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Do presses get jealous?


Hoss

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When I started loading I did a ton of research on presses. Decided on a Lee Loadmaster. 1/3 the cost if a Dillon 650. I’ve been mostly pleased with it, and have loaded some 22K rounds on it. 

 

Recently a Pard who also used Lee went Blue. He says as much as he likes Lee presses, the Dillon is better. I’ve been thinking about getting one, and even looked at them on-line and watched the videos with the cute blond, and even priced one out. 

 

Tonite, loading on my Loadmaster nothing went right. Missed primers, poor powder drops, all sorts of jams. I think the Loadmaster knows I was looking at reloading porn and is jealous. Is there a cure sort of dropping about $1200 on the XL 650? 

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I don't want to trigger a nasty blue vs. red debate on The Wire, but you also might want to take a look at the Hornady Lock N Load AP press.  Midwest has the LNL for under $400!

 

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00005095100/lock-n-load-ap-auto-progressive-press

 

I just recently upgraded to the LNL and I couldn't be happier!

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With Dillon you are not only getting an incredible press, but incredible customer service!  There have been many threads on how dependable this company is.  You cannot go wrong.

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As mentioned, you can get a LNL for under 400 most of the time plus a rebate for 500 bullets.  The LNL has a spring retainer for the case that is super easy to remove and reinsert brass at any stage or even clear press anytime.  Dillon 650 is not as forgiving.  Changeovers on Hornady are about 30 bucks for a shellplate and use bushings to twist dies in and out easy, primer size change is probably 2-3 minutes tops.  Biggest pita is adjusting powder measure height so rotor articulates fully but doesnt bind.  Primer system much simpler on Hornady as it only advances a primer when you use it.  The 650 you are coordinating when a primer will come around vs when to let first piece of brass advance or pain to clear the out.

 

that said, once set up a casefeeder with a 650 is a work of art.  Powder check system is great, things just work right and feel well built.  But conversions at 200 bucks.  

 

If changeover a lot the Hornady LNL AP is pretty good.  Large runs of one or two 650.  That’s my opinion only.

 

 Oh, Hornady customer service is awesome too.  I bent something they sent me label to ship it both ways and replaced ram on press for free.

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29 minutes ago, JD Lud said:

 

 

that said, once set up a casefeeder with a 650 is a work of art.  Powder check system is great, things just work right and feel well built.  But conversions at 200 bucks.  

 

 

Um... no, they aren’t. 

https://www.dillonprecision.com/xl-650-caliber-conversion-kit_8_2_23804.html

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8 hours ago, Hoss said:

When I started loading I did a ton of research on presses. Decided on a Lee Loadmaster. 1/3 the cost if a Dillon 650. I’ve been mostly pleased with it, and have loaded some 22K rounds on it. 

 

Recently a Pard who also used Lee went Blue. He says as much as he likes Lee presses, the Dillon is better. I’ve been thinking about getting one, and even looked at them on-line and watched the videos with the cute blond, and even priced one out. 

 

Tonite, loading on my Loadmaster nothing went right. Missed primers, poor powder drops, all sorts of jams. I think the Loadmaster knows I was looking at reloading porn and is jealous. Is there a cure sort of dropping about $1200 on the XL 650? 

I was in the same boat your in at one point, i talked to lots of people and found a brand  new dillion on sale locally and got it, i went with the 650. it is a LOT better than the lee as far as quality and dependability, i have only done about 8-9k rounds though the dillion so far and can say that filling the primer tubes is awkward at best, but i love my dillion. i still have my loadmaster and use it from time to time on small runs of different calibers but it is at the end of its life span, completely worn out. every time i use the lee now i fight it and when my rich uncle gets out of the poor house i will be getting some conversion kits for the dillion and following Doc Shapiro's advice 

 

8 hours ago, Doc Shapiro said:

The cure is to throw that Lee out the back door and down the hill into the creek (yup, I did that) and buy the Dillon.  Well over 700k rounds on the Dillon, and happy with it.

 

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35 minutes ago, The Bearded Wonder said:

I was in the same boat your in at one point, i talked to lots of people and found a brand  new dillion on sale locally and got it, i went with the 650. it is a LOT better than the lee as far as quality and dependability, i have only done about 8-9k rounds though the dillion so far and can say that filling the primer tubes is awkward at best, but i love my dillion. i still have my loadmaster and use it from time to time on small runs of different calibers but it is at the end of its life span, completely worn out. every time i use the lee now i fight it and when my rich uncle gets out of the poor house i will be getting some conversion kits for the dillion and following Doc Shapiro's advice 

 

 

To answer the question: Yes Jealousy is a possibility

All gun and gun related items have a spirit. It's the luck of the draw whether the spirit is good or evil.  The evil spirits seem to be more predominate.  Why else would a gun that has served well break on the last stage of the best match you have ever shot, leaving you sobbing in frustration?

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I’ll clarify changeover...if you want to do it quickly for the 650 it’s around 200 bucks for caliber conversion and quick change.  If you want to adjust your dies and powder each time can get it for 80ish.  You can changeover Hornady fast with bushings for dies.

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I use a Dillon 550 for my cowboy loads, .38spl. I have a Lee Turret that I was going to use for .45 acp and 9mm but haven't gotten around to using it. It sits about 3 feet away from the Dillon and yes, she is jealous and angry because I don't even have any dies in her!:P

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10 hours ago, Hoss said:

When I started loading I did a ton of research on presses. Decided on a Lee Loadmaster. 1/3 the cost if a Dillon 650. I’ve been mostly pleased with it, and have loaded some 22K rounds on it. 

 

Recently a Pard who also used Lee went Blue. He says as much as he likes Lee presses, the Dillon is better. I’ve been thinking about getting one, and even looked at them on-line and watched the videos with the cute blond, and even priced one out. 

 

Tonite, loading on my Loadmaster nothing went right. Missed primers, poor powder drops, all sorts of jams. I think the Loadmaster knows I was looking at reloading porn and is jealous. Is there a cure sort of dropping about $1200 on the XL 650? 

 

Hoss:

     Personally, before making such a life-changing decision, see if you could get your Lee Loadmaster in for a session with Dr. Phil to relieve any anxieties it may have about your pressing (:P)  INFIDELITY.

5aec5b69b211d_LeePresssessionwithDrPhil.JPG.a6ae9746554b1ef1b06fa566e22b3b3e.JPG

      If you find that irreconcilable differences occur, you may need to consider a divorce.

      Before you make that decision and go with the newer, sleeker, more attractive model, listen to what your Pards are saying and glean from their experiences before making that commitment.

      Hope this little bit of levity will help clear your conscience. :P

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My presses do not get jealous.  They all have their specific areas of expertise and compliment each other quite well.  Dillon, MEC, Spolar and RCBS all get along.

 

My pistols, rifles and shotguns are another matter.  When I open my safe, they all call out to me for attention.  If I do not exercise each of them regularly, they get me back by missing targets when I finally take them to a match. 

 

Spread the love. 

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Only Lees I have is a single stage press and load all for the occasional time I put together brass shot shells.  Work ok.

Also have a Hornady LNL which works fine

Then a RCBS rock chucker 7 stage as I like to separate functions as much as possible. I looked at the Dillon but way to expensive for the seven stage.

Almost all use Lee dies and every thing seems to work

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12 hours ago, Hoss said:

When I started loading I did a ton of research on presses. Decided on a Lee Loadmaster. 1/3 the cost if a Dillon 650. I’ve been mostly pleased with it, and have loaded some 22K rounds on it. 

 

Recently a Pard who also used Lee went Blue. He says as much as he likes Lee presses, the Dillon is better. I’ve been thinking about getting one, and even looked at them on-line and watched the videos with the cute blond, and even priced one out. 

 

Tonite, loading on my Loadmaster nothing went right. Missed primers, poor powder drops, all sorts of jams. I think the Loadmaster knows I was looking at reloading porn and is jealous. Is there a cure sort of dropping about $1200 on the XL 650? 

I had a Lee 3-hole turret press for over 25 years. Loaded untold amounts of pistol ammo and a fair amount of short-action rifle. Finally, about 4 years ago, I upgraded to a Hornady LNL AP and a bunch of accessories, enough to load 9 of 14 calibers that I have. I sold the Lee and all the accessories.

 

I do have a Lee Challenger Breech Block single stage for decapping and loading BPCR.

 

I really like the Hornady. Have only loaded .45 Colt and 9mm on it so far.

 

My oldest brother has had a Dillon 550 since the 1980's, his customer number is something like 37. He wore it out and they replaced it with a new one a few years ago. I have used it a couple times and really like it.

 

Well, I was out in Scottsdale for business a last week, had a few hours to kill last Wednesday and was only 15 minutes from Dillon, so went by and bent their ear for about 45 minutes. Got back to the hotel and ordered a 550C with a few accessories and it arrived Friday afternoon. Set it up that evening, loaded about 100 rounds of .45 Colt on Saturday morning. Since then I have loaded another 300 of .45 Colt

 

Again, I really like the Hornady. I love the Dillon.

 

Now I have a Hornady LNL AP with accessories that cost around $1,100 that I am contemplating selling. Nothing wrong with the Hornady and I'm sure some others will prefer the Hornady over the Dillon. But for me, I now wish I had gone Blue a long time ago.

 

As to jealousy between presses, yes.

 

The Lee turret press started to have all kinds of issues when I first got the Hornady. At this point, I have not attempted to use the Hornady since the Dillon arrived. Only arranged everything nicely for the photos, should I ultimately decide to sell it.

 

 

 

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I've not discerned any jealousy on my bench.  My RCBS RockChucker feels just as "at home" as the two DIllons it sits next to.  I think it it has some feelings of gratitude... it doesn't need to work nearly as hard as either of my two Dillons... its hours are far shorter, but... it does the LARGE jobs that the Dillons can't handle... namely the .40-90SBN, and other specialized jobs the Dillons can't tackle.  Judging by the finished products, pride in accomplishing what they're best at, both the DIllons and the RCBS have earned their places on my bench.

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On 5/3/2018 at 9:14 PM, Hoss said:

When I started loading I did a ton of research on presses. Decided on a Lee Loadmaster. 1/3 the cost if a Dillon 650. I’ve been mostly pleased with it, and have loaded some 22K rounds on it. 

 

Recently a Pard who also used Lee went Blue. He says as much as he likes Lee presses, the Dillon is better. I’ve been thinking about getting one, and even looked at them on-line and watched the videos with the cute blond, and even priced one out. 

 

Tonite, loading on my Loadmaster nothing went right. Missed primers, poor powder drops, all sorts of jams. TI think the Loadmaster knows I was looking at reloading porn and is jealous. Is there a cure sort of dropping about $1200 on the XL 650? 

 

It's a "sign".  Go Blue.  Next shooter......

 

After finally overcoming my tight wad tendencies and buying a 650, I wondered why I put it off for so long.  Dig up your coin jar and just do it! You won't regret it AT ALL.  ;)

 

TS (if you don't buy a Dillon, then I am going to start shooting Cody Dixon................. :P:lol:)

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Just now, Two Spurs said:

 

 

It's a "sign".  Go Blue.  Next shooter......

 

After finally overcoming my tight wad tendencies and got a 650, I wondered why I put it off for so long.  Dig up your coin jar and just do it! You won't regret it AT ALL.  ;)

 

TS (if you don't buy a Dillon, then I am going to start shooting Cody Dixon................. :P:lol:)

I’ll tell Rawhide. He will prolly buy the press for me!!!!

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:lol: x 7! :lol:.  I almost spewed my cup of hot tea!

 

Hope to see ya soon!

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I went blue a few years ago and have not had great success in getting blue to coexist with red and green.  It's almost like blue goes along fine until it thinks one of the others is looking at it then starts to hiccup.  I get irritated then convert back to red for the small runs.  I think blue is workin' me :(

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I have been loading for over 30 years on a Lee Press .

Never seen a reason to spend hard earned Money on something that's Not Broken   

My Lee Turret loads as fast as I need to load and has Long long paid for itself.

 

If you Want to upgrade to Something more expensive its OK too   do So .

But its a Want Not really a Need .

 

I never Needed too do so .

I will spend my savings on Guns Harleys and Beer lol .

Rooster 

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Well, I pulled the trigger. Ordered the 650.  

 

Last night, loading on Loadmaster , 250 rounds, had 5 missing primers, one with primer upside down, 1 with primer sideways. I figured it was an omen! 

 

I’ll likely keep the LM, use it for loading BP subs, and maybe 38-55.  

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