LNL to Dillon 650 - Universal Powder through Expander Work?

[Psychbiker]

On my LNL I started using early on a universal powder through expander by a company called PowderFunnels.

My 650 arrives Friday and my limited research did come up with this company that makes one, anyone have experience?

http://www.cbararmory.com/apps/webstore/products/show/6348072

I need one because I seat and crimp in separate stages and use a powder check lock out die so all stages are used up.

I might not be aware, maybe the conversion kits all have their own caliber specific expander. It was nice on the LNL do make a few turns of a know to adjust the bell of the case and done.

[mjmagee67]

I just use the Dillon expander funnel....I really can't see what that one does better than the Dillon. It looks like a solution looking for a problem. Yes the conversion kit have caliber specific expander funnels.

[ar15barrels]

I might not be aware, maybe the conversion kits all have their own caliber specific expander.

The conversion kits include the expander which also does the belling and acts as the powder funnel.
You can't use a universal belling funnel because you ALSO need to expand the cases after they are sized.
If you do use a universal belling funnel, you need to put an expander die somewhere else in the toolhead before you try to seat a bullet.

[Pardini]

I run the Hornady measure on my 650. Throws light charges much better than the Dillon. Actually throws all charges better than the Dillon and easier to adjust.

The Hornady has to be mounted in the lock out die position to clear the primer feeder. Not a problem for me, I've never used a lock out die.

[bigdrunk92037]

I also run the LNL measure on my 650 but forgo using the low primer alarm when loading pistol. This way the powder measure barely clears the primer magazine.

For rifle cartridges I never prime and powder charge on the same step so its a non issue.

I run the Hornady measure on my 650. Throws light charges much better than the Dillon. Actually throws all charges better than the Dillon and easier to adjust.

The Hornady has to be mounted in the lock out die position to clear the primer feeder. Not a problem for me, I've never used a lock out die.

[TexasJackKin]

[mooner760HD]

So I have been looking at the Hornady LnL and Dillon 650. Is the Dillon worth the extra $?

[TexasJackKin]

I looked at both, and got the Hornady, LnL, but there are plenty of people that would disagree. That said, some people monkey with them until the work great, others monkey with them until they won't work.

You have to tinker with them a bit in the beginning, but if you have a bit of mechanical aptitude they can run quite well.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks that will disagree, but that's how I see it, YMMV....

[ar15barrels]

So I have been looking at the Hornady LnL and Dillon 650. Is the Dillon worth the extra $?

Would you prefer something that you tinker with or do you just want to use it and have it work reliably without tinkering?

[bigdrunk92037]

If you price both out with a case feeder I don't really think the price difference is all that material. Especially when you figure you will be using the thing for a decade or two.

If one were to buy either machine with a case feeder set up to load one pistol and one rifle caliber the price difference is only $100. The $100 difference is based on paying retail price off Dillons website compared to whatever sale price Midway currently has on LNL's.

The base cost of a 650 is about $170 more than the LNL. One thing that makes a big difference in the end is the cost of the Hornady case feeder ($310 + $30 for a case feed plate = $340). The Dillon case feeder runs $235 and comes with a case feeder plate of your choice.

Another minor difference is the Dillon comes set up with a caliber conversion kit of your choice where Hornady comes with die bushings only so one must spend $35 on a shell plate to load their first caliber.

I would also leave the 500 free bullets you get with the Hornady out of the decision (I enjoyed mine though). Bringing the Hornady free bullets into the purchasing decision would be like buying a Chrysler because they offered 6 months of free gas, but after the free gas is gone you are stuck with a Chrysler.

So I have been looking at the Hornady LnL and Dillon 650. Is the Dillon worth the extra $?

[Pardini]

I've had a 650 for 25 years. Don't regret buying it. I've worn out several parts, which were all replaced free, no questions asked. Even sent it back once and they upgraded it to current specs no charge. Sent it in without a powder measure and a primer feeder and it came back with both.

My friend decided to listen to someone else and bought the Hornady. He now wishes he had listened to me and bought the Dillon. He's broken several parts in the first year and has been charged for everyone of them and it's taken several weeks to get them. Dillon has had parts to me 3 days.

The Hornady measure is better and i like how it doesnt dump the unused primer like the Dillon when there is no case to be primed.

[bruce381]

""Dillon when there is no case to be primed""

how is that the dillion will not throw a powder charge if no case?

[ar15barrels]

how is that the dillion will not throw a powder charge if no case?

The case activates the powder measure.
If there is no case in the station where the expanding, belling and powder dispensing occurs, then the powder measure is not activated.

[C.G.]

I looked at both, and got the Hornady, LnL, but there are plenty of people that would disagree. That said, some people monkey with them until the work great, others monkey with them until they won't work.

You have to tinker with them a bit in the beginning, but if you have a bit of mechanical aptitude they can run quite well.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks that will disagree, but that's how I see it, YMMV....

My Hornady LNL worked right out of the box, no monkeys needed.

[TexasJackKin]

My Hornady LNL worked right out of the box, no monkeys needed.

Nice!