When one considers cost, free anything is a reason to adjust the cost. I wasn't positioning the free bullets as making the press better, just less expensive to acquire.Free bullets...not a very good reason to choose a particular press IMO
progressive loaders - which one
- Thread starter unstableryan
- Start date
You will get as many opinions as there are presses and probably for as many reasons.. I like Dillon for the feel and function.. I've used Lee and was not impressed.. (too many fragile pieces and screws that are hard to adjust or easy to strip...
I've not used the LNL but they are nice from what I hear..
I've not used the LNL but they are nice from what I hear..
I use the Hornady with case feeder and load 9mm, 40, 38 and 223. There was a bit of a learning curve. The upgrade to the EZ ejection system really improved the press. Customer service was great for answering questions, fortunately I haven't had to have any warrenty work as I haven't broken anything in the three years I've owned the press. Caliber changes are, for the most part, painless. I have gone to a universal aftermarket expander to bell the case as I was never satisfied with Hornady's (works with the powder drop). There are enough stations so I can use the RCBS lock out die and a seperate crimp die. Powder drop is reasonably consistant. I like the press, I can't comment on the Dillon as I've never used one.
Daryl
Daryl
Free bullets...not a very good reason to choose a particular press IMO
True Quigley, neither is assuming that Dillon is the only company making the things,, the latter being the more common mistake IMHO.
All press manufacturers whose business includes ammo and component making are throwing in free bullets to sweeten the deal . Gives em a marketing advantage, no
?
unstableryan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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In your opinions, how important is it to have a 5 hole setup over a 4 hole setup? Kinda puts the LnL and the 650 in the same group with auto indexing and 5 holes.
Also, can anyone that has bought a 550 or 650 directly from dillon pm me? I want to do this once and once properly.
Thank you.
Ryan
Also, can anyone that has bought a 550 or 650 directly from dillon pm me? I want to do this once and once properly.
Thank you.
Ryan
True Quigley, neither is assuming that Dillon is the only company making the things,, the latter being the more common mistake IMHO.
All press manufacturers whose business includes ammo and component making are throwing in free bullets to sweeten the deal . Gives em a marketing advantage, no
I never mentioned anything about Dillon
Free bullets don't make the press any better or any worse (as previoulsy mentioned). I'm guessing you'll want to forget you even got them (no specific manufacturer in mind) if you're not happy with the press...
If the pressy no worky...the bullets will just sit on the bench and mock you.
It allows you to add an additional accessory if you want (A powder check die or a bullet feeder)
If you do buy a 550...fight the idea to ever add the Case Feeder to it. It was (IMO) an ill designed retro fit that is finacky at best (unusable at worst)
I've talked to people that love their 550 with case feeder...but I despised mine
A 550 is a great press if you want to load moderate volumes of different calibers. The press has a few too many draw backs (too much flex and a poor priming system) to make it something worth semi automating (case feeder)
The 650 with a case feeder is quite a bit more money than a 550...and has the same priming system of the 550 (and I assume the same flex in the shell plate). It also has quite a few plastic parts. That said...I've never owned one.
IMHO...if you want to buy a Dillon...get a stripped down 550 (the low end)...or a 1050 (the high end).
Now stand by for a new twist...Dillon owners (650) flaming another Dillon owner
unstableryan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Beautiful Okanagan Valley
I have single staged thousands of rounds this year in tens of hours, but I probably won't ever do more than 1k a month over .40, 357, 45/70 and 6.5x55. Looks like the 550's the way for me with multiple calibers and my shooting volume.
Even 5 times faster than now would be like a vacation. Like I've said before, I have made the RCBS press warm doing .40's.
Even 5 times faster than now would be like a vacation. Like I've said before, I have made the RCBS press warm doing .40's.
I don't have any problem with the priming system on my 550, what I do have a problem with is the spent primer catcher.....it manages to only capture 60 - 70% of spent primers, the others tend to eventually, impede the primer arm from fully engaging......PITA....other than that it has been good!
Full length resizing 6.5 x 55 might be a stretch for the 550!
I full length size on a Rock Chucker, then throw the brass in to the tumbler, to get the lube off, then continue on with the 550.
I consider that to be part of the overall priming system.
It also doesn't deal very well with upside down primers...too many springs and things...and priming on the up stroke.
Add it all up...and it makes for a poor priming system.
unstableryan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Beautiful Okanagan Valley
thanks for the helpI'm not going to abandon my dear RCBS press, I understand rifles are a bit more work than pistols for reloading and I don't need to make 500 6.5 rounds at a time, I only have 300 brass and my t3 lite wouldn't like that kind of ROF for very long
45/70 on the other hand... It's fun to play cowboy with that rifle.
IMHO Dillon is the best, been using them since 1983 (had 7 Dillons at one time 1993), reloading since 1958. You will never regret buying quality.
Anything I have bought by Lee (dies, moulds) has been JUNK!
I have a Hornady projector that is a fancy single stage machine because of the s--t primer feed.
Again, you will never reget buying quality.
I have no problems resizing .308 or .303 with my 550. I also do sizing separately from the rest of the loading process.
The primer feed is definitely one of the shortcomings of the 550. I wish it would do a better job of capturing the loose debris from depriming so that it doesn't get all over my press, bench, and floor. I find that the trap door that drops the spent primers into the bin works more reliably with a safety pin replacing the split pin.
Over time, you'll be glad of the flexibility.
1) size/deprime 1b) prime (on a LNL - it's between dies 1 and 2); 2) powder / expand (with a PTX type powder die); 3) bullet feeder or powder check 4) seat 5) crimp.
True, you can seat and crimp in the same space and you don't need either a bullet feeder or powder check, but eventually the extra stations pay off.
I always felt the lack of a workable 5th die location on my Lee Loadmaster.
One great benefit is separating bullet seating and crimping. You can setup Lee Factory Crimping Die in last station and never touch it again, and if you go with different bullets - just adjust seating depth thru seating die set up in station before crimping.
That's a shame, but the Projectors haven't been made or sold for years. Current model is the LNL AP, which has a solid priming system similar to a 1050.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Can't find the picture of my modified primer catcher. I just epoxied some small pieces of aluminum sheet to the top edge of the primer catcher.
Observe the primers as they fall into the catcher. You will notice that many actually miss the mouth of the catcher. So I glued the aluminum scrap pieces on the top rim of the catcher, where they can guide the errant spent primers into the primer catcher cup. You can also use plastic sheet, or even small pieces of wood.
Almost never had spent primers on the floor after this mod.
Sorry cannot take pics because I sold my 550b 8 months ago.
I did the same with a small piece of duct tape.
Just make 1/2 of the catcher farthest from you 2" taller. It will touch the frame. And catch every primer.
I have loaded 25K pistol rounds on a 550b.
9mm, 38sp, 45 acp.
IMHO the only way to get an upside down primer is if you put it in that way.
