I have a single stage Rock Chucker that I have used for years. About 6 years ago, I bought Dillon 550B and set it up to load 19 different calibers. It works great and I have zero complaints. However, I do miss that fifth die station, so I have been looking at a 650. The problem is, if you think a 550B is expensive, try 19 calibers on a 650! I could buy a full custom rifle for less than that.

The Hornady LnL progressive has its big advantage in price. That is, for about a third the amount of 19 calibers on a 650, you could completely outfit a Hornady LnL.

I have seen one and played with it, but I have not loaded any ammo on it yet. I don't know about rounds per hour on the Hornady, whereas on the Dillon the numbers they advertise are fairly close. Once I set up the 550B and got used to it, I found it easy to load 450 rounds per hour with out really pushing it. With some effort, I could probably add another 50 to a 100 to that number.

The only person I found that has a Hornady LnL was unable to achieve those numbers. On his LnL, he managed about half per hours vs what he could load on his 650. I am not sure why, however. I do know he went out and bought a Dillon 650 to use for his 45. The rest of the calibers he loads on the Hornady LnL.

RobertD

I have a 20 year old Dillon 450B that I'm setting up right now to do 22.250's in. It's been a flawless performer for more than 100,000 rounds of 45 ACP.
Saying that I actually prefer manual turret presses for most of my loading and use an old Lyman 6 station and a Lee 3 station most of the time. I still have a couple of single stage presses set up also.

i have been useing a single stage press but i have been looking into geting a progresive press. i have been competing for about five or sixs mounths and would like to speed up the reloading process. i have looked at the dillon,lee and hornady. most people i have talked to say dillon is the only way to go and i would probably have one allready but they cost twice as much. do you think they are worth it or would another work as well. if so what makes them so much better. oh ya im only loading 9mm and 223 might get a 45auto [those kimbers look nice]

I have had (2) 550B for years & think they are well worth the cost. They work great & if you break anything, free fixes.

I agree the Dillon 550B is a great press. Mine is 12 years old and going strong. This press will load for both pistol and rifle. Very reliable press.

I have a 650 and a 550. Well designed, very well made, and the service is the best of any company for any product that I know of. It is the only way to fly...

Hey Jack,
I, like you, think the Dillion is kinda pricey. I'm sure it's a fine machine and well worth the price but just try and run that by my "financial manager". I got a great deal ($100) on a Hornandy Lock-n-Load from a shooting buddy. He never loaded much of anything on it or played with it enough to set it up and get it going. Since I have gotten it I have loaded .380, 9mm, .40S&W, .44Spcl, .44Mag and .270Win on it with suprising ease. The case activated powder dispenser works great for what I need. I measure about every third dump and it's damn accurate. Usually within 1 grain.
With that said, I must say that for extreme accuracy I always go back to my RCBS RS5 single stage. I load pistol ammo (plinking and personal defense) only for myself but the .270's that I have loaded were for a cousin's husband who was only looking for deer/hog MOA. I randomly took three cartridges out of a batch of 100 and fired a group of .6 with his rifle. That was with a load of H4831SC right out of the book and no load development. He was satisfied and I was running behind on my son's and my hunting loads.
It took about 30-45 minutes to set the press up for the .270Win and about 15 mins to run off 100 rds! If you're loaded for numerous pistols it's even easier and quicker to set up and run since there's very little difference in most pistol case dimensions.
I love the Hornady L-N-L, but then I've never tried any other brand of progressive. Hope this helps. Johnny K.

You might check out the RCBS Pro 2000, I don't have any complaints about mine. Real slick. That APS priming system is sure nice too, my only complaint on that is the primer stripper clips are a 25 count. Not really a problem though.

I have the Dillon 550 and would recommend it to everyone. The dillon is a quality machine that works very well when you want it to. The only real problem that I have had with mine is that it doesn't like to work with CCI small pistol primers. I've heard that they have fixed that problem now though.

As far as accurate ammo. My 06 loads will shoot into around .8" from my two Mausers and into the .3" range on the Son's Rem 721. All loaded on the 550.

Buy quality the first time, then the junk won't P*$$ you off when your trying to load.

Jack, the dillon is the top of the line in quality, design AND price. My new 650 cost nearly $1,500.00 with 6 caliber conversion kits, case feeder, and powder sensor. .223, 40 s&w, .357 mag, 45 long colt, 45 acp, and .308.





It's set up for .223 in these pictures. That's a hornady case activated linkage for their powder measure. It makes it easier to get accurate powder charges than with the dillon measure.

I still use my co-ax a lot for my bolt guns and .44 mag loading.