What brand dies fit Dillon 550?

brouhaha · July 5, 2001, 11:08 PM

I'm VERY new to reloading. So new, I don't even have a press yet. I'm curious if there's a standard when it comes to dies. Will just about any brand fit a Dillon 550? I ask because one of the calibers I plan on loading, 338LM, isn't listed. I think I can get the dies straight from Lapua, which leads me to believe that there is a standardization when it comes to them. Am I correct? Please help!

m16a2223 · July 6, 2001, 12:18 AM

brouhaha, reloading is not near as complicated as it seems to be when your getting started. When I was starting out, all the information out there got confusing. To answer your question. Yes, dies are standardized but the Dillon 550 requires the purchase of a caliber conversion kit for each caliber you wish to reload. You can get this kit from Dillon. They make kits for lots of calibers, if they dont list one specifically for the 338 Lapua, one for another cal. might work. Just call'um.

Hope this helps, m16

P.S. Just get the minimum to begin with, you dont need alot of fancy gizmos to make VERY good ammo.

m16a2223 · July 6, 2001, 12:48 AM

brouhaha, reloading is not near as complicated as it seems to be when your getting started. When I was starting out, all the information out there got comfusing. To answer your question. Yes, dies are standardized but the Dillon 550 requires the purchase of a caliber conversion kit. You can get this kit from Dillon. They make kits for lots of calibers, if they dont list one specifically for the 338 Lapua, one for another cal. might work. Just call'um.

Hope this helps, m16

proximo · July 6, 2001, 03:45 PM

I would avoid use of Lee dies in a Dillon 550B. Yes, they work but just barely. The problem is the die is just barely long enough so that when adjusted to the proper position the lock ring just barely grabs the die threads. I use a Lee Factory Crimp die for pistol ammo, and put up with the above problem because of the other benefits of the die) but prefer to use Hornady Titanium-nitride dies for all other steps. Dillon dies are nice, but the main issue I have with them is the expense and the fact that if you want to use several different bullets in the same caliber, the seating die is a pain to adjust. The Hornady has the option (about $13) of installing a micrometer adjustable seating stem in the seating die which makes it trivial to change adjustments and restore the settings to the original value.

WalterGAII · July 6, 2001, 04:45 PM

proximo: Try installing your Lee dies in your Dillon toolhead with the locking ring on the bottom, rather than top, of the toolhead. Zillions of happy Dillon owners use Lee dies in that configuration.

blades67 · July 7, 2001, 02:34 AM

The common standard for dies is 7X14 threads. The RL550B will accept all 7X14 dies. The Dillon dies are easier to use because of the large radius on the business end of the dies.

labgrade · July 7, 2001, 10:00 AM

Uhm .... actually the dies' thread designation is 7/8 X 14

7/8 is diameter of thread form in inches & 14 = # of threads per (linear) inch.

blades67 · July 8, 2001, 01:24 AM

My bad, I shouldn't be posting without sleep.

Missed it by that much!

The common standard for dies is 7/8X14 threads.

Thanks for picking up the slack.

WIL TERRY · July 12, 2001, 04:55 PM

ACTUALLY IT IS 7/8-14,[ NOT 7/8X14]

C.R.Sam · July 12, 2001, 11:28 PM

We shall leave no nit unpicked

Yeah, lock ring on bottom side works great.

Sam

jtduncan · July 13, 2001, 12:24 PM

all standard ones just get the Lee carbide sets and a factory crimp die for semi autos.

July 5, 2001, 11:08 PM	#1
brouhaha Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2000 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 166	What brand dies fit Dillon 550? I'm VERY new to reloading. So new, I don't even have a press yet. I'm curious if there's a standard when it comes to dies. Will just about any brand fit a Dillon 550? I ask because one of the calibers I plan on loading, 338LM, isn't listed. I think I can get the dies straight from Lapua, which leads me to believe that there is a standardization when it comes to them. Am I correct? Please help! __________________ ___________________________________ brouhaha USP Match 45 HE, USP40, USPC40, USPC9, SL8-1, HK91, Rem. PSS .308, Glock 33, P32 Rem. 870 Express, 1914 8mm Mauser, 1899 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser Go TCU Frogs!

July 6, 2001, 12:18 AM	#2
m16a2223 Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 1999 Location: Alabama Posts: 128	brouhaha, reloading is not near as complicated as it seems to be when your getting started. When I was starting out, all the information out there got confusing. To answer your question. Yes, dies are standardized but the Dillon 550 requires the purchase of a caliber conversion kit for each caliber you wish to reload. You can get this kit from Dillon. They make kits for lots of calibers, if they dont list one specifically for the 338 Lapua, one for another cal. might work. Just call'um. Hope this helps, m16 P.S. Just get the minimum to begin with, you dont need alot of fancy gizmos to make VERY good ammo. Last edited by m16a2223; July 6, 2001 at 10:01 AM.

July 7, 2001, 02:34 AM	#6
blades67 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 1999 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 6,014	The common standard for dies is 7X14 threads. The RL550B will accept all 7X14 dies. The Dillon dies are easier to use because of the large radius on the business end of the dies. __________________ Guns cause crime like spoons cause Rosie O'Donnell to be fat! I hunt, therefore I am.

July 8, 2001, 01:24 AM	#8
blades67 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 1999 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 6,014	My bad, I shouldn't be posting without sleep. Missed it by that much! The common standard for dies is 7/8X14 threads. Thanks for picking up the slack. __________________ Guns cause crime like spoons cause Rosie O'Donnell to be fat! I hunt, therefore I am.

July 12, 2001, 04:55 PM	#9
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	STANDARDIZED DIE SIZE ACTUALLY IT IS 7/8-14,[ NOT 7/8X14]

July 6, 2001, 12:48 AM	#3
m16a2223 Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 1999 Location: Alabama Posts: 128	brouhaha, reloading is not near as complicated as it seems to be when your getting started. When I was starting out, all the information out there got comfusing. To answer your question. Yes, dies are standardized but the Dillon 550 requires the purchase of a caliber conversion kit. You can get this kit from Dillon. They make kits for lots of calibers, if they dont list one specifically for the 338 Lapua, one for another cal. might work. Just call'um. Hope this helps, m16

July 6, 2001, 03:45 PM	#4
proximo Junior member Join Date: May 11, 2000 Posts: 191	I would avoid use of Lee dies in a Dillon 550B. Yes, they work but just barely. The problem is the die is just barely long enough so that when adjusted to the proper position the lock ring just barely grabs the die threads. I use a Lee Factory Crimp die for pistol ammo, and put up with the above problem because of the other benefits of the die) but prefer to use Hornady Titanium-nitride dies for all other steps. Dillon dies are nice, but the main issue I have with them is the expense and the fact that if you want to use several different bullets in the same caliber, the seating die is a pain to adjust. The Hornady has the option (about $13) of installing a micrometer adjustable seating stem in the seating die which makes it trivial to change adjustments and restore the settings to the original value.

July 6, 2001, 04:45 PM	#5
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	proximo: Try installing your Lee dies in your Dillon toolhead with the locking ring on the bottom, rather than top, of the toolhead. Zillions of happy Dillon owners use Lee dies in that configuration.

July 7, 2001, 10:00 AM	#7
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Uhm .... actually the dies' thread designation is 7/8 X 14 7/8 is diameter of thread form in inches & 14 = # of threads per (linear) inch.

July 12, 2001, 11:28 PM	#10
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	We shall leave no nit unpicked Yeah, lock ring on bottom side works great. Sam

July 13, 2001, 12:24 PM	#11
jtduncan Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 1999 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Posts: 1,686	all standard ones just get the Lee carbide sets and a factory crimp die for semi autos. __________________ The Seattle SharpShooter Reloaded .223 Rem, 9mm, 40SW, 357 SIG, 10mm, 44 Mag, 45 ACP Today?