Progressive presses?

[coloradoEMT911]

So looking at buying a progressive press for pistol and maybe .223, I've looked mainly at hornaday and Dillon. What are the opinions on these or any others? I do want auto indexing. I use a hornaday 366 shot shell reloader and live it but have not heard much about there rifle and pistol stuff.

Thanks
RJ


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[Great-Kazoo]

Both are good presses. IMO Dillon holds their value over time better than Hornady. It's like the Ford / Chevy debate.
I have owned both and prefer Blue, ease of use, p&a, Customer Service, better resale. If I sell or buy a used Dillon, I can send it back for service. Knowing outside of blatant abuse, their No Nonsense Coverage, has returned press in better condition than when purchased. The only press Dillon doesn't warranty for "life" , is their commercial rated 1050. It has a 1 year warranty.

[Tim K]

You can call Dillon during business hours and get a live person on the phone to help you figure out whatever has you stumped. They also send out parts that need replacing at no charge typically. It doesn't matter if you're the first or tenth owner of the machine, they treat everyone the same.

[Great-Kazoo]

You can call Dillon during business hours and get a live person on the phone to help you figure out whatever has you stumped. They also send out parts that need replacing at no charge typically. It doesn't matter if you're the first or tenth owner of the machine, they treat everyone the same.

Didn't add that in my response as i was using a "tablet" to respond.
My LnL had an issue, Hornady said while that issue is somewhat common, it's not a warranty covered one. So it cost me $22 for an ejection wire. I called dillon with a primer issue, that was my fault, asking for a price delivered. They said, No problem we'll send you one, NO Charge.

Dillon covers just about everything (outside customer abuse) on their Blue units. The 1050 is a commercial unit and has a 1 year warranty.

While i like the "progressive" dillons, there's something about the 550, simple, functioning, ease of use that says, You need one..

[Robb]

Not dissing Hornady at all, love their ammo. But I have two 550's, it's all I know. My last incident was a pebble found it's way into a .223 casing. I bent the whole decapping pin, the part that threads down from the top of the die, not just the replacable tip. Called Dillon to order another, totally my fault and all, "No Charge." Plus they're full of info on the phone, whether you want it or not. :P Previous to that I was using H110 and it scored my powder bar causing it to bind, again they sent me a new moly coated one, free of charge. You just can't go wrong with Dillon even if you're a Hornady guy.

[Hoser]

There is Dillon and then there is everyone else.

[coloradoEMT911]

All of you guys have kinda confirmed what i was thinking from reading reviews, I have always looked at getting Dillon Shotgun reloader but have not heard as good of reviews about them, but I think that i am going to go dillon for my progressive metallic loading.

Thank you all
RJ

[HoneyBadger]

There is Dillon and then there is everyone else.

Yeah? And what do YOU know about reloading??



[LOL]

[paddywagon]

I got 2 Dillons and all I can say is that when they say they have a "No BS warranty" they mean it. Business's should take a look at Dillon as to how to run a business. Their presses are as good as they come.

[Great-Kazoo]

I got 2 Dillons and all I can say is that when they say they have a "No BS warranty" they mean it. Business's should take a look at Dillon as to how to run a business. Their presses are as good as they come.

Some places do follow dillons CS. Like DMV, Your average wait time is 10 minutes. Which does say something about the Blue popularity.

[sellersm]

You'll want to do some homework on costs of conversion changes, primer swaps, etc. The Dillon 650, in my opinion, is only worth if IF you're going to get the optional case feeder! Otherwise, you still have to put in a new piece of brass, and then you may as well have the 550 and the reduced costs & time of caliber conversions.

What's your desired round count? How many different calibers do you want to load? How many places for dies do you want/need? How much room do you have (you'll need some height if you want a case-feeder attached)? Etc. etc.

I'm not dissing anyone, but a lot of people say they 'want' or 'need' the auto index, I thought so too, but after loading a while on my Dillon 550, it doesn't matter to me, the speed's not any different, especially if you don't have a casefeeder for the 650...

Also, there are quite a few issues documented with Hornady's priming system. Dillon's not perfect, it likes to be clean, but doing a bit of homework may save some heartache down the road...

[paddywagon]

For myself I thought I would "need" a 650. I took a used 550 in on trade for some work I did about 10 years ago and never wound up upgrading. Even though it was used when I got it Dillon stood behind it. That was the reason I stepped up and bought another Dillon. I bought a Square Deal for 9mm alone. Everything else I change out on the 550.

[roberth]

Dillon.

[Zombie Steve]

I've used a Hornady LNL and it really was a nice setup. I also had a buddy that bought one and had serious issues with it.

Having used a 550B, 650 (yes, casefeeder is almost a must with this one) and a 1050, I have to say I really like Dillon.

[cstone]

I really like my Lee Pro 1000. Then I got a Dillon 550.

Would you like to buy my Lee Pro 1000?

[82ndShooter]

Dillon all the way!!!

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[Hoser]

Yeah? And what do YOU know about reloading??

Just enough to be dangerous.

[CareyH]

I have a Dillon 650 w/ case feeder... of course(thanks again Hoser). IMO Dillon is the only way to go. It has already been said on here but when they say no BS warranty they mean it. Drink the blue koolaid.........

[coloradoEMT911]

I have done a lot of research while reading all your post and I defiantly think I want a dillon and probably start with a 550 unless I can talk dillon into letting me become a dealer through my business lol. I would like to get a 650 for 223 And 10mm but don't know if it's affordable right now. I do want one before I teach my next reloading class.


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[Hoser]

The 550 is a excellent machine.

Even with a herd of 1050s, I still went with the 550s for extra presses.

[eneranch]

The 550 is a excellent machine.

Even with a herd of 1050s, I still went with the 550s for extra presses.

Herd - I like that

[cstone]

The 550 is a excellent machine.

Even with a herd of 1050s, I still went with the 550s for extra presses.

Saint Barbara smiles upon your chapel [Flower]

[HoneyBadger]

Saint Barbara smiles upon your chapel [Flower]
This is NOT an understatement...

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/9330-Lets-see-your-reloading-bench-room?p=151658&viewfull=1#post151658

[sellersm]

I have done a lot of research while reading all your post and I defiantly think I want a dillon and probably start with a 550 unless I can talk dillon into letting me become a dealer through my business lol. I would like to get a 650 for 223 And 10mm but don't know if it's affordable right now. I do want one before I teach my next reloading class.

Sounds like a great plan!

[carnplanenut]

I started with a 550 and began loading a lot. If you load a lot, you will end up upgrading to a 650 or larger. I use a 650 now with case feeder. Being able to drop a bullet and pull the handle makes life easier. I have been using a Dillon since 1995. Great machine, great service. The dies and conversion kits are not cheap, but worth it.

If you have any questions, they will spend whatever time you need to make you comfortable with their equipment.

Jason

[RANGERRON72]

DILLON 550 is a great press, I have two, and never saw the need to step up to the 650.......always got plenty of volume out of the 550........FWIW

[earplug]

Check out the RCBS Pro 2000. RCBS is great to deal with and the press is easy to change calibers quick and easy. No primer tube explosions with the primer strip system and the RCBS powder dispenser is one of the best.

[Great-Kazoo]

Check out the RCBS Pro 2000. RCBS is great to deal with and the press is easy to change calibers quick and easy. No primer tube explosions with the primer strip system and the RCBS powder dispenser is one of the best.

Nor will you have one on a 550.

[earplug]

mages for 550 dillon primer tube explosion - Report images


One can google primer tube explosion and find more info.

[Great-Kazoo]

mages for 550 dillon primer tube explosion - Report images


One can google primer tube explosion and find more info.

2 years on the 550, still rocking. I hold issues with any press on the rate of speed, while using, vs. Paying attention to what you're doing. IF I believed everything I "read" on line . I'd never own Glocks. After all, some folks had them go KaBoom.

When it comes to reloading equipment, you have die hards on all sides of the discussion. Having owned RCBS, Hornady and Dillon. Based on CS alone Dillon gets my business, hands down. Just facts, based on past experiences.
Now you take my Dillon and your press, post them for sale. See who gets asking price.

[meatman]

I have Hornady presses but I only buy Dillon calendars. [Tooth]

[Great-Kazoo]

I have Hornady presses but I only buy Dillon calendars. [Tooth]

I like the cut of your jib, young man.

[bca1313]

Great thread to read. Lots of pro dillon people here that have used a number of different types.

[gdw042]

I have owned a Dillon 550 for about 16 years. I have had a few very minor problems with it (broken parts, usually my fault) all of which were immediately taken care of by Dillon's awesome CS.
I have also used a RCBS Rock Chucker and have a very old Lee turret that belonged to my grandfather.

Dillon all the way. Start with a 550 and use that for a while until you decide if you need to upgrade. With my son starting to shoot more I'm just about at that point...
GDW

[Caithford]

Someone (Hoser maybe?) pointed me at this link a while back, and I still read it on occassion to remind myself why even though it would be REALLY COOL that I don't need a 1050...

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html

[Great-Kazoo]

Great thread to read. Lots of pro dillon people here that have used a number of different types.




I have owned a Dillon 550 for about 16 years. I have had a few very minor problems with it (broken parts, usually my fault) all of which were immediately taken care of by Dillon's awesome CS.
I have also used a RCBS Rock Chucker and have a very old Lee turret that belonged to my grandfather.

Dillon all the way. Start with a 550 and use that for a while until you decide if you need to upgrade. With my son starting to shoot more I'm just about at that point...
GDW

This is one of the most user friendly, CS supported presses out there. I almost considered selling one of the 650's and getting another 550, Just because it is so user friendly. I think it would fit in a BOB;)


Someone (Hoser maybe?) pointed me at this link a while back, and I still read it on occassion to remind myself why even though it would be REALLY COOL that I don't need a 1050...

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html

The 1050 is not for everyone, or a first time reloaders press. However IF you ever got to the point shooting was a primary hobby, competing , or retired and had spare time. The first 100 rds would have you smiling. IMO it requires a somewhat more advanced skill set than a s/stage or progressive. Once it's dialed in, zoom, zoom

[Caithford]

The 1050 is not for everyone, or a first time reloaders press. However IF you ever got to the point shooting was a primary hobby, competing , or retired and had spare time. The first 100 rds would have you smiling. IMO it requires a somewhat more advanced skill set than a s/stage or progressive. Once it's dialed in, zoom, zoom

I plan on starting with the 550. I have been competing in USPSA and all I will really need to reload on it will be .45 and .223. I know it will be fine for .45, I just would like to talk to someone before diving in on the .223.

[trlcavscout]

I was looking at the 550b, of course the only place I found them was "Dillon" and eBay. EBay was over priced, Dillon is way behind, 8 week on some things. Then there is the problem of I load mainly 45 gap, so I get the one with the 45 conversion thingymajig, but then I have to buy a small primer other thingymajig? Then if I want to start loading 40, 9, 10 I have to buy 3 more conversions at $xxx? And I need seperate crimp dies or I can use my 3 die carbide sets?

Hoser I need help!?! Haha

No one local sells these or accessories and you have to order and wait weeks to get them?

[Great-Kazoo]

I was looking at the 550b, of course the only place I found them was "Dillon" and eBay. EBay was over priced, Dillon is way behind, 8 week on some things. Then there is the problem of I load mainly 45 gap, so I get the one with the 45 conversion thingymajig, but then I have to buy a small primer other thingymajig? Then if I want to start loading 40, 9, 10 I have to buy 3 more conversions at $xxx? And I need seperate crimp dies or I can use my 3 die carbide sets?

Hoser I need help!?! Haha

No one local sells these or accessories and you have to order and wait weeks to get them?

Elk Bomb has 550's in stock. i'm heading down there tomorrow.

[sellersm]

Check at shooter's pro shop online. They had some recently.


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[newracer]

Just to go against the norm I have a Hornady LNL press. I have had it for almost three years and it has yet to give me any problems. Of course I have not setup any dies or even loaded a single round yet.[hammer]

[trlcavscout]

Just to go against the norm I have a Hornady LNL press. I have had it for almost three years and it has yet to give me any problems. Of course I have not setup any dies or even loaded a single round yet.[hammer]

Man that's a shame, you should bring it over here and I will break it in for you. You can use it anytime! Haha