Dillon vs Hornady

joe-nwt said:
Wonder why the red guys dwell on caliber changes anyway? Do you change caibers every few minutes?:confused:

Even if it takes you 5 mins on a LNL, don't you load ammo for the next hour or two?
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I acutally run about 1000 rounds per caliber before changing anything.

Of course I am loading for 3 people these days in 2 calibers (high volume).

On average with my son helping as case loader (I am too cheap to buy an automatic one) we pump out 100 rounds every 10 minutes.
 
StormBringer... my comment wasn't brand specific.. Hobo is asking for some serious information, and all we're doing is going back and forth over 1 bolt versus 2, 5 min versus ? ..

Now is there anything we know from experience that isn't in acrashb's write-up... Here's some Dillon experiences..

- primer bar (according to dillon manual) is best ran absolutely dry, and for the most part that's true.. but about every 3,000 to 5,000 rounds you're going to have to disassemble it (2 allen screws) and clean the gunk off or it will start to hang up..

- roller handle versus supplied ball handle.. like the ball handle better, provides more feedback for primer seating..

- powder measure,, dialing in changes can be PITA (eg 3.4, , 3.5, 3.8, 9.4 (not 9mm obviously) ,, no experience with Hornady system.. Number of low\no powder rounds in 20,000 rounds... zero
 
Eventually something will break no matter what press you choose. If you do decide to go blue, the little spare parts kit will keep you reloading while the replacement parts come. It has spare pins, primer tube retainers and other bits that eventually wear. I'm sure Hornady offers something similar. I think they are a worthwhile investment.
 
The only breakage I had was my primer shuttle.

I think that it was a defect in the metalurgy as it split righty by a pin.

Hornady had a new one in my hands in 3 days express post no charge.

For changing charges the LNL powder bushings are FANTASTIC. However you do have to buy inserts that you preset. They are $10 each. That allows you to change poweder charges from one to another in about 15 seconds.

I did replace my ball handle to a roller handle. It was built by a kind CGNer and sent to me for free! (gotta love this place).

I do not know if Hornady has a spares kit. From my experience the only spares I keep are the case retainer spring (never broke one but I think it is a matter of time). Primer plungers. again there is a small spring in them so I think it is only going to live for a given period of time.

Thats about it.

I have had my LNL and running for just over a year and a half. I have put through about 6000 rounds of 9mm and .40.
In that time I had ONE low (zero) powder charge....but that was 100% my fault...
 
stormbringer said:
...I have had my LNL and running for just over a year and a half. I have put through about 6000 rounds of 9mm and .40...
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I`m pleased with your success...I have been running my 550 for 18 years and tens and tens of thousands of rounds, and no, I have never had a breakage of any kind...Dillon also warranty's any part on the 550, be it springs, clips, screws or what-have-you....Several months ago I lost the shell plate locater pins for reloading 45 colt....Dillon replaced them, no charge, and even supplied several extra pins....Life is good...

As a note, if you are on a tight budget, sure, get the Hornady LNL...But if you can afford the extra cost, get the Dillon...You will never regret it, and it`s resale value is tremendous...
 
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I have a Hornady, and love it. Took a bit to get the primer slide to work properly, but once it did, it's flawless (so far). I've been using it for 6mo now.

The "get loaded" rebate is still on until the end of the year. 1000 free bullet heads with the purchase of a LNL AP. You just need an american address to send the bullets to.
 
I have had loaders from Hornady, RCBS, Lee and Dillon, hands down Dillon is the best in my opinion. If you are reloading only pistol, get yourself a SBD. The 550 is the most versatile reloader out there whether you like it or not and the most important thing is that Dillon has the hands down best warranty and service in business. That was clear to me when I sent my old 450 in for service and it came back completely rebuilt as a 550 at no cost not a cent, not even return shipping. Give me a Dillon anytime for ease of operation, quality, maybe a little more as far as cost goes, but certainly worth it. I did not get this service from Lee every time my 1000 broke nor did I with my Hornady. We all have our opinions, and I am sure the machines we use are all good, it boils down to personal opinion and experience, base your decision on that.
 
Airwolf said:
...The Dillon also is manual indexing, which means it`s easier to use as a single stage press, which is makes it easier to work up experimental loads, as well as blackpowder rifle/pistol loads...
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Only a Dillonophile would say that MANUAL indexing on a progressive press is a positive attribute!! LOL

That of course begs the question why they would not include this "feature" in the 650 or 1050 models.
 
stormbringer said:
Only a Dillonophile would say that MANUAL indexing on a progressive press is a positive attribute!! LOL

That of course begs the question why they would not include this "feature" in the 650 or 1050 models.
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Too bad you don`t understand the flexibility the manual indexing provides, like reloading blackpowder loads...*sigh* such a lack of imagination...Too bad
 
Airwolf said:
Too bad you don`t understand the flexibility the manual indexing provides, like reloading blackpowder loads...*sigh* such a lack of imagination...Too bad
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Please explain...............

What advantage is there?

If you want to work up a load I would use a single stage press. Or index one case at a time through a progressive.

Damn.........even my skin in turning Red! Do you think Hornady will give me a commission!!
 
stormbringer said:
Or index one case at a time through a progressive.
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That's how I do it. On top of that, with the LNL collars, I can easily selectively pop dies in and out while trying different things like setting up a new crimp die or making up dummy ammo (just pop the powder feed off) - an advantage over any of the plate-type toolheads.

Storm, when you paint your guns "hornady red", then we'll know you're really serious.
 
So when I place the bullet on the charged case and have to move my thumb a whole, what, 3 inches to index the press, this is somehow a great detriment?

I call it another straw the red guys are grasping at.;)


One other observation, and it just may be a locale thing, but blue stuff can be found almost everywhere handguns are sold, indoor shooting businesses, etc but where exactly do you go to buy red stuff anyway?
 
joe-nwt said:
this is somehow a great detriment?

?
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It is not as efficient........it simply cannot be.

Therefore it reduces volume of rounds produced per given time period.

The whole idea (IMHO) in having a progressive is production output.

SO.........

Dillon.......get a 1050 if you can afford it.

If not......

Hornady LNL AP hands down.
 
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