What would it cost me to set up with Dillon?

[dgray64]

I have a couple of single stage Lee presses now with the scales, and dies for all of my calibers. They work well, but it's slllloooowwww. I wonder if I went with a Dillon which seems the most popular, what would it cost me while using my old dies, scales, and case prep tools? Anyone recommend this? Money is an issue, but a lot of time at the press is also an issue. Thanks.

Dave

 

[Canuck-IL]

Dillon presses all sell at the same factory specified price...go to Brian Enos's site or Dillons and price what you want.
/Bryan

 

[alohanole]

I own both Dillon and Hornady presses, in addition to a Lee single-stage. Don't overlook the Hornady Lock N Load just because the Dillon is allegedly more popular. Do some searches and read some opinions of both. The results might surprise you!

 

[jfh]

If you are generally satisfied with your Lee SS presses,

and are cost-conscious, I see no reason not to consider the Lee Classic Cast Turret Press as an appropriate upgrade, or even the Load-Master. With a Turret 4-die setup, you can realistically load 180 rounds an hour with pistol rounds.

Do a simple productivity-benefit analysis of your shooting--i.e., how many calibers, how many rounds-per-month, factor in the workflow issues for rifle / pistol reloading, and there you have the nominal hours-per-month for reloading.

However, it is not my intent here to divert your inquiry, so that's all I will say.

I have seen Dillon presses for sale by some LGSs for (up to) 10% off--but it's my understanding that "the list price is the price" if only because of that lifetime warranty / no BS support.

When you price out the Dillon packages, be sure to include all extras you may need, including their dies as the presumably-Lee made ones may be too short.

I've looked at Dillon presses from time-to-time, but I could never quite get past the cost difference between them and others, and particularly my Lee gear. I guess I am a tinkerer at heart.

Jim H.

 

[45ACPUSER]

Dillon presses all sell at the same factory specified price...go to Brian Enos's site or Dillons and price what you want.
/Bryan

There are deals on presses out there......not necessarily at full retail....If you have a C&R FFL Graf and Sons is a good place to shop for Dillon.

Call this guy in the am on Monday, ask for John Walton....
Gunstop Reloading Supplies Inc.
14704 Excelsior Blvd.
Minnetonka, MN 55345
1-800-645-7644
(952) 474-0211
He will outfit you with what you need...........and the price will be right!

 

[jfh]

Call this guy in the am on Monday....

Heh. That is my LGS, so to speak--just "rediscovered it" when I started shooting and reloading again this year.

John's a fine retailer, and he has the Dillon and Hornady gear for sale there. I recommend him and the shop in general for gunnies, particularly reloaders.

Jim H.

 

[redneck2]

To answer your question...

I have a 550. I'd suggest a complete tool head with powder measure for pistol calibers that you shoot and/or reload very much. The initial cost is a little hard to take, but once you're set up, you can change calibers and be loading in a minute or two...literally. As much as some complain about the Dillon measures, I've found they're pretty accurate, particularly with fine powders like AA #5 or Universal Clays, which I use for most pistol.

For rifle, I bought the plain tool heads and hand weigh charges. I load them one at a time. While it sounds as slow as a single stage, it's not. I lube a cleaned case and run it thru the first die to resize and prime. Pull the case and hand weigh the charge and dump it in, then put the case back in and seat the bullet.

If you're in a bigger hurry, my measures typically throw Varget to +/- .1 or .2. I'm just always wondering if something might not be right, so I hand weigh.

 

[Shoney]

I have both a Hornady LNL and a Dillon 550. If you select Dillon, my condolences to your pocketbook, as you will spend the biggest bucks for the bang.

Consider that Dillon powder measures are old tech, while the toolhead is not only more expensive, but not as versitile as the bushing system.

Then there is the lifetime warantee. Hornady and RCBS have the lifetime warantee, and their customer service is equal to if not better than dillon.

It always stuck in my gullet that IF Dillon has the better system, why are they the only ones that sell, recommend, and require a spare parts kit?????????

Lately there has been a lot of posts from low number members, who only comment on how great dillon is. This makes one wonder if they are not phoney plants hoping to prop up the sagging dillon image.

Make an educated decision
http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

 

[redneck2]

It always stuck in my gullet that IF Dillon has the better system, why are they the only ones that sell, recommend, and require a spare parts kit

If it's not your money, why do you care?

Lately there has been a lot of posts from low number members, who only comment on how great dillon is.

I didn't see anybody commenting about how great Dillon is. For one, I just tried to answer the question rather than get into a debate. If you notice, he didn't ask the dreaded "which is better" question.

Maybe 2,700+ posts and owning a Dillon for 8 years still makes me unqualified...

Since you way you've got a 550 and the Hornady is so much better, sell this guy your 550

 

[buenhec]

I just finished setting up my Dillon 650 I bought yesterday. I was using a Lee classic turret. Wow, what a difference. I can make more ammo in one hour than I made in several hours with my trusty lee. I did spend about $600 out the door with a few accessories. Im going back tomorrow to get the aluminum handle and the strong mount. Its a good chunk of change but I have more time to shoot now.

 

[redneck2]

I can make more ammo in one hour than I made in several hours with my trusty lee.

If you think it's good now, wait until you really get set up right and used to the press.

For several years I struggled with the "I can get by cheap". Lots of frustration and wasted time. That's one reason the "cheapest way to start" threads get a little tiresome. A guy will go out and spend $30k on a truck or car they'll have 3-4 years, or drop $100 in a bar or restaurant at one sitting but whine endlessly about an extra $50 on a press they'll have for 25 years.

 

[woodfiler]

great move

Congrats on buying your 650. I'm guessing that you did not get the
case feeder.... I would highly recommend the casefeeder and powder
check, over the handle and strong mount.... if you can afford it.

these make life much simpler.... and you can reload instead of
checking things and loading shells manually.

On the spare parts kit, I bought one for $20.00 it contains small
stuff like the tips for the primer tubes, and little springs, etc.
Dillon will make good on those items, but you don't have to wait
for them to arrive in the mail, so your still reloading rather than waiting.


wood

 

[Noxx]

Lately there has been a lot of posts from low number members, who only comment on how great dillon is. This makes one wonder if they are not phoney plants hoping to prop up the sagging dillon image

I wasn't aware Dillon had a sagging image, I'm thrilled to death with my blue machine.

As far as the spare parts kit goes, my take on that is that the folks at Dillon are just being pragmatic. Certain parts of the press are wear-items, sooner or later machines break something, and it's nice to have the replacement on hand.

 

[buenhec]

Yep, im on my way to the dillon store to buy the strong mount and handle, its kind of handy to have them right here in Phoenix. I have been putting 20 shells in at a time in the feeder tube. How handy is the case feeder? Also how many primers fit in the magazine? Im really happy with my purchase.

 

[redneck2]

It always stuck in my gullet that IF Dillon has the better system, why are they the only ones that sell, recommend, and require a spare parts kit?????????

Maybe it's because they're the only ones with enough foresight to keep their customers happy. I bought a new John Deere mower. I was stupid enough to actually buy spare belts and spare blades. When I'm ready to mow, I want to get the yard done, not run to the parts store. Pretty foolish to actually have the stuff you'll need.

I guess when you buy a new car you're pissed that the dealer actually has parts for it. In fact, go buy a Ferrari. I think their parts department has a sign that says "We don't have any parts. You bought a $150,000 Ferrari so you should never need any".

I've been to Phoenix a number of times. Every time, I tried to visit their shop on the way to Cave Creek. Nothing beats a beer at the Satisfied Frog or Goat Sucker Saloon on a hot day. In Phoenix there are hot days, and hotter days.

 

[Hawk]

Shoney is THR's answer to the scourge of the Blue Flu: counter it with Scarlet fever.

To each their own, enh?

If you haven't purchased yet, and are looking at the 550, you might be well served to include the RCBS manual indexed item in your research.

If you're looking at the 650, the LnL-Pro is worth a peek.

I've got an XL-650 and SL-900. IMHO, both pretty much need a casefeeder to hit their stride. I haven't put any "foreign" dies other than Redding into the 650 - I'll defer to those with more practice with Lee dies on their use in a Dillon (or anybody else's) toolhead. There have been issues with the FCD in a LnL but since I use neither I haven't had to solve any problems along those lnes.

FWIW, there's nothing wrong with the Dillon powder measure apart from a similarity to a 1930's jitney - it works fine although it doesn't look (or sound) like it should. I thought mine were signing off but it turned out it was my RCBS electronic scale going nuts in its death throes. I bought a QuickMeasure that looks better and runs silent but it doesn't work appreciably better than the clattering item Dillon supplied me with originally. The QuickMeasure wasn't a waste though - one day I'll be metering hemp rope and it'll come in handy. (Doesn't sound like it but I'm actually very pleased with the thing - it resides on my .44 toolhead).

The LnL system has a certain charm and I went out of my way to make sure my single stage (Redding) accomodated the LnL bushings - haven't really put them to use yet, though. I prefer the toolhead option on progressives but this may well be nothing more than a "comfort zone" as I'm used to the things now.

If I had it all to do over I'd likely still go Dillon - it seems more "turnkey" - there's a lot of help available for competing systems but it seems they're in more need of it - the amount of digital ink on FCDs in station 5 of a LnL will bear mute witness to that observation. It's not much of an issue but is an issue Dillon folk simply don't concern themselves about.

Bottom line is that there isn't that much of a difference between competing systems - you pays your money and takes your choice. Good luck whichever way it goes!

 

[SilentArmy]

Here is another "low number" plug for the Dillon 650. I use Hornady, Lee, And Dillon dies and load in 8 calibers. I like to set up once and not screw with things so I bought 3 quick change sets with their own powder measures as well. I know I am over $1800 in to this setup but would not trade it and $1500 cash for something inferior. The case feeder is a must although I found You only need the large pistol plate as it feeds the 9mm and .40 just fine so why buy another! I keep a Lee classic on the bench as well.

 

[mc223]

I'm not sure what qualifies as a low number poster, but whatever. I have about $1000.00 in my RL-550 and it does what i need it to do accuratly, and reliably. Go Blue!

 

[buenhec]

I installed the strong mount and aluminum handle on my 650 today. It gets even better. I have not splurged for the case feeder yet, so I had my beautifull wife throw cases down the tube for me. I was able to crank out 200 rounds in a matter of minutes. It would have taken me hours on my Lee. The only downside is my wife put three cases in upside down through the tube, luckily nothing was broken. Her medical degree didnt help much there. Next purchase,,case feeder and Im up to $900 invested.