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noylj · December 10, 2010, 10:24 PM

If you use the Lee lock rings with the o-ring installed, then finger tight is good enough.
There are two ways to use a lock ring:
1) To lock a position on the die body. This allows you to remove and reinstall the die with the lock ring acting as a stop. You need to get the die in the correct position, turn the lock ring down finger tight, holding the lock ring and die, back out the die, then tighten the lock ring to the die. For this, you need a split ring.
2) To lock the die to the toolhead. For this, any proper sized nut works just fine. This is great for use with die bushings and replaceable turrets and tool heads. It's not so good if you are going to be removing the die later.
The Dillons are good 'cause they are smaller and Dillon builds all their presses with the dies as close as physically possible.
I like to take the Lee lock rings, remove the o-ring, and install them with the o-ring groove up. This allows me to screw a die in further and still have some threads left.
It would be nice if all my dies had the Dillon lock rings, but any lock rings works just fine.
Also, I bought an expensive 1 1/8" wrench and find the the box end works well for my dies in my 1050 toolheads. Overkill, but it works. The Dillon wrench that came with one of my 1050s was already sprung from someone forcing it at some point. My wrench will never spring like that.
Have wondered if Dillon would replace the wrench.

December 10, 2010, 10:24 PM	#18
noylj Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2007 Location: Between CA and NM Posts: 860	If you use the Lee lock rings with the o-ring installed, then finger tight is good enough. There are two ways to use a lock ring: 1) To lock a position on the die body. This allows you to remove and reinstall the die with the lock ring acting as a stop. You need to get the die in the correct position, turn the lock ring down finger tight, holding the lock ring and die, back out the die, then tighten the lock ring to the die. For this, you need a split ring. 2) To lock the die to the toolhead. For this, any proper sized nut works just fine. This is great for use with die bushings and replaceable turrets and tool heads. It's not so good if you are going to be removing the die later. The Dillons are good 'cause they are smaller and Dillon builds all their presses with the dies as close as physically possible. I like to take the Lee lock rings, remove the o-ring, and install them with the o-ring groove up. This allows me to screw a die in further and still have some threads left. It would be nice if all my dies had the Dillon lock rings, but any lock rings works just fine. Also, I bought an expensive 1 1/8" wrench and find the the box end works well for my dies in my 1050 toolheads. Overkill, but it works. The Dillon wrench that came with one of my 1050s was already sprung from someone forcing it at some point. My wrench will never spring like that. Have wondered if Dillon would replace the wrench.