which progressive-Dillon 650 or Hornady LnL?

kevin.303

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a friend and i are looking at splitting the cost of a good quality progressive press. the options are between the Dillon 650 and the Hornady Lock-n-Load and i'd like to hear some feedback from owners of these presses.it will be used mostly for pistol caliber loading and some small rifle IE 222,223 & 25-20. to change calibers on the Dillon, do i have to have to $80 conversion kit for each caliber, or can i not simply swap out tool head and shell plate like any other brand? its my understanding that you can use any other brand of dies in the Dillon and are not restricted to theirs alone.
 
The Dillon conversion kit is the shellplate, locator pins, casefeeder adapter, etc. You don't need a seperate conversion for each caliber, just each case type.

Sometimes, you can mix and match, and just add a few parts.

Let's say you're loading 9mm and .223 Rem.

You buy the press in 9mm. To load .223 Rem, all you need is the casefeeder adapter and the slightly smaller shellplate.

Your dad leaves you a 12(7) .380. Your already good to go. He also leaves you a .222.Again, you're good to go.

You buy a .38 super, and you're good to go.
 
three choices

When it comes to progressive reloaders, they are three choices - Dillon, Dillon and Dillon.

I've got two and may buy a third, a dedicated pistol type for .45 ACP. I load several rifle and pistol calibres on the two I have.

If you should have a problem, their techs are great at trouble shooting over the phone. Whenever I've had a problem, it was 'operator' error and they set me straight.

Oh, did I mention Dillon ... ?
 
I load .204, .270, 9mm, 38Super , 40 S&W, .357SIG on a Dillon 550. Although it is not auto index, it is fast and easy to change calibers and has only broken 1 decapping pin in over 500,000 rounds loaded. The decapper broke because some corn cob media did not clear out of the case.

I am a very happy Dillon customer.
 
A lot of Blue Kool-aide drinkers have chimed in!

I have the LNL and have never had any issues what so ever. They have a No Hassle Lifetime Warranty as well.

The mentioned comparison turned me towards the LNL with out BIAS. Price and a few other things turned me away from the Dillon.

To each their own, I have an RCBS and Hornady single stage as well, but I can chunk out the ammo on a reliable AP press that did not empty my wallet with all of the conversion kits, parts, and pieces.

Both are great presses and are backed by great warranties.

Do some more research on both and make an informative decision.

Cheers, be safe and welcome to the wonderful world of Reloading!
 
I have a 650 that i just got a month or so ago and also have a LnL that I have had for a year or so...I like them both, they each have there own quirks and different issues but i am leaning toward the Dillon it is a little smoother...

Next will be a super 1050 but i will still keep the other 2... :)
 
I went with the LnL. Quality and customer service seem on par and the LnL came out cheaper, plus got the 500 bullet offer too. You need to buy or make a case or bullet feeder to get a fast operation going though
 
I went with the LnL. Quality and customer service seem on par and the LnL came out cheaper, plus got the 500 bullet offer too. You need to buy or make a case or bullet feeder to get a fast operation going though

That's when the Wife comes in handy? ;) Make it a Team effort.
 
I asked this same question 6 years ago. I was told its comparing a Dillon(a lighter)to Hornady (matches). They both do the same thing, just one does it better.
I now own 2 Dillon XL650's. Best hour of reloading was 1200 45acps. Couldn't move my arm the next day but hey I had to prove I could!! Roller handle is a sweet accessary.
 
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