Although most places indicate Dillion is the way to go, after reading here and the linked pdf, I think I need to check out the Hornady again.
Thanks for the input.
Dave
Dave:
I had the Lock-N-Load AP Ammo Plant for several years and on a whim bought a Dillon 650 3 weeks ago just to see what all the fuss was about. In every measurable way the 650 is a better machine than the LNL AP. So much so I just dropped my LNL AP at FedEx for a lucky reloader in New York. It is not *that* much more expensive if you buy a casefeeder (which I have on both my LNL AP and 650.) For the same level of flexibility, caliber changes on the 650 are much more expensive (~$100 vs $30.)
The case feeder is flawless on the 650, there are more caliber-specific parts that keep a tighter grip on the case through the cycle versus the LNL AP. When really loading full speed on the Hornady, cases tend to wobble out of alignment especially with tall cases like 44MAG and .223. The case retention spring on the LNL AP is nice due to its ease of taking cases in and out but allows a lot more wobble in the cases as they cycle through the system. I much prefer the 650 system which still allows you to remove cases fairly easily.
I use a photo to illustrate how much superior (smoother and easier to prime) the priming mechanism is on the Dillon vs the Hornady. The Hornady primer seater is on the left and the Dillon is in the middle.

I think I may like the Hornady powder drop more than the Dillon, but I am not sure yet. Neither do well with large flake powder and do passably well with small flake like Unique. Varget is always strange in the Hornady drop as it has to cut the sticks in half during dispensing.
There are two downsides to the Dillon:
1. The spent primer cup is far inferior to the design of the Hornady, luckily the fix is fairly easy.

2. People tend to overtighen the shell plate screw and the shell plate "snaps" into place flinging some powder out of the case. Usually much less than 0.1 of a grain, but it happens. I fix this by placing a bullet in the case before it snaps in place. I am going to try to install my Hornady bullet feeder this weekend so I will need to develop a new fix.
Overall both presses are very good, but the Dillon is smoother operating and as a result faster and more enjoyable to use. The Dillon is just much more precise with more caliber-specific parts than the Hornady.
Chris