Progressive Reloading Presses Which one to use?

[njsbd]

I currently use a RCBS single stage press loading for .500L,454Cau.,45Lc ,45acp,and41mag. In rifle cart.50-110,50 alaskan, and 38-55 Been reloading for 30+yrs. I had a Rcbs 2000 a few years ago did not like all the problems in the primer feeding area ,and gave it away. I have been reading about the Dillion 550/650 and Hornady. Thanks in advance for help feed back and/or suggestions

[smirker]

I load all my handgun ammo(12 Calibers) on a Dillion 550.Would be lost without it.I only load 1 rifle caliber (.223 ball)on the Dillion.Every thing else on a old Lyman Orange Crusher.Dillion would be my First Choice.

[boxhead]

I went around and around with this two years ago and landed on the Hornady. I am very pleased with my decision though only a few hindred rounds have been loaded. Go to the Smart Reloader website and you will find good information on all of them. Also, Midway's site will provide a number of reviews on the Hornady, quite a number by Dillon users.

[jforwel]

I've had my Dillon 550B since 1983 and love it. I load about nine handgun calibers on it and use my Rockchucker for four rifle calibers. I do leave my 44spl/mag dies set up on an old Lyman Spar T press.

[AxeHandle]

Dillon made everyone who wanted to sell a quality progressive loader belly up to the bar.. I've owned the Dillon 450, 550, Square Deal, and a 1050. As the years pile on I find that a single stage satisfies my requirements most of the time. The Hornady loader looks good but my old 550 does my progressive tasks.

[derekr]

The only one I have ever owned is the Dillon 550B, so I can't offer a comparison. The only fault I have ever found with the Dillon is the cost of it.

[Boge Quinn]

Dillon 550B.

www.gunblast.com/Dillon550.htm

[ohnomrbillk]

Dillon 550 has served me well for a long time.

[wickerbill]

I absolutely love my Dillon 550.
Bill

[Frank V]

I do most of my handgun reloading on a Dillon 550 that I bought used.
I called Dillon just after I bought it & told them I'd bought a 550 from a fellow & asked if their warranty was for the original owner only. I was told heck no, we warrant our presses not the owner. The warranty is in effect.
I've had only minimal trouble for the # of rounds loaded with it. I'd say if I were buying a new press, I'd get a Dillon they are worth the money & the guarantee is super. I like it.
Frank

[rancherbob13]

I have a Dillon 550B and load 10 different pistol and rifle cartridges on it. On a business trip last month I was in Scottsdale and managed to stop by Dillon's HQ before heading to the airport. I was given a tour and treated very well. I got to meet the employees at their workbenches assembling the presses and the various parts - great folks and the lowest tenured employee I met was about 10 years! Great success story in business too - Mike Dillon started his business in his garage in the 70's. Buy the Dillon....I too have several RCBS single stages - however most of my production is on the Dillon.

[nicholst55]

I have a Dillon 550B, and am mostly satisfied with it. So, I guess I should tell you to drink the blue kool-aid! The two weak points on the 550 are the priming system and the powder measure. The priming system needs to be cleaned pretty frequently, because all of the primer ash falls onto the primer slide when you size and decap your brass. A lot of folks decap their brass on a single stage first, and then just size and prime at position #1 on the Dillon to avoid this. Switching the primer feed from large to small (or vice-versa) is somewhat tedious, and I see a lot of folks who have two 550s - one permanently set up for each size of primer. An expensive solution to the problem, to be sure!

The Dillon powder measures are notorious for being difficult to adjust - well, difficult is possibly too strong of a word; let's try frustrating. Also, they're not terribly consistent with long grain IMR-type powders. Most folks are happy to get variations of plus or minus .2 grains with extruded powder in a Dillon measure.

All that said, many of the big name rifle and pistol teams use Dillon loaders - the U.S. Palma Team, the U.S.M.C. team at Quantico, and others.

I think that the current Hornaly LNL reloader is probably a bit more refined than the Dillon 550B; IMHO either machine would meet probably 99% of reloader's requirements.

[TEXASFIVEGUN]

I love my 550B and load several thousand rounds a year on it. Dillon does not make a 500 Linebaugh conversion kit for the 550 but if you will call them they can put one together for you. A 348 Winchester shell holder and buttons along with a 50 AE powder funnel does the job. To clean the primer system pull two Allen head screws and dry brush about every 1,200 rounds or so. Use NO LUBE on the primer system, run it dry. To change primer sizes get a extra primer assembly (most of the parts come with the machine) then it takes about two minutes.

[njsbd]

Thaks everyone for all the responses.It has been enlighting.

[greygt]

njsbd
I worked for Dillon in production,sales and the warranty repair line, The 550 would make a great choice for what you are looking for. The 650 is also a good (but more exspensive) choice but is but is fussy and can act up a lot.