Dillon 550B or Hornady LnL AP

[andrewst35]

Im tired of tinkering using my Lee Loadmaster. I'll loading 40S&W, 45ACP, and possibly 308. Im leaning towards Dillon because they've been around the longest and I know all progressives have their quirks. Which would you pick and why? Is the Hornady that good or does it have too many growing pains?

[BigJimP]

I don't think the Hornaday is that good ....but its a better option than the Dillon 550 ....because it has room in the toolhead ....for a powder cop / powder check die ( like the Dillon 650).

The 550 is also a manual index machine ....progressive ...but it doesn't auto index.../ so it means it introduces another repetitive action ( where you can screw up ) .... " human error" as they say ....

Personally, I'd suggest a serious look at the Dillon 650 vs the LNL ...as an apples to apples comparison / and I like the Dillon ...but both are good presses.

[BigJimP]

I would suggest you check out this discussion on the 550 ...on another thread...all valid issues.../ and do a few searches...

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=487023

[Waldog]

I have used, and own, both Dillon and Hornady LNL. They are BOTH excellent products but, they operate differently. Investigate to find which system you like best. I prefer the Hornady. Start here:

http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillon...Comparison.pdf

Then go here to see how each press works: http://ultimatereloader.com/

[osageid]

Go to Brian Enos online , has a great discussion on which Dillon to use. The hornady is a good machine, but I love my XL 650. So worth the money!


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[andrewst35]

Ya im not too sure if I'll use a case feeder. It is a nice option on the Loadmaster though. I just don't wanna buy a lemon with growing pains since the LnL hasn't been out as long.

[mumbo719]

I own the LNL AP

If you are tired of tinkering with the press... Go Blue

If you will add a case feeder DO NOT get the LNL. It seems to have been an afterthought and a source for much frustration from many users. Do BING search.

The LNL is not junk, IMO Hornady's problems come from poor QC.

After much tinkering, calls to Hornady, internet searches I have a press that works pretty well. What I had to go through to get it there was a PITA and makes me wish I spent the extra $$$ on an XL 650

[andrewst35]

Thanks for the info. After going thru Grafs adding to a wishlist for the LnL, adding 40, 45, and 308, it wasn't all that much cheaper than the 550B.

[BigJimP]

remember quality issues will linger long after the low price allure has long gone....

Buy the press you want long term ....and if you want the LNL - then buy it / its not a bad press. If you want the 650 - then buy it ....

For loading handgun ammo ...you don't need a casefeeder ...but you'll sure enjoy having one ! Dillon 650 with a casefeeder easily produces 800 - 1,000 rds an hour / while speed is not the issue --- the issue is quality and consistent and safe rounds...the Dillon 650 - with an installed and properly operating powder check die ..and the case feeder if you want it / is a machine that you will not have to replace down the road.

[Ole 5 hole group]

Dillon 650 w/casefeeder easily putting out 800 to 1,000 rounds an hour? Can't prove it by me. I've got a LnL and I easily put out 300/350 an hour and if I would get a half dozen or so primer pickup tubes, I could push 400 an hour without the case feeder. I have a friend with the 650 and the case feeder and he does close to 500 an hour and could probably up that a little if he really pushed it but not even close to 800 an hour.

If you don't plan on or have room for the case feeder then IMO the LnL may be the better choice as it costs less and the performance will be about the same. If you want the case feeder then the Dillon might be a better choice but either way you'll have a quality progressive reloader.

[droptrd]

I dont know the 650 at all but im very familar with the 550 and the hornady. Both the dillon and hornady quality is top notch in my experiance.
Going by the features of the 550 id pick the hornady. Hornady's deals right now are really good. But looking at the features and price of the 650 I could probably go either way. That being said, Im a big hornady fan.

[jmorris]

While you could trade a used 550 for a new LNL, the 650 is a better machine for large volumes at a time. Trading up from a Lee, you'll think any of them are the best thing since sliced bread.

[excelerater]

I own a 550B with a case feeder and I like it very much
I dont count rounds per hour but I guess im in the 400 range which is
all my arm can pull.....I tried the LnL,its not a bad machine at all I just prefer
the Dillon as a whole plus its tech folks are second to none,u have an issue
just make a call,you get a real person and if your **** needs parts they ship em free no prob

[David Wile]

Hey Andrew,

You mentioned a couple times about the Hornady progressive being too new and having "growing pains." I am not sure what you consider too new, but the Hornady L&L AP has been in continuous production since 1997 - over 14 years. I know that is true because I purchased mine in the summer of 1997 with the serial number 1525.

The L&L AP was their second generation progressive press. Prior to it, Hornady had been making the Projector progressive which was a good machine in its own right. Hornady was actually in the progressive business before Dillon if you consider their experience with progressive shotshell machines. Hornady makes the 366 shotshell progressive press which has been around for perhaps 50 years. It was originally a Pacific product until it was bought out by Hornady. There were several generations of the 300 series of progressive presses that go back to the Dietmeyer beginnings.

Hornady represents a lot of experience with progressive reloading, so I would not consider them to be exactly "newcomers." As far as "growing pains" go, progressive presses generally get "progressively" better as time goes by and improvements are made, but most of the "growing pains" associated with progressive presses have to do with the operator learning how to properly use the progressive press. For various reasons, some folks will simply never be capable of operating a progressive press properly. If one is willing to learn the workings of a good progressive press, it will be a great machine for that user.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[tfh243]

I hate to do this but I'm going to play the old man card, been loading for IPSC, and 3-gun for the past 20 yrs. have had the SD jr., and currently have an old 450 which has loaded over 15 k rounds for me and I bought it used ( I was the third owner) promptly broke it within the first two weeks after getting it setup only to have Dillon send me the parts to fix it at NO CHARGE, all I can say is WOW!!
I currently have a 650 with 3 tool head caliber setups, do yourself a favor go Dillon. If this doesn't convince you find someone at your local pistol match to let you check out their Dillon press. Most shooters will gladly help you keep you from making a bad choice, we have all been their.

Listen to your elders, we know better cause we've already made the same mistakes.

Later t

[wileybelch]

David Wile is a little off on his LNL generations: the Pro-7 was first, Projector 2nd, and the LNL is current. Hornady based this series on the same cast aluminum press. As they learned, their designers began fooling with the base plate/shell plate features. That's why you have to watch out for design differences between the shell plates made for each of the 3 generation presses. As for tinkering, the only fussing I have had to do with any of the Pro series is to tweek the timing. Keep those pawls clean and lightly lubed for reliable operation.

[Nathan]

I REALLY like my Hornady LNL. It is from about 2002. It is set up for about 7 calibers. I don't load enough of one setup to mess with case or bullet feeders.

The only negative is long bullets are hard to feed into 300wsm cases.

[south.texas.dead.I]

Definitly gonna keep my eye on this bc I think I am on the same interstate just a couple exits behind you lol


Living another day
To CRUSH another clay

[andrewst35]

Im leaning towards the dillon 650xl. I'll use the lee case feeder to keep it simple. I like the full auto indexing.

[jmorris]

The only negativeislong bulletsarehard to feed into 300wsm cases.

yes, picked up an LNL because all you read about how well the powder measure works with extruded rifle powders. Not only is the measure not much better, if any, than the Dillon, the half index up half index down is a really bad idea for longer rifle cases.

[south.texas.dead.I]

Originally Posted by jmorris

yes, picked up an LNL because all you read about how well the powder measure works with extruded rifle powders. Not only is the measure not much better, if any, than the Dillon, the half index up half index down is a really bad idea for longer rifle cases.

Whats bad about the 1/2 index with long rifle cases?


Living another day
To CRUSH another clay

[chiefr]

DillonThey have superior customer service.

[Waldog]

Extruded powder is problematic in ALL powder measures. Based on my experience, it is LESS problematic in a ROTARY type measure verses a sliding bar powder measure. Also, I have not experienced problems with long rifle cases and 1/2 indexing. However, I have never loaded 300WSM. I have only loaded 223, 308, 30.06 on my LNL. I personally feel the 1/2 indexing is one of LNL's strong points.

Red & Blue BOTH have superior Customer Service. But, I will say Blue set the standard for others to emulate.

[jmorris]

Whats bad about the 1/2 index with long rifle cases?

. You have to run the bullet up into the seating die and raise the handle until it finishes the second half of the index. Then you can set the bullet into the case mouth. If you just set the bullet into the case mouth, the tip of the bullet doesn't make it into the die before the 1/2 index and gets knocked off the case.
On a Dillon that fully indexes at the end of the down stroke, you don't have that problem.