hydraulicman
Member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2009
- Messages
- 226
dillon 550 . It's just about perfect with awesome customer support
What progressive press do you use
- Thread starter KeithB
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dmazur
Member
I must have missed this thread when it was first posted...
Anyway, I started with a Dillon 550B and see no reason to change. It worked fine for pistol, and it also does double-duty as a "single stage press" for resizing rifle brass (for me...), and then works fine as a progressive on the prepped brass.
As another said, it's easy to pull brass out after powder drop to check charge, and it is also easy to manually index past the resizing die in station 1.
I really like the powder measure, even more so after adding micrometer adjustment knobs. +/- 0.1gr is typical.
I have multiple toolheads with a powder measure on each. (Two pistol, two rifle.)
I can't comment on ease of changing from LP to SP as all I reload is LP.
I'll admit it took me a little time to figure out how to adjust the shellplate, but it has been very reliable ever since that little learning curve bump.
I can't say it's better, as I have no experience with other brands. All I can say is that it is versatile, relatively easy to set up and adjust, and creates consistent ammo without spending an entire weekend at it.
Anyway, I started with a Dillon 550B and see no reason to change. It worked fine for pistol, and it also does double-duty as a "single stage press" for resizing rifle brass (for me...), and then works fine as a progressive on the prepped brass.
As another said, it's easy to pull brass out after powder drop to check charge, and it is also easy to manually index past the resizing die in station 1.
I really like the powder measure, even more so after adding micrometer adjustment knobs. +/- 0.1gr is typical.
I have multiple toolheads with a powder measure on each. (Two pistol, two rifle.)
I can't comment on ease of changing from LP to SP as all I reload is LP.
I'll admit it took me a little time to figure out how to adjust the shellplate, but it has been very reliable ever since that little learning curve bump.
I can't say it's better, as I have no experience with other brands. All I can say is that it is versatile, relatively easy to set up and adjust, and creates consistent ammo without spending an entire weekend at it.
Sport45
Member
I have a Dillon 550b. If I had a do-over I'd probably get the Harnady LnL AP. With the 1000 bullets they throw in I'd definately get the LnL.
mallc
Member
My 5.56 cents
I have a Dillon 650 and a new Hornady LNL AP. Both are great!
The Dillion has better fit and finish and the mechanics are more robust.
Neither spent primer system is as good as Redding's. I mount my presses on plates and install them on the loading bench as needed. I still don't have a good way to deal with the LNL spent primer tube.
The basic 650 auto loads brass from a column, the LNL is manual feed until you buy the elertric feeder.
Change-over cost is comparable - inspite of what you hear. You have to buy a bunch of pieces to get a complete powder measure for LNL.
Dies won't fit in their storage box with LNL bushings attached. The 650 tool head needs a covered stand.
The Dillon has better safety devices. I had to add a Dillion low primer sensor and a RCBS Lockout Die to the LNL to get same set up I have on the 650.
The LNL is a great press for making 200 to 300 rounds an hour where the 650 does 500 to 600.
The LNL is a great hand operated press for dedicating to a mid-production-range caliber.
You can add a bullet feeder to the 650 for $500 and a drive motor for $850 this gets you an automated ammo machine for less than $2500.
The price on the LNL accounting for the free bullets is unbelievable for the value you get. But...the LNL is NOT a Dillon 650xl.
All that said, I'm ordering another LNL for the shop.
Scott
I have a Dillon 650 and a new Hornady LNL AP. Both are great!
The Dillion has better fit and finish and the mechanics are more robust.
Neither spent primer system is as good as Redding's. I mount my presses on plates and install them on the loading bench as needed. I still don't have a good way to deal with the LNL spent primer tube.
The basic 650 auto loads brass from a column, the LNL is manual feed until you buy the elertric feeder.
Change-over cost is comparable - inspite of what you hear. You have to buy a bunch of pieces to get a complete powder measure for LNL.
Dies won't fit in their storage box with LNL bushings attached. The 650 tool head needs a covered stand.
The Dillon has better safety devices. I had to add a Dillion low primer sensor and a RCBS Lockout Die to the LNL to get same set up I have on the 650.
The LNL is a great press for making 200 to 300 rounds an hour where the 650 does 500 to 600.
The LNL is a great hand operated press for dedicating to a mid-production-range caliber.
You can add a bullet feeder to the 650 for $500 and a drive motor for $850 this gets you an automated ammo machine for less than $2500.
The price on the LNL accounting for the free bullets is unbelievable for the value you get. But...the LNL is NOT a Dillon 650xl.
All that said, I'm ordering another LNL for the shop.
Scott
I love my RCBS 2000 Pro also. In addition to the lockout die, if you swap out the 2nd stage for a Lee Thru the Die powder dropper, you can then stick the lock out in stage 3, the seat die in stage 4, and a FCD in stage 5! Every die you can think of/wish for.
Rollis R. Karvellis
Member
1 650
1 Hornaday Projector that had some issus from the beging, that I use for .41mag only.
5 single stage presses for dffrent odd job's.
1 Hornaday Projector that had some issus from the beging, that I use for .41mag only.
5 single stage presses for dffrent odd job's.
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