[Hugh King]

Hello all, it's the new guy again. My previous reloading has all been with single stage presses. I have just purchased a Dillon 550. I will be loading .38-40, .44-40, and .45LC. As the first two are just necked down .45LC cases, and all three calibers can be safely loaded with the same moderate powder load (for CAS shooting purposes anyway), my question to experienced Dillon 550 loaders is; can I use the .45LC conversion kit with .38-40 & .44-40? Is there a function that takes place with the powder insert besides guiding the powder into the case? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Jim Watson]

First, .38-40 and .44-40 are not just necked down .45 Colt, they have their own rim and head dimensions and do not call for the same shellplate. The powder funnel also serves as the neck expander and flaring plug and is therefore caliber specific. (You don't use a conventional expander die in a Dillon.) The only things in common to the three are the locator buttons and the primer feed. So a .45 LC conversion kit will not help you with the WCF cartridges. You can order pieces separately, the same shellplate serves .38-40 and .44-40 so you need not order two conversions, just get one and the other's powder funnel.

[Hugh King]

That's exactly the kind of answer I was looking for, thank you.

[redneck2]

you at least invest in 2 more toolheads if you haven't so far. You can leave your dies in place so you don't have to re-adjust every time you change calibers. If you don't, it will take maybe 30 minutes every time you change calibers

Better is to get the toolhead with the powder measure. Then you can just swap shell plates and keep the powder measure/head assembly set up for each caliber. You'll be able to change calibers in a minute or two.

[Jim Watson]

Toolhead with powder die for each caliber, si.
But if he picks his bullets right, he can use the same powder charge in all three of the calibers he mentions. No need to pay for multiple powder measures. Say eight grains of Unique and a 172 gr .38-40, a 200 gr .44-40, and a 250 gr .45 Colt, per Lyman 47th.

[Hugh King]

Thanks again for the info gents. I ordered another shell plate and the appropriate funnels for .38-40 and .44-40 (already had for .45LC). FYI the bullets I intend to use are 180,200, & 200 grns. I'm using them for cowboy shooting so the 200 in 45LC is plenty. thanks again