Dillon dies in their press

[Genius.]

I'm considering getting a dillon for my handgun loads. I have heard that you need to use certain dies in progressive presses... Is that true? I'm assuming it's just Dillon trying to get you to buy their dies.

Right now I have Redding and RCBS, I really don't feel like buying a 3rd set if I don't need to.

So my question, is it nessisary to get a set of Dillon does with a progressive press?

 

[normbal]

Re: Dillon dies in their press

Any similarly threaded die (which is most all of them) will fit Dillon presses.

I've owned an RL550B and now use an XL650 and have used Redding, RCBS and even Lee dies (rifle AND pistol). Thing with Lee dies is they are really short, you'll think they won't fit but they do.

Have fun.

Pic from a few years back (think it's up to about 57,000 right now).

 

[JayCarver]

Re: Dillon dies in their press

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: normbal</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any similarly threaded die (which is most all of them) will fit Dillon presses.

I've owned an RL550B and now use an XL650 and have used Redding, RCBS and even Lee dies (rifle AND pistol). Thing with Lee dies is they are really short, you'll think they won't fit but they do.

Have fun.

Pic from a few years back (think it's up to about 57,000 right now).

</div></div>

Do you have any details on how the counter is set up? I have been wanting to set up a counter in my 550b.

Thanks

 

[sawgunner2001]

Re: Dillon dies in their press

The Dillon Square Deal B requires the use of Dillon dies. Dies in a Square Deal B are not the same as in any other press. But if you're only gonna load handgun ammo on the progressive, don't let that dissuade you from the Square Deal B. Its a great little press.

 

[pcschwenke]

Re: Dillon dies in their press

As saugunner2001 mentioned, the square deal does use special dies but, all the other presses use the standard dies. If you are going to load handgun, be sure to buy carbide dies. If you do so, you will never need to lube your pistol cases. Dillon carbide dies are great but, any brand should work fine. I have a square deal, 550, and 650 in my armory.

 

[Rookie]

Re: Dillon dies in their press

I didnt start out using Dillon Dies but now I at least use a Dillon sizer die for all my pistol loading. It has a radiused mouth, allowing easier alignment for the case to enter. This is a great feature on a progressive press.

The one exception to that is for loading 40 S&W. That case swells so much near the case head that its next to impossible to have a sizer die work 100%. I use a Lee Undersize die for 40 reloads.

Lastly I use a Lee factory crimp die on all pistol reloads.

The above pretty much guarantees that all pistol reloads, regardless of caliber will pass through a case gage.

 

[awp762]

Re: Dillon dies in their press

The dillon carbide dies are supposed to have a larger radius mouth than redding dies, at least according to Dillon. I use Redding Competition Pro Series Carbide 3-Die Sets for all of my pistol loads w/o any issues on my 650. I did use dillon dies in it when i first got my press since it came with .40 & .45 dies.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: Dillon dies in their press

The Lee dies work in a Dillon 550. I always put the lock-nut on the bottom of the die-plate thou.

 

[normbal]

Re: Dillon dies in their press

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JayCarver</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: normbal</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any similarly threaded die (which is most all of them) will fit Dillon presses.

I've owned an RL550B and now use an XL650 and have used Redding, RCBS and even Lee dies (rifle AND pistol). Thing with Lee dies is they are really short, you'll think they won't fit but they do.

Have fun.

Pic from a few years back (think it's up to about 57,000 right now).

</div></div>

Do you have any details on how the counter is set up? I have been wanting to set up a counter in my 550b.

Thanks</div></div>

I bought the counter from someone on ebay way back when (2003?). Simple setup. Bolts onto the case feeder support and an L-shaped bracket is tripped by the shell plate every time you raise the platform. Think it was about a $25 thing. Dillon USED TO sell a counter that was held down by the bullet seating or crimping die, had a little rod which dropped into the die and was tripped every time a bullet pushed into it. These are rare as honest politicians, I bid on a few way back when, but recall them selling for upwards of $60-75.

 

[normbal]

Re: Dillon dies in their press

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1lnbrdg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Lee dies work in a Dillon 550. I always put the lock-nut on the bottom of the die-plate thou.</div></div>

D'oh!

That'll work. Hadn't thought of it.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Dillon dies in their press

NOTE: all of the following applies to rifle dies...not sure about pistol dies.

The Dillon shellholder plate is a little thick and most of the dies I've worked with could use a little more thread length. The problem is the locking ring will not have enough die thread to fully engage. You end up with only half the lock ring threads engaging with the die. It works though (for my Redding and Forster dies). As mentioned above, I had a Lee collet die that was way too short: had to put the lock ring under the tool head as described above. John Whidden makes his own custom dies and extended the die thread length just for this reason.

I used to float my dies with a rubber o-ring underneath the lock ring....obviously, I can't do that anymore with the Forster and Reddings. However, I use Whidden's floating die toolhead so it's not an issue.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Dillon dies in their press

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mechanical-5-Dig...=item27c818dc31

Tally counter. Should be easy to rig up with some of that metal chain stuff to the ram or other point like the powder drop rod.