Dillon-Hornady Swap
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eitrheim31
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- Dec 12, 2008
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- 75
no i haven't and am not in the slightest interested... i have a thing for big blue presses. thats just me though.
(i have a 550 by the way)
(i have a 550 by the way)
RoostRider
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- Mar 28, 2008
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- 670
I have a Dillon as my progressive and I like it a lot.... but that Lock N Load (LNL) looks like a nice press if you ask me.... but I havent run one.... just looking at the build....
As a first press, a lot of guys will steer you away from a progressive.... I started with hammer dies (no press at all).... I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.... lol... but the small single stage I bought next taught me a lot and is less apt to have issues (ie- set up, something not working quite right) and until you have some experience under your belt it might be frustrating trying to figure out what is going on/wrong with a progressive....
As a first press, a lot of guys will steer you away from a progressive.... I started with hammer dies (no press at all).... I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.... lol... but the small single stage I bought next taught me a lot and is less apt to have issues (ie- set up, something not working quite right) and until you have some experience under your belt it might be frustrating trying to figure out what is going on/wrong with a progressive....
pinkymingeo
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- May 31, 2007
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- 591
Just an observation here. The Dillon 550 and RCBS 2000 are equivalent presses. Both manual progressives. The LnL AP and and Dillon 650 also are comparable, as self-indexing five-station progressives. Moving from a 550 to an AP or 650 is going to a different class of machine.
Lloyd Smale
Member
there both good presses and i own both.
loadedround
Member
I load a lot of pistol ammo and run two Dillon 550B's since I find it a PIA to switch over primer assemblies. I have never loaded on the Hornady but have played with one at a gunshop I frequent. Frankly I am rather impressed with the press and if I were first starting out to reload, I would consider the Hornady. At this point I have too much money tied up in my Dillons and acessories and I am more than pleased with them to consider trading or replacing them. 
I studied long and hard on which one to get. I finally decided on the Hornady. I love it. It is easy to change over calibers and even the primer feed is fairly simple. It is a lot cheaper to change calibers than a Dillon. I think I made the right choice for me. Wouldn't trade for it now.
GodGuns&Guitars
Member
Big Blue. I like the ladies on the cover of the Blue Press
robphillips
Member
I have a Dillon 650 and two Hornady LNL's. I leave the Dillon setup for 45 ACP. I use the hornady's for everything else. One in large primer one in small primer.
Changeovers are simple and cost effective. 30 bucks shellplate, 10 bucks bushings, and 60 for powder measure. It's much easier to leave setup for each caliber, the case mouth belling is not the best setup on the hornady with the powder drop. It is a whole lot easier to just leave it setup.
I have two conversions for my Dillon 650, The conversions are much more expensive on the dillon 74 bucks for conversion, 30 for plate and powder die, and 75 for powder measure.
Both make good ammo, I like the hornady better for loads that fill the case as the plate advancement is smoother.
You will be happy with either. Both have good customer service. Both are good products.
Changeovers are simple and cost effective. 30 bucks shellplate, 10 bucks bushings, and 60 for powder measure. It's much easier to leave setup for each caliber, the case mouth belling is not the best setup on the hornady with the powder drop. It is a whole lot easier to just leave it setup.
I have two conversions for my Dillon 650, The conversions are much more expensive on the dillon 74 bucks for conversion, 30 for plate and powder die, and 75 for powder measure.
Both make good ammo, I like the hornady better for loads that fill the case as the plate advancement is smoother.
You will be happy with either. Both have good customer service. Both are good products.
I cannot answer your exact question but if you are deciding between the two I went through the same process and bought the Dillon 650.
I have no experience with the Hornady LNL.
I knew the calibre change would be significantly more money with the Dillon but went with them given
a) length of time they have been building progressive machines
b) their reputed customer service
c) LNL 'wire' had a problem with 9mm when the round was finished ( I believe this has since been rectified.)
I like my 650 and think it is a nice machine. I think Dillon's customer service is somewhat overrated. My first order with them took exactly 11 phone calls and 8 weeks to get one order shipped here(Europe). Not terribly impressed.
While the 650 is a nice machine I believe in some ways Dillon has sat on the laurrels and have not perfected it.
a) primer spent system, I need to put masking tape to prevent spent primers hopping all over the floor - easy to rectify but they haven't done it for years.
b) when you don't use a primer it feeds to a tray with a very small lip, end result you have live primers falling all over the floor(the odd time you miss one it is irritating if you have pets like dogs)
and the final problem I have I would have to post a photo to illustrate what I mean - will do it and put it up
a photo is a thousand words.
Maybe I'm anal, maybe I demand too much for my money.
Overall I think their reputation is overrated but they make a fine press if you can overlook the expensive calibre changes and the minor issues above. Their case feeder isn't 100% reliable either with 9mm but nothing dramatic.
I have no experience with the Hornady LNL.
I knew the calibre change would be significantly more money with the Dillon but went with them given
a) length of time they have been building progressive machines
b) their reputed customer service
c) LNL 'wire' had a problem with 9mm when the round was finished ( I believe this has since been rectified.)
I like my 650 and think it is a nice machine. I think Dillon's customer service is somewhat overrated. My first order with them took exactly 11 phone calls and 8 weeks to get one order shipped here(Europe). Not terribly impressed.
While the 650 is a nice machine I believe in some ways Dillon has sat on the laurrels and have not perfected it.
a) primer spent system, I need to put masking tape to prevent spent primers hopping all over the floor - easy to rectify but they haven't done it for years.
b) when you don't use a primer it feeds to a tray with a very small lip, end result you have live primers falling all over the floor(the odd time you miss one it is irritating if you have pets like dogs)
and the final problem I have I would have to post a photo to illustrate what I mean - will do it and put it up
a photo is a thousand words.
Maybe I'm anal, maybe I demand too much for my money.
Overall I think their reputation is overrated but they make a fine press if you can overlook the expensive calibre changes and the minor issues above. Their case feeder isn't 100% reliable either with 9mm but nothing dramatic.
photo isn't the greatest, photography isn't my thing.
basically this tray that collects the cartridge upon completion before dumping it in the container beside the press continually impedes the main mechanism of the press.
tried to ply it back gently with long pliers, found the only 100% solution was to use an elastic band.
very very tight tolerance on my press, don't know if there is much of a gap on other 650s but it was annoying also.
basically this tray that collects the cartridge upon completion before dumping it in the container beside the press continually impedes the main mechanism of the press.
tried to ply it back gently with long pliers, found the only 100% solution was to use an elastic band.
very very tight tolerance on my press, don't know if there is much of a gap on other 650s but it was annoying also.
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bhawkeye
Member
I started out with a pair of LnL AP's & love them.
After about a year, I decided I needed higher throughput for .45ACP, so after due deliberation, I got a Dillon Super 1050.
I tried a friends 650, but I liked the LnL AP better. The Super 1050 is in another class - great for high volume of a single caliber, but expensive & much more difficult to change calibers. I still love my LnL AP's & use them for everything other than .45ACP.
After about a year, I decided I needed higher throughput for .45ACP, so after due deliberation, I got a Dillon Super 1050.
I tried a friends 650, but I liked the LnL AP better. The Super 1050 is in another class - great for high volume of a single caliber, but expensive & much more difficult to change calibers. I still love my LnL AP's & use them for everything other than .45ACP.
Roccobro
Member
RM- Great question!
As far as the "wire ejection" system goes. Hornady has redesigned it and it works perfect now. They got rid of the wire. If you have the older "wire ejection" system you can get a updated conversion kit from Hornady for $30 that includes shipping.
mallc
Member
Will let you know
I've been loading bulk ammo on a 650XL for 3 years. I just recommended that a client purchase a LNL - primarily because so many THR members recommend it, the cost advantage when weighing the 1000 free bullets, and the low cost of caliber conversion.
Well...long story short, Graf's had them in stock so I bought one for my client, and one to add to my own bench. Mind you now, I don't know how long it will stay, but at least I'll get the opportunity to run the 2 side by side.
Scott
I've been loading bulk ammo on a 650XL for 3 years. I just recommended that a client purchase a LNL - primarily because so many THR members recommend it, the cost advantage when weighing the 1000 free bullets, and the low cost of caliber conversion.
Well...long story short, Graf's had them in stock so I bought one for my client, and one to add to my own bench. Mind you now, I don't know how long it will stay, but at least I'll get the opportunity to run the 2 side by side.
Scott
ohman11
Member
Never had a Dillon but I have had my Hornady for a few months and I like it a lot. Cant compare the two but I know this is a sweet press and Hornady service is great.
On a side note, someone said most guys tell the new re loaders to start with a single stage, this is the WORST advice you could give. I started with a single stage then went to a Turret and finally bought the Hornady. What a waste of money, I wish I had bought the progressive the first time. You CAN load 1 bullet at a time until you learn and understand the process....This of course is just my opinion but it is right
On a side note, someone said most guys tell the new re loaders to start with a single stage, this is the WORST advice you could give. I started with a single stage then went to a Turret and finally bought the Hornady. What a waste of money, I wish I had bought the progressive the first time. You CAN load 1 bullet at a time until you learn and understand the process....This of course is just my opinion but it is right
Yep....
The EZ-Ject is far superior to the wire eject system. The wire eject system was not as good as the original Projector ejection system.
I highly recommend converting to the EZ-Ject. I mean heck, only 30 bucks and it is far, far superior.
I have been loading for 8 months. I went with the hornady L N L AP with the EZ-ject, and love it. I have loaded 4 or 5k of 40 cal. and 9mm. I loaded one k. in one sitting . Yes my elbow hurt for days. It is not hard to cycle the press, that was just a lot for my elbow. I do not have any problems with this machine.I can't knock any other press, since I have only used this one. But , I can't imagine any other press working any better.The Dillon guys say the same thing I've said. So, I think they are both good. Just depends on your color preference. I am currentlly looking for a single stage press for loading my rifle cartridges. I don't care if it's lyman, rcbs, hornady, redding.I want something used and cheap, if any of you guys have anything, give me a holler.
Uncle Chan
Member
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2007
- Messages
- 326
I've a Dillon 550B and although I like it, I wouldn't recommend it. If $$$ was available, I would try the L-n-L AP.
FWIW, my very first press was the 550B. I don't believe that junk about starting out on a single. I did the research, read the manuals, books, etc. and got what I wanted.
FWIW, my very first press was the 550B. I don't believe that junk about starting out on a single. I did the research, read the manuals, books, etc. and got what I wanted.
Shoney
Member
When I bought my LNL AP, I kept my 550 and dedicated it to one cartridge.
My hunting buddy (who had a 650) and I loaded many times with each others equipment. He would give me grief about how much better the 650 was over the LNL or 550. Needles to say how shocked and surprised I was when he sold his 650 and got the LNL
My hunting buddy (who had a 650) and I loaded many times with each others equipment. He would give me grief about how much better the 650 was over the LNL or 550. Needles to say how shocked and surprised I was when he sold his 650 and got the LNL
mallc
Member
If anybody does decide to swap...
I'd be happy to make them a fair offer for their old, obsolete, worn out but recyclable XL 650.
Please PM inquiries to me at THR.
Thanks,
Scott
I'd be happy to make them a fair offer for their old, obsolete, worn out but recyclable XL 650.
Please PM inquiries to me at THR.
Thanks,
Scott
Roccobro
Member
Even better, I saw some used LNL's for sale recently. lol
Justin
lolJustin
Bruno2
Member
I dont know if they still do but dillon has a lifetime guarantee on their presses .
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