Dillon or Hornady LNL?

[Cowboy Junky]

I did some searching here and I think I've narrowed my decision down to getting a LNL or a 550. What I can't figure out is are they both ready to load one caliber for the advertised price?......or are the dies, etc extra? I realize the add ons push the price up on both but can you make bullets if you just order the press only. I have used a Pro1000 for 10 years and it came ready to load (one caliber) but I'm looking for a better (faster) press since I shoot more now. I load pistol only (for now) and shoot about 1500 rounds per month. Thanks

 

[lgbloader]

Here we go again...

 

[Oddbod]

There's a pretty detailed comparison here

Until December 31st, Hornady are giving away 1,000 bullets with the L-N-L AP press kit.

 

[lgbloader]

Here we go again...

Do a search, man. The question has been beat to death and all it's going to do is start a ruckus and not in a good way.

Hornady guys think their stuff is better and Dillon guys think their stuff is better. End of Discussion.

but I'm looking for a better (faster) press

Me personally, I have used both machines in question and if you are using a case feeder ($375.00 for this add on), the Hornady wins hands down. If you are not using a case feeder, The Dillon 550B will smoke the Hornady LNL AP.

Like I said, there are literally at least a hundred threads on this question.

I hope everyone uses restrain on this because Johnny is watching... or at least he better be watching.

LGB

 

[Cowboy Junky]

???

Sorry for being new...........I was just looking for help. I did a search and am not looking for a comparison and don't want to cause any undo stress to the frequent users. I just can't figure out if they are READY to load for the price of the press or if you have to but extra stuff.

 

[jfdavis58]

I can and will answer your question from the Dillon 550 side: Yes and No. The press is complete (everything, including one caliber set of dies and shell plate if you buy from Dillon or one of his authorized sellers--you won't get the dies or shell plate if you go to Sportsmans warehouse) but you need a good scale to measure charges, calipers to measure cartridge length and a primer flip tray to align them in the same direction prior to filling the pickup tubes of which you get one.

All this and some hardware to mount the press on a sturdy bench and some good wrenches are necessary to complete the outfit. If you have a pile of dirty used brass, you need a cleaner (vibratory or rotary) and some method to separate the brass from the media; plus media and polish to fill the cleaner bowl. Dillon sells a multi wrench that can be used on all the adjustments necessary for the press to work smoothly--I prefer a good set of Craftsman box/open end 'inch' wrenches.

All the above plus powder, bullets, primers and brass.

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Thanks for your time John. It's hard to figure out (probably the fault of advertisement value) to see what you get and need to actually use the press.

 

[Shoney]

I started loading in 1960, own 2 single stage presses and two progressives - the LNL AP and the 550. The LNL is by far the better machine.

The LNL AP produces ammo that is measureabley better in run-out (concentricity), less expen$ive, faster, better powder measure system, less expen$ive, has one more die station, is auto indexing, did I say less expen$ive.

Do a search in my name and LNL for more.

Good Shooting!!!!

 

[Shadan7]

Well, I just bought an LNL, after looking over the full range of comparisons and comments. No doubt the Dillon is a great machine, though.

7

 

[jjohnson]

Happy with Dillon 550B

Hey there.....

Don't get too hurt by being told you should do a search. If you're too thin skinned, you'll get eaten alive if ask something like: :38 Special in revolver or 9mm in an auto?" because we go through it about once a month.

At any rate, I've been using a Dillon 550B for eight years or so, and I reload 12-15 thousand rounds per year of various calibers (16 in the Dillon). I don't have a case feeder, but I can really crank out ammo with it, and the quallity of the machine is even better than their hotline assitance and warranty. I've been stumped a time or two and wore out a part or two in the last 100,000 rounds, and Dillon has always been just outstanding.

I can't speak for the other press, but I'd say if you look at the price, and buy the Dillon, I would be very surprised if you weren't very pleased. It's a snap to crankout a few hundred rounds of ammo in the space of an hour.

I've been loading for 40 years now, and think highly of some of the other manufacturers, but for my money, the Dillon 550B is the very best piece of loading gear I have. You get a LOT for your buck.

Good luck to you.

 

[neal7250]

I have also been loading for a long time. I started on a single stage press. I stepped up to a 550, and never looked back.
last year I was trying to buy the LNL machine, and go full progressive, and take advantage of that bullet deal. But at that time, none were available. So I stepped up to a 650. I have them both sitting side by side, and ill tell you that the 550 is a better machine that the 650. The 650 is a much faster machine, but I like the hands on felling that I get with the 550.

The LNL is a great machine. But if you own a 550, it is a hard machine to replace.

 

[lgbloader]

I had the Hornady and sold it. I have 3 Dillons. Thats my take.

The LNL AP produces ammo that is measureabley better in run-out (concentricity), less expen$ive, faster, better powder measure system, less expen$ive, has one more die station, is auto indexing, did I say less expen$ive.

The only thing I have found in this qoute to be true is: one more station, and is auto indexing. Price may also vary depending on where you shop by about $20.00. Everything else is just opinion based.

LGB

 

[indiandave]

Cowboy Junky as you see people are very passionable about their choice in a loading press. The Dillon comes with one caliber conversion. I'm not sure about the LNL press but I think the dies are extra. I own a Dillon and the experience has been exellent.

 

[Walkalong]

Do a search, man. The question has been beat to death

in another thread right now actually, and this one is headed the wrong way as well.

Lets try to help the fellow out without bashing each other or their choice of presses.

Come on guys. I know y'all can do it.

 

[lgbloader]

That is very interesting since you have never made that claim before!!!!!

There's alot of things you don't know about me. You surprised that you don't know something??

I'm not, but thanks for proving my point.

LGB

 

[David Wile]

Hey Cowboy,

I don't know what all is included in the "packages" these days, but if you compare the Hornady L&L AP with the Dillon 550, you are not comparing apples to apples. To be reasonably fair, you would have to compare the Dillon 650 to the Hornady L&L AP. There are big differences between the Dillon 550 and the Dillon 650 as well as the Hornady L&L AP.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[Sheldon]

The Dillon 550B does NOT come with the dies. It does come with one caliber conversion kit, but not the dies. The 550 press has a manually operated shellplate whereas the Hornady LNL is a progressive and indexes automatically.

 

[Art Eatman]

A May Zing. Junky merely wanted to know if any parts and pieces beyond the reloading tool itself were needed. That's the main question.

Anybody's opinion in comparing the merits of the LNL vs. the 550 is just a waste of bandwidth.

Please try harder to pass remedial reading, okay? All us mods get fed up with food fights over nothing.