Lee Loadmaster vs Dillon 550b

[legion]

I have no doubt that Dillon stuff is top-notch. I'll probably own one one day, but for the price of one Dillon press (albeit a top of the line one), I own five Lee presses.

[Joeaksa]

And for the quality of one Dillon, you will prolly wear five Lee presses out!

Its all what you want. I am still wearing the Rolex I bought in the PX in 1973/4 era. Its like new. I could have bought a Timex and tossed it hundreds of times. Would prefer to have something of quality.

[RacerX1166]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

And for the quality of one Dillon, you will prolly wear five Lee presses out!

Its all what you want. I am still wearing the Rolex I bought in the PX in 1973/4 era. Its like new. I could have bought a Timex and tossed it hundreds of times. Would prefer to have something of quality.

Yeah, what he said. Trust me that, if you plan on using the press, you'll want to spring for the Dillon. I've loaded literally hundreds of thousands of rounds on my two and they just kept on working.

Oh, yeah, things break, on a rare occasion. If that happens, you call Dillon and they send you replacement parts for free, no questions asked. If you look at the results from USPSA's national championships, they show the equipment the top shooters used. Things like bullet manufacturer, bullet weight, powder, holster, and what model Dillon they load on. No, I didn't mis-type...there's not even a spot for press manufacturer....it's what Dillon they use.

Do what you want but you asked for advice and those of us who have pulled the handle a bunch are always glad to share.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by RacerX1166

Yeah, what he said. Trust me that, if you plan on using the press, you'll want to spring for the Dillon. I've loaded literally hundreds of thousands of rounds on my two and they just kept on working.

Oh, yeah, things break, on a rare occasion. If that happens, you call Dillon and they send you replacement parts for free, no questions asked. If you look at the results from USPSA's national championships, they show the equipment the top shooters used. Things like bullet manufacturer, bullet weight, powder, holster, and what model Dillon they load on. No, I didn't mis-type...there's not even a spot for press manufacturer....it's what Dillon they use.

Do what you want but you asked for advice and those of us who have pulled the handle a bunch are always glad to share.

I spoke with a fellow aircraft builder/IDPA master last night who owns several Dillon 650's and echoed you're sentiments about ALL the top rated folks he competes nationally with in IDPA..... they all use Dillons. That said, I am guessing that many guys go Dillon just because they see the top guys using them. I am going to do some more research, before making my decision (but will probably end up just buying the Dillon as it is set-up and ready to go).

I am thankful that no one here has tried to tell me that I CAN'T make a Lee work.... The challenge of re-engineering and /or developing new automated accesories for them is VERY tempting.

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

[azasadny]

I've been researching progressive presses to replace my old Lyman Spar-T turret press, and I'm leaning towards the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP1000, but the Lee and Dillon are also nice equipment...

[legion]

Tim, I don't think you can make a Lee work.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by legion

Tim, I don't think you can make a Lee work.

Hey Tim,

I DO NOT think that you can BREAK a Dillon 550 or 650.

You are a pansy and doubt that you have the balls to prove me wrong!

Joe A

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Hey Tim,

I DO NOT think that you can BREAK a Dillon 550 or 650.

You are a pansy and doubt that you have the balls to prove me wrong!

Joe A

I just was watching some video of the Loadmaster. I really like the collater/ 4 tube type case feeder and the accessory bullet feeder. It looks super fast compared to the Dillon 550 videos even without the bullet feeder. Are there any semi-auto case feeders for the Dillon besides the pricy electric feeder type they offer as an accessory? The Lee auto indexes also whereas the Dillon 550 must be manully indexed.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by legion

Tim, I don't think you can make a Lee work.

Hmmm, are you questioning my mechanical prowess? By god I might just have to prove you wrong.

[Joeaksa]

The 550 is a manually indexed unit, while the 650 is full auto and does it everytime you pull the handle.

Not sure about accessories on the 550, have more experience on the 650. Call Dillon, sure that they will be glad to help.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

The 550 is a manually indexed unit, while the 650 is full auto and does it everytime you pull the handle.

Not sure about accessories on the 550, have more experience on the 650. Call Dillon, sure that they will be glad to help.

So basically the Loadmaster at $229 does the same functions as a XL650 at a little over $600 with one set of dies. Man, this decision seemed easier when I thought the Dillon 550 and Lee Loadmaster functioned the same.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

I can't add anything to the thread. And not to hijack but a reloading question. I used to reload. Going through my stuff I found a box of .44 mag reloaded in 89' 21.6 grains 2400, 210 grain JHC They never got wet. I heard if they never get wet and stored well they should be OK. Any thoughts?

As long as they weren't stored in high humidity/temp, they should be fine.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

So basically the Loadmaster at $229 does the same functions as a XL650 at a little over $600 with one set of dies. Man, this decision seemed easier when I thought the Dillon 550 and Lee Loadmaster functioned the same.

Well sorta. A 1960's Chevy Corvair has a six cylinder air cooled engine in the back.

So does a 911 of various years.

Both will get you to and from work. Which one do you really want to drive? Which one will get you across the country non-stop with no problems? Which one will be worth the same or more in 25+ years?

[Tim Hancock]

Are Federal small pistol primers back in stock anywhere yet?

[dhoward]

Buy the dillon. No question.
I've had mine for 15 years. Tens of thousands of rounds.

BTW, does the loadmaster use standard dies?

[legion]

Originally Posted by dhoward

BTW, does the loadmaster use standard dies?

Yes, everything produced in the last 20 years does.

[m21sniper]

For most people the Dillon is better, but Tim is a master machinist. The normal rules do not really apply for him IMO.

[ChrisBennet]

I have a Load Master and and Pro 1000. They are O.K. but not great. Sorta like a bicycle who's chain comes off once per ride. Actually not "sorta" - EXACTLY like a bike whose chain comes off every ride at least once.

I use the Load master for 44mag and .45ACP

• Shell feeder GREAT. Just fill the hopper and give a few shakes .
• Primer feeder "magazine" GOOD. Just fill the hopper and give a few shakes and it turns them all right side up. It does get gummed up with loose powder sometime though.
• Primer seating BAD. It relies on the "miracle of friction" for its little arm linkage to operate. If you lube it with STP (a very thick oil) it works - kinda.

The most common mode of failure is upside down or sideways primers being seated. It's been a while but I'd say it fails me about 1 out of 50 times.

I'm surprised at the complexity of the Dillon case feed (mechanical vibrating hopper isn't it?). Given how well the simple Lee one works. I wonder if Lee has patented it or something? Same thing for the primer hopper.

Tim, If you are the kind of guy to get pissed off at poor design you might want to give the Lee a pass. If on the other hand, if raising your children has given you the patience of a saint, the Lee will work fine.

-Chris

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

For most people the Dillon is better, but Tim is a master machinist. The normal rules do not really apply for him IMO.

Thats the problem here. Tim would be forever fussing with how to improve a Lee loader. Thats the last thing he needs to do. He should pull the handle and pump out rounds ready to shoot, not spend 80% of his time trying to re-engineer the puppy.

He would be simply reloading and moving ahead with the Dillon. Except for frigging Snowman, have never known of anyone having any issue with a Dillon.

[m21sniper]

I think Tim wants to fuss over how to make the Lee work better. He's a tinkerer. A machine that just works right out of the box is probably far less interesting to him.