Dillon or Hornady ? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**Straight-Shooter** · 11-26-2006, 07:38 AM

You ever get ready for a big purchase and just research the internet till your near brain dead ? Ugh... that's about my position as of now

I'm trying to decide between the Hornady LNL or the Dillon 550B. People have said the price for caliber changes on the hornady is less expensive than the dillon but from what I've seen, this is not the case.

I'm basically inquirying as to which press is easier for caliber changes time wise and simplicity. Also which press has a better powder metering system and reliable primer setup. Of course, costs for caliber change.

Dillon certainly appears to have a good edge on the competition as far as a no BS warranty and have heard good things about their service. Hornady appears to have taken care of their customers also but i'm skeptical about their longevity further down the road in the future.

Well peoples - Is it gonna be Blue, Red or Green Koolaid.

**Old School** · 11-26-2006, 07:50 AM

I am on my third Dillon loader and could not be happier. I have learned many things in life; one of them being that you get what you pay for when it comes to reloading presses. If you want to buy one press and have it for the rest of your life, get a Dillon.

Dillon products are very well made and their No BS warranty is the real deal. I need a $3 screw. They overnighted it to me.

OS

Bidah · 11-26-2006, 08:06 AM

My only problem with my Dillon is that it is a hungry sucker..

I also wish that I had spent a little more and gotten the 650..

I suppose if you used all Dillon dies, then yes, it would be more. I started out with my Lee dies, and have converted as I could.

I have zero experience with Hornady progressive presses, and I do not know anyone that reloads (locally) that uses one to go ask.

-Bidah

**Loves2Shoot** · 11-26-2006, 02:37 PM

My Dillon 1050's have been worth every cent. I hate reloading and crankning out great ammo at 100 rounds every 4 minutes is nice.

Most everyone I know gets a Dillon eventually and wonder why they didn't do it sooner.

The Knight Of Light · 11-26-2006, 02:40 PM

I want 5 more dillons. I know they swap calibres very easily but who cares!! I want to load.........

Hmmmmm...........

45!

No.......

9mm!

No......

44mag!

no......

I wouldn't be able to decide then....

May one dillon is enough for now.

never!! I will have 5 !!!!!!!

XD-45 · 11-26-2006, 02:55 PM

I have an older Hornady Projector (1993). Works great easy change over between calibers. Never used a Dillon.

**Straight-Shooter** · 11-26-2006, 05:28 PM

I guess i'm hesitating on the dillon because I don't completely understand it's concept for dispensing powder. I seen the quick change kit but will that move from toolhead to toolhead easily or do I need quick change kit for each toolhead? The charge bars look to be a pain to adjust each time I change calibers. Also and I hope this question isn't too out there but will the Lee Auto Disk on the Lee Powder Die work on the dillon ?

griz · 11-26-2006, 05:59 PM

I also have a Hornady Projector and have absolutely no complaints. The only advantage I could even think Dillon has on it would be if I could just load the components, walk away and come back to find all my ammo loaded, boxed and ready to shoot!

Seriously, both make great products. Dillon has a following. I've never been much of a conformer and prefer a different path from the masses. I like my Hornady and have no compelling reason to change to blue.

Besides, much like Microsoft... Mr. Dillon has enough machine guns (largest privately owned collection in the US), private jets with mounted .50's, and helicopters without me contributing to his wealth.

SteveW1958 · 11-26-2006, 07:04 PM

I load on a Dillon 550. If you use quick change kits (which include the powder dispenser toolhead & powder die) you only have to set your dies and calibrate the powder measure once. You will need a quick change kit for each additional caliber you load. One comes with the press. Change over from one caliber to the other using this method takes about 1-3 mins depending on if you need to change the shell plate. Of course you should measure & verify the powder drop before you start loading. I also have a auto casefeeder on mine and it adds about 1 more min to the change over. Dillon is a great company to deal with and their products are top notch. I believe someone makes a adapter for the lee powder measure to fit on the Dillon.

Sabo2r · 11-27-2006, 04:46 PM

I have the Hornady, and find that I enjoy my time with it very much.

Changeover from one caliber to the next can be accomplished in under 5 minutes, once your dies are set. The Lock'n'Load system gives you considerable flexibility for adding "accessory stations", such as powder-checking or crimp dies in whatever station you choose. (The case ejector wire resides in the 5th station and may have to be rotated out of the way for some operations in that station.) You can still store your dies in their original containers with the bushings in place.

My case activated powder measure has worked just fine for me in every caliber I load, and has been very consistant, but I have heard that others have experienced difficulties. Having a second, or even a third powder measure, would speed changeover time if you change powders often. The Hornady powder measure thimble can quickly be changed also, easing changeover between calibers, if you keep multiples on hand.

I have used the auto-priming mechanism on my press with no problems, but I confess I prefer to hand-prime as a precaution against high primers.

In all, my only complaint is the cost of adding a caliber (die set, shell plate, L'n'L bushings, new cartridge components), and that is quite likely to be the case with any color press you choose. sab

11-26-2006, 07:38 AM	#1
Straight-Shooter XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: South Bend, Indiana Posts: 787	Dillon or Hornady ? You ever get ready for a big purchase and just research the internet till your near brain dead ? Ugh... that's about my position as of now I'm trying to decide between the Hornady LNL or the Dillon 550B. People have said the price for caliber changes on the hornady is less expensive than the dillon but from what I've seen, this is not the case. I'm basically inquirying as to which press is easier for caliber changes time wise and simplicity. Also which press has a better powder metering system and reliable primer setup. Of course, costs for caliber change. Dillon certainly appears to have a good edge on the competition as far as a no BS warranty and have heard good things about their service. Hornady appears to have taken care of their customers also but i'm skeptical about their longevity further down the road in the future. Well peoples - Is it gonna be Blue, Red or Green Koolaid.

11-26-2006, 07:50 AM	#2
Old School XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 7,696	I am on my third Dillon loader and could not be happier. I have learned many things in life; one of them being that you get what you pay for when it comes to reloading presses. If you want to buy one press and have it for the rest of your life, get a Dillon. Dillon products are very well made and their No BS warranty is the real deal. I need a $3 screw. They overnighted it to me. OS __________________ Visit www.pistolgear.com for all of your XD needs!

11-26-2006, 02:37 PM	#4
Loves2Shoot XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 2,837	My Dillon 1050's have been worth every cent. I hate reloading and crankning out great ammo at 100 rounds every 4 minutes is nice. Most everyone I know gets a Dillon eventually and wonder why they didn't do it sooner. __________________ www.SpringerPrecision.com The XD Specialists - Our web store is now online!

11-26-2006, 02:40 PM	#5
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska(sublocated at a Sandy location far, far away) Posts: 8,874 Blog Entries: 13	I want 5 more dillons. I know they swap calibres very easily but who cares!! I want to load......... Hmmmmm........... 45! No....... 9mm! No...... 44mag! no...... I wouldn't be able to decide then.... May one dillon is enough for now. never!! I will have 5 !!!!!!! __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #L3077 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

11-26-2006, 07:04 PM	#9
SteveW1958 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: SW PA Posts: 385	I load on a Dillon 550. If you use quick change kits (which include the powder dispenser toolhead & powder die) you only have to set your dies and calibrate the powder measure once. You will need a quick change kit for each additional caliber you load. One comes with the press. Change over from one caliber to the other using this method takes about 1-3 mins depending on if you need to change the shell plate. Of course you should measure & verify the powder drop before you start loading. I also have a auto casefeeder on mine and it adds about 1 more min to the change over. Dillon is a great company to deal with and their products are top notch. I believe someone makes a adapter for the lee powder measure to fit on the Dillon. Last edited by SteveW1958; 11-26-2006 at 07:11 PM.

11-26-2006, 08:06 AM	#3
Bidah XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Isolated, Montana Posts: 704	My only problem with my Dillon is that it is a hungry sucker.. I also wish that I had spent a little more and gotten the 650.. I suppose if you used all Dillon dies, then yes, it would be more. I started out with my Lee dies, and have converted as I could. I have zero experience with Hornady progressive presses, and I do not know anyone that reloads (locally) that uses one to go ask. -Bidah

11-26-2006, 02:55 PM	#6
XD-45 XDTalk Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Altoona, PA Posts: 65	I have an older Hornady Projector (1993). Works great easy change over between calibers. Never used a Dillon.

11-26-2006, 05:28 PM	#7
Straight-Shooter XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: South Bend, Indiana Posts: 787	I guess i'm hesitating on the dillon because I don't completely understand it's concept for dispensing powder. I seen the quick change kit but will that move from toolhead to toolhead easily or do I need quick change kit for each toolhead? The charge bars look to be a pain to adjust each time I change calibers. Also and I hope this question isn't too out there but will the Lee Auto Disk on the Lee Powder Die work on the dillon ?

11-26-2006, 05:59 PM	#8
griz XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NW MO Posts: 781	I also have a Hornady Projector and have absolutely no complaints. The only advantage I could even think Dillon has on it would be if I could just load the components, walk away and come back to find all my ammo loaded, boxed and ready to shoot! Seriously, both make great products. Dillon has a following. I've never been much of a conformer and prefer a different path from the masses. I like my Hornady and have no compelling reason to change to blue. Besides, much like Microsoft... Mr. Dillon has enough machine guns (largest privately owned collection in the US), private jets with mounted .50's, and helicopters without me contributing to his wealth.

11-27-2006, 04:46 PM	#10
Sabo2r XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Neb Posts: 110	Hornady LnL I have the Hornady, and find that I enjoy my time with it very much. Changeover from one caliber to the next can be accomplished in under 5 minutes, once your dies are set. The Lock'n'Load system gives you considerable flexibility for adding "accessory stations", such as powder-checking or crimp dies in whatever station you choose. (The case ejector wire resides in the 5th station and may have to be rotated out of the way for some operations in that station.) You can still store your dies in their original containers with the bushings in place. My case activated powder measure has worked just fine for me in every caliber I load, and has been very consistant, but I have heard that others have experienced difficulties. Having a second, or even a third powder measure, would speed changeover time if you change powders often. The Hornady powder measure thimble can quickly be changed also, easing changeover between calibers, if you keep multiples on hand. I have used the auto-priming mechanism on my press with no problems, but I confess I prefer to hand-prime as a precaution against high primers. In all, my only complaint is the cost of adding a caliber (die set, shell plate, L'n'L bushings, new cartridge components), and that is quite likely to be the case with any color press you choose. sab __________________ The two loudest sounds in the world are a click when it should\'ve gone bang, and a bang when it should\'ve gone click.

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