[agony]

Seems I've been using only the Dillon brand dies with my 550b since I got mine a couple years ago.

I have other pistol caliber dies (mostly RCBS and Redding) that have been used extensively on a single stage. They don't have the wider openings that the manufacturers say is necessary for progressive loading.

However, I want to expand into other calibers on my 550b. Do I really need to use dies made specifically for a pogressive? Or will my tried-and-true dies work well? Will they cause problems?

[SDC]

I use Lee dies for some calibres on my 550B, and can't say I've ever had a problem with them.

[HSMITH]

I use Dillon, Lee and RCBS dies on my 550. Dillon dies work best (go figure :rolleyes: ) but the others work fine as well. The main difference I have seen is that when you get on a roll and are really cranking out some ammo you will crush a case once in a while because the shell plate was not 100% properly indexed. With the Dillon dies they will grab the case and pull the shell plate into alignment, the others just crush the cases because they do not have the big chamfer on the mouth. I have experimented with flaring the mouths of some dies to work better in the 550 and had good results, but carbide dies are a bugger. They are harder than the hubs of hell, possibly even harder than woodpecker lips, so they are a PITA to work with and take much more time to work.

[444]

I have used other dies in my 550s, and had no problem at all. But, over time, I switched to all Dillon dies. The reason is that I use my 550s to crank out massive quantities of a given load. If I want to experiement, I don't want to have to take the dies out of the shellplate to use them on my single stage, and then have to put them back and re-adjust them again. So, I slowly bought a new set of Dillon dies every once in awhile until all my shell plates were Dillon. Now, if I want to start loading a new caliber progressively, I buy a complete Dillon set-up.
This may not apply to everyone, but I have everything for each caliber change including powder measure. If I want to load .45 ACP 230 grain hardball, I just install the shellplate etc. and start loading. I also have two 550s, one for large primers and one for small.

[Bob C]

I have Lee dies in three calibers, and Dillon in one. I don't find much difference between them in the actual use.

I have one caliber in RCBS, and this one seems to have a smaller opening for the resizing die, so more care is required.

[Tom C.]

I have several brands of dies in addition to Dillon's dies. I really like Redding competition seating dies and Lee collet crimp dies.

[Quantrill]

I have Lee, RCBS and Lyman dies on different "heads". I had the dies before the Dillon and used them when I wanted to load that caliber. When I have ordered new dies, they have been Dillon. Quantrill

[hps1]

Bought my Dillon 450 about 15 years ago and have since upgraded it w/auto powder measure(s) and don't own a set of Dillon dies. Just used what I had and they all worked fine. Most of my dies are RCBS and I crank out a Lot of 30-06 match grade ammo as well as an equal amount of 45 acp using RCBS carbide dies.

I'm sure Dillon dies work as well as all other Dillon equipment, but use what 'ya got, it'll work fine.

Regards,
hps

[NC Shooter]

I use RCBS and Dillon dies on my 550B. Never had a problem with any of it.

[JSR]

I just bought my 550 a month or so ago,so far I'v using my RCBS dies and Lee crimp dies. If the Dillons are that much better,I don't want to know,this has been spendy enough.:p
Jeff

[Johnny Guest]

But, exanding on what HSMITH wrote - - -
I have ruined a LOT of .380 brass using RCBS dies in my 550B. The resizer die mouth is a bit small, and unless you carefully hand index, the case mouth will catch. And, unless you have proper machine tools for the job, it is frustrating to chamfer the die mouth yourownself. I ruined mine and had to replace it . . . . Luckily, I don't load all that much .380 ammo. ;)

The die mouth problem is far less troublesome when sizing bottleneck cases.

I figure it is worthwhile to spend the money on Dillon dies for progressive of straightwall cases. This, especially when one is loading cast bullets. The drop-out insert sure makes cleaning the dies a snap. (:D )

Best,
Johnny

[agony]

Great responses so far.......

Anyone use the Redding dies made for progressive machines? Are the mouths chamfered on these also?

[martin]

I use the Redding Pro Series dies on the 550B along with Competition Seater dies for calibers available. No problems at all. I did have Dillon dies in .45acp and .44 Magnum, but, got rid of them. I prefer the Reddings.

[Gewehr98]

No problems, to date. :D

[blades67]

I have used a set of Lee dies, but the Dillon dies work better for me. I only use Dillon dies now.