[Idano]

I have a question for anyone who owns both a Hornady AP and either a 550 or 650 with the roller handle. I want to know if the roller handle shaft of the Dillon is the same size and thread pitch as the Hornady. I have always liked the roller handle concept and I am going to order one for my Hornady if it will fit.

[Empyrean]

It won't fit. I tried. I memory serves me correctly the LNL AP handle screws into the press with the lock nut on the top. The Dillon 550 actually goes in a non-threaded hole and has a washer on top and a nut on the bottom. Two different implementations.

--AJ

[Idano]

Empyrean Thank you. Do remember if the shaft diameter was the same size, because I can thread it but if it is smaller or larger that will be a problem.

[dmftoy1]

I just measured the threaded portion of the rod on my 650 and it's .548 if that helps.

Have a good one,
Dave

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I just measured my LnL handle at .616" to .620" on the threaded portion, depending on the sloppiness of the measurement. That leaves about .068" of space. You may be able to slip the Dillon handle in with minimal fitting, such as turning the handle down a bit or drilling out the Hornady screw threads a bit. Sounds like it's a fairly easily doable deal.

Dave

[dmftoy1]

FWIW - the portion of the roller handle above the threads is wider and the portion above that is even wider. (it steps down). I'd imagine that you could very easily cut the dillon roller handle off where it steps down to the smooth part and thread it for the Hornady. Of course you'd lose about an inch of length on the handle.

If you need any measurements of those areas let me know . . .

Have a good one,
Dave

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Dave,

Please go ahead and throw out those measurements. An inch off the end of the handle isn't going to make any difference as the leverage of the press is way overkill with the standard length. Still be smooth as glass, prolly even smoother with that handle and I see no reason not to cross pollenate.

Dave

[dmftoy1]

Ok ..took it off to measure with my trusty frankford arsenal calipers. The "top" of the threads is the same diameter as the unthreaded portion that sits in the press and it's .543. It then steps up in diameter to .623

Regards,
Dave

[Idano]

Everyone thank you very much. Picked up a handle today at Sportsman Warehouse and tomorrow I am taking it to the machine shop and have them thread above where it machined down to fit in the Dillon. I measured it and it appears to be 5/8 stock same thickness as the Hornady handle. I slipped it in the press to see how it was going to work out; one word---SWEET! Soon as I get it done I post pics of the mutant. There may be no one ideal press but I am sure as hell going to try to mutate my into one if possible. I already figure that Hornady stole the ram double linkage and powder measure from RCBS (The original Rock Chucker was the first one I remember double knuckle after the merger with Ohaus) , the shell plate and case feeder from Dillon so figure I might as well use the low primer alarm and roller handle from Dillon too.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Idano,

Good job. I don't think it matters what brand you buy. What matters is you have your press the way you want it. There's no reason to be a brand snob or to "one-stop" shop. If one reloading equipment company doesn't have what I want and another one does, I'll buy from the company that has what I want.

If it's easy to adapt, so much the better.

Regards,

Dave

[dmftoy1]

I'll be interested to see the pictures. If you can take some before you mount the handle as well.

Have a good one,
Dave

[meef]

:confused:

Hmmm......

What do you call such things when you begin to crossbreed them?

A Horndill?

A Dillady?

Hmmmm....

[Plastic Cowboy]

Don't forget put some red spray paint on that handle so it matches!!!
;)

[Vitamin G]

Little bit of a side-topic...

But you wouldn't happen to ALSO own a lee turret and be able to tell me if a roller-handle fits that too, would you? :D

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Vitamin,

Ok, I'll play.

1st, if you have a Lee Classic turret, you need to measure the size of the handle you already have. This is at the threads and just above. You also need to measure above the threads to find out the diameter they're using for the basic handle. If you don't have the press yet, the bar on the Lee handle is 5/8" thick.

2. Now that you have this measurement and know the Dillon handle shaft is 5/8" thick, you'll immediately realize the Dillon roller handle will fit your press simply by removing the nut and inserting it into the clamp you already have. You can then add the nut to the threads on the bottom of the handle if you wish. Or not.

I'm thinking that's a big YES. (grin)

Dave

[Idano]

Everyone I added pictues to this thread:http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=250664