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View Poll Results: Which press do you prefer?
Hornady Lock and Load AP 20 48.78%
Dillon XL650 21 51.22%
Voters: 41. You may not vote on this poll

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Old February 22, 2012, 09:11 PM   #1
TRDFurgesson
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Blue or Red?

About to purchase a progressive reloader. I've narrowed it down to these two. Tell me which one you prefer and why. I've used both and find the Dillon smoother. I don't plan to have auto case feed in the beginning, and don't like the XL650's case feed tube on the same side as the handle. I like the case feed on the left as with the LnL AP. Changing primer size on the LnL AP seems easier as compared to the XL650.

Requirements are:

Progressive
Ability to add a case feeder
Load handgun and rifle

Thanks,
Bobby
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Old February 22, 2012, 09:16 PM   #2
jepp2
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Have you tried a search? Discussed multiple times per week.

Blue or Red
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Old February 22, 2012, 09:17 PM   #3
hoytinak
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I've just got a Dillion 550 that I bought used. When I first set it up I noticed it was missing a couple of pieces. I called Dillion (to purchase the parts), told them what all I needed and all they asked for was my mailing address....sent me the parts free of charge, no questions asked. Therefore based on that, I vote Dillion.
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Old February 22, 2012, 09:23 PM   #4
TRDFurgesson
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Quote:
Have you tried a search? Discussed multiple times per week.

Blue or Red [thefiringline.com]
The poll in that one was helpfull thanks.
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Old February 24, 2012, 01:58 PM   #5
BigJimP
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I think they're both good machines....its not a clear - yes or no on either machine...

Personally I chose the 650 ...with a case feeder..about 5 yrs ago ...and I've put well over 100,000 rds thru it with no issues that weren't my fault .../ and its done everything I want it to do ( on about 7 calibers) .../ one of my buddies has the LNL - setup with case feeder...and he likes it as well. Like you, I think the 650 is built a little heavier ...and seems to process a round a little smoother ..but neither press is perfect either..they both have little quirks.

Cust service..I think Dillon gets the nod there / people who use and know the machine you can talk to about setup problems, etc. Of my buddies that reload -- 80% or more have Dillon equip -- and that might have swayed my opinion / because I can use them as mentors if something comes up.

Primer and powder systems are different / but they both work very well. I think the powder measure on the Dillon gets a small edge...or at least mine seems to drop more consistenly - with the same powder that my buddy uses in his LNL ....and I seem to have fewer inverted primers, or other primer issues than he does. Primer feed on the 650 - on the same side as the handle is no issue to me ...not sure why you would be concerned about it.

Speed wise - they're about the same with case feeders.

LNL is a little cheaper up front / and on caliber changes - but i don't think that's significant in the long run .... I'm confident the 650 will go to one of my boys down the road in another 20 - 30 yrs ..?? ...and to one of their sons...
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Old February 24, 2012, 06:50 PM   #6
Shootest
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I have been reloading with a Dillon XL 650 for about 20 years, it makes great ammo by the truckload and I see no reason to change.
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Old February 24, 2012, 09:18 PM   #7
Vance
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I don't have either of the presses in the poll, but based on Dillons customer service with my Square Deal B, I would vote for the XL650.
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Old February 25, 2012, 03:15 PM   #8
mumbo719
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I own the LNL with case feeder.

You have to jump through hoops to get the thing running and keep it running. 100% of the issues with it could and should have been prevented. Hornady needs to take a lesson from Dillon on quality control.

Once you get it running it produces great ammo. I personally like the way it handles primers, the Lock N Load Bushings and powder measure better than the way Dillon does it.

As always YMMV.
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Old February 25, 2012, 03:59 PM   #9
CherokeeT
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I have the 650 with a casefeeder, no experience with the LnL but I hear/read good things. Both good products. I have no complaints with the 650.
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Old February 26, 2012, 12:10 AM   #10
Caveman4570
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Dollars and cents

I find the issue a no brainer. I have loaded on every machine that Dillon makes except the square Deal B and the SL900. I Have looked at the Hornady mechine and unless you are getting on outragousely great deal somewhere, They are like $75 more at Cabela's and Sportsmans than they are ordering directly frm Dillon. I don't recall the extent of why you need a case fed mechine , is it Volume? Price? Anyway the 650 will do all what you want. If its price you can set up the 550 with a case feeder just dosn't auto index. If caos isnt the prob I recomend the RL1050 It will blow both of the mechines out of the water. I have avrigde 1400 rounds and hour out of this mechine and the only thing it wont do are 25autos,.380's and anything larger than a 30/06.
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Old February 26, 2012, 02:53 AM   #11
Nosparetime
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Caveman: I have done thousands of 380's on my 1050's. Not my favorite cartridge to do. I don't like doing 40 either.
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Old February 26, 2012, 06:50 AM   #12
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Quote:
I find the issue a no brainer. I have loaded on every machine that Dillon makes except the square Deal B and the SL900. I Have looked at the Hornady mechine and unless you are getting on outragousely great deal somewhere, They are like $75 more at Cabela's and Sportsmans than they are ordering directly frm Dillon.
Look's like you are comparing a 4 station manual index Dillon to the 5 station Hornady. The LnL is 5 station and auto progressive and should be compared to the Dillon 650 which retails for 566.

BTW I own a Hornady but in retrospect I would go with the RCBS Pro 2000 if I could have a do over. I hate that "pick up stick" primer system with a passion which is a fault both Dillon and Hornady share. Also I think all three of them have a tendency to screw up when a few grains of powder get spilled from what I have read, heard from friends and experienced.
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Old February 26, 2012, 10:25 PM   #13
Waldog
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Both companies produce a quality product. I have loaded on the Dillon SDB, 550, 650, 1050 and Hornady LNL. I own a Dillon SDB and a LNL. I prefer the operation of the LNL by a wide margin. Remember, these are personal OPINIONS. Look at www.ultimatereloader.com. You can see Dillon, Hornady and RCBS progressive press operations. Choose what suits YOU best.
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Old February 27, 2012, 12:03 AM   #14
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I have used a Dillon RL450 (first belonging to my father, now Frankenmauser) for about 15 years.

I have never loaded on, or even touched a Hornady L-n-L AP outside of the store display..............but when I buy a progressive, it will be the Hornady.

From using the Dillon personally, and doin research on line, and in person about the Hornady, I will go that rout when I get one.

I like the 5 stations over the four, the case retention system, and the powder setup on the Hornady over the Dillon, and the Hornady is usually $100-150 less expensive.
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Old February 27, 2012, 12:11 AM   #15
benzy2
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I looked long and hard between the 650 and LNL. I've got a Dillon dealer within an hour drive too for any parts/conversion needs. I ended up with the LNL. The free bullets played a big part in that choice. Tossing $100+ worth of bullets (which were going to be bought sooner or later) really drops the cost of the press down to under $300 or so. In the long run, if you load thousands of rounds, the cost difference between the two setups will be long forgotten but up front with the current Hornady promotion, all else being close enough, I jumped on the LNL due mostly to the cost/free bullet difference.
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