marine6680
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My fiance is pushing for the 650... So that is probably the direction we are going.
Progressive press... Need opinions on the different models available
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marine6680
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Not sure about lead... I use plated bullets anyway.
The 650 is manual bullet feed, and will likely stay that way for a while.
The 650 is manual bullet feed, and will likely stay that way for a while.
marine6680
New member
I may take you up on that offer RG... Just not sure when I would be able.
For the sake of argument and knowing the details... What is involved with changing out a Hornady Ammo Plant from one caliber to another? Including the bullet and case feed.
Say from 9mm to 223.
The case feed on the Dillon requires a feed plate change only, the same unit works with all different calibers with just that plate change.
Is the AP similar?
The bullet feed the same way?
I priced out the 650, and I can have everything I need to do 9mm and 223... new dies, a quick change kit that includes a second powder measure, die plate and other caliber specific parts, and the case feed and caliber conversion for it as well.
Basically set up to switch between both calibers in the quickest, simplest, and most convenient way.
All that runs 1350.
The AP costs 1200, and comes with a case and bullet feed.
Quick glancing around sometime earlier in the year, I got the impression that the case and bullet feeds needed complete swaps to go between rifle and pistol... But I could be wrong, as I didn't dig into it very hard.
Edit:
I see the case feeder on the Hornady is universal with just a plate change like the Dillon.
The bullet feed is pistol or rifle in separate units.
For the sake of argument and knowing the details... What is involved with changing out a Hornady Ammo Plant from one caliber to another? Including the bullet and case feed.
Say from 9mm to 223.
The case feed on the Dillon requires a feed plate change only, the same unit works with all different calibers with just that plate change.
Is the AP similar?
The bullet feed the same way?
I priced out the 650, and I can have everything I need to do 9mm and 223... new dies, a quick change kit that includes a second powder measure, die plate and other caliber specific parts, and the case feed and caliber conversion for it as well.
Basically set up to switch between both calibers in the quickest, simplest, and most convenient way.
All that runs 1350.
The AP costs 1200, and comes with a case and bullet feed.
Quick glancing around sometime earlier in the year, I got the impression that the case and bullet feeds needed complete swaps to go between rifle and pistol... But I could be wrong, as I didn't dig into it very hard.
Edit:
I see the case feeder on the Hornady is universal with just a plate change like the Dillon.
The bullet feed is pistol or rifle in separate units.
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Not counting time or the base machine around $600 in that one.
The loading 1050's are more time and money because of the PLC and connecting the sensors up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrFhnDQ-eUU
g.willikers
New member
As a testimonial to Dillon,
I have one progressive, a Square Deal, bought when they first came out, 30 years ago.
It's still running just fine.
About ten years after getting it, and tens of thousands of rounds later, (being a firm believer in prevented maintenance), I sent Dillon a request for a whole bunch of parts.
The loader didn't really need them, but I just decided it was time to rebuild.
A habit acquired from motor sports.
The box full of parts arrived the next week, all free - no charge.
Can't beat that.
Although, that might have backfired for Dillon.
With that kind of service and reliability, I've never given a thought getting anything else.
That 650 is mighty tempting, though.
I have one progressive, a Square Deal, bought when they first came out, 30 years ago.
It's still running just fine.
About ten years after getting it, and tens of thousands of rounds later, (being a firm believer in prevented maintenance), I sent Dillon a request for a whole bunch of parts.
The loader didn't really need them, but I just decided it was time to rebuild.
A habit acquired from motor sports.
The box full of parts arrived the next week, all free - no charge.
Can't beat that.
Although, that might have backfired for Dillon.
With that kind of service and reliability, I've never given a thought getting anything else.
That 650 is mighty tempting, though.
g.willikers
New member
Agreed, buy your Dillon stuff from http://brianenos.com/store/dillon.html
He's a real deal shootist and hosts an excellent competition web site.
He also has a good rep for directly replying to questions concerning reloading.
He's a real deal shootist and hosts an excellent competition web site.
He also has a good rep for directly replying to questions concerning reloading.
marine6680
New member
So, did some looking, and a Hornady Ammo Plant will run me within a few bucks of the Dillon. All set up for 9mm and 223, and will have a pistol bullet feed.
I found a write up from someone who owned and used A dillon 650, a Hornady AP with case feed, and a Lee Loadmaster, all at the same time, as a comparison.
His conclusion, the Dillon is a bit better overall than the Hornady mechanically, but adding additional calibers is cheaper on the Hornady, and its smoother in operation than the Dillon. He ended up sticking with the Hornady. He also found the Hornady to be a bit more consistent, less variation round to round... as there is less play in the system. Not that the variances were very high with the Dillon, just larger overall.
If I get the Hornady, I have to search around a bit for the various parts. Optics Planet had the best deal on the press, with free shipping, but was out of stock on some essential parts. There isn't really a handy guide to let you know what parts you need in addition to the Ammo Plant kit.
The Brian Enos site really helps break things down and makes a one stop shop easy.
With Hornady, I get the free bullet offer... And thats a lot of bullets from all the parts.
Still leaning toward the Dillon, simply due to the ease of purchase and a solid reputation.
But the Bullet feed on the Hornady is tempting, and its not like Hornady has a bad reputation.
I hate when I get sorted down to two good choices, when the pros and cons are close to the same, but with slight variations on important points...
Which pro is more important, which con is easier to live with...
I found a write up from someone who owned and used A dillon 650, a Hornady AP with case feed, and a Lee Loadmaster, all at the same time, as a comparison.
His conclusion, the Dillon is a bit better overall than the Hornady mechanically, but adding additional calibers is cheaper on the Hornady, and its smoother in operation than the Dillon. He ended up sticking with the Hornady. He also found the Hornady to be a bit more consistent, less variation round to round... as there is less play in the system. Not that the variances were very high with the Dillon, just larger overall.
If I get the Hornady, I have to search around a bit for the various parts. Optics Planet had the best deal on the press, with free shipping, but was out of stock on some essential parts. There isn't really a handy guide to let you know what parts you need in addition to the Ammo Plant kit.
The Brian Enos site really helps break things down and makes a one stop shop easy.
With Hornady, I get the free bullet offer... And thats a lot of bullets from all the parts.
Still leaning toward the Dillon, simply due to the ease of purchase and a solid reputation.
But the Bullet feed on the Hornady is tempting, and its not like Hornady has a bad reputation.
I hate when I get sorted down to two good choices, when the pros and cons are close to the same, but with slight variations on important points...
Which pro is more important, which con is easier to live with...
What is the best unedited video of the ammo plant loading you have come across?
I found this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHiknwpGoXo
He starts loading around 11:30 and stops around 14:15, has 8 rounds loaded and 3 malfunctions that require operator "intervention" or a case that is spit out of the feeder before making it to the shell plate.
Compare that to the video I posted on the 17th (post #27) What one would be easier for you to live with?
The one linked to in #27 is my 9mm 650, this is another video of my 45 acp 650 setup the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3hVi6PuduM
I will point out again that both 650's have powder check dies and seat then crimp not both in one station or loosing the PC die like you have to do with the LNL.
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PS: Dillons and matching feeder all come with a blonde hotty, I swear!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JTtlcg99OA
Hornady comes with pain killer. You’ll need’em.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JTtlcg99OA
Hornady comes with pain killer. You’ll need’em.
I favor the 650 over the LNL ...to me the Dillon is a better machine / and I've used both pretty extensively --- but the Dillon 650 and the LNL are both good machines.
Among my buddies that reload...some of them are sill using 550's / but most of them have upgraded to the 650 because of the powder check die and the auto indexing ( the 550 is manual indexing and has no room for a powder check die).
Among my buddies that reload...some of them are sill using 550's / but most of them have upgraded to the 650 because of the powder check die and the auto indexing ( the 550 is manual indexing and has no room for a powder check die).
marine6680
New member
I've seen LnL videos where they load just fine, even with the case feed... Its down to proper setup I believe.
I think it just comes down to aptitude, some people may not have the mechanical skills to set up the LnL.
If more people find the Dillon easier to use, then that shows it to be a well thought out design, that is easy to use. That doesn't automatically make it better, not taken on its own anyway.
I need to find a good bullet feed for the Dillon that doesn't cost more than the press does.
I think it just comes down to aptitude, some people may not have the mechanical skills to set up the LnL.
If more people find the Dillon easier to use, then that shows it to be a well thought out design, that is easy to use. That doesn't automatically make it better, not taken on its own anyway.
I need to find a good bullet feed for the Dillon that doesn't cost more than the press does.
drain smith
New member
I have 2 lnl ap. One is set up for pistol and the other is set up for rifle. I have the bullet feeder for 22 and 30 cal. and as far as it not being able to do rifle I load 223, 308 and 30-06. So please say that very quiet, my machine hasn't gotten that memo yet.
Dragonflydf
New member
QUOTE>One significant thing that may, or may not effect you.
The Dillon will also load full length rifle ammo, the L&L wont.
If you don't ever plan on rifle reloading with it no biggie.<QUOTE
Don't know where you heard that, but they are full of it. The majority of my loading is rifle, I currently load 45-70, 30-06, 7mm Jap, 8mm Mauser, 7.5x55 Swiss, 308, and 223. I also use my LnL to reform 30-06 brass into 8mm Mauser and 7.7 Jap, as well as using it with a collet bullet puller.
My press is used to load 15 different calibers, from a small 30 Mauser to the 45-70.
The Dillon will also load full length rifle ammo, the L&L wont.
If you don't ever plan on rifle reloading with it no biggie.<QUOTE
Don't know where you heard that, but they are full of it. The majority of my loading is rifle, I currently load 45-70, 30-06, 7mm Jap, 8mm Mauser, 7.5x55 Swiss, 308, and 223. I also use my LnL to reform 30-06 brass into 8mm Mauser and 7.7 Jap, as well as using it with a collet bullet puller.
My press is used to load 15 different calibers, from a small 30 Mauser to the 45-70.
marine6680
New member
Who said I was getting one?
PolarFBear
New member
I strongly encourage a Dillon 550B. It is a bit higher in initial outlay (could shop fleaBay, I did). I started with a Lee 3 hole-er. Lee's products are very good but you do pay a price in finickyess. I used the Lee Pro 1000; have three. Also stepped up to a Lee Load Master. And then---I got the Dillon 550B. Just have not gone back to the Lees. I use mostly Lee dies and with them you can use the Lee Powder measures. When I add up all that I have spent on Lee presses (no regrets, they came along as finances permitted) I could have bought a Dillon 650. No experience with Hornady. Shoot straight shoot safe.
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