Dillon, Hornady, Lee comparison

[Jekemi]

Here's a great article that compares the Dillon 650XL, the Hornady LNL AP, and the Lee Loadmaster. While I'm still partial to the Dillon this is a good comparison.

[lee]

Great post. Thanks fer shar'un!   

[Sportfury]

Thanks for sharing that was interesting. You see what the guy was talking about in the start of the article all the time.

[6x6in6]

Very interesting read, thank you!!

[actionshooter]

That's a fair review.

[Jekemi]

It's been three months. Just topped 3,000 rounds, give or take a few on my Dillon 650 XL. Primarily 9mm, .40 S&W, and 7.62x39. Getting the hang of Dillon's idiosyncrasies. Finding many very good after-market accessories online that make the Dillon progressive press a joy to use. Finally got my aluminum roller handle, which was supposed to be sent with the original order. Dillon customer service is great. Bent a de-capping pin on the Dillon sizing die and they sent me a new pin and brass cap in a couple of days - no charge. I added knurled knobs to everything that originally required an Allan wrench. This really speeds up caliber changes. Found a cool device to stop the primer system from advancing primers, which really is helpful when making adjustments. Caliber change is not as fast as on the Lee Loadmaster but that's probably the only advantage I ever saw on the Lee. Finally finished my home-made automatic case feeder. It's a little buggy but I'll work out the kinks. If anyone wants to know how to make one I'll be happy to provide directions. It will work on virtually any auto-progressive press. Very low cost (less than $60) to make.

[Jim the Plumber]

It's been three months. Just topped 3,000 rounds, give or take a few on my Dillon 650 XL. Primarily 9mm, .40 S&W, and 7.62x39. Getting the hang of Dillon's idiosyncrasies. Finding many very good after-market accessories online that make the Dillon progressive press a joy to use. Finally got my aluminum roller handle, which was supposed to be sent with the original order. Dillon customer service is great. Bent a de-capping pin on the Dillon sizing die and they sent me a new pin and brass cap in a couple of days - no charge. I added knurled knobs to everything that originally required an Allan wrench. This really speeds up caliber changes. Found a cool device to stop the primer system from advancing primers, which really is helpful when making adjustments. Caliber change is not as fast as on the Lee Loadmaster but that's probably the only advantage I ever saw on the Lee. Finally finished my home-made automatic case feeder. It's a little buggy but I'll work out the kinks. If anyone wants to know how to make one I'll be happy to provide directions. It will work on virtually any auto-progressive press. Very low cost (less than $60) to make.

Sounds interesting. Do you have any pictures of the case feeder?

[actionshooter]

 Gave this thread more thought and figured I would post my experiences.
  I have been shooting IPSC and 3-gun since 1996, loaded way over 100K (mostly .40 .45 and .308) on Dillon presses, a 1050 and a 650. I have been completely satisfied. The customer service can't be beat. I even bought a used 650 and sent it back for a tune up and it cost me about $60, and they completely upgraded it to the current configuration.

 I have no experience with the Lee progressive and I don't know of anyone who uses them. My opinion, but I think that says something.

A few guys use the Hornady and really haven't heard anything negative, my neighbor just bought the newest model and I am curious to see how well it works.

 When I started shooting I just jumped right in line with the blue crowd (not sure there was another progressive anyway) and its worked out great.

[Jekemi]

Home built Automatic Case Feeder: I'll gather up some pictures and post them. I installed a Double Pole, Double Throw switch, which allows me to reverse the direction of the motor. This is essential in case of a jam. Here's the basic idea: My home made case feeder for my Dillon XL650.

[Buzz2401]

Got over 40K thru a Hornady L-N-L and very happy with it.   I have wanted to "upgrade" to a Dillion but after reading that I may just stick with what I got.

[actionshooter]

I just found an article in January/Febuary issue of Front Sight, which is the magazine for USPSA (US IPSC) and found it really interesting. They surveyed the shooters from the 2013 USPSA Nationals, they do this every year and ask each competitor, which gun, powder bullet, ect.
 They also ask which press, this years stats.
 Numbers of shooters were 486

 463 shooters used Dillon reloaders
 10 used the Hornady
 4   used the RCBS progressive
 9   used the LEE progressive

 I found this interesting, thought it would a little more spread out.