| Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2007 05:50 PM |
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KeithB
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1. I have looked at the Dillon 550B, and have seen one in operation, i like the powder charging system. I wonder if one side of the press being open where the tool head slides in weakens it?
The down side it's sort of pricey.
Is there anyplace to get a deal on Dillon stuff? Or can it only be purchased from Dillon?
2. The Lee Loadmaster press looks like a decent press for a fair price.
3. What other progressive presses do you all use?
Please comment on any or all of the above.
Thanks
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Glocks 21SF, 22 and 27, Springfield XD45acp, Taurus PT1911B (45acp), and PT99AF 9mm
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| Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2007 06:42 PM |
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2nd Post |
sdb777
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Dillon 550B
Mostly for handgun stuff....like to get a bit more personal with the rifle loadings!
Scott (Hornady makes a better) B
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| Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2007 07:00 PM |
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Dirtkicker
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Dillon 550B. Wouldn't use anything else. Not because there's anything wrong with the other progressive presses, but because of Dillon's dedication to quality and customer service. (I also use RCBS and CH single-stage presses.)
Buy direct from Dillon.
I don't think the tool-head opening weakens the press at all. It's a heavy-duty piece of equipment. If anything does happen to it, they will make it good.
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| Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2007 11:03 PM |
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4th Post |
KeithB
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The Dillon 550B does the wrench come with it, or do you have to buy it?
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Glocks 21SF, 22 and 27, Springfield XD45acp, Taurus PT1911B (45acp), and PT99AF 9mm
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10th, 2007 02:37 AM |
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Charley
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I've got two Dillon 550s. I load handgun and some rifle ammunition on them. Mine were both used, and I got them at a somewhat better price than Dillon charges. Not that they are not worth Dillon's price, just nicer to pay less.
I own and use a lot of Lee equipment, including their Classic Turret Press. I wore out one of the priginal turret presses after about 25,000 rounds. Lee progressives seem to be appreciated by those who like to tinker with stuff. Many postings on other boards about solving primer feed problems, etc. A fair number of posts from those who just said, "screw it, I can't get the MF to work". I guess I'm saying Lee progressives to tinker with, Dillon to load on with no "adjustments".
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10th, 2007 03:47 AM |
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buffybr
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I've used my Dillon 450 for over 20 years. Works great with the Dillon powder measurer for pistol reloading. For rifle reloading (including my .375 Ultra Mag) I still use the Dillon, but I weigh the powder charges.
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10th, 2007 06:13 AM |
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proman1
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I use a Dillon RL 550B to load for my revolvers, 500 S&W, 454 Casull, 44 Magnum, 357 Magnum and my semis, 45 ACP, 40 S&W, 9mm... Awesome machine and well worth the money..even if it seems pricey !!!
For my rifles I use a single stage press (Redding Ultramag) top of the line press, have loaded some insanely accurate ammo with that machine... can't praise it enough, besides it was the press that would load my 7.82 Warbird rounds, the 550B wasn't capable.... I never use a press for primer seating, a completely seperate operation always, either the Lee Auto Prime or the RCBS for the larger magnums.
No experience with Lee, Hornady or RCBS loading presses, but all have presses that I have eyeballed from time to time... some have pretty good features, kinda want to get the Hornady Lock N Load progressive, heard some good chit on that one.
Proman1
*forgot to mention*
I weigh all my powder charges for the revolvers and rifles, due to the fact I'm always working with heavy bullets and hot loads for maximum velocity/accuracy combinations...
Last edited on Mon Dec 10th, 2007 06:16 AM by proman1
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10th, 2007 12:36 PM |
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sniper-66
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Dillon 550b, even thought about a second one lately. I load all my pistol in bulk on it. I even load plinking 5.56, 7.62, and 7.62x39 on it.
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10th, 2007 12:38 PM |
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KeithB
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Thanks, the more i look, it looks like the Dillon 550B is quality
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Glocks 21SF, 22 and 27, Springfield XD45acp, Taurus PT1911B (45acp), and PT99AF 9mm
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10th, 2007 11:31 PM |
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10th Post |
Parsec
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I use the 550b for tons of 45acp. I like Dillon's no-bullshit approach to customer service.
I don't think the open toolhead is a strength issue but I have put a little aluminum shim in mine to take out any tiny wiggling around it might be doing while I'm working with it.
(I probabley didn't accomplish any measureable improvement by doing so but I feel better after having done it !)
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10th, 2007 11:49 PM |
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Black-tailed Bandit
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I like it, would not use any other progressive press. Takes some time to get set up the first time but once it is up an going it is easy to use.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 12th, 2007 12:22 AM |
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Hunter
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I favor the Hornady L-N-L progressive over the Dillon.
Here is an interesting read.
http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf
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| Posted: Wed Dec 12th, 2007 12:48 AM |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17th, 2007 07:21 PM |
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griz007
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Keith, that is an independant study and seems rather detailed. I am too looking at a Progressive Press for my handguns and with the Glock 20 near in hand(just a few more days) I am strongly considering the "red" one. The AP version of course. Why Dillon? that has always been a consideration since I have been on there mailing list for some 3 yrs now.
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17th, 2007 07:47 PM |
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KeithB
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Ever been told a movie was the worst ever, but you thought it was really good?
I guess it has to be the right machine for the one who uses it.
I looked at both, both are great machines, the LnL is a little more money.
But what clinched it fopr me was the tool head that can be removed and leave all your dies adjusted when you switch calibers.
and Dillon's no BS warranty, and i have heard story after story of how good it realy is.
Those two things pushed me to blue 
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Glocks 21SF, 22 and 27, Springfield XD45acp, Taurus PT1911B (45acp), and PT99AF 9mm
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17th, 2007 08:22 PM |
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KeithB
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I just read the study again, very good study, i missed the first read the LnL dies can be stored in the die case witt hhe LnL bushing, kinds of mutes my one point
Time will tell, who knows one day i may end up with both or all three
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Glocks 21SF, 22 and 27, Springfield XD45acp, Taurus PT1911B (45acp), and PT99AF 9mm
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2007 07:36 AM |
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griz007
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Soooo, did you buy the Dillon? Nice fit and finish for sure and to me that is always a plus-tells me quite abit of the quality control.
My wheel guns are stout in recoil and it would be nice to downsize and shoot plenty and the Progressives are the way. I just need to make up my mind which of these 2 would I opt for and just buy.......that study about sold me.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2007 07:54 AM |
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Paul Tummers
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I have a Dillon 650 and a RCBS Pro 2000.
From the view of comfort the Dillon wins, because the shell holder is auto indexing with each stroke of the ram.
I am not sure however, but do have the feeling, the enormously generously constructed cast iron frame of the RCBS will outlive the allumin frame of the Dillon, and that's why I decided to load .222Rem in the Dillon and my .308W. with the RCBS.
About quality control;My Dillon has an automatic case feeder which did not work very well, hat a dicussion about it with Dillon, and I found out myself, the engine turned the wrong way around.
I think, this should not be possible with a good quality control.
Regards,
Paul.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2007 12:31 PM |
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KeithB
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I ordered the Dillon 550b, but the Hornaday LnL was a very close second, i would love to see one in person.
With the motor turning the wrong way, in mass production, things happen, but Dillon took care of you right?
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Glocks 21SF, 22 and 27, Springfield XD45acp, Taurus PT1911B (45acp), and PT99AF 9mm
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2007 04:14 PM |
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Paul Tummers
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KeithB schreef:
With the motor turning the wrong way, in mass production, things happen, but Dillon took care of you right?
I mailed my problem to Dillon, they offered to send me some parts (which I after all did not need), parts were free, but I had to pay for shipping-not just a few dollars but they calculated generously on their behalf, which I refused, referring to their N-B warranty.
Only by accident I found out that the motor which rotated the shell plate turned the wrong way, mailed it to Dillon and advised them to check the 220V units.
I had a very good feeling after a while because a young chap in the service department could not accept that something was wrong with my dillon and had a similar set-up built up in the factory but of course his motor turned into the right direction which put him on the wrong leg in helping me.
Only after my question why they made the trouble to put an expensive steel inlet in the top of the casefeederbowl, because no case ever touched that part of the bowl,the spark jumped over and he simulated his unit also the other way around;result more shells lying on the floor than were collected in the shell tube the right way around.
A friend of my son changed something in the wiring and now everything is just fine-but not as a result of Dillon-efforts.
Paul.
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