Going to buy either a Dillon 550B or 650, or a Hornady Lock N Load AP in the next few days. Interested in opinions from people who have actually used both presses or at least have touched both on a workbench somewhere. For this project, cost is not an issue, particularly.

 

I had bought into the Dillon religion, and I know a lot of guys on this board have Dillons, but this possibly well-reasoned and independent analysis has me thinking twice about the Hornady:

 

Dillon Lee Hornady comparo

 

He does a careful analysis of each machine for many different aspects, gives winners for each. Dillon and Hornady tie for winning many categories, but Lee wins a few. Hornady ends winning at the end, but not by much.

 

Read it over and let me know what you guys think, especially if you have used more than one of these machines.

I have the Dillon 550B. It's a great, well built platform and it lets me knock out pistol ammo super fast. Dillon has the best warrantee in the business. I have read that comparison before, but have no experience with the Hornady presses. I don't know of anyone who ever bought a Dillon and was disappointed with it.

Hornady for the win. I have played with both and will be ordering the LnL.

 

I dont like paying through the roof for everyone else's warranty that would own the press after me.

I had a Dillon 550b many moons ago. After a ton of research the only one that gave any challenge to the 550 was the RCBS Pro2000. The LNL was a distant 3rd with far to many on the reloading forums having issues. So I again purchased a 550B.

I have the Dillon 550B. It's a great, well built platform and it lets me knock out pistol ammo super fast. Dillon has the best warrantee in the business. I have read that comparison before, but have no experience with the Hornady presses. I don't know of anyone who ever bought a Dillon and was disappointed with it.

 

 

+1 what Chris said. If money is not an object I would definitly go Dillon. I use a 550B exclusively now and I have other presses as well. BTW the other presses are a turret and a single stage.

Its hard to compare the LnL to the 550. The LnL is an *Automatic* progressive, whereas the the 550 is manual advance. The kicker is that both cost roughly the same so from that alone, the nod goes to Hornady right out of the hole. Then start comparing other features and it becomes more apparent. Features wise, you really have to compare the LnL to the 650 but then you're talking a lot more cash for that Dillon so the LnL looks more attractive already. Hornady's warranty is top notch too, so don't put too much weight on that factor alone. I have a LnL if you care to see it. Chris is right down the street and he has the 550, maybe he too would let you check it out sometime.

I have a LnL if you care to see it. Chris is right down the street and he has the 550, maybe he too would let you check it out sometime.

 

Sure thing

I've got a Dillon 450 that I picked up used (and for the record have NOT sent it in for any repairs). It's been great out of the box, and for what I paid (single stage $ territory) I have nothing but great things to say.

I can't tell you anything about a Dillon, but I have a Hornady LnL AP.

 

I will say Hornady is a great company to deal with. I broke the drive hub on mine, I called them on a Monday and told them what part I needed and it was in my mailbox on Friday, free of charge, no questions asked.

So on the Hornady, what do you need to change calibers other than the shellplate and the dies in LNL sleeves?

 

(People are talking about Dillon service a lot, which is a strong point, but I've never had anything but fantastic customer service from any of the major reloading companies, Dillon, Lee, Hornady, RCBS or Redding; they all sent me parts super fast for free, etc.)

 

-Dave

You also need to look at the prices of accesories if you plan of taking advantage of an AP press. The Hornady case feeder system msrp's for 440 bucks whereas the Dillon MSRP's at 227, thats a huge price difference in and of itself. This is for the LNL compared to the 650.

 

I would take the Dillion if it was me only because I already own a Square Deal and love it beyond words. I have seen Chris's 550 in action and it seemed like an extremely smooth and well built press.

 

I don't think you can make a wrong decision between the two tho.

You also need to look at the prices of accesories if you plan of taking advantage of an AP press. The Hornady case feeder system msrp's for 440 bucks whereas the Dillon MSRP's at 227, thats a huge price difference in and of itself. This is for the LNL compared to the 650.

 

Its not fair to look at msrp here. Dillon products cost what you see on the dillon web site with maybe a very slight discount like the guy on the forum here offers. The Hornady feeder can be had for $290 street price from several large vendors--thats a huge discount over msrp.

So on the Hornady, what do you need to change calibers other than the shellplate and the dies in LNL sleeves?

 

(People are talking about Dillon service a lot, which is a strong point, but I've never had anything but fantastic customer service from any of the major reloading companies, Dillon, Lee, Hornady, RCBS or Redding; they all sent me parts super fast for free, etc.)

 

-Dave

if you are changing to another caliber that uses the same size primers, you change:

dies

shell plate

 

if you are changing calibers that use a different size primer, you change

dies

shell plate

primer feed tube, pusher plate, insertion plunger

One thing I particulerly didnt like about the LNL is the plate setup with that spring. I read more than a few people have run into feeding issues where the casing tries to ride over the spring into the plate and hangs up . I have no first hand experience with the LNL however.

I have the Hornady single stage and love it. I think Hornady has great customer service. I called them a few times about technical advice and they made sure they connected me with an employee that had experience in the area I was asking about. Also the tech's are reloaders themselves and use the equipment so they are knowledgeable about their products.

Dillon 650 for the win. It's what I use at work, home, and a friends house. Loaded over 100k rounds and they still run like champs.

Dillon 650 for the win.

 

Thanks. How do they compare to they Hornady LNL's you use?

 

Sorry that was sarcastic. I know there are hundreds of Dillon fanboys, and the Dillon is no doubt an unbelievably fantastic machine, but I'm looking for feedback from people who have actually used both....

Thanks. How do they compare to they Hornady LNL's you use?

 

Sorry that was sarcastic. I know there are hundreds of Dillon fanboys, and the Dillon is no doubt an unbelievably fantastic machine, but I'm looking for feedback from people who have actually used both....

 

There is no need to try others, once you have tried a Dillon. Typed this with my awesome blue fanboy hat on.

Ronny, with the exception of 2% of the ammo that comes out with a flipped primer! =)

 

"With my Lee Hat On" =) Although the LNL AP is very close.

I've only ever gotten a possible 2 or 3 flipped primers since I've owned my square deal and 2 of those 3 were my own fault for running a dirty die that made my press seem chunky so my press rocked back and forth. I've loaded well over 2k rounds with my square deal, so 1 messed up primer out of over 2k primers is ok in my book.

I've only ever gotten a possible 2 or 3 flipped primers since I've owned my square deal and 2 of those 3 were my own fault for running a dirty die that made my press seem chunky so my press rocked back and forth. I've loaded well over 2k rounds with my square deal, so 1 messed up primer out of over 2k primers is ok in my book.

 

 

I have yet to have a flipped primer on my 550B. Since I use a flip tray and pick-up tube, the likelihood of it is small.

If Dillon fell off the face of the planet, I think Id go RCBS before the LNL. When I researched it before buying again the order was 550b, RCBS Pro2000, then LNL. The reason the 550 won over the RCBS was familiarity. Do your own research on the reloading forums. Just to many complaints on the LNL compared to the other 2.

 

Now for a single stage, Im going Forster Co-ax.

Ronny, with the exception of 2% of the ammo that comes out with a flipped primer! =)

 

"With my Lee Hat On" =) Although the LNL AP is very close.

 

6 out of 3800 is not bad.

6 out of 3800 is not bad.

 

So I was the lucky one. =) Or admit it... you gave me all the bad ones. =P

I've only ever gotten a possible 2 or 3 flipped primers since I've owned my square deal and 2 of those 3 were my own fault for running a dirty die that made my press seem chunky so my press rocked back and forth. I've loaded well over 2k rounds with my square deal, so 1 messed up primer out of over 2k primers is ok in my book.

 

 

Matt at 2K rounds you are a Dillon WANNABE. Start cranking that sucker.

I'd like to meet with Lunker and JonF to see the differences between the two.

I'd like to meet with Lunker and JonF to see the differences between the two.

 

Me too.

While you wait for an invite, there are a billion videos on youtube.

Bryan and NJpilot I have a Dillon 550 I would be happy to show you. Never used anything else, so can't help you there.

Bryan, i though you also did some reloading, no? In any event, you guys are more than welcome to come check stuff out.