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[WSM MAGNUM]

The top 2 progressives in sales are the Dillon and the Hornady LNL. Both are great presses, but I think the Dillon beats the LNL. There are other progressive manuf. out there too. Only you can decide what you will want to buy.

[zxcvbob]

Originally Posted by zxcvbob

(I have yet to receive the bullets though, and it's been 4 months since I sent in the paperwork.)

The free bullets just arrived today

[Master Blaster]

I own the Dillon 550 and have loaded 5 different calibers in excess of 90,000 rounds on it over the last 10 years. Last year I added a Hornady LNL and currently I am using the Dillon for small primer loads, and the Hornady for .45 acp, and .44 mag. In the last year I loaded 7,000 rounds+ on the LNL.

Both presses have their quirks, and I am not thinking of selling either I like haveing two different calibers set up at the same time. The auto index is not at fast as you would think I can actually load a good bit faster on the Dillon 550 than I can on the Hornady LNL. This is partly practice but the 550 is just more ergonomic, and compact. With the Hornady I have to reach around the press if I use two hands to place the case and bullet.

On the Dillon left hand rotates the shellplate and places the bullet, and the right hand pulls the handle, and places the empty case in station 1.

On the Hornady right hand pulls the lever and places the bullet(reaching around the press support) left hand places the case in station one. Or I use the left hand to place the bullet and the case.

The case feeder probably improves the speed of either press but I dont have one for either.

The slop you refer to in the Dillon shell plates is no problem, when you set the die lock rings you put a case in very station and run the ram up. That references/ indexes the adjustments. There is no movement when the shells are in the dies. Dillons dies are made for progressive reloading, and changing the tool head is quick and easy, and no you dont need more than one powder measure, its easier to change the measure over on the 550 than on the LNL, if you go from a tall case to a short one, like .45 acp to .44 mag on the Hornady LNL, you have to take the measure off and completely readjust it on the through powder die.

The Dillon does in 4 stations what the hornady needs 5 for. I have found the through powder expander on the Hornady doesnt bell the cases enough for lead bullets, its marginal for jacketed, at least in .45 acp. That means a seperate belling die for proper belling on hardcast lead on the LNL.

The dillon powder measure is better for pistol powders and is not sensitive to large flake powder like, unique and trailboss. The Dillon through powder belling funnels are easy to adjust, and do a great job, heck you can make a spitoon if you want. The Dillon powder die is set once and stays on the tool head with the caliber you are loading. The Hornady measure may be good for rifle but its not so good for pistol size charges, and the pistol insert suffers bridging with large flake powders I like to use, the rifle insert works ok though provided you use a baffle which Hornady doesnt make!!

Overall the Hornady is a bigger heavier more solid press, but the Dillon 550 is no slouch in that department either.
Both are excellent presses, and you cant go wrong either way. The 650 is a whole nother level of expense and complexity, so you cant really compare it to the LNL as some try to do.

I have never used the pro 2000, but the APS would not be my choice, its additional expense and hassle, not everyone carries them loaded, and loading them is an extra step. I have never had any problem with the primer tubes, nor have I had a primer detonate. The dillon does have a very heavy primer magazine tube and the primer on both presses is seated well away from the magazine.

I dont use a lock out die, I eye every round before I put the bullet on, good lighting and case filling powders prevent double charges for me.

Decapping and resizing are much cleaner on the Hornady LNL, it keeps the primer seating seperate and clean as well. The Dillon is very dirty in its depriming operation and all of the residue falls into the primer seating station, this means you have to clean it avery 200 rounds or so or the crud causes problems.

BTW based upon cost and features I would advise somone debating these two presses that the Hornady is the better deal, the free bullets make it a much better deal, in fact its darn near free. I would also advise them to get Hornady dies, and a hornady crimping die, and not mess with any other maker's dies, you get free bullets with those also, so its like getting them at half price or better.

I would also recommend that they buy it from Graffs, good service and their shipping is $4.95, not $50 like from some other sellers.

http://www.grafs.com/product/188563

Note my comments are related to loading pistol rounds. I do all of my rifle reloading on a Super rock chucker single stage. For rifle if you want a progressive then the Hornady is going to be a better press by far than the 550.


JMHO YMMV

[BigJakeJ1s]

Very nice writeup and comparison! It is always good to hear detailed reviews from users who actually have extensive experience on both presses.

Have you tried using separate, pre-adjusted powder dies for different cartridges with the Hornady PM linkage? If so, how did the two brands compare with that?

Andy

[10 Spot Terminator]

The response you guys have provided me was nothing short of fantastic . My head over runnith with insight into the world of progressive presses . Seems to be a 50/50 split between Dillon and Hornaday but with what I have read here and my particular needs it looks like I will be going with the Hornaday . It was some of the minor details that kept showing up that swayed me . Looks like I will be revamping my dies and accessories as well all over again to streamline my loading operation based on some sound advice from all of you who responded . There's nothin like expierience to make good teachers . Only in America Baby ! God how I love this stuff ! Will be seeing you again on the forum . Thanks a bunch ! 10 Spot

[Waldog]

Master Blaster made some excellent points. However, on the dies, you can use just about any manufacturers dies, EXCEPT the taper crimp die. Other manufacturers TAPER CRIMP dies are a little longer and will hit the shell ejection wire on the press. There are three fixes to this problem. 1. Use a lathe to shorten the die. 2. Use a Dremel tool an grind a small "flat" on the side of the die where it hit the ejection wire. 3. Or the easiest, just use Hornady taper crimp dies.

On the Powder-thru-expanders. I load lead bullets all the time, and the expanders work well for me and will provide and adequate bell. The problem is that they are kind hard to adjust to get an adequate bell. They DO work.

I hope you will be satisfied with your LNL. I have been very happy with mine.

Just remember that ALL presses have their quirks.

[th LT]

Sorry, for being so late, but just found this forum today. My question to 73-captain is.. have you actually gotten the 260 rem powder funnel to work on the grendel 6.5 ? Dillon tells me that it will not work. It is cheaper to get the 260 than the grendel

[73-Captain]

th LT,

I sent a PM to you.

C.