This is a post I made on the Glock Talk site - It was the last in about 47 replies conerning the Dillon equipment I was / am trying to sell - It sure started a furball - I thought it might be some fun here also - I put my money where my mouth is - If you want to but some Dillon Equipment for what I think are give away prices send me a PM. Have fun - Jerry
This thread has become a discussion of Lee Load Master Vs. Dillon equipment. I was just trying to sell some stuff. Why don't we end this? I appreceiate all the responses.
Since I started this, maybe I can have the last word.
Dillon is great equipment - I bought my first Dillon on their invoice #374. dated 2/29/1984. (Kept the invoice inside the manual) It is the 450 I am trying to sell. It came with the .45 ACP conversion and I ordered and additional .38 Spec conversion. The total invoice, shipped COD was $206.00. Guys, that means I have been using Dillon equipment for 28 years. During that period that machine or in combination the other two Dillon presses I have / had (sold the 550) have reloaded 500 to 1,000 rounds per month. Do the math - that is at least 168,000 rounds. I know a little something about the Dillon equipment I have owned. I doubt there are many members of this forum - that can document their experience back further than I.
I have only broken one part, the plastic primer magazine follower rod and that was my fault. I did wear out the wave bushings on the SDB. Dillon did not only send me two sets of replacement bushings, a complete new style primer feed assembly, but I asked for and received a replacement auto index assembly - all for free. Now is that good service or what!
All of my Dillon machines have had occasional primer mis-feeds. Either up-side-down primers or the dreaded primer in the cup sideways. I say dreaded, because that meant getting out the hex wrenches to loosen the primer feed to clear the jam. I don't think I am alone. A couple of years ago Dillon began offering a set of hex wrenches that came with a bracket that mounts to the press. Their claim - "No more hunting for the right wrench". Why do you think Dillon is doing that?
However, unless you have tried to load 500 rounds per month on a single stage press, as I was doing before I bought the Dillon - you cannot understand the pleasure I had in getting a loaded round every time I pulled the handle. Clearing the occasional primer jam was nothing compared to the production increase afforded by my Dillon equipment. Up-side-down primers were / are a non-event. Didn't even notice them until I was boxing the ammo to take to the range.
If I were going to use Dillon equipment, knowing what I know now - I would have purchased only the SDB and the RF 100 primer filler. With this setup I can load nearly as fast as with the Lee and you get that great Dillon warranty and customer service.
Now that I have stated the above, the Lee Load Master - in my experience - only about 2,000 rounds - is not only significantly faster than the Dillon equipment - it is less subject to primer feed problems and best of all is much less expensive! It is not just a better reloader for the money - but better reloader period.
Thanks to all that responded - if you want to purcase any of my remaining equipment please contact me soon - as it will all be going to E-Bay.
Thanks,
Jerry