Hornady vs. Dillon press

[Germz]

Actually I need a progressive press in general, but I am ready to drop some decent sized bucks on a progressive.

I'm debating between the LNL AP and the 650. I cannot afford a 1050 at this time.

Youtube videos are not helping as much as I'd like, so I need unabashed advice.

I like the Hornady for the bushings and half index per half stroke, but I like the dillon for the tool heads. I will be reloading pistol and rifle on it, which I can only assume both presses handle magnificently. I eventually will incorporate a mr bullet feeder and a case collator.

advice gentlemen? Red vs. Blue go!

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

I can't give you advise based on a side by side comparison. But I absolutely love my recently acquired 650. Setup of new tool heads is pretty easy and straight forward. The case feeder is super nice and with the primer and powder check systems, you would have to be a complete idiot to get a double charge through it. I hear they have a rock solid no bs guarantee. I have not had a chance to use it and I'm guessing, most people never do.

I would not recommend learning how to reload on one of these but if you already know what you are doing, you won't regret it.

Happy loading Jar Head!

[ramathorn]

I'd be stoked to find a fair price for either press. Both makes will get the job done well from the reviews i've read.

[M1NM]

Go for the 650 - the 1050 is harder to change over and doesn't have the Dillon we'll fix it forever warranty (they consider it a commercial machine).

[uhlan1]

I've worked on a 650, a fine machine. But I went with the Hornady because the reviews were just as good and their customer service is also outstanding. I could also get one quicker.
Easy to use, super quick to strip and clean, caliber changes are a snap. Like it so much, came across a great opportunity and got a second one.

[oso grande]

I've worked on a 650, a fine machine. But I went with the Hornady because the reviews were just as good and their customer service is also outstanding. I could also get one quicker.
Easy to use, super quick to strip and clean, caliber changes are a snap. Like it so much, came across a great opportunity and got a second one.

Agree 100%.
I had a 650. Sold it and bought a LNL....best thing I ever did!

OG

[at_liberty]

I like my LNL AP but understand there are some issues with the case feeder, which I don't have or really need for my output level. It may be fine, but I would research that issue if serious about adding a case feeder.

The Dillon 650 might be overkill for me but it's over a $grand$ for one caliber. That assumes it doesn't really work without the case feeder from the beginning. ICBW.

[damndave]

I have owned both a Hornady LNL AP and Dillon XL650.

When I had the Hornady, I didn't have the case feeder, only my DIY bullet feeder. The XL650 has the case feeder.

Hornady LNL AP
On the Hornady, I had problems with brass being canted inward in stations 1 and 5. Along with Hornady CS, we tried a new shell plate, base plate, stretching the retainer spring and maybe a few other tricks which all did not work. Another weak spot on the press are the indexing pawls. They break way too easy you need to always keep a few on hand.

Where the Hornady shines is with fast caliber changes. The bushing system works very well and makes it very easy.


Dillon XL650
For the Dillon, the only problem I have had so far is with the case feeder. Brass gets jammed on the little funnel part of the case feeder once in a while. Sometimes the brass doesn't fall down and creates a log jam thus making brass fall on your head. It happened with 9mm and 223.

Caliber changes take about 5-10 minutes but are actually pretty easy once you have done it a couple of times.


Overall - In my personal experience

Both have excellent customer service. If you need help or have a broken part, BOTH companies will mail you out the parts right away. So this is a wash in this category.

Both use detent balls to lock the shell plate in place when indexing. Both snap into place and will both spill powder.

Both are plenty of fast in making ammo.

Hornady is much faster for caliber changes.

Dillon feels a bit more solidly built.


If the Hornady didn't have the problems I described, I would probably still be running it. The Dillon setup is more expensive and adding calibers is more expensive as well. Right now, the XL650 is doing very well for me and I have no complaints.

Just proof that I have owned both presses.

[damndave]

Pictures of the problems I had described above.

[Carsgunsandchics]

I just picked up a 550B and am quite happy with it. It's my first press but what sold me on it was the fact that it doesn't auto index and let's me pull/inspect at whatever stage I want. And can control the index to keep from spilling powder when the detent engages.

[Bornonthe4thofJuly]

I own Hornady LNL, great machine, i use it mainly for hand gun loads, because hornady dont make rifle bullet feeders yet. i just single stage my rifle loads on a RCBS singlestage press.

[Exodus343]

I've used both
And now own a LnL
The 550 does not have an auto index, if that doesn't matter than the next thing I did not like was inconsistent powder charges with the dillonwhen cranking rounds fast
I guess I'm just biased
And yes I took the red pill

[Exodus343]

Oops, Thot the OP said 550 not 650
Nothing to see here

[kingsfan8888]

I love my new 650. Taking a little time to dial it in but, that is because I am a control freak.

[sigstroker]

Yabut Dillon also builds miniguns. Cool factor makes them better.