Best Progressive Press for the money

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I've loaded tens of thusands of rounds on a dil550 and several thousand rounds on a dil650, but chose the Hornady Loc-N-Load AP progressive. The Hornady has many more inovative ideas which make it easier for me to load with. The priming system was a problem until I figured it out, and now it is not a problem.

Big difference is in the Hornady being a virtual tank with cast iron parts rather than cast aluminum frame like the dillon. Read TFL of all the failures of the fatigued metal aluminum frames.

Price is no comparison. You get twice the value for a better machine out of the Hornady.

Shoney
 
Dillon, even if it were to break (unlikely) or wear significantly (will take a lot of time and money to load that much) you will NEVER pay for parts or service on it. The no BS warranty is just that, no BS they will fix or replace ANYTHING that goes wrong on it.

A Dillon is a tremendous value.
 
Another vote for the Dillon. I've had occasion to use their warranty since I did break something through my error. No problem even when I explained it was my error. In less than a week the parts were in my hands at no charge.

I have heard many good things about the Hornady, but have no experience with one.
 
The only press I've had is my Dillon 550B. I am very satisfied with it and their customer service. I screwed up a die and called them, they told me to send it back and they replaced it with no charge. If you can't figure out something, call them and they will patietnly talk you through it, even if you're being a knucklehead.
 
Another vote for Dillon. I don't know how many tens of thousands of rounds I've loaded on my 550 but it's still going strong, the only sign of wear is the spring that returns the primer bar is about shot.
 
Hornady. They also have a lifetime warranty, but in eight years I have had mine, I never had to call them. No special dies or tool heads either.
 
Started with a Lee Pro1000. This was a big mistake not because it was a Lee, but because this takes an experienced reloader to be able to fiddle with it and work around its quirks. Went to a single stage, then got a Hornady Pro-Jector when I thought I was ready. IMO, the coil-spring shell retainer is a pain, and true progressive operation can be daunting. Now, I've just got back into the game with a Dillon 550, and whoa what a difference. :D I don't think I'd ever want a true progressive again, as I love the manual advance. Customer service and tales of their support are legion, and I'm no exception. I'd pay retail for everything in my life if it were backed in the same manner.:p
 
I've had a Dillon 550 since 1980. Other than the fact that their powder measures life seems to be 10 years, I'm on the third one now, have had essentially zero problems.

As for the Hornady press mentioned, I have seen pictures of it only, however should the frame of a Dillon fail, not a likely event I would thiunk, they will repair or replace, which seems answer enough with respect to frame longevity.

As for dies, mentioned by someone, any 7/8 x 14 dies work, and exchanging tool heads seems simple enough for anyone to manage. Even I can do it.
 
Don't forget there's one more bennie from a Dillon: The monthly issue of "The Blue Press!" My basement wall has wallpaper made up of Blue Press covers!
 
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