Looking for a Progressive Re loader

[sargenv]

Yup, the 1050 only has a 1 year warranty.. the 650, 550, SDB are all lifetime warranties.. If you pick up an earlier 450, Dillon will upgrade it to a 550 if you send it to them.

[Waldog]

This question always comes up. It's a tough question as well. Here are MY REASONS for my choice.

I have loaded on the Hornady LNL, Dillon SDB, 550, 650 and, 1050. I currently own a Hornady LNL and a Dillon SDB. Based on my experience;
- Customer Service is equal between Hornady and Dillon
- The ease of caliber changes is a toss up between the LNL and 550. Caliber changes are harder on the 650. Changes on a 1050 is MUCH more involved.
- The Powder measure is OK on the Dillon. Works well with ball and flake type powder. Not so well with extruded or "stick" type powder
- The Powder on the LNL is BETTER. Works well with ball and flake type powder. Extruded or "stick" type powder is MUCH BETTER, not perfect but, much better than the Dillon powder measure.
- On Dillon presses, cases are held in place by "pins". For my fingers, this requires needle-nose pliers or large tweezers to remove the pin in order to remove a case from the shell plate.
- On the LNL, cases are held in place with a large spring retainer. It is VERY EASY to remove a case from the shell plate.
- On Dillon (Without a case feeder) you feed empty cases with your right had and feed bullets with your left hand. You operate the press with your right hand. TO ME, this is very awkward.
- On a LNL you feed empty cases AND bullets with your left hand and your right hand never leaves the press lever. TO ME, this is very natural.
- On Dillon, your bullet is seated at the BACK of the press and it is difficult to look into the case prior to seating bullets.
- On the LNL your bullet is seated at the FRONT of the press and it is VERY easy to look into each case prior to seating bullets.
- Handleing spent primers is MUCH better on the LNL. They drop through the press into a tube that can be placed in a trash can. It's very clean system.
- Dillon spent primers fall into a cup under the press. The press gets dirty and fouled with primer ash.

BOTH COMPANIES make an outstanding product. You will be satisfied with either. However, since they operated so differently, I recommend you try before you buy. And, that is difficult. Good Luck!

[shooterbill]

Hornady LNL all the way. Cheaper to buy and change calibers. If your serious on your purchase, contact some of the guys with the different presses and try before you buy.

[Clownpuncher]

I wanted an auto indexing machine and couldn't afford a 1050 so I went with the LnL. Here's a good article comparing auto presses.

http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

[Divernhunter]

Dillon 650 with case feeder.

[M27]

Hornady LnL, make your own Case feeder

[powaybob]

Hornady LNL. I use it for .45, 9mm, M1 carbine, .38/.357 and .44 special/mag. I intend to start 7.5 Swiss and .30-06.

It is not perfect for me in all calibers but when everything is working correctly it is a dream. I can do a couple hundred rounds of .45 in an hours or less, manually loading cases and bullets.

Hornady customer service is excellent. If you break something, even out of sheer stupidity as I have done, they will replace the part free, no questions asked.