Anyone using it? How does it compare with the Dillons? Thinking about commercial loading and the Dillon 1050, but it's nearly $1500 now, more with options. I know the Hornady AP is not in the same league, but they seem to think it competes against the 650 pretty well. What are your thoughts. Thinking I might buy 2 Hornady APs for large and small set-up.

A lot of guys seem to like the Hornady and I believe it's a good machine so long as it's used for hobby purposes. For demanding tasks there is no substitute for Dillon. Just look at their dies -there can be no doubt that Dillon products were intended for serious use.

Mine is set up for the 44 magnum and is a very fine tool.....it can do rifle rounds as well.

I like mine.

I own a Hornady Lock N Load, have owned a Dillon 550 and my best buddy owns a Dillon 650 that I operate on a pretty regular basis. I think I'm qualified to answer your question. Here's the low down on the Hornady:

1. It's slightly bigger and beefier than a Dillon press.
2. You can change out individual dies, a big advantage when you want to customize a reloading setup. Very fast to change dies on this setup.
3. The powder measure is superior to the Dillon powder measures. That said, the older one doesn't have the capacity for powder through case mouth expansion. That changes the beginning of next month when they ship their new case activated powder drop, which has case mouth expanders. If you buy, I suggest waiting until these are shipping with the presses.
4. The primer system is about the same as the Dillon 650.
4. It's mechanically simple, easy to adjust and once setup, stays adjusted and setup.
5. With the casefeeder, it's capable of 1000 rounds per hour. Your problem won't be how fast the press goes, but how fast you can keep it in powder, primers and bullets. It consumes components the way a hound dog consumes pork chops.
6. It's rugged and boringly reliable. I'm referring to presses after serial number 7000, which is where they resolved any "new press" issues they had.
7. Dillon dies fit, so you can use them in this press if you wish, so no sacrafice there if you like Dillon dies. I am about to add a Dillon sizing die for my .45 ACP setup to go along with my Hornady seating die and Lee Factory Crimp die. There's no major advantage to the Dillon dies cleaning wise, as you can twist out a single lock n load bushing with die in it in less than a second to clean it with some brake cleaner spray.
8. I've used the warranty, as I bought a press before serial number 7000. They've upgraded everything I had issues with the new stuff. No more issues. I can't tell the warranty in practice is any different from an RCBS or Dillon warranty. You have a problem, you call them, they send what you need. "no risk" or "no bs" adds up to about the same.
9. You get 650 performance for less money than a 550 costs.
10. Caliber changeover is less expensive than Dillon. That said, if you're going to be setting up for a single caliber and running it, this won't be a consideration.

All the above said, I wouldn't buy the Hornady Lock N Load to load professionally. I wouldn't buy a Dillon 550 or a 650 to load professionally. They are all three top notch home owner presses, but are designed for affordability, not serious manufacturing production, which you'll need to make money reloading. These presses would be ok to develop a load for progressive press reloading that's econmical and fast to load, but just aren't designed for true manufacturing running. BTW, I have worked for many years in manufacturing/indsutry and have a good bit of knowledge about what it takes in a true manufacturing environment to make money from the machines. If you're serious about getting into manufacturing ammo, first, get yourself a ammunition manufacturer's license, then get true manufacturing machines designed to work every day for at least eight hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 daya a year. Think on how many parts would wear out on a home owner machine over that period of time. Too many and you can't wait on Dillon/Hornady/RCBS/Lee to send you parts. You're losing money every second the press is down for repair & parts replacement, maintenance or whatever.

The minimum press that meets professional production is a Dillon 1050. And I mean minimum. If you want true production, you'll need to look at Camdeck's for a small business. (I hope I spelled that right, can't remember.)

I hope I've helped and not discouraged you.

Regards,

Dave

Pretty close Dave. It's Camdex and they can be found at http://camdexloader.com/index.htm. I would go with the Dillon 1050 to start with and if you get serious about the business then take a look at Camdex.

Back on mute.

Thanks, everyone! This is the kind of feedback I wanted to hear!

Dave: not at all discouraging! The 1050 was at the top of the list, I talked to Dillon today and ran the same thing by them. The advice I got based on my considerations, was to buy 2-650s. I know I'll need to upgrade when demand warrants it, so I appreciate the Camdex reference. Thanks Kenpo_Joe for the link!

I plan to start with 9mm +P, .40 S&W and .45 ACP +P with a defense specific 10mm load later, so the machines will each only get half the wear of a single commercial machine i.e. 1050. It will also cut down changeover time. Within a year, I'll probably look at upgrading if demand dictates, so I like the idea of starting with 2-650s, or even 2 L-N-L APs. I can wait a month to buy while the licensing and other formalities are arranged. If the business gets off the ground, I will grow it with multiple 1050s in a year or so and in the meantime, I'll investigate the Camdex! Thanks!