Different progressive press options

[newdude]

I have been wanting to get a progressive press lately, so i started looking around. I liked Hornadys, but so many people seem to like Dillons that i started looking in to them. But i found this; with dillons you HAVE to use the "caliber conversion" kits, and there are only a certain number of them?! I decided on the XL 650, because it can have a automatic case feeder, which the 550b can't.

So, i have two questions.

one, which would be a better choice for loading ALL sorta of calibers, from 9mm and smaller to .458WM, a Dillon or a Hornady (or a ???)? I also have a single stage that can do the larger DG cartridges...

Second, is there a way to be able to use dies for any caliiber i want in the dillon, like the hornady has? I like the features of the dillon MINUS the lack of calibers. Like, they didn't have 7mm-08?!?!?!

thanks,

Neal

 

[lgbloader]

I liked Hornadys

Buy a Hornady. I could go on and on on why I think Dillons the superior press but if you like the Hornady, Buy it. It's a good press.

LGB

 

[bobotech]

The 550 can use a case feeder.

The Dillon and the Hornady are both very high quality reloaders.

You won't go wrong with either.

I do love the flexibility that the bushings of the Lock and Load give me.

 

[rfwobbly]

Buy a Hornady. I could go on and on on why I think Dillons the superior press, but if you like the Hornady, buy it. It's a good press.

Good advice.

Buy what you like because, like a wife, you're going to be living with it a long time.

 

[showmebob]

After doing the research on all features of both Dillon and Hornady, I went with the Hornady and have not regretted it. It just seemed to be a better match for me. I have no problems with Dillon, my bro in law and friends have Dillon.

 

[Fred40]

I just finished doing a TON of research on progressive reloaders. My bullseye coach uses.....well he owns everything, but he uses Dillon's (550b's). He's true blue through & through.

Thus he will be pissed to find out I purchased the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP last week. Still can't use it though because I can't find a #45 shell plate anywhere!

Why the LnL?

It auto indexes like the XL650.
It costs less than the 550b
By all accounts it has a superior powder dump.
By all accounts it has smoother operation with its massive 2" ram and 1/2 indexing on the pull down and 1/2 on the way up.

Oh yeah.......and 1000 free Hornady bullets doesn't hurt either.
The dies cost less than Dillon's and are highly regarded.
You can change plates and dies very quickly.

Like Dillon it has a lifetime guarantee. Fixed or replaced for free.

 

[lgbloader]

By all accounts it has a superior powder dump.
By all accounts it has smoother operation with its massive 2" ram and 1/2 indexing on the pull down and 1/2 on the way up.

By all accounts??? are you joking me??

LGB

 

[bfox]

By all accounts??? are you joking me??

NOPE

 

[Fred40]

By all accounts??? are you joking me??

LGB

Well all I can go buy is:

Reviews written by people who own both a Dillon 550b or 650 and the LnL

Videos that clearly show both machines in use.

The fact that I've been using a 550b and can compare that with what I see.

Let's be clear though. The Dillons are great machines with a proven track record. Their customer service is beyond reproach. I only said what my research indicates.

I think you can't go wrong buying a Dillon

I also think that right now you get more for your money with a Hornady.

 

[lgbloader]

I also think that right now you get more for your money with a Hornady.

Your opinion and All accounts is a big difference, Mate. I have seen the review on the 3 presses and that is one man's opinion. I would hate to think that 1 man is ALL accounts. I used to own a Hornady but that's another thread. If your a Hornady fan, no worries. I understand.

Cheers Mate.

LGB

 

[Fred40]

Your opinion and All accounts is a big difference, Mate. I have seen the review on the 3 presses and that is one man's opinion. I would hate to think that 1 man is ALL accounts. I used to own a Hornady but that's another thread. If your a fan, no worries. but All accounts is a bit over the top.

Cheers Mate.

LGB

Yes I know the infamous "review" you are referring to.....and no that is not the only thing I'm going by. When I do research I do a TON of it. I have read virtually everything I could come across on progressive reloaders.

Dillon Rules. They have a very loyal fan base....and for good reason.

Hornady had issues with there primer feeding prior to 2004.
They had some issues with using other manufactures dies until their new EZ-JECT model.

"All Accounts" means in cases (I've read) where the individual owned both a "new model" Hornady and a Dillon the newer Hornady was reported as having a superior powder dump.......and smoother operation.

 

[Dr.Who]

I had my Dillion 550 long before the Lock and Load was available... going on 12 years+. I have no regrets and would buy it again! It surly beats the Lee press that I was trainied on. I currently load, 9mm, .38, .357, .45ACP, and 30-30 with it.

Now, starting to think about reloading shotgun shells and looking hard at Dillion, just because the track record of my experiances.

 

[bobotech]

I have a Lock and Load AP all decked out and love it but if I had the money to do it all over again, I would buy a Dillion 650 with the casefeeder AND a Hornady or RCBS powder drop and adapter to use it on the Dillion.

That is if I had enough money to get doubles in my dies and get the caliber conversions for each of my dies.

The reason why I love my Lock and Load bushings is because its cheaper to switch dies and its easy to use my dies in my Hornady single stage.

But in the end, I would go with the 650 if I had money to burn and I was able to customize it with different powder drops.

 

[Walkalong]

Buy what you like because, like a wife, you're going to be living with it a long time.

So true.

I like the ergonomics of the LNL better. Some like the Dillon better. Both do a great job. Buy what you like.

 

[Hound_va]

7-08 conversion is pretty simple on a 650. Shellplate, locator buttons, station 1 locator, casefeed arm bushing, and casefeed body bushing for .308 and a powder funnel for a 7mm, be it Weatherby Mag or TCU or whatever. 7-08 dies from whatever manufacturer you like. You're then set up to do 7-08 on a 650.

If your 650 is set up for 45 ACP, you only need the casefeed adapter, funnel, body bushing, and arm bushing, and casefeed disc.

Pretty easy for 7-08.