I'm in trouble now...

[i8godzilla]

Why are you in trouble? Did you not tell your SO?

With that stack of 'unfinished bullets' you posted a few days ago, it looks like you are going to be busy for a while.

[v-rog]

Congrats! Just in time for the Elm Fork IDPA match on the 7th.

[Don2]

The last time I saw a box like that, the guy holding it had a BIG SMILE on his face..!!!!


Don2

[rthillusa]

That's too cool!

I am leaning toward the Hornady Lock-n-Load combo on sale at Cabela's right now myself. Just trying to rationalize why I need it instead of the much more economical Lee kit. By the time you add in all the little goodies you need, it really starts to add up to a substantial chunk of change. ( but what has logic got to do with it, anyway :)

[7075-T7]

Why are you in trouble? Did you not tell your SO?

With that stack of 'unfinished bullets' you posted a few days ago, it looks like you are going to be busy for a while.

Plus the 500 he gets for buying the press!!

[A-R]

That's too cool!

I am leaning toward the Hornady Lock-n-Load combo on sale at Cabela's right now myself. Just trying to rationalize why I need it instead of the much more economical Lee kit. By the time you add in all the little goodies you need, it really starts to add up to a substantial chunk of change. ( but what has logic got to do with it, anyway :)

I've been eyeing a progressive since I started reloading with a single stage about 6 months ago. Have always thought Dillon 550 would be my next logical progression, but readng online a lot of folks highly recommend the L-n-L also and it is definitely less expensive for the features it includes (feature-wise, seems on part with a Dillon 650 that is much more expensive)

Anyone care to comment on L-n-L AP vs. 550 comparison? Does the L-n-L feature set "fix" a lot of the idiosyncracies of the 550? I don't mind the manual indexing of the Dillon, but some of the other things about it seem a bit cumbersom ... changing dies seems slow unless you're swapping an entire toolhead - which costs a lot of extra $$ on an already expensive machine, popping out a case to check it seems like you're fumbling around a bit with the little brass plug thing (L-n-L claims this is easier to do in their set up).

Is the L-n-L just more "advanced" than the tried-n-true Dillon for the same money?
Is quality close enough?

[OldCannon]

That's too cool!

I am leaning toward the Hornady Lock-n-Load combo on sale at Cabela's right now myself. Just trying to rationalize why I need it instead of the much more economical Lee kit. By the time you add in all the little goodies you need, it really starts to add up to a substantial chunk of change. ( but what has logic got to do with it, anyway :)

I've been eyeing a progressive since I started reloading with a single stage about 6 months ago. Have always thought Dillon 550 would be my next logical progression, but readng online a lot of folks highly recommend the L-n-L also and it is definitely less expensive for the features it includes (feature-wise, seems on part with a Dillon 650 that is much more expensive)

Anyone care to comment on L-n-L AP vs. 550 comparison? Does the L-n-L feature set "fix" a lot of the idiosyncracies of the 550? I don't mind the manual indexing of the Dillon, but some of the other things about it seem a bit cumbersom ... changing dies seems slow unless you're swapping an entire toolhead - which costs a lot of extra $$ on an already expensive machine, popping out a case to check it seems like you're fumbling around a bit with the little brass plug thing (L-n-L claims this is easier to do in their set up).

Is the L-n-L just more "advanced" than the tried-n-true Dillon for the same money?
Is quality close enough?

So...I will be getting an LnL setup VERY soon in my office, maybe within a few weeks, so you'll have somebody in Austin that will not only have one to try out, they are also (conveniently) a Hornady dealer How awesome is that?

Offhand, you can't go wrong with a Dillon 650XL or a Hornady LnL (the LnL compares to the 650, not the manually-indexed 550). Both work very well. Both have "No questions asked" lifetime warranties. Both have a slew of happy customers. Both will pump out cartridges at about the same rate. Folks have repeatedly said, however, that caliber changes are much easier with a Hornady, and powder drop/management is easier with the LnL as well, and I tend to agree. You won't have buyer's remorse with either (especially since Hornady changed their shellplate cartridge ejector in 2010).

If you want to read a detailed comparison of the 650XL, Lee Loadmaster, and the Hornady LnL, check out this document http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLee ... arison.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Capt Roy]

I've had a LNL for 6 months now... What a great machine... I change from 9mm to 38 in about 5 min with the bushings... A little more time to adjust the powder throw.. I do have the micro adjust power rotor and have the numbers for preset, I just like to check 10-20 charges to check.

I also have the case feeder which frees up one hand while reloading.

I bought mine used and it was missing a few small parts. I called hornady and they shipped a complete small parts kits for free.. Great customer service even though I told them I bought it used... They said full coverage was still in effect.

One thing though... I had to clean up the primer slide with 600 sandpaper to get it to work well.

I'm not a speed demon but can turn out 300-350 rounds a hour

[OldCannon]

The one thing that actually turned me away from Dillon was.... they want $42 for a bullet tray - which only works with the StrongMount (another $49).



Seriously? I need to pay $91 + shipping (call it $100) so I can get a plastic tray to hold bullets? Bye, Dillon - you totally lost me as a customer

Would it be too much of a "Superiority Dance" to point out the Hornady LnL comes with a bullet tray already?

[A-R]

So...I will be getting an LnL setup VERY soon in my office, maybe within a few weeks, so you'll have somebody in Austin that will not only have one to try out, they are also (conveniently) a Hornady dealer How awesome is that?

Offhand, you can't go wrong with a Dillon 650XL or a Hornady LnL (the LnL compares to the 650, not the manually-indexed 550). Both work very well. Both have "No questions asked" lifetime warranties. Both have a slew of happy customers. Both will pump out cartridges at about the same rate. Folks have repeatedly said, however, that caliber changes are much easier with a Hornady, and powder drop/management is easier with the LnL as well, and I tend to agree. You won't have buyer's remorse with either (especially since Hornady changed their shellplate cartridge ejector in 2010).

If you want to read a detailed comparison of the 650XL, Lee Loadmaster, and the Hornady LnL, check out this document http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLee ... arison.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm gonna have to take you up on that offer when you get it in and up and running.

what kinda beer should I bring (as a thank you, not to drink - too much - while loading )?

The powder measurement accuracy vs. Dillon is biggest issue I've read about pushing me in favor of L-n-L - the quicker-changing shell holder arrangement and die/caliber swaps are also pushing me toward red instead of blue

EDITED TO ADD: thanks for the link to that comparison document - great resource

[UpTheIrons]

Very nice! Let us know how she runs, Andy. I'm very likely getting one of those in the near future, and I'd like to hear your opinion on ease of setup and use.