What dies work best for Dillon 650?

CDPshooter · May 19, 2002, 08:24 AM

I have a Dillon 650 on the way and am wondering as to whether my Lee dies are going to work OK. I have the regular dies and the factory taper crimp. These are for .45 acp.

I have been using a Lee Progressive 1000 and with the step up to a Dillon I am wondering if I should step up to better dies.

I am considering the Dillon, Rcbs and Hornady die sets.

Any experiences?

retiredsgt · May 19, 2002, 08:42 AM

I have the dillon 450. At any rate I have dies from all of the manufacturers. Just be sure your pistol calibe dies are carbide. All of the various dies work well.

Clint Tickler · May 19, 2002, 11:36 AM

I made the same leap you're doing. I had all Lee dies for my various calibers and in fact the only non Lee dies I have for my 650 is a set of Dillons for my 45 acp. I thought I'd give em a try but I don't think they are any better. You still will want to put a Lee factory crimp die in station 5. Good luck and congrats on the purchase. I made a lot of good ammo on my 1000 but the 650 is way more fun and less hassle although you'll still be tweaking. That's just the way it is.

Johnny Guest · May 19, 2002, 03:34 PM

They are designed especially for progressive loading, and have a good chamfer at the mouth. Secondarily, they are set up so that you can adjust the die body in the tool head, but easily remove the liner of the seater and crimp die to clean 'em without having to readjust the die. Really makes things easy when you load a lot of cast and swedged bullets.

As you already have some dies you've been using in your Lee 1000, no reason not to use them, though. Might ry Dillon dies for next caliber you add. I will note, though, that I loaded many thousands of rounds using my old RCBS dies before I tried the Dillon dies. The convenience alone was worth the purchase price, at least to me.

Best,
Johnny

Shoney · May 19, 2002, 03:53 PM

There are two big differences between a dillon and a Lee carbide pistol die. The dillon dies are longer and cost almost 4 times the price of a Lee. I cannot tell any difference between the quality of the ammo produced.

Shoney

cheygriz · May 19, 2002, 05:57 PM

I've used many different brands of dies in my 650. The very best BY FAR, are the Redding Pro dies. Thet're less expensive than the Dillon dies, and IMHO, better.

I use the Lee FCD in all loadings for autos. I do not (and will not) use any other Lee dies. I've had two sets or them, and both had a die that had to be sent back to the factroy before it could be used.

Stick with Redding, and you can't go wrong. The Pro series dies are specially designed for progressive reloaders.

ryucasta · May 19, 2002, 09:12 PM

I originally went with all Dillon Dies but I found over time that they gave me too many Fat Rounds and that only the Hornady and Lee Dies worked for me in removing the bulge that was created by an unsupported chamber. Attached is an example of one of my 650 Toolheads.

Archie · May 20, 2002, 12:19 AM

Including the crimp die.

Ryucasta, I think you have all the major die makers represented, don't you?

ryucasta · May 20, 2002, 09:15 AM

Archie,

Just about all of them.

The only Dillon die I'm still using is their crimp die.

Master Blaster · May 20, 2002, 09:35 AM

Ryucasta, Where did you get the powder thrower adjustment Knob I see?

Thanks

ryucasta · May 20, 2002, 09:57 AM

Master Blaster,

Arredondo Accessories is where I purchased it here's the link http://www.arredondoaccessories.com/...2ib813v51u9504 BTW, Ralph sells the adjustment knob separately for about five dollars.

May 19, 2002, 08:24 AM	#1
CDPshooter Member Join Date: February 23, 2002 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 20	What dies work best for Dillon 650? I have a Dillon 650 on the way and am wondering as to whether my Lee dies are going to work OK. I have the regular dies and the factory taper crimp. These are for .45 acp. I have been using a Lee Progressive 1000 and with the step up to a Dillon I am wondering if I should step up to better dies. I am considering the Dillon, Rcbs and Hornady die sets. Any experiences? Last edited by CDPshooter; May 19, 2002 at 10:48 AM.

May 19, 2002, 08:42 AM	#2
retiredsgt Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2001 Location: Red Lion, Pa. Posts: 143	Dies I have the dillon 450. At any rate I have dies from all of the manufacturers. Just be sure your pistol calibe dies are carbide. All of the various dies work well.

May 19, 2002, 03:34 PM	#4
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	I'm very enthusiastic about the Dillon dies. They are designed especially for progressive loading, and have a good chamfer at the mouth. Secondarily, they are set up so that you can adjust the die body in the tool head, but easily remove the liner of the seater and crimp die to clean 'em without having to readjust the die. Really makes things easy when you load a lot of cast and swedged bullets. As you already have some dies you've been using in your Lee 1000, no reason not to use them, though. Might ry Dillon dies for next caliber you add. I will note, though, that I loaded many thousands of rounds using my old RCBS dies before I tried the Dillon dies. The convenience alone was worth the purchase price, at least to me. Best, Johnny

May 19, 2002, 03:53 PM	#5
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	There are two big differences between a dillon and a Lee carbide pistol die. The dillon dies are longer and cost almost 4 times the price of a Lee. I cannot tell any difference between the quality of the ammo produced. Shoney __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

May 19, 2002, 05:57 PM	#6
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	I've used many different brands of dies in my 650. The very best BY FAR, are the Redding Pro dies. Thet're less expensive than the Dillon dies, and IMHO, better. I use the Lee FCD in all loadings for autos. I do not (and will not) use any other Lee dies. I've had two sets or them, and both had a die that had to be sent back to the factroy before it could be used. Stick with Redding, and you can't go wrong. The Pro series dies are specially designed for progressive reloaders. __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.

May 19, 2002, 11:36 AM	#3
Clint Tickler Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 1999 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 184	I made the same leap you're doing. I had all Lee dies for my various calibers and in fact the only non Lee dies I have for my 650 is a set of Dillons for my 45 acp. I thought I'd give em a try but I don't think they are any better. You still will want to put a Lee factory crimp die in station 5. Good luck and congrats on the purchase. I made a lot of good ammo on my 1000 but the 650 is way more fun and less hassle although you'll still be tweaking. That's just the way it is.

May 20, 2002, 12:19 AM	#8
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	Another Dillon 650 / Lee die user. Including the crimp die. Ryucasta, I think you have all the major die makers represented, don't you? __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

May 20, 2002, 09:15 AM	#9
ryucasta Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 431	Archie, Just about all of them. The only Dillon die I'm still using is their crimp die. __________________ Cheers, Raul Scarface/Tony Montana Says: Send me here. Send me there. This. That. Nothing you can do to me Harry, Castro didn’t do --- nothing...

May 20, 2002, 09:35 AM	#10
Master Blaster Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1999 Location: One of the original 13 Colonies Posts: 2,281	Ryucasta, Where did you get the powder thrower adjustment Knob I see? Thanks

May 20, 2002, 09:57 AM	#11
ryucasta Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 431	Master Blaster, Arredondo Accessories is where I purchased it here's the link http://www.arredondoaccessories.com/...2ib813v51u9504 BTW, Ralph sells the adjustment knob separately for about five dollars. __________________ Cheers, Raul Scarface/Tony Montana Says: Send me here. Send me there. This. That. Nothing you can do to me Harry, Castro didn’t do --- nothing...