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Posted: 11/29/2009 8:39:21 AM EDT
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Ammunition has finally reached a pain point with me where I'm no longer willing to pay today's prices for practice ammunition, and I'm seriously considering shooting HP again next year.
I used to load my own ammunition when I shot high-power service rifle some ten years or so ago. I've moved several times since then, and I can't find my press or other reloading gear. I had 4k of loaded ammo, a combination of commercial and reloaded, but I'm down to just over 1k. I've been buying $200 worth of ammo a month, but that hasn't been going as far as it used to do. I have about 5k CCI 41 primers, 4k of assorted cases and 600 55gr FMJ/BT projectiles. I've been looking for my reloading kit and the only thing I've found is my calipers. I had a RCBS Rock Chucker, Piggyback 2 kit, digital scales, etc. I used the Piggyback 2 to load .223 practice/plinking ammunition and .45 ACP pistol ammo. Since most of my ammunition is for practice/plinking, I'm looking at progressive presses. The two presses I'm looking at are the Hornady Lock N Load AP and the Dillon XL650. Each seems to have it's pros and cons. For someone who will probably be loading 500 rounds of .223 and 200 rounds of .45 ACP twice a month, does either stand out? I will be getting the automatic case feeder with either press. Thanks! Tom (Tachyon) |
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I think both are fantastic machines. I believe the dillon case feeder is less expensive.... dillon caliber conversion kits cost quite a bit but you only have to buy them once.
I own the XL650 Dillon and, I'm remembering how much of a PITA it is to trim cases... Dillon sells a system to go with the 650 that will trim your brass while you're sizing it.... that may mean something to you. Dillon will warranty your machine literally forever. I am personally glad I got the 650 but, there are a lot of folks out that that love the other machine too. |
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Unless you buy the Casefeeder skip the 650. Get the 550. It will serve your needs well. Change overs are easy and cheaper then 650. Hornady CS is not the best in the world, but Dillon is the definition of CS.
The money you save over getting a 650 with Casefeeder and a Rapid Trim will get you a Giraud. The LNL case feeder is line item, and the case feeder plate is another line item so you sort of get nickeled and dimed adding the case feeder vs dillon you get 1 case feeder plate. The upside is that Hornady supposedly has extended the bullet deal so you decrease your cash lay out. |
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