Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one? (Read 11599 times)

michalebsdad

Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« on: April 29, 2013, 10:37:24 PM »
   Based on the cost and availability of ammo, I am going to get back into reloading. The question of the day...which brand should I go with? I was looking at Dillon Precision and Hornady? Should I be looking for a different one all together? What are your thoughts?

oldfart

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2013, 11:40:31 PM »
It depends mostly on what calibers you need to load.
So...what calibers are you talking about here?

I suspect most serious loaders own at least 2 presses. A solid O-frame single for rifle and a progressive for pistol.

You can't go wrong with an RCBS or Lyman single. They pretty much wrote the book on reloading.
The cheaper LEE press is probably ok too.

You can't go wrong with a Dillon progressive. They wrote the book on modern progressive presses.
I would not consider any other progressive press. period.
What, Me Worry?

Fabtek94

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2013, 06:48:02 AM »
Redding makes great single and turret presses :thumbsup:

michalebsdad

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2013, 07:03:32 AM »
It depends mostly on what calibers you need to load.
So...what calibers are you talking about here?

reloading just pistol for now...9mm and .40

ren

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2013, 07:14:28 AM »
The Hornady LnL progressive is cheaper for caliber changes. The Dillon is a bit more expensive
Deeds Not Words

powder monkey

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2013, 07:19:29 AM »
co-ax for rifle
« Last Edit: April 30, 2013, 07:42:31 AM by powder monkey »

Hi state

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2013, 07:28:33 AM »
The Hornady LnL progressive is cheaper for caliber changes. The Dillon is a bit more expensive
+1 on that the hornady has the better bang for your buck, and after using a dillon 550 i think the hornady press runs alittle smoother and has a better powder measure plus dillon has a really long back order on their presses right now. i also have a rcbs single stage and turret press can't go wrong with them as well,the rcbs and hornady powder measures work great and are very similar

dirsh

ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
╾━╤デ╦︻

michalebsdad

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2013, 07:25:24 PM »
Thanks everyone! Your input is most appreciated!

oldfart

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2013, 08:06:55 PM »
co-ax for rifle
==================
I don't think those are made any more, are they?
I actually use that for rifle too.
What, Me Worry?

oldfart

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2013, 08:13:12 PM »
+1 on that the hornady has the better bang for your buck, and after using a dillon 550 i think the hornady press runs alittle smoother and has a better powder measure plus dillon has a really long back order on their presses right now. i also have a rcbs single stage and turret press can't go wrong with them as well,the rcbs and hornady powder measures work great and are very similar
=======================
+1 on RCBS for their Uniflow powder measure. I use one and it is wonderful.
What, Me Worry?

powder monkey

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2013, 09:36:19 PM »
==================
I don't think those are made any more, are they?
I actually use that for rifle too.

used to be bonaza.......now sold under forster products........... :thumbsup:
« Last Edit: April 30, 2013, 11:54:37 PM by powder monkey »

oldfart

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #12 on: April 30, 2013, 10:20:53 PM »
used to be bonnaza.......now sold under forster products........... :thumbsup:
===============
yeah, I see them listed as Forster now. They run about $300. Mine is a Bonanza.
I also see some on fleabay currently about $150 and rising.
This would be a great rifle press if you can get one.  No need worry about shell holders.
No need to "screw" around with your dies!
What, Me Worry?

zippz

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #13 on: April 30, 2013, 10:54:30 PM »
Depends on the following:
1.  What calibers?
2.  How much volume?
3.  How much you willing to pay?

If you don't shoot much, like a hundred rounds a month, you could get a single stage lee press with accessories about $250.  A lee turret press with accessories, about $450 will help with higher volumes.  This would be the starting point at the lower end of the scale.

Funtimes

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #14 on: April 30, 2013, 11:12:43 PM »
Dillon or bust; I would personally only, ever, recommend the 650 to any other person wanting to reload. :P

Lifetime warranty does it for me, and dillon's customer service so far has been excellent.
Check out the Hawaii Defense Foundation.
HDF on Facebook
Defender of the Accused in Arkansas Courts
Posts are not legal advice & are my own, unless said so.

powder monkey

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #15 on: May 01, 2013, 12:01:57 AM »
===============
yeah, I see them listed as Forster now. They run about $300. Mine is a Bonanza.
I also see some on fleabay currently about $150 and rising.
This would be a great rifle press if you can get one.  No need worry about shell holders.
No need to "screw" around with your dies!


haha.............yeah got my about 25 years ago
all depends on what you looking for and how much you want to spend

any press will work..............hell even the a lee loader (the 1 you got to pound with a mallet) can load ammo

oldfart

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #16 on: May 01, 2013, 06:54:56 AM »
found this comparison
http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf
====================
I read the essay and I have to agree with most everything the author says.
For those who have not read the essay, it was a toss up between a Dillon and Hornady. The author chose Hornady by a nose.
However the author could only compare 1 Dillon press against the Hornady. Dillon makes, or has made, many flavors of progressive machines over the years.

My take on the choice between Dillon and Hornady is that progressive machines are Dillon's bread and butter and it is only a sideline for Hornady.
So when it comes to tech support and parts, there is no comparison. Dillon wins on that count. The author casually glosses over this aspect saying they are equal.
I disagree.
What, Me Worry?

Dogadobo

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #17 on: May 01, 2013, 10:35:23 AM »
Dillon 550 for pistols
Forster Bonanza for rifles
 :shaka:

Funtimes

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #18 on: May 01, 2013, 02:40:25 PM »
Dillon 550 for pistols
Forster Bonanza for rifles
 :shaka:

I would definitely go the $200 bucks more for the 650.  I wish I could take my choice of a 550 back and go 650... so much easier lol.
Check out the Hawaii Defense Foundation.
HDF on Facebook
Defender of the Accused in Arkansas Courts
Posts are not legal advice & are my own, unless said so.

Dogadobo

Re: Reloading equipment...Dillon? Hornady? Another one?
« Reply #19 on: May 01, 2013, 07:25:55 PM »
I would definitely go the $200 bucks more for the 650.  I wish I could take my choice of a 550 back and go 650... so much easier lol.

Yup - way back then -
Now that I think of it...
 
Shoulda
Woulda
Coulda