questions about Dillon 550/dies

thestallion · February 22, 2000, 10:09 AM

I just went out and bought an RL550B, I haven't even set it up yet, but I'm wondering what dies will and will not work with it. I've heard that Lee dies are a thread short, I read in another post that this could be remedied by drilling and tapping a hole in the toolhead for a setscrew, would this have to be done with all 3 dies? And is this the case with all calibers of dies or just some of them?
I'll probably get Dillon dies for calibers I plan to load a lot, but if I can pick up some dies from another manufacturer cheap for other calibers, I'd like to know what will and won't work/work well.
I'm also curious what would be involved in loading an odd caliber like 7.62x25 Tokarev. Only Lee seems to make dies for this (although RCBS makes .30 Mauser dies). I'm guessing Dillon's .30 Mauser powder funnel would work (?), but would the Mauser dies work or would I have to use Lee's dies? I know the specs are only one or two thousandths different.
I am new to reloading, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

NJW · February 22, 2000, 11:29 AM

Don't worry about the Lee dies. They work fine in my 550. They are a bit short for the 650 but all you do is put the lock ring under the tool head.
For the tokarev loading get the Lee dies and call dillon and get the proper conversion for the 550 for the tokarev or ask them what will work. Since they are so close the conversiob proably works for both of them.

NJW in AZ

Alan B · February 22, 2000, 12:17 PM

for Lee dies flip the locking ring over and remove the o-ring and then you have enough threads to do the job. You don't need the o-ring any way since you probably are not going to remove the dies one you set the tool head up. I have a dozen Lee rifle and pistol dies and it worked every time. I do like dillion pistol dies better though.

thestallion · February 22, 2000, 01:46 PM

Well, I would rather have the Dillon dies where I can. But a friend of mine pitched in on the 550 with me and he has some Lee dies that he wants to use...etc etc.
For the Tokarev, I think the 9mm shellplate (which I already have) will work since the two are exactly the same at the rim, I just need the powder funnel. Tokarev ammo (like 9mm) is still cheap enough it's almost not worth reloading, but I'm gonna do it anyway

.
Thanks for the info so far!

------------------
"...That is why, I pack my .25. Where nobody knows, right above my boot. It's the law, no one there to serve you. Why not be the hero? Why not be your own? Swear I'll kill you!.." Porno for Pyros - Packin' 25

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

February 22, 2000, 10:09 AM	#1
thestallion Member Join Date: January 3, 2000 Location: Holton, KS Posts: 36	I just went out and bought an RL550B, I haven't even set it up yet, but I'm wondering what dies will and will not work with it. I've heard that Lee dies are a thread short, I read in another post that this could be remedied by drilling and tapping a hole in the toolhead for a setscrew, would this have to be done with all 3 dies? And is this the case with all calibers of dies or just some of them? I'll probably get Dillon dies for calibers I plan to load a lot, but if I can pick up some dies from another manufacturer cheap for other calibers, I'd like to know what will and won't work/work well. I'm also curious what would be involved in loading an odd caliber like 7.62x25 Tokarev. Only Lee seems to make dies for this (although RCBS makes .30 Mauser dies). I'm guessing Dillon's .30 Mauser powder funnel would work (?), but would the Mauser dies work or would I have to use Lee's dies? I know the specs are only one or two thousandths different. I am new to reloading, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

February 22, 2000, 11:29 AM	#2
NJW Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 1998 Location: SouthWest Posts: 204	Don't worry about the Lee dies. They work fine in my 550. They are a bit short for the 650 but all you do is put the lock ring under the tool head. For the tokarev loading get the Lee dies and call dillon and get the proper conversion for the 550 for the tokarev or ask them what will work. Since they are so close the conversiob proably works for both of them. NJW in AZ

February 22, 2000, 12:17 PM	#3
Alan B Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 1999 Posts: 335	for Lee dies flip the locking ring over and remove the o-ring and then you have enough threads to do the job. You don't need the o-ring any way since you probably are not going to remove the dies one you set the tool head up. I have a dozen Lee rifle and pistol dies and it worked every time. I do like dillion pistol dies better though.

February 22, 2000, 01:46 PM	#4
thestallion Member Join Date: January 3, 2000 Location: Holton, KS Posts: 36	Well, I would rather have the Dillon dies where I can. But a friend of mine pitched in on the 550 with me and he has some Lee dies that he wants to use...etc etc. For the Tokarev, I think the 9mm shellplate (which I already have) will work since the two are exactly the same at the rim, I just need the powder funnel. Tokarev ammo (like 9mm) is still cheap enough it's almost not worth reloading, but I'm gonna do it anyway . Thanks for the info so far! ------------------ "...That is why, I pack my .25. Where nobody knows, right above my boot. It's the law, no one there to serve you. Why not be the hero? Why not be your own? Swear I'll kill you!.." Porno for Pyros - Packin' 25