Which New Press to Get

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redlite

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Hey guys,

Been doing a lot of reading here on reloading and I would like to purchase a setup within the next month.

After reading the post Dillon vs Lee vs Hornady I have been leaning towards the Hornady lock and load without the case feeder (maybe something to get down the road). It seems that you cannot go wrong whether you are going to get the 650XL or the Lock N Load but I was under the assumption that the Lock N Load was a fair bit cheaper than the 650.

I received an email back from Epps and they have the Lock N Load for $553.49+ tax.

When I go to the Dillon site the XL650 gets priced out at $566.95+ tax.

Just trying to compare apples here... neither one is outfitted with the case feeder, (I believe the Dillon is priced better for when that day comes), and I am still going to have to purchase die sets, plates and the rest with either setup.

Now the only real difference in price that I see is just how much of a customs charge there would be if I were to go with the Dillon. Does anyone here have any experience with such charges?

I appreciate any feedback by the good, knowledgeable people here.

Thanks,
 
On most North American made items like the Dillon you will pay the sales taxes that you normally would in your province, such as GST and PST or HST plus a small fee for customs brokerage if it comes via mail.

If shipped UPS FedEx etc you will pay the same tax and around $30-100 brokerage fee. This is why postal is better. There is also the chance when using postal that the customs agent will miss or not care to tax your package UPS won't forget.
 
I purchased a XL650 about 2 years ago and it has performed without a hiccup in that time - excellent quality and customer service. Purchased from Williams Arms in Port Perry.

The only catch with Dillon is all the extras - which do add up (i.e. strong mount, bullet tray, roller handle, powder check, quick change tool head, etc).

Oh, if you do purchase a Dillon buy the DVD manual. It pays for itself.

Hope this helps.
 
Just got a Lee Precision Classic Cast Turret Kit from Williams Arms, 4-die deluxe pistol set. Good to go except for brass, powder and primer. My only concern is the Powder Scale has not been consistent. I am getting a second scale to verify my load. Build quality is good and you have to get used to the stroke. Powder dispenser is actuated by the shell, no double charge assuming you do a single stroke. Primer feed is a neat feature. I would rate this as value for money. Dillon and RCBS seems to have better turrets but price difference is significant.
 
You can get the hornady lnl at londero sports for same price as budget if you have to use cc otherwise just Emt Henry some money and he will set you up an you will get excellent customer service forever
 
My $.02 ...

My first progressive press was the LNL. No real issues, other than some case feeding problems and it can be a PITA sometimes with the priming system .. It can get bound up pretty quick if powder or any other little pieces fall into the shuttle area. Also, the shell plate can bind up and not pop cases out at times. Not really sure why it does this, but it always makes me nuts. Check out Inline Fabrication (google). He makes a strong mount and an ergonomic roller handle for it. The handle is awesome, haven't tried the strong mount since I have it mounted at a height I like.

That being said, the next press I bought was a Dillon 1050. That is one impressive machine. Now, granted not everyone can drop $1700 on a press, but it has been well worth it IMO. Yes, small things have gotten me with it, mainly during set up, but it does everything. I moved my Hornady bullet feeder onto it and added a PW autodrive and load 1000+ rounds per hour. Awesome. I did all that to save my arm for shooting instead of pulling a handle and since I shoot .40 nearly exclusively I don't have to change or reset much of anything on it ever. Pretty well the only adjustments I make are to the powder measure as needed.

If I were to do it all again, I would have bought a 550 to learn on, then gone straight to the 1050.
 
Guys once again thanks a lot for your advice on what has worked and not worked for you. Also greatly appreciate the other places that deal the LNL.

To spidey... that 1050 looks like one fine machine, and in another class that will be out of my reach.
 
If you can afford it go with the dillon 650 over the lnl you will be much happier in the long run. I own a lnl and a friend has a 650 so I have used both and recommend the 650 but I can't wait till I get my 1050
 
redlite said:
Guys once again thanks a lot for your advice on what has worked and not worked for you. Also greatly appreciate the other places that deal the LNL.

To spidey... that 1050 looks like one fine machine, and in another class that will be out of my reach.
Click to expand...

I think part of it comes down to how many calibers you need/want to reload. If you want an auto progressive with quick/very easy caliber changes then the LNL is pretty good and I've got only some minor complaints with mine.

If you want to reload 5,000 rounds every month (which I do with .40) then the 1050 is definitely the way to go.

But really, if your budget allows for an LNL, then do it. Just remember all the parts you need for each caliber also add up pretty quick.

HTH
 
spideysteve said:
I think part of it comes down to how many calibers you need/want to reload. If you want an auto progressive with quick/very easy caliber changes then the LNL is pretty good and I've got only some minor complaints with mine.

If you want to reload 5,000 rounds every month (which I do with .40) then the 1050 is definitely the way to go.

But really, if your budget allows for an LNL, then do it. Just remember all the parts you need for each caliber also add up pretty quick.

HTH
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Ya I reload 4 calibers and about a total of 3000 rounds a month I find that the so called quick caliber swaps on my hornady are slower then the dillon
 
I'm facing the exact same decision, except I'm trying to decide between the Dillon SDB and the XL650.

I only want to load pistol, mainly 9mm, and possibly .45 and .357 in the future.

I know the Dillon SDB uses "special" dies and that there is no case-feeding option but I think 2000 rounds a month would be the most I would ever need to load.

Quotes from site sponsors have the SDB at around $444 and the XL650 at around $755 w\ a $270 case-feeding option.

When I decide which model I need/want then I'll have to seriously look at purchasing directly from Dillon. It still may be cheaper to do so even with shipping, taxes, and brokerage fees.

Any opinions? Hopefully they'll help me decided.
 
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Right now my LNL setup is running me about $1100ish

That's with 5 Calibers, a Cam Lock Case Trimmer, a Tumbler and all the extra little things like Quick Change Bushings for every die, Case Prep doo dads and even a powder cop die...

So all n all not bad budget wise, I think that's pretty good value for the kind of setup I'm getting
 
xHEADSHOTx said:
Quotes from site sponsors have the SDB at around $444 and the XL650 at around $755 w\ a $270 case-feeding option.
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look around more. much better prices than that from several places in canada

elmwood epps gave me the best deal on a xl 650 a couple weeks ago. phone them first. they are very well priced.

CUSTOM RELOADING SERVICE has them for a good price

crafm has them on for 679, p & d sells them several others too im sure
 
sask farmboy said:
look around more. much better prices than that from several places in canada

elmwood epps gave me the best deal on a xl 650 a couple weeks ago. phone them first. they are very well priced.

CUSTOM RELOADING SERVICE has them for a good price

crafm has them on for 679, p & d sells them several others too im sure
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll check with Ellwood Epps and Custom Reloading Service. I already have an e-mail into CRAFM, just waiting for the reply.
 
xHEADSHOTx said:
I'm facing the exact same decision, except I'm trying to decide between the Dillon SDB and the XL650.

I only want to load pistol, mainly 9mm, and possibly .45 and .357 in the future.

I know the Dillon SDB uses "special" dies and that there is no case-feeding option but I think 2000 rounds a month would be the most I would ever need to load.

Quotes from site sponsors have the SDB at around $444 and the XL650 at around $755 w\ a $270 case-feeding option.

When I decide which model I need/want then I'll have to seriously look at purchasing directly from Dillon. It still may be cheaper to do so even with shipping, taxes, and brokerage fees.

Any opinions? Hopefully they'll help me decided.
Click to expand...

I have been using a SDB for the last year. It works great if you are ok with the loading rate which for me tops out around 200 or 250 at the most per hour. For me it's great for the amount that I shoot now and I just can't afford the 650. If you can, go for it. I found a used one, so if I do upgrade I don't lose anything.
 
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