Press

[erik_26]

Is a Dilon really all that and a bag of chips? Or is it over rated & over priced?

I will be reloading 9mm, 40, 44mag, 45acp, 5.56.

Which will be better for this application the XL650 or the 550?

I have read changing calibers is kind of a pain on the XL650. I have read that Horadny is better for frequent caliber changes.


Thoughts?

I only want to buy this stuff once. So if Dilon is where you think I will end up down the road I rather bite the bullet and get it over with.

[Waldog]

This question comes up often: Read here: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=364655

I own a Dillon SDB and two Hornady LNL AP's. I prefer the LNL by a wide margin. I like the ergonomics of the LNL far more than any Dillon product. They are both quality tools but, there operate differently.

[Na-vah-duh]

Changing calibers on a dillon xl-650 is simple if You spend the extra money on:
1. Toolhead for each caliber
2. Powder Die for each toolhead

It's not very hard to set up each caliber either. It takes only 20 minutes now to set up a completely new caliber. Dillons customer service is top notch. You definitely get what you pay for.

[morrow]

A common question. All presses have pros and cons.
Dillon is unmatched when it comes to auto-indexing progressive reloading IMO. Best powder check die. All the parts are plated/painted so basically nothing rusts. Great powder measure.
The Hornady LNL is pretty good, I just dislike how cheap Hornady can be. I can't believe the number of un-plated parts on that press...even inside the powder measure! It's a constant combat with rust/corrosion. And yes, even dry lube attracts dirt/powder.
The main thing that sold me on Dillon is that Dillon is a lifetime investment. You will get great support on that press for life. Hornady outsources a LOT of their parts, so often you will get parts backordered when something breaks (people were even getting notes in their new press boxes a year or so ago, saying call us for this part we were currently out). On top of that, when Hornady releases a new press, they abandon all support for their old ones.
Again, both are good, but when it comes to auto-indexing it's a no brainer.

To answer your question about which press, either the 550 or 650 will work. Spend a little more on the 650 so you can have auto-indexing which greatly increases your reloading speed.

The xl650 is cake to change calibers on. Get an extra primer assembly (one for large, one for small). You can make it even easier if you buy additional toolheads and powder measures. I personally find it pretty simple to use a limited number of toolheads and powder measures --- it's easy enough to adjust I can't personally justify the additonal expense. Maybe if I shot more

[damndave]

They are not over priced. You are definitely getting a quality product. If you plan to reload all of those calibers on 1 press, you are going to spend a fortune though.

The main reason i went with the Hornady LNL AP is much lower cost and ease of caliber changes. With the bushing system, you can switch all 5 dies in seconds. Switching from small to large primers takes about 2 minutes if that. I purchased multiple powder drop dies so I don't have to redo the die settings everytime on that.

Both have top notch customer service, so that is a wipe. Red is also such a nicer looking color

[chim-chim7]

When small reloading ammo companies or special handload companies like Wilson Combat use a progressive press what do you think they use. Dillon Super 1050's. You wont find any LNL's at these high volume shops. Are they the best, you bet. Get a Warren Drive and bullet feeder and be 100% automatic. Just keep the hoppers full and watch it work. 1,200 or more rounds per hour without ever pulling a handle.

[chim-chim7]

Changing calibers on a dillon xl-650 is simple if You spend the extra money on:
1. Toolhead for each caliber
2. Powder Die for each toolhead

It's not very hard to set up each caliber either. It takes only 20 minutes now to set up a completely new caliber. Dillons customer service is top notch. You definitely get what you pay for.

I have mine down to 4 minutes. Lock to lock and brass moving. I start at the case feeder plate and work my way down. Of course I have a seperate tool heads with dies set and power measures ready to go. Also have a large and small primer assembly, so it's a drop in. I could do it faster if I didn't take the time to wipe down the conversion parts before putting them in their box.

[XDRoX]

If money is a concern then the LNL is probably a better choice.

I don't agree that auto indexing will greatly increase your speed. It's just not true. Maybe it will increase your speed by 50 rounds an hour, but not enough to warrant paying the extra money for a 650 over a 550.

However a case feeder will greatly increase your speed and a CF works better on a 650 than a 550. So if you want a CF, then the choice is easy, get a 650 or LNL. If the speed of a CF is not a requirement of yours, then the 550 will suit your needs fine IMO.

IMO the 550 is better than a 650 and if I could only have one machine it'd be a 550. The 550 is cheaper, much simpler, and easier to convert. Simplicity is a huge plus when it comes to reloading equipment IMO. But the 650 trumps the 550 in speed (with a CF) and has a 5th station if that's important to you. It's nice for a powder check die if you feel the need for one. Personally I don't like them and feel it's one more thing that people can become reliant on which has the potential to fail.

[grant22]

The only advice I can give is the fact I bought a 550 4-5 months ago (new to reloading) and have never thought, "wow, this is all I get for the money?"

That's even with me spending a poop-ton on easy caliber changes.

I have nothing to compare it to, though, so take it for what it's worth.

[bill_k_lopez]

My Lee Pro1000 was under $200 has a case feeder and makes rounds just fine.

[Bill Steele]

I have heard people say that Lee stuff is junk or Dillon stuff is overpriced, neither of these stand up to basic free market analysis. In reality these kinds of statements are really just matters of opinion, usually based on some limited experience (or the thickness of one's wallet).

The reloading equipment market is fiercely competitive. In this information age, does anyone think that a company that built junk or was over priced could stay in business? Each player has his strengths and weaknesses, these generally track with what each offering costs.

Frankly, I don't understand the whole emotional investment in a brand thing. To me, it seems to indicate perhaps the person was short changed in some other way in life.

I think the Hornaday LnL AP and the Dillon 550/650 offer amazing value for the dollar spent. I went with a Dillon 550 as I wanted the simplicty of setup/operation and its overbuilt nature that came with the design, I have not been disappointed.

I am pretty certain had I gone with a Hornaday LnL I would be just as happy today. I am pretty handy, so I am also confident I would have even been able to make a Lee Loadmaster work fine as well. The reason I skipped over Lee as a serious choice in a progressive was the reality that a little down time here and there can slow output back to Turret or SS levels.

All the competitive handgun shooters I know use Dillon. That probably tells you all you need to know about Dillon. On the other hand, I know a really smart guy that prefers the LnL because he can load cases and set bullets with the same hand, never having to take his right hand off the lever. That one design trait makes the LnL a no brainer for him, he is very happy with his Hornaday press.

My invoices for components from places like Powder Valley average about $450 a shipment. Add in to that, projectiles from SNS Castings, The $100-200 every so often for once fired brass (when I have a bad stretch of pickings from the range, etc.). When you are shooting this kind of volume you soon realize, saving a few hundred on the press you buy once makes no sense at all. If you will not be loading these kind of volumes, stick with a Lee Classic Cast Turret.

Good luck, have fun.

[stand125]

Changing calibers on a dillon xl-650 is simple if You spend the extra money on:
1. Toolhead for each caliber
2. Powder Die for each toolhead

It's not very hard to set up each caliber either. It takes only 20 minutes now to set up a completely new caliber. Dillons customer service is top notch. You definitely get what you pay for.

Or you can change out calibers in 30 seconds on a LEE CLASSIC TURRET PRESS and buy a ton of components and dies with the money you will save.

[grant22]

Frankly, I don't understand the whole emotional investment in a brand thing. To me, it seems to indicate perhaps the person was short changed in some other way in life.

Some people think they made the only correct decision, and if your decision was different, then you're all jacked up. It's as simple as people taking it personally. Want proof? All you have to do is post "Anyone who buys a Dillon overpaid," or "Lee is junk." I think it's that simple.

There are two of us at my job that reload: I went all out buying Dillon stuff totalling close to $2k worth of stuff (not incl components) and my friend has under $300 invested in his Lee single stage setup. We are both reloading the same caliber.

Guess what? We both go to the range and shoot with smiles on our faces.

[Bongos]

I own a Dillon SDB and two Hornady LNL AP's. I prefer the LNL by a wide margin. I like the ergonomics of the LNL far more than any Dillon product. They are both quality tools but, there operate differently.

THe Dillon SDB is not a good bases for comparision, you should try at least the 550B, XL650 is more of the same type, mano a mano. Though the XL650 cost about $200 more than the LNL and extra toolheads does cost more.. It's surpasses the LNL by a Large margin.. In the long run, when you buy all of the plates and accessories for both presses, it's still going to cost over $1000.. the XL650 will only slightly cost more.. but I think you really get what you pay for.. Also, not sure if Hornady ever got their casefeeder working correctly for the LNL...

[twoforme2]

If you are talking several hundred rounds of each every month then the progressive might be worth while.

If you are only going to do a few hundred rounds total per month of everything put together either a single stage or a turret press might just be in order.

Dillon seems to be good quality stuff based upon what I have seen and what others have said. Hornady is cheaper and most of those that have them seem to be happy with them.
I own neither a Dillon or a Hornady, so I have no dog in this fight, but it would seem to me it would come down to either how much you are going to shoot OR just how much you want to spend. I truly don't think there is a BEST answer to your question.