Waldog

For what it's worth, I have investigated this a lot. Initially, I figured the price of factory "Dove" loads made reloading 12ga and 20ga a waste of time. And, it probably is if you just shoot a few boxes a month at the 16 yard line. However, cheap factory "Dove" or 100 pack "Field Loads" are all loaded with soft chilled shot and cheap components (hull and wad). That's why you pay $5.00. However, premium shotshell like STS or AA sell for closer to $9-$10 a box because of Magnum Shot and premium, reloadable hulls. For the same $5.00 you spend on cheap shells, you can reload your own with hard Magnum shot with premium hulls and wads. Handicap Trap shooters and Sporting Clay shooters that shoot at LONGER distances all use hard Magnum shot. Either, premium factory (If your rich! LOL!) or their own reloads with Magnum shot. If you shoot 28ga or 410, your going to save 50%-60%. If you look at it that way, I propose that it makes sense to reload your own. At least that's the logic I use, I like to reload!

I do not have a bullet feeder. I DO have a case feeder. I can load 100 rounds in nine minutes. The case feeder works well however, it is LOUDER than the Dillon case feeder. I don't know about the bullet feeder.

I have a LNL. My son has a LNL. Two of my best friends have LNL's. I had to adjust my timing ONCE. I helped my son and friends get their presses set up and adjusted. Once the presses were cleaned, lubed and adjusted properly, they have been trouble free. I also, own a Dillon SDB. And, I have loaded on a Dillon 550, 650 and 1050. I prefer the LNL. HOWEVER, both RED Hornady and BLUE Dillon presses are excellent. You can't go wrong with either one. And, EACH has it's quirks.

In support of Dillon owners. It isn't nearly as contentious as it used to be. Five years ago, if you mentioned you owned a LNL and LIKED IT, the Blue Folks came out swinging! We were called names, accused of being a liars, made fun of, harassed, and occasionally threatened. We were accused of disrupting the Space-Time-Continum and threatening the female family members of Dillon owners. I always suspected that more than a few Blue Folks had never touched or even seen a Red LNL, let alone USED one. Most of that has changed. Whenever a thread like this one pops up and owners of BOTH machines chime in, the rhetoric is toned down from what it once was. I would imagine that FINALLY enough LNL owners are out there that like their presses that the Blue Folks are finally conceding that there is another company in the world besides Dillon. As I said earlier, I own two Dillon presses and several of their accessories. And, contrary to to what some may believe, whenever I loaded on my Dillon's, I never heard Angels Singing and I was never able to stand on water. All sarcastic humor aside, Dillon, Hornady and, RCBS can live in harmony. In fact RCBS has a new AP press out that looks very intriguing. Haven't seen one though. Be well and keep your powder dry!

I have a LNL. I guess I've had it about 6-7 years. It was the older ejector spring model and I upgraded to the EZ-ject. I've had to adjust the pawls, ONE TIME. Had to adjust primer feed, ONE TIME. Early case feeder was a little more problematic. I fiddled with that about 1/2 day before I got it feeding properly. Part of the problem was really crummy instructions. I DID have a little trouble with the ejector spring until I polished the spring and the cartridge cut-outs on the shell plates. I did that with a felt-tip bullet point and polishing compound and a Dremel tool. Took all of about 30 minutes. After that, I didn't have any ejection problems. I did upgrade to the EZ-ject just because I wanted to be up to date. Once I got the LNL adjusted, it has worked perfectly ever since. Since then I've loaded 40,000+ rounds of 9mm, 40S&W, 357mag, 44mag and, 45acp with couple hundred rounds of 223 thrown in. I have never had the problems that I have heard other people complain, i.e., timing and primer feed. The ONLY PARTS I have had to replace was the case retainer spring around the shell plate. I do have a few extra springs as extras. I ALSO, own a Dillon Square Deal and a 550. I must have been lucky with my LNL. After I got it adjusted, it just goes-and-goes. I loaded 1000 rounds of 9mm last Friday and did not have a single glitch. EXCEPT, with crimped primer pockets on a few surplus WCC cases. And, that's not the presses fault. I honestly prefer the operation of the LNL over Dillon. I rarely use my other Dillon presses. I don't think I've loaded a single round on my 550 since I got my LNL. I prefer the auto-advance by a WIDE margin. I have also, used a friends Dillon 650. It's a nice setup but I detested the primer system. You really can't go wrong with either system. They are both outstanding machines. God Bless Capitalism for giving us the choice!

I have used all models of Dillon presses. I currently own a Dillon SDB, Hornady LNL-AP, 3 Rock-Chuchers, 1 RCBS A-2 and , 1 RCBS Model A. Also, 2 MEC 9000's. I prefer the LNL over any Dillon press mainly due to the powder measure, primer system and, retainer spring. Other than initial set up adjustments, I have never had a problem with my LNL.

Here is a couple of pictures of modifications I made to my LNL case feeder. Small cartridge cases like 9mm will sometimes "bounce" off the case feed shuttle. I orignally solve that by taping a business card around the drop tube. That worked well but, I wanted something that was easy to swap between drop tubes. I found a piece of THIN WALL PVC PIPE. Key word here is THIN. it's only about 1/16" thick. Regular schedule 40 pvc won't work. I cut a short piece about 3 inches long and cut it length wise on ONE side only. This allows a slip fit over the drop tube. I then cut a notch in the side for the case feed shuttle. Works like a champ! I use it for rifle or pistol cases. Next mod I made was to prevent cases from missing the drop chute and hitting me in the head. This is aluminum roof flashing cut to shape and attached with a 1/4" long sheet metal screw. Works well.

It also makes it a whole lot easier to adjust the amount of "bell" on your case mouth. BTW, PowderFunnel does not expand the case like a normal expander does. It only bells the mouth. I have used the PowderFunnel for at least 6 years. Pistol cases are so thin that expanding the case is a waste of time. I checked with a Ransom rest and I could find no difference in accuracy between expanded and belled only cases. PowderFunnels is a GREAT accessory.

I have used the PowderFunnel since it first appeared on the market. Like another poster stated, the PowderFunnel does not "expand" the case to accept the bullet. It only "Bells" the case mouth. However, I strongly diagaree that it effects accuracy. And, that is based on my testing using a Ransom Rest machine rest and ammo produced with "expanded" verses"non-expanded" cases. I could find NO DIFFERENCE in accuracy. Pistol cases are thin and the difference of .002 - .003 neck expansion is negligible. At least with the following cartridges; 9mm, 38/357Mag, 40 S&W, 45ACP and, 44 MAG. It MIGHT be a factor on the giant cases, like 460 and 500 S&W . I don't know. If anything, the non-expanded cases have a stronger "grip" on the bullets. I found that particularly useful while using Bear Creek Moly Coated Bullets. They are REALLY slick and could be pushed into the case with firm finger pressure. I use the PowderFunnel for every pistol case I load. I have purchased separate Hornady "Powder Dies" that are individually adjusted for each case. That makes it a dream to swap calibers. All you have to do is: 1. Disconnect the case-activated powder measure linkage, 2. Lift off the powder measure, 3. Unscrew the powder die, 4. Remove the PowderFunnel, 5. Insert new previously adjusted powder die, 6. Drop in the Powder Funnnel into the powder die 7. Insert powder measure into powder die and connect linkage YOUR DONE! Of course you have to change out your loading dies as well. It works like a champ, saves time and if you find a sale, each Hornady Powder is going to be around $20-$25. Good Luck!!

I see that you returned your LNL and bought the Dillon. It's a great press and will give you years of service. I know I'm a little late in posting but, here goes: This question always comes up. It's a tough question as well. Here are MY REASONS for my choice. I have loaded on the Hornady LNL, Dillon SDB, 550, 650 and, 1050. I currently own a Hornady LNL and a Dillon SDB. Based on my experience; - Customer Service is equal between Hornady and Dillon - The ease of caliber changes is a toss up between the LNL and 550. Caliber changes are harder on the 650. Changes on a 1050 is MUCH more involved. - The Powder measure is OK on the Dillon. Works well with ball and flake type powder. Not so well with extruded or "stick" type powder - The Powder on the LNL is BETTER. Works well with ball and flake type powder. Extruded or "stick" type powder is MUCH BETTER, not perfect but, much better than the Dillon powder measure. - On Dillon presses, cases are held in place by "pins". For my fingers, this requires needle-nose pliers or large tweezers to remove the pin in order to remove a case from the shell plate. - On the LNL, cases are held in place with a large spring retainer. It is VERY EASY to remove a case from the shell plate. - On Dillon (Without a case feeder) you feed empty cases with your right had and feed bullets with your left hand. You operate the press with your right hand. TO ME, this is very awkward. - On a LNL you feed empty cases AND bullets with your left hand and your right hand never leaves the press lever. TO ME, this is very natural. - On Dillon, your bullet is seated at the BACK of the press and it is difficult to look into the case prior to seating bullets. - On the LNL your bullet is seated at the FRONT of the press and it is VERY easy to look into each case prior to seating bullets. - Handleing spent primers is MUCH better on the LNL. They drop through the press into a tube that can be placed in a trash can. It's very clean system. - Dillon spent primers fall into a cup under the press. The press gets dirty and fouled with primer ash. BOTH COMPANIES make an outstanding product. You will be satisfied with either. However, since they operated so differently, I recommend you try before you buy. And, that is difficult. Good Luck!

I have to agree with Beyond it All. Your LNL press came from the factory with a small AND large primer assemblies. And, small and large powder measure rotors (small for pistol, large for rifle) All you need to swap out 45acp to 9mm is; 1) Set of dies, $42.99 2) Taper crimp die (This is optional) 3) Shell plate $32.99 4) 4 LNL bushings @ $5.00 each

Before anyone starts grinding on their LNL, loosen the bolts that hold the case feeder support tube at the back of the press. You can reposition the support tube to provide enough room for the PVC pipe to slip over the case drop. Works perfectly!!!

I have seen buffoons on EBay pay MORE than retail for Dillon presses. Good advice about keeping it. You may have grandkids in the future that will share you hobby. I have a SDB that I rarely use. Have no intention of selling.

I know this is probably blasphemy. Has anyone every used a Hornady case-activated powder measure on a Dillon 550? It should be compatible. Anyone try it?

Really? My gun, and 5 buddies with Kimber 1911's all failed to feed Berry's plated 200swc about 20-30% of the time. I understand that Berry's has redesigned the 200 Plated SWC. There is a "old style" and "new style". The "new style" address' FTF issues. I assume I had the old style as the bullets were about 3 years old. I have not shot the "new style" SWC's

Berry's plated 200gr SWC bullet shape is different from your standard H&G 200 gr LSWC shaped bullet. The plated bullet does not have a lube groove. As a result, when Berry's started making a plated SWC, the extra weight from LACK of lube groove had to come off somewhere. They shortened the nose of the bullet. When you compare Berry's plated and a standard LSWC you will see a notable difference in the length of the nose. This shorter shape creates feed problems with many 1911 pistols. I have a Kimber Eclipse Target and I have 5 buddies with various Kimber 1911's. None of these pistols will feed Berry's plated 200gr SWC bullets. We all get 20%-30% FTF.

Amerc and S&B brass is a PITA. VERY TIGHT PRIMER POCKETS. Completely goofs up your progressive press loading rhythm.

I guess I'll be the odd-man-out. I tried Berry's 200gr SWC and did not like them. They would not feed in my favorite Kimber. This gun is 100% reliable with 200g LSWC or any other bullet shape. The short nose on Berry's seem to be the problem for me. I tried different OAL's and tighter crimps. NO GO, they just don't work for me. They do shoot OK in my Springfield. I prefer Montana Gold and LSWC for all my 45's.

You can probably shorten a little. But, not much as the powder measure will interfere.

Look at the SPOLAR. It is the Ferrari of shot shell loaders. Just be sure your sitting down when you look at the price. http://www.spolargold.com/spolar.htm I think if it was me I'd buy another MEC 9000. I've got two, 12 & 20. I have never used a Dillon shot shell loader. But, a buddy has a 28ga Dillon and he is happy with it. I gave his a careful look-over; I certainly don't think it's worth $844.95. The Ponsness Warren seems to be a much more user friendly and versatile shot shell loader for about the same money as the Dillon. If I was rich, I'd buy the SPOLAR.

All A-Merc and S&B brass goes directly to the trash bin. Primer pockets are TOO TIGHT for the aggravation of reloading. Also, any 45ACP brass with small primer pockets.

Well, sounds like you have been there. Maybe I'll get there. I just haven't experienced yet. Sorry you had problems.

I don't recall saying Dillon has "inconsistent primer seating". Sorry, I don't really understand your meaning here: Sigh!!!

I'm a dedicated LNL user however, I also own a SDB. If you are absolutely positive, beyond a reasonable doubt, that all you will ever load is pistol cases, the SDB is a great little press. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't a work horse. It will outlast you and your grandkids if you take care of it and don't give it abuse!!