Best Dies for a XL650? 45 ACP, 223 and 308

[AustinTXMarine]

I finally broke down and went for a progressive press. Been working off single stage and turret presses for years. I have only used Type-S Match dies from Redding or Titanium Carbide dies for the 45 (also Redding). What should I be using (make and model numbers if possible) on a Dillon 650? Book is recommending the redding pro-series for the 45 ACP to separate out the crimp die, but don't know if I really need them. On 308 and 223, they don't seem to have any marked specific for progressive presses. Can/should I use the same ones? I would think a Series A set or Type S (non-match) would work as I am loading for volume, not necessarily to make every round a .5" group'er...

Not dedicated to just Redding, they just happen to have some of the things I prefer when reloading 338lm and 308 for precise measurements off the press. Before I make another investment I want to make sure I don't buy things I don't need or things I will be frustrated with on a the new press.

Before you ask, no, I don't plan on running 338lm on the 650....I would be out of money in under 20 minutes.

Appreciate any advice.

 

[scotharr]

Can't speak to the pistol stuff, but there is not reason you cannot continue to use your Redding rifle dies. The Whidden floating die toolheads are the way to go for the rifle stuff.

 

[Ramius]

You can't run the 338LM in your 650, the press' stroke is too short.

I use Redding bullet seaters because of the micrometer and their precision. For crimp on 45 and 223 I like Lee Factory Crimp Die (they are also inexpensive). For depriming or sizing I have used Dillon, RCBS, Redding, and Lee.

 

[sail2468]

+1 Ramius. The Redding type S micrometer is great for logging the OAL on different GN bullets for easy changes. The Lee factory crimp die is great. I haven't had one setback in an auto rifle since I started using them. I had a few with the Dillon crimp dies. I think most people discount the Lee it because it is so cheap. I don't crimp bolt gun ammo. For sizing I use the Dillon dies. For pistol ammo I use the Dillon carbide dies. The dies you have will work fine, the progressive is all about getting a smooth flow through the process.

 

[AustinTXMarine]

Thank you for the recommendations. I am sure it will take a little bit to get it running smoothly, but it sounds like the dies I have will work for the time being.

 

[Slick17]

I just recently bought the same press for 45 ACP loading and I just use the Dillon Carbide dies they sells for the 45. But the Dies you currently have should still work fine.

 

[rg1911]

In my 650, I use a mix of Dillon, Redding, RCBS, Lyman, etc., for pistol and rifle up through .30-'06. So far as I can tell from my experience, anything that works well in a single-stage press will work just fine in the 650.

Richard

 

[former naval person]

For pistol straight cases I prefer the Dillon. It has a greater bevel on the opening of the sizing die so that the case mouth doesn't hang up as much. For crimping I prefer the Lee Factory Crimp.

 

[280nosler]

Dillon for pistol, Forster or Redding for Rifle. Hornady dies are typically well made and I have yet to destroy one. I have also yet to find a set that is out of spec (can't say the same for RCBS). If a picture says a thousand words, what does this say?

 

[AustinTXMarine]

Pictures do say a thousand words....Looks very similar to my bench....all redding dies although my bullets are different types. Some Hornady, but not all of them. Thanks again all.

 

[ED_RN]

if you do not have dies then get Dillon or Redding Pro Series Die sets you get sizer, seater, and crimp die.
If you buy regular dies you get an expander die you never will use.
Regular rifle dies are fine, and you can always get a separate taper crimp die if you insist on crimping.