The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old July 17, 2000, 09:49 PM   #1
Opihi
Junior Member
 
Join Date: July 1, 2000
Posts: 14
Hello Everyone,

I just picked up a Dillon 550B and am now looking to purchase a set of dies (.40 and .45acp). The Dillon brand was quite a bit more expensive than others. Are they worth it?

Are there any disadvantages or trade-offs in using RCBS or Lee dies with the 550B?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Opihi is offline  
Old July 17, 2000, 10:01 PM   #2
M16
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 16, 1999
Posts: 490
I prefer the Dillon dies in a progressive since they are designed for that purpose. You can use the other brands but since you are going first class why not go the distance. It's only money.
M16 is offline  
Old July 17, 2000, 10:08 PM   #3
MADISON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 1, 2000
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Posts: 2,678
I have used RCBS, LYMAN and HORNADY dies.
I prefer Hornady.
RCBS has a weak point--The decapping stem.
The last Lyman dies I bought had a FLOATING DECAPING PIN(s)
MADISON is offline  
Old July 17, 2000, 10:11 PM   #4
Jack Straw
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 26, 1999
Location: Georgia
Posts: 362
If you use Lee dies you will either have to put the locking nut on the underside of the toolhead or turn the lock nut over(rubber O-ring side up) to get it to work on the top of the toolhead. I do this with no problems.

If you will be using cast bullets at all I would definitely get the Dillon dies. Their seating and crimping dies have clips that allow you to disassemble and clean the dies and then return them to use without having to readjust the dies. A very nice convenience.

Jack
Jack Straw is offline  
Old July 18, 2000, 08:02 AM   #5
WESHOOT2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 20, 1999
Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country)
Posts: 14,324
Get the Dillon dies, and add a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die....

------------------
"All my ammo is factory ammo"

WESHOOT2 is offline  
Old July 18, 2000, 08:50 AM   #6
Bullwinkle
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 8, 2000
Posts: 283
Ditto the Lee factory crimp dies. The crimp die also has a carbide sizing ring set low enough to size some of the case that the dillon sizer misses.
Bullwinkle is offline  
Old July 18, 2000, 08:59 AM   #7
Opihi
Junior Member
 
Join Date: July 1, 2000
Posts: 14
Thanks guys.

I'm definitely sold on the Lee crimp die. Seen lots of positive feedback from numerous TFL members.

That leads to one specific question. Can I use an RCBS Carbide set with the Lee factory crimp in a 550b with only 4 stations? I'm very new, so please excuse the basic question.

My understanding is that I'll be using the RCBS in station One, the Dillon Powder die in station two, the RCBS seater/crimper in station three, and the Lee in station four. Is this correct?

Thanks.
Opihi is offline  
Old July 19, 2000, 09:05 AM   #8
Bullwinkle
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 8, 2000
Posts: 283
Standard Dillon configuration is

Station 1 - Decaping/Sizing Die
Station 2 - Powder Die
Station 3 - Seating Die
Station 4 - Crimping Die

The Dillon dies are very nice and designed for use on progressive presses, and are fully supported by Dillon. I would use the Dillon dies unless you have a specific specific reason for going with something else (i.e. the Factory Crimp Die which is a better mouse trap). The RCBS dies are probably not a better mouse trap. The Seater/crimper you mentioned will be difficult to adjust and just double up (or work against) the work the Factory Crimp die does. Seperating the seating and crimping stages is a good thing.

The difference in cost between the die sets should be irrelevent given the savings on ammo.
Bullwinkle is offline  
Old July 20, 2000, 10:26 AM   #9
johnnybravo
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 10, 2000
Posts: 100
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Opihi:


My understanding is that I'll be using the RCBS in station One, the Dillon Powder die in station two, the RCBS seater/crimper in station three, and the Lee in station four. Is this correct?

Thanks.
[/quote]

That's just the set up I have in my 550B, for 45 acp. The seater/crimp die in station 3 is set for seat only.




------------------
johnnyb
A slow hit beats a fast miss.
johnnybravo is offline  
Old July 20, 2000, 01:35 PM   #10
Opihi
Junior Member
 
Join Date: July 1, 2000
Posts: 14
Thanks Johnny. It took a while, but I think I finally figured it out. Hopefully this will be the best of both worlds.

Thanks for the help.
Opihi is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:50 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.07576 seconds with 10 queries