Which would you buy - Dillon 550 or Hornady LNL AP

btefft · #1 03-05-2008, 12:41 AM

This is making me crazy. I been to several reloading web sites and none are as active as HDForums.

So, I need your help with my decision. I've been told to buy Dillion as ofter as I've been told to buy Hornady. I can buy either the Dillion 550B, or the Hornady Lock and Load AP, which should I drop a dime on?

If you have reasons for your pick, I'd like to hear them.

Hack

billnourse · #2 03-05-2008, 08:03 AM

I don't have any experience with Hornady, but the Dillon is top of the line with a great warranty. It has a lot of features that I like, like quick change tool heads and powder dispensers so changing from caliber to caliber is a snap.

Hornady has a reputation for producing top of the line bullets, and other components, but I don't know about their reloading equipment. I would guess it would be good based on thecompany's overallreputation.

Bill

AwfHand · #3 03-05-2008, 08:33 AM

http://www.hdforums.com/m_2960163/tm.htm

Don't you already own the Hornady?

I went with the Dillon, as I considered it to be a superior product forreloading the quantity of rounds I shoot in a season. I've worn out a couple of pieces, and Dillon had them to me within a couple of days -no questions, no BS.

I think Hornady would do the same, but I bought my Dillon locally and there is no local dealer for the LnL.

Nothing beats buying locally if you even suspect that you might have a problem. Having that nearby neck to wring is better than screaming into the phone anyday. But, as I said, no probs with repairs or parts replacement.

KeithB · #4 03-05-2008, 08:47 AM

Buy the Dillon now or later. Eventually you will want the best and buy blue

btefft · #5 03-05-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: AwfHand

http://www.hdforums.com/m_2960163/tm.htm

Don't you already own the Hornady?

I went with the Dillon, as I considered it to be a superior product forreloading the quantity of rounds I shoot in a season. I've worn out a couple of pieces, and Dillon had them to me within a couple of days -no questions, no BS.

I think Hornady would do the same, but I bought my Dillon locally and there is no local dealer for the LnL.

Nothing beats buying locally if you even suspect that you might have a problem. Having that nearby neck to wring is better than screaming into the phone anyday. But, as I said, no probs with repairs or parts replacement.

The thread you saw was part of my research when I was trying to figure out which press to buy. At this time, I have not made a pruchase of either one. At that time I was leaning toward the Hornady, but then I read a ton of threads saying buy blue. That's when I decided to run this little poll. On the other reloading site I've had 3 replies - 2 to 1 in favor of the Hornady (one of the guys in favor of the Hornady said he has a DIllon 550, too - now that got my attention). HDF is 6-1 in favor of Dillon (but one of the votes was mine - I had to vote to see the poll results).

I really like the Hornady's powder measure and wonder if I could simply put Hornady's measure on the Dillon and have my cake and eat it too.

About the dealer, hear's my situation. I'm a member of a local gun shop/shooting range and in being so, I would get a 5 % discount off the Dillon from them. That's why I'm torn between which one to get.

One day I decide on the Dillon, the next day I want the Hornady - it's driving me crazy

Hack

btefft · #6 03-05-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: billnourse

I don't have any experience with Hornady, but the Dillon is top of the line with a great warranty. It has a lot of features that I like, like quick change tool heads and powder dispensers so changing from caliber to caliber is a snap.

Hornady has a reputation for producing top of the line bullets, and other components, but I don't know about their reloading equipment. I would guess it would be good based on thecompany's overallreputation.

Bill

Hey Bill,

The rounds I'm gonna be reloading are the .380 ACP, .44 Rem Mag, .45 ACP, Win 30-30, Sprgfd 30.06, and 45/70 Gov't. How long (how do you do it?) would it take to convert from one round to the other (say .380 to 45/70) on your Dillion? I've been told that the change on the Hornady is easier to make - but, personally, I haven't a clue. If any of you Hornady guys want to respond to this question, I'd appreciate it.

Hack

AwfHand · #7 03-05-2008, 12:20 PM

When you change from one caliber to another you have to change the following:

Shell holder plate
Primer feeder and seater (if primer size is different)
Powder measure setting
ALL dies

On the Dillon, you can buy a different tool head which will allow you to keep all dies set to the last-time-used settings, BUT unless you have multiplepowder measures, you'll need to make changes to that every time you change calibers, esp. from .380acp to 45-70, as that is a BIG powder charge difference. On the Dillon there is an additional insert that goes into the powder measure slide for large quantities (more than 15-20gr) of powder used in larger calibers. IMO the powder measure is the "weakest link" of the whole press, but for large quantity loading, I'm not complaining. Aside: I filled a large coffee can with spent primers one summer.

Changeover of ALL components from .38 (bullseye league loads) to 7mm-08 (Silhouette loads) for me will takeabout 25 minutes, with the powder measure using about 10 or moreof that25 minutes. It will take about 5 minutes to change the shell plate and primer feed/seater, about 10 minutes to change and setup all the dies for the new caliber (assuming no spare tool head).

If you go with the Dillon, you need to be sure thatyour sizer die has the decapper. Some pistol die sets have the mouth expanderand the decapper in the same die. With the "process" on the Dillon, this doesn't work. I'm not sure about the LnL.

You list 6 different calibers for which you'll be reloading. With the shell holder plate conversions you'll need, count on about $35 per caliber.

ALL above info given is relevant to the 550 model Dillon, and may be slightly different if you're considering the 650 model.

AwfHand · #8 03-05-2008, 12:37 PM

I forgot to add that I'm a member of Greybeard Outdoors (Google them) forum. If you want an opinion from users of reloading products that will represent a MUCHlarger number of users, post an inquiry there as well -in the board labelled "reloading".

SPRINGER · #9 03-05-2008, 07:49 PM

There is a possibility that they all might make a good press, but I have done more reading about the Dillon than any other. I used to get one of their catalogs. I like their no BS return policy. Based on what I have read, I would have to opt for the Dillon, good luck.

BULLDOG88 · #10 03-07-2008, 04:13 PM

I am leaning toward the Lee.
The 50th anniversary kit looks like it has everything.