Time for a new press

[steelrat]

I’m looking at upgrading from my single stage and was looking at the Hornady and RCBS progressive presses. What’s your opinions on both, what about a Dillon. Should I be looking progressive or turret? So many choices, thanks in advance for your thoughts. I mainly reload for 38 and 357 but want to start 9mm as well.

[Chief-7700]

Since I belong to the Blue Group=Dillon XL-650
Chief-7700

[steelrat]

Thanks Chief.

[Chief-7700]

Steelrat: http://www.brianenos.com/

Give Brian a call he can help you.
Chief-7700

[RKJ]

I'm going to have to go along with Chief here. I've got a RL550B that I have had for over 20 years. It still works like new and the customer service at Dillon is great. I am sure that the others you mentioned have good service and good products, but I haven't used them. One thing also about a Dillon, there are a bunch of them out there being used, so a lot of people would be able to help with any questions.

[BigJimP]

I like Dillon as well - and I've owned other presses RCBS, etc - but I'm using a Dillon 650 now. The deal breaker for me on the 650 is it has a powder check station in it / where you get an indication, a beep, if the powder is significantly high or low - and that's a big safety and confidence plus for me ( especially when you're using ammo in a semi-auto handgun ) - so you don't get a cartridge with no powder in it and a bullet lodged in the barrel and fire another round right behind it ......

Most of us reload - and then we shoot more - and time at the press is a factor. All of the Dillon presses - and almost every press out there ( RCBS, etc will produce a high quality reload.) For Dillon - the 550 does a wider variety of rifle calibers but it manually indexes. The 650 automatically indexes - so the carousel or shell holder advances automatically every time you cycle the handle - and it has the powder check station ( the 550 does have it ). The square deal - does pistol calibers only - automatically indexes - but has no powder check station either. On the Dillons I also like the casefeeder option - and its available on the 550 or the 650 - not the square deal. That's why I went with the 650. Its a real solid well made machine. Not that RCBS and others aren't - that's just how I made my decision - and Dillon's customer service I think is 2nd to none in the reloading industry.

[Throckmorton]

Sure,sure,the 650 is the mega monster of the Blue line,but I get along just dandy with my little brother 550,and crank out all the ammo I need with ease.
I"ve heard that the 650 costs more for changover parts and takes longer to changeover,so take that into consideration..as well as the intial cost.

as to the SDB,just too small , IMHO. I have one on the bench and would not buy another.I would however buy another 550b.

[dogfood]

SR:

OK, as you can see, just about everyone who has a Dillon 550 or 650 loves it. Not cheap ... but quality rarely is. But you also asked about RCBS and Hornady, and since I have a Hornady LnL progressive, I figured I'd chime in.

Two issues: the primer feed system and the case retention system. Essentially, the primer feed system hangs up on occasion (not because of dirt), and the case retention system is a single feeble spring that doesn't come into play at all stations. So when you start moving quickly, sometimes the cases leave their positions. I would not buy this press again.

A friend has the RCBS 2000. Although it is manual index, he loves it. The priming system uses the APS strips. He says it always works.

A turret? Not a bad choice, but certainly not as fast as a progressive. I have a Lee (good for the $) and a Redding T-7, which is a great press.

dogfood

[Shoney]

Read this
http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillon...Comparison.pdf

I started reloading in 1960, and have loaded metallic cartridges on various presses made by (alphabetically not by preference): - Dillon, Herters, Hornady, Lee, Lyman, Pacific, RCBS, and Redding.

In the early 90’s, I got a 550 (which I still own). I then became an official member of the "blue buffoon battalion", and then became guilty of spreading “lots of BS” blue bullroar. I was like so many of the dishonest or blindly brand loyal people who have never owned or loaded with any other progressive, yet cluelessly advocate a single brand.

When I first saw the Hornady LNL Auto Progressive, my product loyalty was badly shaken. I soon after bought the LNL Auto and have never regretted it.

In comparing the LNL to 550 to 650: the Hornady is the clearly the winner, hands down and at a lower price.

Whether or not the 650 is better than the LNL is debatable , but the innovative quick change system of the LNL and it’s more accurate powder measure, all at a significantly lower price, make it the winner in my book.

Customer service is EQUAL between Hornady and Dillon, and perhaps RCBS is a hair better than Red or Blue.

I used to load all my bolt rifle ammo on a single stage press, and recommend that method to all beginners. Lately, a friend who owns a 650 and I have discovered that the run out on cartridges from the LNL are of high quality, much higher than the 550 or 650. Semiauto rifles such as 223 or 308 and even 30-06 can be done nicely enmass on the LNL progressive.

Ask those recommending the Dillon if they have loaded on any other progressives, before blindly recommending it over others.

Good shooting.

[Waldog]

Shoney and I are "like-minded" when it comes to the LNL. I have used a Dillon 550 and the LNL. IMHO, the Hornady LNL outshines the Blue presses.

This subject always comes up and I have posted this before;

The Dillon has been on the market a long time and have great customer service, as a result, Dillon users are "foaming-at-the-mouth" dedicated to their blue presses. The Dillon's are EXCEPTIONAL presses and do an exceptional job in reloading. The guys that have Dillon’s are very satisfied. The competition to the Dillon is the Hornady Lock and Load Auto Progressive. Because most of the Dillon users are so satisfied I was swamped with comments like, "The Hornady L-n-L is Junk!" I asked if they had ever loaded on the L-n-L and 99% said no. When I did find someone that had experience with both presses, most liked the L-n-L and many had sold their Dillon's and bought the L-n-L.

IMHO the Dillon has one major shortcoming and most Dillon owners will agree if they are honest. The Dillon powder measure is sorely lacking in ease of use and adjustability. It meters ball type powder very well but flake type powder less so. And, extruded stick type powder is VERY troublesome and not all that accurate. To be fair, extruded powder is difficult in all powder measures. But, the L-n-L powder measure handles all types of powder MUCH better than the Dillon. Also, it is a pain to swap out the Dillon powder measure to another die plate. As a result, many owners have several powder measures on separate die plates for changing calibers. This significantly drives UP the COST.

Also, the Dillon gets filthy as the old primers are caught in a cup after they have rolled off the side of the press. The L-N-L spent primers are dropped thru a plastic tube and into the trash or bottle or whatever you want to use. The point is, the dirt off the spent primers does not foul the workings of the press. As a result, the L-N-L IS MUCH CLEANER TO USE THAN THE DILLON.

The Dillon 550 has 4 die stations and the L-N-L has 5 stations. The Dillon 650 has 5 stations but, costs significantly more. Also, the Dillon 550 does not auto index, the L-n-L does. The Dillon 650 DOES auto index, but again, at more cost.

Next, the L-N-L uses a really slick bushing system for mounting loading dies to the press. It makes changing calipers and SNAP. After a die is adjusted for whatever you are loading you can remove the die from the press with an 1/8 turn and insert a different die. Each die has it's own bushing. The Dillon uses a die plate. The Dillon die plate costs more than L-N-L bushings. Another neat feature with the Hornady is that you can buy a bushing conversion setup and use the same bushings on your RCBS, Lyman or other single stage press and the L-N-L!

Additionally, the L-N-L seems to be built like a tank! The ram is about 2"+ in diameter and the basic press is similar in construction to the RCBS Rockchucker. I would say that a side-by-side comparison to the either the Dillon 550 OR 650, the L-N-L is at least as sturdily built. And, In some areas I think the L-N-L is better built. i.e., The massive ram, powder measure, and primer system. The head/top of the press is solid except for where the dies are inserted. The Dillon has a large cutout that is needed for their die plates. By just looking, it would seem the L-N-L would be stronger. But, of course, that may not be the case.
There is one piece that can get damaged on the L-N-L. There is a coil spring that holds the cases in the shell holder that can get crushed if you improperly change shell holders. That's the bad news. The good news is that they are only about $2-3 and they won't get crushed if you change shell plates correctly. The other good news is that this spring is the primary reason that while loading you can easily remove a case at any station. With the Dillon you have to remove pins in order to take a shell out of a shell plate.

You can load anything on both the Dillon and L-N-L from .25 ACP to 500 N.E. Realistically, I would say that people with progressive loaders mostly load pistol ammo about 99% of the time. After using the L-N-L for while I feel confident that my Grandkids will be using when I'm gone.

In summary, the Hornady L-N-L has all the features of the Dillon 650 but is much cheaper. Changing calipers is faster and cheaper. The powder measure on the L-N-L is VASTLY SUPERIOR TO THE DILLON, at least in my opinion. I bought the L-N-L and am very satisfied. A shooting buddy of mine is a long time, dedicated Dillon user. He has three! After giving me a ration of "stuff" about my choice, he came over and used my L-N-L and sheepishly said, "That's a very nice setup!!"

[grymster2007]

"blue buffoon battalion", and then became guilty of spreading “lots of BS” blue bullroar

blindly brand loyal

How do we know that you haven’t changed anything but your brand loyalty?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Seriously… this is good stuff and one of the few times I’ve seen such a strong endorsement of Hornady over Dillon.

[steelrat]

That's great input. Thanks a ton for all thoughts. It helps to hear opinions from people that actually use this stuff rather than from a sales guy who thinks he knows what he's talking about. Thanks again.

[Phil_A]

I’m looking at upgrading from my single stage and was looking at the Hornady and RCBS progressive presses. What’s your opinions on both, what about a Dillon. Should I be looking progressive or turret? So many choices,

I can recommend the Lee classic cast indexing turret if 200 rounds per hour is sufficient and your budget is $150 or less. - Phil

[The Tourist]

I bought a Dillon SDB in about 1984 or 1985. I paid 125 dollars for the press at that time. I've moved twice.

To this day, I still receive little packages of upgrades, delrin washers, and once an entire rebuild of my automatic powder charger.

Considering all of the pieces, inflation, and postage, I have easily been refunded my entire buy-in purchase. They even replaced a broken handle after I used it around 70K to 80K times.

I'll buy Dillon anything. I'm waiting for them to start making pick-up trucks and shipping out "wife upgrades."

[Shane Tuttle]

Should I be looking progressive or turret?

Shoney has summed up what I think and the link provided is well thought out. A few weeks ago I made my decision on buying the Hornady when funds allow. If you add in the 1000 free bullets offer in the overall picture, the LNL could cost you as little as $150 or so. That's a big consideration if the selected bullets Hornady has in the offer is up your alley.

If you already have experience in reloading on a single stage, I highly recommend a progressive over the turret....

[shepherddogs]

+1 for the LNL

[steelrat]

Thanks for the responses, after some carefull consideration, I think that I'm going to go with the LNL. Now i just have to wait till Christmas. Thanks guys!