Henry Rifle Forums

Have been using a Classic Lee Turret but I don't care for the primer set up and the turret tends to need attention. I am looking at the Dillon as it seems more durable and I don't need a progressive design. Thoughts?

Ive owned Dillon for years. Square Deal B. At one time I had 3 I have 2 now with a RCBS rock chucker for loading rifle cartridges. At one time they would rebuild them for nothing but thats all changed. They do seem to always have the parts in stock if something breaks or wears out. For loading pistols calibers the ones I have work great and yup I would buy them again. Not familiar with the model you are looking at but Im sure it would give you many years of good service.

I typed a long winded response to this thread but got bumped out of Log-in before I could post it...again.

5shot wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 23, 2025 10:44 pm

I typed a long winded response to this thread but got bumped out of Log-in before I could post it...again.

Everything seems to me working for me now. Issues are being dealt with as quickly as possible.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 23, 2025 7:34 pm

Ive owned Dillon for years. Square Deal B. At one time I had 3 I have 2 now with a RCBS rock chucker for loading rifle cartridges. At one time they would rebuild them for nothing but thats all changed. They do seem to always have the parts in stock if something breaks or wears out. For loading pistols calibers the ones I have work great and yup I would buy them again. Not familiar with the model you are looking at but Im sure it would give you many years of good service.

Thanks Al. I have a rock chucker as well and would not get rid of it. Dillon costs a bit and I would have to buy $90 caliber conversion kit for each caliber but only one time.

5shot wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 23, 2025 10:44 pm

I typed a long winded response to this thread but got bumped out of Log-in before I could post it...again.

was it a yea or a nay?

Ernie wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 24, 2025 2:02 pm

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 23, 2025 7:34 pm

Ive owned Dillon for years. Square Deal B. At one time I had 3 I have 2 now with a RCBS rock chucker for loading rifle cartridges. At one time they would rebuild them for nothing but thats all changed. They do seem to always have the parts in stock if something breaks or wears out. For loading pistols calibers the ones I have work great and yup I would buy them again. Not familiar with the model you are looking at but Im sure it would give you many years of good service.

Thanks Al. I have a rock chucker as well and would not get rid of it. Dillon costs a bit and I would have to buy $90 caliber conversion kit for each caliber but only one time.

Ernie
Dillon use to make a press that you could use anyone's dies in so you wouldn't need to buy theirs. I think its a 550 also but In not sure if they changed the model number.

The dies fit in the extra tool heads but I think you need the shell plate. Not sure. Not planning to get a powder measure.

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was it a yea or a nay?
[/quote]

I used a lot of words to say that most of my learning curve issues with a Dillon Square Deal and Hornady LNL were with the auto-indexing feature. The 550 doesn't have that and only requires a flick of your thumb. I'd say YEA.

I tried a buddy's Dillon on loan for a few weeks.

Long and short of it. I don't like having to fiddle with everything all at once. I ended up moving to a Lyman T8 turret press. I've two now and 10 heads.

I prefer to prime off the press. Either a Lee app or by hand.

I've loaded 100 30-30, 150 375 win, 25 38-55, 300 45 colt, 200 44 mag in the last two days.

I run my turret press like manual indexing progressive. I run one cartridge through all the stations.

Size,

Flare,

Powder drop

Bullet drop

Seat.

Crimp.

With the new Lee bullet drop dies, I can crank out one every few seconds.

I keep looking at the Frankford Arsenal X10 for 9mm. 40/10, 45 loads, but have held off due to reports that it is more finicky than a Dillon.

Honestly, I have more ammo loaded than I can shoot in a year. Part of what I've been doing this week is organizing everything i'ce loaded in the last 18 months so I can shoot it. I've a safe full of it, under my loading bench, in a cedar chest, and in three dozen MTM boxes. Not to mention cardboard and plastic tubs labeled for accuracy and load development.

While the turret presses may be slower than a progressive, their output still outpaces my shooting.