dillon vs hornady reloaders

[Hairtrigger]

I have heard the spring referred to as a weak point but have not replaced any on the machines I purchased in the mid 1980's. I have used both and much prefer the spring as a case retainer

[Corey]

As a fairly new reloader, i am only using a single stage press for now, but will probably want to upgrade to a prgressive as my shooting grows (lets see how long i can make it on a single stage with now that im beginning uspsa, haha)

this was gave me a ton of info, yet hasnt really helped me make up my mind which way to go. i think im gonna try to find someone local to show me their Dillon if possible. We have a LNL AP set up in our office (i love working in this industry ) so ill get some hands on play time there.

overall gerat info in here, and i think itll depend on a few individual factors when the time comes.

thanks!

ETA: sooo, apparently we just got a dillon XL550 and no one told me looks like im going to be able to get a first hand comparison on both now

Edited January 8, 2010 by Corey

[rage01]

ok, here is some real world experience, from someone who owns a variety of hornady presses'......the lock n load AP, is a very nice machine....it defines the mid range segment of the market....it produces adequate ammo, just like any other press at any price point....the real key is, how do you get to that adequate ammo....the hornady presses I have are not w/o problems....they have certain design flaws, as ANY mechanical device does....rather than list those flaws and start some debate, let me just put it simply....

the hornady products are very good presses' for the money....they offer value ease of use and turn out good ammo....they are NOT precision tools, like Dillon presses'....I repeat NOT precision devices....they suffer from some QC issues and need more maint. and adjustment than a Dillion....you can't simply set-up your hornady and leave it as is for 10 years...you will have to clean certain mechanisms and adjust the timing every so often, to keep it working correctly...

if I had it to do over again, I would still buy the hornady machine, simply because of cost....customer service and warranty is a moot point....I have called hornady with a few problems, and they have gone out of their way to listen to me, be courteous and ship me entire parts assemblies, no questions asked, at their expense....they didn't even ask me for registration info. or anything....the real key here is, would I have these problems and service issues with a Dillon machine....that I can't say for sure, since I don't own a Dillon....but of the folks I know who own them....I have not heard of the same kind of problems....they simply work....

I would take into account a few things....how much do you plan on loading....what kind of ammo....how much experience do you have....what is your overall goal?

comparing the 550b and the lock n load is not fair....they are NOT the same kind of machine....550 vs. lock n load AP, I would pick the lock n load....hands down....lock n load vs. 650...well I would have a tough call there...by the time you factor in the other things you will need to make the lock n load function properly, and run as smoothly as the 650, cost is no longer an issue....in the long run $200 won't make a difference....that being the case...I would say 650 (yes I am a hornady owner)....

also consider that Dillon has a much better powder check option, a better system of low supply sensors (low primers/low powder)....only trouble with Dillon, is that it won't be as cheap or easy to change calibers...the lock n load bushings are awesome...simply drop in new dies on the hornady and a new powder assembly and you are ready to go...if you buy multiple tool heads and measures for the Dillon, then that benefit is also moot, but at a large expense...

I think your situation is one that a lot of folks find themselves in...if you are just starting buy the hornady and see if reloading is something you really want to do....if you are convinced that you will keep doing it, then just bypass the trouble and get a Dillon....I know that I will eventually wind up getting one myself...I won't throw away or sell my hornady (it's a great tool), but for volume and precision in one specific caliber, I can't imagine that ANYTHING will beat a 1050...simply the fact that you can adjust primer seating depth and that it primes on the down stroke, is enough to sell me on that machine.....as soon as I can justify the expense of the 1050 and a bullet feeder, then that is the route I will go

one more thing to note....I have NEVER had a primer mis-feed or detonation on my Hornady...the dillon priming system is a bit different, and I can see that if you had a detonation on a Dillon, it might be a bit more catastrophic then on a hornady....

as far as single stage presses...I have a hornady lock n load....and it's great...soild build, easy to change dies on.....and as any mechanical device, it'e own set of problems....one thing to note....hornady paint finishes DO NOT like solvents during clean up....I tried to spray my single stage press down with solvent once and it melted the paint (no good)....

to sum it up....if you plan on doing this and are sure you will stick with it, bypass the hornady and get a dillon 650 or 1050....if you aren't sure and just want to dip your foot in the pool, get the hornady and upgrade to a 1050 when you feel it's necessary....I have no doubt that you will be able to accomplish the same task on BOTH presses....again it's just a matter of how you get there...

good luck

Thanks for all the imput it really helps,I am just starting so i am not sure about the whole reloading yet.

[CiDirkona]

I keep trying to write and informative and non-bashing post, so I'll put it simply.

I bought a Hornady LnL AP, case feeder with all accessories. One month later, I bought a 650. I also wouldn't mind owning another Lee Pro1000.

PM me if you need/want any details.

[Jim Norman]

I am biased.I admit this upfront. I loaded many many years ago the hard way on a Single Stage. When I got back into shooting 15 years ago, I had an employee that was a professional reloader. He literally loaded millions of rounds. Had about a dozen presses plus and Ammomaster. All his presses were Dillons. His recommendation went a long way. I bought a 650, then another (sold one) then I purchased a used 1050 and a second 1050. the 1050s are set up for .40 and .38super, the 650 is currently set up for .45, but it is so easy to change over that it is my short run press. Need a few hundred 9mm, .45 LC, etc? I change the 650, the 1050's stay set. No bullet feeders and no drives, but 1000 and hour is doable.

I have found that there are a couple items that can wear out on a 1050, and those parts aren't cheap, but they are available and when maintained and set up properly this is one heck of a machine.

Jim