Hornady Lock-N-Load AP vs. Dillon 650 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

rockerz71 · 10-14-2007, 01:00 AM

Which one should I get? I've read lots good about both, found one post on here where someone had a terrible experience with the hornady, and a link to this article supporting the hornady,. After reading more about the Hornady, I don't believe that the terrible quality that one person saw is a typical issue (at least not anymore) w/ the Hornady. I definitely want to load .45acp and .30-30, and more calibers in the future. I know its not all about speed, but I would like to crank out a lot of rounds in as little time as possible while being careful. If you know of any good deals I'd appreciate links -- right now I'm looking at buying direct from dillon and the hornady from cabelas. I'd like to spend as little as possible, but am willing to wait and save up if I think its worth it.

Thanks

griz · 10-14-2007, 06:19 AM

Nothing wrong with the Hornady. Solid cast iron, larger ram, smooth operation and many features you have to spend alot more money on to get similar in a Dillon. The LNL features quick change bushings to make changing calibers faster and easier. It's quicker to change calibers on the Hornady and cheaper.

Dillon makes a fine machine, no doubt. If you have the money and just have to have one, by all means. The Hornady does the job just as well, customer service is tops too. If you do go Hornady... you do get snubbed by the Dillonites.

Verk · 10-14-2007, 08:59 AM

I can't speak to the Hornady machine but I have been using a Dillion for many years. Over these many years Dillion's customer service has been, in my opinion, the gold standard.

I wish everyone stood behind their products and was as committed at Dillon is to customer service. If all things were equal between the two, I'd have to give the nod to Dillion for their customer service.

rockerz71 · 10-14-2007, 01:21 PM

Just ordered the hornady press without case feeder from midwayusa, along with a dvd about reloading, since I have no idea what I'm doing right now and also I need to figure out what other stuff I need to get

griz · 10-14-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockerz71

Just ordered the hornady press without case feeder from midwayusa, along with a dvd about reloading, since I have no idea what I'm doing right now and also I need to figure out what other stuff I need to get

Congrats!!

Now you need a good scale
A kinetic bullet puller
A caliper (either digital or dial)
Several good reloading manuals
Dies for the calibers you choose to load for
Make sure you get the right base plate for your chosen caliber
I recommend getting a Lee factory crimp die for the caliber you load for
A tumbler
Media separator
Components: bullets, primers, powder and brass
A log book to log your loads
A 5 gal bucket to toss bad brass into
A solid loading bench with space to store everything and mount your press to

And there will be more!

ichy_trigger · 10-14-2007, 05:43 PM

Congrats, I have no experience with Hornady but they seem to be good folks and should offer a good product.

rockerz71 · 10-14-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by griz

Congrats!!

Now you need a good scale
A kinetic bullet puller
A caliper (either digital or dial)
Several good reloading manuals
Dies for the calibers you choose to load for
Make sure you get the right base plate for your chosen caliber
I recommend getting a Lee factory crimp die for the caliber you load for
A tumbler
Media separator
Components: bullets, primers, powder and brass
A log book to log your loads
A 5 gal bucket to toss bad brass into
A solid loading bench with space to store everything and mount your press to

And there will be more!

Thanks for the list
I also bought a tumbler at the same time I bought the press, they have one for $50 that comes with a thing to separate the brass from the media that people said works well for the price. Hornady will be sending me 1000 free bullets so that is taken care of too.

rockerz71 · 10-16-2007, 10:10 AM

What are "shell holders" and "shell plates"? Do I need both of these for each caliber I want to load?

griz · 10-16-2007, 03:00 PM

Hornady shell plate: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...438&t=11082005

Each shell plate will accomodate a range of several calibers. Find the one you need for what you'll be loading.

rockerz71 · 10-16-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by griz

Hornady shell plate: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...438&t=11082005

Each shell plate accomodate a range of several calibers. Find the one you need for what you'll be loading.

OK cool, I'll get these and luckily they are not too expensive.

Is a "shell holder" something different that I need to get as well? My cabelas catalog lists shell plates and shell holders along with the hornady dies

10-14-2007, 01:00 AM	#1
rockerz71 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norcross, GA Posts: 2,860	Hornady Lock-N-Load AP vs. Dillon 650 Which one should I get? I've read lots good about both, found one post on here where someone had a terrible experience with the hornady, and a link to this article supporting the hornady,. After reading more about the Hornady, I don't believe that the terrible quality that one person saw is a typical issue (at least not anymore) w/ the Hornady. I definitely want to load .45acp and .30-30, and more calibers in the future. I know its not all about speed, but I would like to crank out a lot of rounds in as little time as possible while being careful. If you know of any good deals I'd appreciate links -- right now I'm looking at buying direct from dillon and the hornady from cabelas. I'd like to spend as little as possible, but am willing to wait and save up if I think its worth it. Thanks

10-14-2007, 05:43 PM	#6
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,417	Congrats, I have no experience with Hornady but they seem to be good folks and should offer a good product. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

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10-14-2007, 06:19 AM	#2
griz XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NW MO Posts: 696	Nothing wrong with the Hornady. Solid cast iron, larger ram, smooth operation and many features you have to spend alot more money on to get similar in a Dillon. The LNL features quick change bushings to make changing calibers faster and easier. It's quicker to change calibers on the Hornady and cheaper. Dillon makes a fine machine, no doubt. If you have the money and just have to have one, by all means. The Hornady does the job just as well, customer service is tops too. If you do go Hornady... you do get snubbed by the Dillonites.

10-14-2007, 08:59 AM	#3
Verk XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 334	I can't speak to the Hornady machine but I have been using a Dillion for many years. Over these many years Dillion's customer service has been, in my opinion, the gold standard. I wish everyone stood behind their products and was as committed at Dillon is to customer service. If all things were equal between the two, I'd have to give the nod to Dillion for their customer service.

10-14-2007, 01:21 PM	#4
rockerz71 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norcross, GA Posts: 2,860	Just ordered the hornady press without case feeder from midwayusa, along with a dvd about reloading, since I have no idea what I'm doing right now and also I need to figure out what other stuff I need to get

10-16-2007, 10:10 AM	#8
rockerz71 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norcross, GA Posts: 2,860	What are "shell holders" and "shell plates"? Do I need both of these for each caliber I want to load?

10-16-2007, 03:00 PM	#9
griz XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NW MO Posts: 696	Hornady shell plate: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...438&t=11082005 Each shell plate will accomodate a range of several calibers. Find the one you need for what you'll be loading.