seeking opinions on progressive reloading machines

[*chris*]

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

 

[71firebird400]

+1 on Sailormilan2's post. I am one of few that has owned both the 650 and the LNL AP and agree with the majority of his post. I found the LNL to be a smoother running machine for the reasons he stated. In particular I liked the priming system and powder measure far more than the Dillon. The Dillon is a great machine; and we are arguing nuances here, but I think the Hornady is simply a cleaner design. Either press is excellent, and for the most part I try not to engage in these discussions as folks tend to get heated up. However, when my good friend asked me what press to get I told him the Hornady.

ETA- I only load pistol cartridges on my press (45, 44, 357, 10mm). I have the casefeeder on both the Dillon and Hornady. Not sure what to make of *chris*'s post as his experience contradicts mine. Perhaps I have a really good Hornady and had a bad Dillon; and vice versa.

 

[D Rock]

Thanks, Chris! A picture is worth a thousand words.

I was leaning more toward a 550 Dillon, mostly since this will be my first press. May well be my last. I just thought the set up might be more of a challenge on the 650 since I don't have anyone near by that reloads or owns a Dillon.

I have read of people using the Hornady powder drop on the Dillon.

I appreciate the input.

Dave

 

[*chris*]

I was leaning more toward a 550 Dillon,
Dave

No way, buy the LNL AP before you drop down to a 4 station turret press like the 550. Although people are firmly on both sides of the aisle, I strongly feel an auto indexing press like the 650 or LNL AP is the ideal press for the beginner since once all the stations are individually setup, it runs pretty automatically.

You don't need someone local, with photos there are enough experts here to help you through any issue. Plus Customer Service at both Hornady and Dillon is excellent.

If auto-indexing concerns you, buy a single stage press to start like the Hornady Classic:

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Reloading :: Metallic Reloading :: Presses and Kits :: Lock-N-Load Classic :: Lock-N-Load® Classic Loader

You are going to need one of those anyway to resize rifle brass before you load it on the AP press of your choice. Mine sits right next to my 650!

Chris

 

[Moonman]

You can run the 5 station presses with one case at a time until you become really comfortable with it.

Then you can add another case and continue on LEARNING.

Due to forces on the shellplate, it will make the most accurately loaded ammo when all 4/5 stages are operating together.

 

[blujax01]

I am enjoying this conversation. I own a 650 and am ecstatic with it but it was by chance, not by choice. When I decided to start reloading, I went with the brand my local range/gun shop carries.

The ultimate comment would be from the guy who owns a 650, an LnL AP and an RCBS Pro 2000!

 

[D Rock]

I'm enjoying it myself, blujax01.

Moonman, I've gotten that advice before and it does make me think about the 650. I know someone that has one unused that may be for sale this year, just don't know if I want to wait. The guy has been reloading precision rifle for decades on a single stage and bought the Dillon on a whim. He decided it's too complicated.

Chris, I thought I'd get a single stage to use with a collet bullet puller. I gave up rifles when I was discharged in 1968.

Dave

 

[br25004x4]

I use Dillon's. I have a 550 for Rifle and low volume handgun ammo. And 2 650's one for large primers set up for .45ACP, one for small primers set up for 9mm or .38 Special currently loading .38 Special. I share a case feeder between the 650's depending on which one I'm loading on.
I use a old RCBS Rock Chucker single stage press for developing loads. I have had no problems with the Dillon presses that weren't easily diagnosed and fixed. 99.9% of time the Dillon's have operated perfectly.
That said get whichever one you like. I would advise to get one with a lifetime guaranty Dillon or Hornady both have great customer service.

 

[W. Peter Crampton]

Four months ago, I bought a DILLON XL650 with the case feeder. Best shooting/gun money I ever spent! I've been re-loading for over 35 years and I'm sorry I did not go "progressive" a lot sooner! Fantastic machine for keeping my Model 29s and 1911s fed!

 

[Moonman]

Chevy vs Ford AGAIN!

 

[Martyrl]

Dillon Rules.....

I would like to buy an RCBS Pro2000 Auto Indexing press but my contact at RCBS tells me that it could nine months before I see it so I'm considering a Dillon 650. I've never used anything but RCBS or Redding equipment so a Dillon would be a departure from what I'm used to. I'd like to hear from users of both machines about them if possible.

I know their warranties and service are the same; it's the operating quirks that I'm primarily interested in. Speed of loading is not a concern either; I need some relief from the number of rotational movements of my arthritic shoulder joint that my single-stage RockChucker IV requires.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Ed

I have been reloading for about 25 years and have had many presses in the past. The best press I have ever used and still do is the Dillon RL550B. They are a bit expensive but you get what you pay for. I highly recommend them. The 650 is a lot more money but it depends on your experience and how much loading you intend to do. Good Luck and have fun.....Marty

 

[Bkreutz]

I have been reloading for about 25 years and have had many presses in the past. The best press I have ever used and still do is the Dillon RL550B. They are a bit expensive but you get what you pay for. I highly recommend them. The 650 is a lot more money but it depends on your experience and how much loading you intend to do. Good Luck and have fun.....Marty

Depends on your definition of "a lot more money". $127 doesn't fall into that category for me.

 

[sourdough44]

If I was getting a progressive reloader, I'd go with Dillon.

 

[cb4017]

My only input is that APS strips are the devil.

Oh, they're not too bad. I load my APS strips on the coffee table while watching television, normally 1K primers at a time.

It sure beats messing with the old priming tubes.

 

[cb4017]

Consider waiting for the RCBS if you can. I bought an RCBS Pro 2000 when they first came out so I guess that would be about 13 years ago. I have been very satisfied with it. It's easy to change calibers and primer size, taking just a few minutes. I like the APS priming system. RCBS customer service is great.

 

[shnapper]

I like/love my 550b.... I prefer manual indexing over auto for a few reasons such as if I F#$k up I can manually move the shell plate backwards and correct things. Also I can advance the plate slower for certain messy/jumpy flake powders like 700x which I use lots of. Also since I live 10 minutes away from Dillon I can have my machine overhauled and back to me in no time at all...

Needless to say I prefer Blue....

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I have done over 300,000 rounds in my Pro2000. It works well, it is easy to use. It has its quirks but not enough for me to replace it. I like the machine and the APS system.

It is a good choice and I would buy another if I somehow broke it.

 

[Skeet 028]

Well This truly isn't a Chebby vs Ford.. More like either a chebby or a Ford vs a Yugo. I have had about every kind of progressive out there. Even Stars(great machines). At the present time I have the aforementioned Dillons(sold one of the 650s..didn't use it often). As far as set up.Have a H Ammo Plant. Setup..is time consuming and the bullet feeder doesn't work very well. Case feeder is the same as a Dillon. The two step Hornady seems as though it would be easier to reload with but I find it disconcerting. Always lookin to make sure it cycled. Every body has their druthers..but blue just works better and I have gotten much better customer service from them than from Hornady. Emphasis on the MUCH. That Hornady is as new and is probably going on ebay ...soon. As is a CH Mark IV