Debating Progressive Press Purchase

[jmorris]

Rest assured all of us Dillon owners (past, present and future) are paying for that in the price of their equipment.

"All of us" depends on when you bought them and when you sell them,what they are worth.

My first ones cost less than this.


A new one costs this.


That is about 300% increase in price over the years. If your not trying to unload it fast, pretty much any Dillon machine will bring 80% of new prices. This is because a new one is the same as an old one (they actually have differences in the main casting but if you can break one they send a new one to you). If you sell during a "panic" they can bring even more. I sold a 650 after the last election and sandy hook for over $1800.

The same cannot be said of other progressives of "the day" or even current models. Hornady's loose the "free bullet" value, hope you got the more expensive rifle bullets. Lee is troubled by folks that just can't get them to run and give them away. RCBS changes too many things and scare people that have had old machines from buying new ones.

 

[jmorris]

For what it's worth, the event you pointed out was a case that stuck in the shell plate and would not eject. You can see it in the attached photo, the case was being push by the ejector but wouldn't release from the shell plate without me manually pulling it out. This video wasn't a speed evaluation, just a demonstration on loading .223 Rem.

That can and does happen on all of them, a ding in the extractor groove/rim or an ejector not just right can cause that.

But I really like the RCBS in this area. Every locator is a spring but not like the coil that the LNL can eat (the later EZ Ject LNL made it better) and the ejector is fully adjustable up and down/side to side.


The Lee LM requires the right bend on the tab, with the nut just right and hope the o-ring holds the adjustment.

 

[Bang!]

For what it's worth, the event you pointed out was a case that stuck in the shell plate and would not eject. You can see it in the attached photo, the case was being push by the ejector but wouldn't release from the shell plate without me manually pulling it out. This video wasn't a speed evaluation, just a demonstration on loading .223 Rem.


This is a long video, 18+ minutes, start to finish loading 120 each 9mm rounds. It shows the complete process including the issues, like a few dropped bullets.

Great run on the Loadmaster, Load Master. Good job on the video, too.

There is a certain rhythm you have to get into on the LM. When you maintain that rhythm it seems everything goes right. Including the bullet feeder. Looking good!

 

[AR-Bossman]

I'm done

 

[shooter1]

I've got both a Dillon 650 XL and a Hornady LnL AP.

Both are good presses. Both work. Both companies have great customer service.

If I was in the market for another progressive press I'd probably go with another Hornady due to it having an additional station.

The LnL AP has six stations? Must be something new!
srtr1

 

[Cannibul]

The LnL AP has six stations? Must be something new!
srtr1

I've got to quit posting when I've got a cold.

 

[ny32182]

I have a 650 headed back for a rebuild right now (first time) and they are supposed to charge me $75 I think... we'll see how it goes.

 

[shooter1]

I've got to quit posting when I've got a cold.

Ha Ha! I've done it myself-------
str1

 

[Ryegye]

I think i am going to pull the trigger on a Dillon xl650 after work today. Thanks for all the help, it was definitely a hard choice.

 

[Nature Boy]

You won't be disappointed.

 

[Cannibul]

If you're going to purchase a Dillion head over the the Brian Enos website to do so.

 

[Ryegye]

I checked out his site and it looks like he's not selling reloading machines anymore.

 

[Bang!]

Give us a review after setup and operation. Thinking of getting a 650, myself. I don't think this LnL is long for my bench. Get all the bugs worked out and put it on Craigslist.

 

[jmorris]

I checked out his site and it looks like he's not selling reloading machines anymore

He is not, he stated his intentions to do so back in May IIRC.

 

[Ryegye]

Will do.

 

[edwardware]

The Loadmaster priming has been flawless. Works all the way to last primer. Press Worked out of the box after setting up dies. Bullet seating attachment worked well, but added much more effort to work handle. Miner mods to improve operation: polished all bearing surfaces, penny mod to brass feeder, screw mod to powder measure disk, solid mount to bench, polished head of primer ram, use universal die in station one with sizing die in station two with decapper removed (aligns case to insert primer), put nylon fishing line in threads of tool head knurled knob, continually check shell plate knurled nut. But, it worked out of the box. Have loaded many thousands in last 2-3 years.

I know this is a zombie thread at this point, but I have to ask: does the Lee Loadmaster priming system work with ANY brand primers, or just the preferred brands?

 

[jmorris]

It will work with any of them but some are easier to set off, even if you don't want them to go off yet. So, Lee advises to use CCI and Remington.

I used S&B and Winchester in mine though without problems.