Lee dies with Dillon 550B

kestak · November 9, 2007, 06:41 AM

Greetings,

Iposted it on another msg board(THG) and I am still unsure. So, I am asking here too.

The reason why I am looking at cutting costs, it is because I have a few calibers I need to buy. If it would be only one, I would not bother.

Can you confirm if I am right, Did I forget something or duplicate something with the Lee Deluxe dies + Dillon?

All Dillon
- Dies 57.95$
- 550 Toolhead 16.95$
- Dillon Powder die 8.95$
- Dillon Caliber conversion kit (Shellplate,locator buttons, powder funnel) 39.95$
TOTAL 123.80$

Lee Deluxe dies + Dillon
- Lee Deluxe Handgun 4-Die Set at Midway 30.99$
- 550 Toolhead 16.95$
- Dillon Powder die 8.95$
- Dillon Caliber conversion kit (Shellplate,locator buttons, powder funnel) 39.95$
TOTAL 96.84$

Am I right assuming the powder die with Lee does not fit the 550B and I need to buy the Dillon powder die?

Lastly, I read at few places people prefer Lee dies than Dillon dies, especially for the station 1 because it resizes all the way. Would I be better with all Dillon or a mix of Dillon and Lee would do fine?

Thank you

fxdrider · November 9, 2007, 03:29 PM

I have a Dillon RL 550B, and I have a couple of sets of Lee dies that I use with it - leftovers from my days with a Lee Pro1000. The Lee dies work great, however - I find that they are a little short for the Dillon toolhead. I think the threaded area on the Lee dies are not as long as other die manufacturers. They work, but there's not much thread left for the locknut to grip.

Your kits seem like they include everything. If you have multiple calibers, you might want to consider the Dillon toolhead stand. If you're a handy woodworker, you can make one.

You are right about the Lee powder die. You'll need the Dillon die if you're going to use the Dillon powder measure. Each caliber conversion kit comes with a cartridge-appropriate powder funnel that fits into the powder die.

Not sure about the sizing issue with the Dillon dies you mentioned. I have several sets of Dillon dies, and they all produce ammunition that runs flawlessly in my guns. They are a bit pricey, though. Redding dies are good too. Very high quality, and their regular die sets don't seem too pricey.

pinshooter · November 9, 2007, 07:50 PM

I have never seen a pistol caliber die that sizes all the way down. Wish I could find one. I also use a Dillon 550 and have a Lee sizing die in the first station. When I used the Dillon sizing die I was getting a quite noticable coke bottle shape to my ammo. 38 Super rimless.

hodaka · November 9, 2007, 09:56 PM

I use several sets of rifle and pistol Lee dies in my 550. As stated, the Lee lock nut takes up too much room for the threaded part of the die. I use RCBS lock nuts which are thin enough to work. I also use the Lee powder thrower with the Dillon. they are cheap enough to leave one set up for 9mm and another set up for my 45 load on different tool heads. I leave the Dillon measure for the .223 ammo.

kestak · November 10, 2007, 07:38 AM

Hodaka,

Do you mean you are using this powder dispenser on the dillon with the 4 die set? Or do you still have to buy the powder die for the Dillon?

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...753&t=11082005

Here are the dies in 44MAG
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...273&t=11082005

hodaka · November 10, 2007, 08:29 AM

I have the Dillon powder dispenser on a Dillon die that came with the 550. I use the Lee Pro AutoDisk set-ups on Lee dies.

kestak · November 10, 2007, 08:32 AM

Hodaka,

Thank you for the fast answer. Just to be sure, that means you can mount the Lee Pro AutoDisk on the dillon with the lee dies (Like those I posted previously)?

Thank you

Thesenator · November 15, 2007, 07:44 PM

Lee dies SUCK on a Dillon 550 press. Spend the money and buy some Dillon carbide dies, you'll be glad you did.

Ozzieman · November 15, 2007, 08:59 PM

The reason that Lee dies SUCK on a Dillon is that Dillon dies have a very slight taper on there sizer die at the lower end with allows the cases to enter more easily.
Also Dillon's are made for the 550.
Stay with Dillon if your using a Dillon.
Other wise go with Redding there the best.

**Unclenick** · November 15, 2007, 09:34 PM

You can run the Lee dies, but the more precise alignment requirement will make you move a bit more slowly and carefully than with Dillon dies. Also the lock ring issues mentioned above are real.

The Lee dies, having a little extra material do bring their sizer ring down over the case a little further than some others. They have a shallower sizing ring radius. However, the thickness of the shell holder is what really limits case sizing. I suppose, for rimless cases, you could grind out any extra internal threads from a sizing die or adapt the sizing ring off a Lee Speed Die to a hollow die shell to allow you to push the cases all the way through with a ram. Same principle as sizing cast bullets in the Lee style cast bullet sizer die. However, the extra trouble aside, I'm not sure why you would want to work the brass even more when the ammunition made by the conventional die configurations results in working reloads?

Frenchwrench · November 18, 2007, 11:47 AM

Lee dies work just fine. When you set the press up, make sure you put a case in each station on the shellplate. It sets the allignment up, you'll have zero problems. Good luck! Unless your reloading Glock fired brass, you really don't need to resize the full length of the cases.

armedandsafe · November 18, 2007, 06:12 PM

I use Lee dies in my Dillon 500. They work fine. I don't have the Dillon powder dispenser, so i can't comment on that one.

Pops

Alleykat · November 19, 2007, 09:43 AM

I use Lee dies almost exclusively on my 650. Never had an "allignment" problem. I have no use for Lee presses or their powder drop system, but their dies are fine.

November 9, 2007, 06:41 AM	#1
kestak Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2007 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 157	Lee dies with Dillon 550B Greetings, Iposted it on another msg board(THG) and I am still unsure. So, I am asking here too. The reason why I am looking at cutting costs, it is because I have a few calibers I need to buy. If it would be only one, I would not bother. Can you confirm if I am right, Did I forget something or duplicate something with the Lee Deluxe dies + Dillon? All Dillon - Dies 57.95$ - 550 Toolhead 16.95$ - Dillon Powder die 8.95$ - Dillon Caliber conversion kit (Shellplate,locator buttons, powder funnel) 39.95$ TOTAL 123.80$ Lee Deluxe dies + Dillon - Lee Deluxe Handgun 4-Die Set at Midway 30.99$ - 550 Toolhead 16.95$ - Dillon Powder die 8.95$ - Dillon Caliber conversion kit (Shellplate,locator buttons, powder funnel) 39.95$ TOTAL 96.84$ Am I right assuming the powder die with Lee does not fit the 550B and I need to buy the Dillon powder die? Lastly, I read at few places people prefer Lee dies than Dillon dies, especially for the station 1 because it resizes all the way. Would I be better with all Dillon or a mix of Dillon and Lee would do fine? Thank you

November 9, 2007, 03:29 PM	#2
fxdrider Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2007 Location: Stafford, VA - transplanted from upstate New York Posts: 119	Lee Dies/RL 550B Press I have a Dillon RL 550B, and I have a couple of sets of Lee dies that I use with it - leftovers from my days with a Lee Pro1000. The Lee dies work great, however - I find that they are a little short for the Dillon toolhead. I think the threaded area on the Lee dies are not as long as other die manufacturers. They work, but there's not much thread left for the locknut to grip. Your kits seem like they include everything. If you have multiple calibers, you might want to consider the Dillon toolhead stand. If you're a handy woodworker, you can make one. You are right about the Lee powder die. You'll need the Dillon die if you're going to use the Dillon powder measure. Each caliber conversion kit comes with a cartridge-appropriate powder funnel that fits into the powder die. Not sure about the sizing issue with the Dillon dies you mentioned. I have several sets of Dillon dies, and they all produce ammunition that runs flawlessly in my guns. They are a bit pricey, though. Redding dies are good too. Very high quality, and their regular die sets don't seem too pricey.

November 15, 2007, 08:59 PM	#9
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	I agree with Thesenator The reason that Lee dies SUCK on a Dillon is that Dillon dies have a very slight taper on there sizer die at the lower end with allows the cases to enter more easily. Also Dillon's are made for the 550. Stay with Dillon if your using a Dillon. Other wise go with Redding there the best.

November 15, 2007, 09:34 PM	#10
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,742	You can run the Lee dies, but the more precise alignment requirement will make you move a bit more slowly and carefully than with Dillon dies. Also the lock ring issues mentioned above are real. The Lee dies, having a little extra material do bring their sizer ring down over the case a little further than some others. They have a shallower sizing ring radius. However, the thickness of the shell holder is what really limits case sizing. I suppose, for rimless cases, you could grind out any extra internal threads from a sizing die or adapt the sizing ring off a Lee Speed Die to a hollow die shell to allow you to push the cases all the way through with a ram. Same principle as sizing cast bullets in the Lee style cast bullet sizer die. However, the extra trouble aside, I'm not sure why you would want to work the brass even more when the ammunition made by the conventional die configurations results in working reloads? __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 9, 2007, 07:50 PM	#3
pinshooter Member Join Date: June 20, 2006 Posts: 26	I have never seen a pistol caliber die that sizes all the way down. Wish I could find one. I also use a Dillon 550 and have a Lee sizing die in the first station. When I used the Dillon sizing die I was getting a quite noticable coke bottle shape to my ammo. 38 Super rimless.

November 9, 2007, 09:56 PM	#4
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	I use several sets of rifle and pistol Lee dies in my 550. As stated, the Lee lock nut takes up too much room for the threaded part of the die. I use RCBS lock nuts which are thin enough to work. I also use the Lee powder thrower with the Dillon. they are cheap enough to leave one set up for 9mm and another set up for my 45 load on different tool heads. I leave the Dillon measure for the .223 ammo.

November 10, 2007, 07:38 AM	#5
kestak Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2007 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 157	Hodaka, Do you mean you are using this powder dispenser on the dillon with the 4 die set? Or do you still have to buy the powder die for the Dillon? http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...753&t=11082005 Here are the dies in 44MAG http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...273&t=11082005

November 10, 2007, 08:29 AM	#6
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	I have the Dillon powder dispenser on a Dillon die that came with the 550. I use the Lee Pro AutoDisk set-ups on Lee dies.

November 10, 2007, 08:32 AM	#7
kestak Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2007 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 157	Hodaka, Thank you for the fast answer. Just to be sure, that means you can mount the Lee Pro AutoDisk on the dillon with the lee dies (Like those I posted previously)? Thank you

November 15, 2007, 07:44 PM	#8
Thesenator Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Posts: 126	Lee dies SUCK on a Dillon 550 press. Spend the money and buy some Dillon carbide dies, you'll be glad you did.

November 18, 2007, 11:47 AM	#11
Frenchwrench Member Join Date: January 19, 2005 Location: Indiana but my land is in Colorado Posts: 80	Lee dies work just fine. When you set the press up, make sure you put a case in each station on the shellplate. It sets the allignment up, you'll have zero problems. Good luck! Unless your reloading Glock fired brass, you really don't need to resize the full length of the cases.

November 18, 2007, 06:12 PM	#12
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	I use Lee dies in my Dillon 500. They work fine. I don't have the Dillon powder dispenser, so i can't comment on that one. Pops

November 19, 2007, 09:43 AM	#13
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	I use Lee dies almost exclusively on my 650. Never had an "allignment" problem. I have no use for Lee presses or their powder drop system, but their dies are fine.