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Looking for Opinions on new Press
#6225774
03/16/16 09:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,682
cmorsch
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OP
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Due to the recent increase in my pistol shooting I am looking at getting a progressive press that is set up with both a case and bullet feeder to load 9mm, 45 acp, and 38 sp/357 mag. Im stuck between the Hornady LnL AP or the Dillon XL650. What would you guys suggest?
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6225786
03/16/16 09:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,518
RiverRider
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You're going where I've never been, but if I was headed that direction I'd go Dillon. There's gotta be a reason Dillon users are so fanatical!
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: RiverRider]
#6225832
03/16/16 10:19 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,164
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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There's gotta be a reason Dillon users are so fanatical! Gotta be...
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6225899
03/16/16 11:21 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,809
Cleric
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those are the top two...
big debate between which is better...
How many calibers are you loading? The 650 has a nice caliber change system but can be more expensive (depending on how you do it)
I have a lnl ap and made up for the machine in 45 acp alone
i would check out ultimate reloader and review some of his videos
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6225914
03/16/16 11:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,174
Tactical Cowboy
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THF Trophy Hunter
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I've never used a Hornady, so I can't comment on one. I really like my Dillon.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6225928
03/16/16 11:42 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,809
Cleric
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Extreme Tracker
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if you go dillion check out sniper hide...there is someone doing a GB on Dillon and you can save a few bucks
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6225932
03/16/16 11:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,682
cmorsch
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Im going to be loading for 4 pistol calibers to start, I may add in 223 and 300 Blackout down the road. So ideally I want to be able to switch between them fairly easily.
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6225935
03/16/16 11:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,389
BassCat'99
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Love my Dillon. It's a RL550B and I can make some fine 45ACP and 9mm cartridges plenty fast. With the powders I use for them I do not feel I need a secondary powder drop. I check about every tenth one after I have it dialed in. With the quick change tool head I have the complete setup including powder drop for each.
22 Creedmoor
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6226355
03/17/16 11:47 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367
BIGDOG1956
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367 |
Dillon for their no bs warranty The Hornady is written by a lawyer. Dillon has better resale look at eBay
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6226489
03/17/16 01:52 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,942
ChadTRG42
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When you want to add a bullet feeder, you will need more than 5 stations. I won't run a press without a powder check die, so that's a requirement. Add a bullet feeder with a powder check die, and you will need a Dillon 1050. If you don't run a bullet feeder (really not needed, but is nice) you can get by with a 5 station, like the 650 or Hornady LNL. The Hornady press will change calibers much faster than a Dillon 650 will. That's a huge plus. The Dillon 650 that I used to run messed up a lot of primers. Once the primer leaves the cradle just before seating on a 650, the primer is unsupported. The brief unsupported time allows the primer to move around, and sometimes seats incorrectly. It would drive me nuts! I have played with a LNL, and it is a nice press. The 650 is good, but the LNL has more functionality. I'd lean to the LNL.
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6226491
03/17/16 01:54 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,389
BassCat'99
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Let's back up a bit, what type shooting are you reloading for? For fun you can't beat the Dillon, if for match it will be fine but you may need to control your powder drop more precisely. With the Dillon (or Hornady) you can do all the functions but I like to weigh each for competition rounds.
22 Creedmoor
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: ChadTRG42]
#6226622
03/17/16 03:15 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,809
Cleric
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When you want to add a bullet feeder, you will need more than 5 stations. I won't run a press without a powder check die, so that's a requirement. Add a bullet feeder with a powder check die, and you will need a Dillon 1050. If you don't run a bullet feeder (really not needed, but is nice) you can get by with a 5 station, like the 650 or Hornady LNL. The Hornady press will change calibers much faster than a Dillon 650 will. That's a huge plus. The Dillon 650 that I used to run messed up a lot of primers. Once the primer leaves the cradle just before seating on a 650, the primer is unsupported. The brief unsupported time allows the primer to move around, and sometimes seats incorrectly. It would drive me nuts! I have played with a LNL, and it is a nice press. The 650 is good, but the LNL has more functionality. I'd lean to the LNL. With a 5 stager you could... Stage 1 deprime Stage 2 powder/ptx expander Stage 3 powder check Stage 4 bullet feeder Stage 5 seat/crimp I don't use a bullet feeder because I have easily loaded 400ish an hour and that's enough for me
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6227503
03/18/16 02:23 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 75
dnite
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 75 |
If you want to load pistol look at the Dille square deal. I have a 650 and the square deal and use the sd the most.
I understand about proprietary dies but figure the cost.
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6227658
03/18/16 04:31 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,423
jeffbird
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It is hard to recommend one over the other. They both have strong points and weak points.
I've owned and used both the Hornady LNL, a Dillon 1050, and now a 550.
The LNL case feeder was fussy about placing the shells into position and they tipped over with some frequency, which was irritating and the reason I ultimatley sold it. The retaining spring tends to develop kinks, so buy a couple of extras as they are a wear item. The LNL powder measure is dramatically better... hugely better...than the Dillon system. The Hornady threw very consistent loads. The LNL took more time to set up initially and adjust, where the Dillons ran pretty well right from the beginning with not too much adjustment required.
The Dillon powder bar system is a poor design. Everything else about the Dillon I find preferable, but the powder system is a major negative for me. If someone could figure out how to mount a Hornady or Redding powder thrower on a Dillon press, that would be the setup to have. If you go with Dillon, either check every load or as Chad mentioned, use a lockout die and even that still lets inconsistent throw weights through. Throw weights with the LNL were +/- 0.1 to 0.2 max with charges of 5.4 of Titegroup. The Dillon throws between 4.5 - 6.0, and a few down even to around 3.5 total weight, which is a big range, and opens the door for squibs and overcharges. I finally found some ball powder to try in the Dillon. Hopefully it will meter better.
If you also want to load rifle ammo, the 550 seems to be more user friendly for rifle, at least to me. The 550 does not automatically advance, so the taller cases don't wobble as much when advanced by hand. It is only a four station press, so think about whether that will work for you. Attention is really required with all of these to avoid a double charge or a squib with pistol ammo.
I sold the LNL, but would own another without any reservations; same for the Dillon products. Both companies provide excellent customer service, which you will need at some point with either. I still have a Dillon on the bench, so I guess the balance tips in that direction a bit at the end of the day.
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6228838
03/19/16 01:58 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367
BIGDOG1956
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367 |
Here is the u-tube Chanel that convinced me to buy my Dillon 550b His old was bill morgan reloading, i read the hornady boards and he was their Guru. His videos will make the lock n load run well and he explained how to fix their problems. The facts about dillon
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6228881
03/19/16 02:33 AM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 339
Phlash
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 339 |
I agree with Chad. The powder check die is a must. 5 stations is the deal breaker for me. Both Dillon and Hornady are great products with great customer service.
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6229917
03/20/16 04:17 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,423
jeffbird
Extreme Tracker
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: BIGDOG1956]
#6229919
03/20/16 04:18 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 10,842
DannyB
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Here is the u-tube Chanel that convinced me to buy my Dillon 550b His old was bill morgan reloading, i read the hornady boards and he was their Guru. His videos will make the lock n load run well and he explained how to fix their problems. The facts about dillon His video is stupid! I only made it through 7 minutes before deciding it probably wasn't going to improve. Why buy machines that you have no plans to use? I bet I have one of the earliest RL550b's made, bought new in the 80's. And, I am not about to knock the 650s or above. All I will say is that the more things "fed" the more operations that are moving at the same time and have to be working just right. To this day I have never gotten the primer feed to work just right, non-stop without occasional adjustment. When reloading for high speed production, such as for pistol ammo, I don't want to take time to stop and adjust things. With all that said, when I'm loading what else is there to do with my left hand during the handle stroke anyway? When I push the handle down with my right hand, my left hand is accessing a primer. The way I look at it, I will never load one, or many, without a primer. And hopefully I will never overlook a primer sitting sideways, or whatever was wrong with it, and have the equivalent blast of a 22LR go off in my face. That was extremely loud!!!! As far as a progressive, if somebody stole this 550 tonight, I would buy another 550 tomorrow. If it breaks tomorrow, Dillon will give me another one, for free.
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6230135
03/20/16 03:21 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,069
Cool Mo D
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650
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6230520
03/20/16 10:20 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367
BIGDOG1956
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367 |
If you watched the he Has been doing a series on the dillon reloading press. His points are this none of the sucriber ask him to a video like the Hornady progressive people. The dillon difference is that they run good out of the box. The other point is that a friend sent to dillon a wore out pos and sent a rebult one that looks like new condition and work like a new one. .
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6230545
03/20/16 10:53 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,423
jeffbird
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Thinking about this more while loading this afternoon, my 550 runs and runs without stoppages or needing attention. In the long run, it turns out as much ammo as I need without down time to fix stoppages which were persistent with the LNL and also to a lesser degree the 1050. I have not used a 650, so cannot comment, but between the LNL and the 550, the Dillon is preferable, which is why it is still on the bench.
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6230595
03/20/16 11:46 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367
BIGDOG1956
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367 |
A friend of mine who is a competition pistol shooter bought 2 Hornady projector press's and flat wore him out he spent many service calls too Hornaday and they sent him parts. He bought a Dillon press instead and has had zero problems with it if anything minor ever brakes the in mail within a couple days. The I want to see my friend has salvaged from the two Hornady presses is a powder measure hornady powder measure is design better and throws a more accurate charge than the Dillon.
Here's the real deal you must read the warranties Dillon is just send it in for repair or replace it hornady is written there when they don't feel like servicing their machines they don't have to give you parts I would consider this before buying a Hornady machine unless you can afford to buy a dillon.
Last edited by BIGDOG1956; 03/21/16 02:33 AM. Reason: Spelling
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Re: Looking for Opinions on new Press
[Re: cmorsch]
#6230708
03/21/16 01:34 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,633
DStroud
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I also have both L-N-L and the 650. For pistol I like the Dillion better. I only load 9mm on the Dillon and pretty much use the Hornady for .223. If you want to process .223 brass the swager system for the Hornady is really the best I have tried for removing crimps.
"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."
Jack O'Connor 1963
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