Using RCBS Dies on Dillon 550

LSU · August 3, 2013, 09:43 PM

I've got a Dillon 550. It is set up to load 3 different calibers and I like it very much.

I have a set of RCBS carbide 9mm dies. Used them many years ago. They're away in storage but . . .

Before if spend more $s for a set of Dillon dies, I'm wondering if anyone has ever used RCBS dies on a Dillon? Is it possible?

Comments? Suggestions?

Thanks.

CrustyFN · August 3, 2013, 09:55 PM

Should be no problem. Try them and see. I use all Lee dies on my 550.

jepp2 · August 3, 2013, 10:04 PM

Quote:

I'm wondering if anyone has ever used RCBS dies on a Dillon?

I have, they worked fine. The Dillon dies have more of a radius on the entrance, so they are slightly more forgiving on the shell plate being out of position. For 9mm I prefer Lee dies since they size further down the case toward the head.

JT-AR-MG42 · August 4, 2013, 01:59 AM

Yeah, the RCBS work fine.

Like Jepp said, the radius on the RCBS die is much less than on the Dillon dies.

To be fair, Dillon dies were designed around his machines though.

When using RCBS 9mm dies in your 550, you might develop a routine of placing the empty into the first station a certain way (against the paper clip tension spring) that results in more consistent entry into the die. With just a little practice, you'll get it.

I have never had a case sized through the RCBS carbide die through the 550 fail to go into the headspace gauge.
The only hang ups I have with the case gauge are burrs on the rim or cases with the entire face just a little oversize from having been put through an open bolt gun one too many times.

JT

dahermit · August 4, 2013, 07:33 AM

I have used both RCBS and Lee dies in my Dillon 550b. The RCBS dies worked with no problems. The Lee dies are a tad short in that they are not (or were not if they have been changed) threaded far enough up the die body and the ring will be almost to the end of the threads on the die when adjusted to fit the press.

wogpotter · August 4, 2013, 07:35 AM

Get Dillon's sizing die for the easier entry of strait wall cases & use the existing RCBS for everything else.
Worked for me with .357 so it should be fine for your similar 9mm.

dahermit · August 4, 2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Get Dillon's sizing die for the easier entry of strait wall cases & use the existing RCBS for everything else.
Worked for me with .357 so it should be fine for your similar 9mm.

I had a problem with a case catching on the carbide ring in the sizing die (cannot remember which cartridge it was, most likely either the 9MM or 38 Super), and did the same swap. Dillon's sizer with its more generous chamfer on the carbide ring remedied the problem.

chiefr · August 4, 2013, 08:52 AM

I can't think of any die you can't use in a Dillon....as long as you use Dillon lock nuts.

SouthGA · August 4, 2013, 10:18 AM

No problems with RCBS dies in Dillon, the 7/8-14 threading is the primary key.

wogpotter · August 4, 2013, 11:03 AM

I'm using these RCBS lock rings with no problems at all.

The older round, knurled ones were a bit wide though.

CrustyFN · August 4, 2013, 06:51 PM

Quote:

I can't think of any die you can't use in a Dillon....as long as you use Dillon lock nuts.

Why do you need to use Dillon lock nuts? I use the Lee lock nuts that came on the LEE dies with no problems.

Farmland · August 4, 2013, 07:16 PM

Any die will work I use several different RCBS dies for rifle on my 650. Yeah I don';t get using the Dillon locking ring either.

BigD_in_FL · August 4, 2013, 07:22 PM

When I had a Dillon, I used my RCBS dies for three different cartridges and the ammo came out fine, including 9mm

dewcrew8 · August 4, 2013, 08:00 PM

Never had a problem useing rcbs dies on my 650 . Also I used the rcbs locking rings. But I do love my dillon dies over my my rcbs ones.

ozo · August 4, 2013, 08:22 PM

I musta missed something [OP].
Anyway.....any standard dies will fit the Dillon 550B.

Misssissippi Dave · August 4, 2013, 09:25 PM

You do need the right shell plate and locator pin and I suggest using the powder funnel for 9 mm as well. I have one set of RCBS 38 special/.357 magnum dies. They work but I do prefer to seat and crimp in separate positions. To answer the question, yes they work, but, you you still need the other items mentioned.

wogpotter · August 5, 2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Yeah I don't get using the Dillon locking ring either.

Quote:

The older round, knurled ones were a bit wide though.

Regarding RCBS lock rings.
There was an earlier version which was a big, round knurled ring with a hex bolt in one side across the lock ring for clamping. These were too big to allow setup in the 4-station Dillon tool heads. The newer hex nut type are fine.

FrankenMauser · August 6, 2013, 12:49 AM

All RCBS dies that I've tried have worked fine in a 550.

I do, however, run separate crimp and seating dies for handgun cartridges. (One seats. One crimps.)

Revoltella · August 7, 2013, 06:34 PM

The dies get a little crowded on the tool head with the RCBS locking rings. I had to take my seating die off recently and the powder drop was interfering with the locking ring. Would have been much easier with the Dillon rings.

August 3, 2013, 09:43 PM	#1
LSU Member Join Date: May 12, 2013 Posts: 38	Using RCBS Dies on Dillon 550 I've got a Dillon 550. It is set up to load 3 different calibers and I like it very much. I have a set of RCBS carbide 9mm dies. Used them many years ago. They're away in storage but . . . Before if spend more $s for a set of Dillon dies, I'm wondering if anyone has ever used RCBS dies on a Dillon? Is it possible? Comments? Suggestions? Thanks.

August 3, 2013, 09:55 PM	#2
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	Should be no problem. Try them and see. I use all Lee dies on my 550. __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

August 4, 2013, 07:35 AM	#6
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Get Dillon's sizing die for the easier entry of strait wall cases & use the existing RCBS for everything else. Worked for me with .357 so it should be fine for your similar 9mm. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

August 4, 2013, 10:18 AM	#9
SouthGA Member Join Date: February 5, 2011 Posts: 20	No problems with RCBS dies in Dillon, the 7/8-14 threading is the primary key. __________________ SouthGA

August 4, 2013, 11:03 AM	#10
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	I'm using these RCBS lock rings with no problems at all. The older round, knurled ones were a bit wide though. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

August 4, 2013, 01:59 AM	#4
JT-AR-MG42 Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 555	Yeah, the RCBS work fine. Like Jepp said, the radius on the RCBS die is much less than on the Dillon dies. To be fair, Dillon dies were designed around his machines though. When using RCBS 9mm dies in your 550, you might develop a routine of placing the empty into the first station a certain way (against the paper clip tension spring) that results in more consistent entry into the die. With just a little practice, you'll get it. I have never had a case sized through the RCBS carbide die through the 550 fail to go into the headspace gauge. The only hang ups I have with the case gauge are burrs on the rim or cases with the entire face just a little oversize from having been put through an open bolt gun one too many times. JT

August 4, 2013, 07:33 AM	#5
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	I have used both RCBS and Lee dies in my Dillon 550b. The RCBS dies worked with no problems. The Lee dies are a tad short in that they are not (or were not if they have been changed) threaded far enough up the die body and the ring will be almost to the end of the threads on the die when adjusted to fit the press.

August 4, 2013, 08:52 AM	#8
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	I can't think of any die you can't use in a Dillon....as long as you use Dillon lock nuts.

August 4, 2013, 07:16 PM	#12
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	Any die will work I use several different RCBS dies for rifle on my 650. Yeah I don';t get using the Dillon locking ring either.

August 4, 2013, 07:22 PM	#13
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	When I had a Dillon, I used my RCBS dies for three different cartridges and the ammo came out fine, including 9mm

August 4, 2013, 08:00 PM	#14
dewcrew8 Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2009 Posts: 214	Never had a problem useing rcbs dies on my 650 . Also I used the rcbs locking rings. But I do love my dillon dies over my my rcbs ones.

August 4, 2013, 08:22 PM	#15
ozo Member Join Date: July 9, 2013 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 48	I musta missed something [OP]. Anyway.....any standard dies will fit the Dillon 550B.

August 4, 2013, 09:25 PM	#16
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	You do need the right shell plate and locator pin and I suggest using the powder funnel for 9 mm as well. I have one set of RCBS 38 special/.357 magnum dies. They work but I do prefer to seat and crimp in separate positions. To answer the question, yes they work, but, you you still need the other items mentioned.

August 6, 2013, 12:49 AM	#18
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	All RCBS dies that I've tried have worked fine in a 550. I do, however, run separate crimp and seating dies for handgun cartridges. (One seats. One crimps.) __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

August 7, 2013, 06:34 PM	#19
Revoltella Junior member Join Date: August 7, 2013 Posts: 198	The dies get a little crowded on the tool head with the RCBS locking rings. I had to take my seating die off recently and the powder drop was interfering with the locking ring. Would have been much easier with the Dillon rings.