New to Reloading

[Bill Steele]

Okay calgunners, I need some input. I've been researching reloading presses and am getting ready to purchase. I have heard a ton of good reviews of both the Dillon presses and Hornady Lock N Load. I seems at first that the Hornady is cheaper, however Dillon 650 w/out the case feeder is not much more that Hornady.

I will be reloading 9mm, .45, .38 special, and .223 rem. I shoot a couple hundred rounds a month between them, definitely more 9mm. It's time to get more BANG for my buck!


From what I can tell, both have excellent warranties, is Dillon's really better? Some options seem more expensive with Hornady. I've seen so many different setups but cant really decide what direction to go.

Either way, the used setups don't really come up for sale very often, so when I'm ready with cash in hand I may have to get a new setup.

I guess what I really need is to be pushed one way or the other, any help is greatly appreciated!!

If you are definitely going progressive, get the Dillon. I personally think starting with a Lee Classic (not Deluxe) turret. Kempf Reloading sells a pretty good starter kit, choose the drum powder drop (using the drop down box) or the Auto Disk Pro, don't get the basic auto disk.

You can use the turret like single stage and then get easily to 150 pistol rounds an hour when you add the auto index rod.

[Bill Steele]

Okay calgunners, I need some input. I've been researching reloading presses and am getting ready to purchase. I have heard a ton of good reviews of both the Dillon presses and Hornady Lock N Load. I seems at first that the Hornady is cheaper, however Dillon 650 w/out the case feeder is not much more that Hornady.

I will be reloading 9mm, .45, .38 special, and .223 rem. I shoot a couple hundred rounds a month between them, definitely more 9mm. It's time to get more BANG for my buck!


From what I can tell, both have excellent warranties, is Dillon's really better? Some options seem more expensive with Hornady. I've seen so many different setups but cant really decide what direction to go.

Either way, the used setups don't really come up for sale very often, so when I'm ready with cash in hand I may have to get a new setup.

I guess what I really need is to be pushed one way or the other, any help is greatly appreciated!!

If you are definitely going progressive, get the Dillon. I personally think starting with a Lee Classic (not Deluxe) turret is a good first choice. Kempf Reloading sells a pretty good starter kit, choose the drum powder drop (using the drop down box) or the Auto Disk Pro, don't get the basic auto disk.

You can use the turret like single stage and then get easily to 150 pistol rounds an hour when you add the auto index rod.

[CSACANNONEER]

The price difference in the two presses in negligible. You're going to spend a lot more on accessories, dies, tool heads, scales, hand tools, etc. Between the two presses, it's really a 1911 vs. Glock thing. See if you can find a place to handle both and then figure out which is best for you. Personally, for the amount you're loading, I'd go with a 550 but, I'm an oddball here, I prefer 550s over 650s and, the only Hornady presses I use or have experience with are single stage ones. In the end, reloading is a hobby and, like any hobby, you're going to buy the wrong thing for your needs once in a while.

[stilly]

There is a new press coming out... It is in development as we speak...

Learn on a LCT now and get ready for the upgrade...

[Whiterabbit]

I will be reloading 9mm, .45, .38 special, and .223 rem. I shoot a couple hundred rounds a month between them, definitely more 9mm. It's time to get more BANG for my buck!


I guess what I really need is to be pushed one way or the other, any help is greatly appreciated!!

My opinion, worth what you paid:

Since you want to reload 4 different cases, and you consider cost between your choices equivalent, I would look at which option is easier to switch from one case to another.

"the better press" won't help you if you have to completely set up each die from scratch just to load up a couple hundred 38 special, if the other option means you drop in a turret and shell plate and go.

Personally, I don't know if either of your two options has an advantage over the other when it comes to switching over. But that's what I'd be looking at.

[CalTeacher]

If you plan on switching frequently and doing smaller batches of ammo every month then I would look into a Dillon 550. If you plan on doing huge runs of each round (over 5-10k at at time) go for something like a 650, or the Hornady with the case feeder.

[9mmepiphany]

Between the two presses, it's really a 1911 vs. Glock thing.

That is a really good analogy
Like the Glock, the Dillon is pretty fool proof once you get it set up and it will just keep on running without tinkering.

Like the 1911, the LNL AP requires a bit more attention and knowledge to set up. What you gain is the ability to fine tune settings and operations that you don't have with the Dillon

You have to pick the machine that fits what you want...or your personality

I've personally found that the LNL is easier for switching between calibers, generally less expensive,...you're buying bushings instead of tool heads...and more conducive to shorter loading runs.

I really like the 550, but prefer the 5th station. I also like that the LNL and 650 are built on larger frames...more room for fingers

[___M|9||___]

if money is not a problem with you then you should get a Dillon 650 AND single stage. ive had lee, hornady LNL and a dillon 650, to ME and what i need my press to give the output i need i ended up with a dillon. I am glad i tried lee, hornday and ended up with dillon and i was able to learn many things on those presses and now i have tweaked my dillon with everythingi can possibly want from a progressive. I also have asingle stage for other small jobs here and there, goodluck.

[stilly]

I am holding off on buying a PC-5 because oh wait-Do you hear that? That is the sound of a new press being tinkered with in development right now...

It is brand new and it will revolutionize the way we reload. It's a game changer...

Because reloading is changing, changing at the speed of information... Whomever adapts first WINS and in order to compete you gotta innovate! In order to innovate you gotta redefine!

JABBERWOCKY! Coming soon to an internets near you...

[Red9]

I started with a rcbs single stage.
Now own a dillon 550b. I love this press. Average about 300 rounds per hour. I set up for 9s and 40s bought a extra powder die and holder. Chamges between 9 and 40 is pretty easy. 2 pins and 3 little shell pins.
Have not played with a lnl but if i didnt get my 550 so cheap lnl would have been my close second choice.

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