shoot less, The Lee Classic Turret is a very nice "in between." Still cranks out 150 rounds/hr but being a semi progressive, gives you more control/visibility into the process. Cost is less than $200 complete .
FWIW, I recently sold off my Dillon Square deal ( which I never liked) and got the Lee Classic Turret. No regrets here.
That said, if your not willing/ready for that kind of an investment or just shoot less, The Lee Classic Turret is a very nice "in between." Still cranks out 150 rounds/hr but being a semi progressive, gives you more control/visibility into the process. Cost is less than $200 complete .
FWIW, I recently sold off my Dillon Square deal ( which I never liked) and got the Lee Classic Turret. No regrets here.
bigt5150
Member
Dillon 550 you can't go wrong.
