[MoreIsLess]

I have a Dilllon 550b and need a 45acp die set I am thinking of getting either Dillon dies or Redding. I have Dillon 38spl dies and like them well. The only thing I don't like is that you have to unscrew the lock ring to adjust the seating depth of the seating die and the crimp of the crimp die. I really like the snap spring in the sizing/depriming die. I've heard good things about Redding dies and they have the traditional adjusting screw that other mfgr's have.

I've narrowed it down to these 2 so, please, don't suggest other mfgr's dies, I am looking for a compare of these 2.

[joed]

Excellent choices in my opinion, I have some of both. When it comes to dies for a progressive press I'll always choose Dillon. Why? They just work so well.

For years and years I bought RCBS and swore by them. When I got my first Dillon I noticed I had nothing but problems with decapping pins when using RCBS. RCBS was very good about sending me new ones when they broke but eventually I started thinking about another brand. After owning my first set of Dillon dies I was sold.

[creeper1956]

Hand loading is, if you do it right, one long education. I prefer to use that term rather than money pit. Over time, reloaders will end up with an assortment of what works and frequently a large pile of what doesn't. :D
What works for me as far as a progressive pistol and small caliber rifle set-up has been Dillon presses with Redding, Forster or Warner dies. IMO, Dillon dies are good but Redding dies (and others) add a higher degree of quality, precision and sometimes convenience that you can't get from Dillon. If you reload for a variety of .45s, the Redding comp. pro series carbide 3-die set is, arguably, the finest die set on the market.

C

[Henry45]

Me, it's Dillon. But, you have picked the best of the best in my mind. I can't really give you a comparison die vs. die, because i have Redding pistol dies and Dillon rifle dies, but can tell you, when you get it to here, it's personal preference. They are the top... loaded many on Redding 45colt and never had one issue. Dillon 223 has never given me an issue either. Not one. So, flip a coin. You'll hit what your aiming for!

[MoreIsLess]

One thing I like about Redding is that they have adjustment knobs for seating die and crimp die whereas with the Dillon, you have to loosen the lock nut and screw the die in or out and then tighten it back down.

One thing I am looking for is smoothness of operation. I already have a Dillon for 38spl and de-priming takes less force and is much smoother with the Dillon than for other calibers using my Lee dies. Not sure if this is because 38spl is easier to de-prime or because it's' a Dillon die.

[littleguns223]

I have used Dillon dies on all of my hand gun calibers for 20+years with no problems what so ever. I use Lee and RCBS for my rifle calibers.

[Otto]

Dillon vs. Redding? That depends, Redding makes 3 different sets.

Standard Carbide 3 die set $72 (no separate taper crimp die)
Pro-Series set $83 (no expander die)
Competition Pro Series $137 (no expander) (includes in-line micrometer seater)

Dillon only offers one set $67

I like the Competition Pro's but I also own Dillon's

[rikman]

I use Dillon's resizing die, Redding Comp seater, makes setting oal after bullet change very easy, Lee factory crimp die, which makes adjusting crimp super easy by twisting adjustment knob.

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae133/FLYFIDO/toolhead.jpg

[PlusP]

Redding and Dillon are the best choices and I use both on a 550b ,I found the Redding pro set in 40sw to be the only sizing die to remove the Glock bulge common to 40sw .If I needed a set of dies for an auto loading pistol I would go with a Pro-Series set or Dillon in that order ...


http://www.midwayusa.com/product/736556/redding-pro-series-carbide-3-die-set-45-acp

[dap22]

If it's one or the other I'd go Dillon. I have both along with others which, over time I've culled to where I only have Dillon for pistol calibers and a combination of Dillon and Redding for rifle. But, for a 550 which I have a couple of, I prefer the convenience and function of the Dillon dies.

[rfwobbly]

I own both Dillon and Redding for a 550 and like them both. If you want Dillon, but want the standard way of adjusting bullet seating depth, then look for a set of the first generation Dillon dies. That way you can have your cake and eat it too.

[Jdillon]

For the 550, I prefer Dillon dies since they work flawlessly. I have multiple tool heads set up for different pistol calibers as well as one for 223. On several heads I installed a Redding Competition seating die which is great for adjusting seating depth if different bullets are used. For my single stage presses, I almost exclusively use Redding including their standard FL, Type S and competition dies. Both makes are very good.

[Sport45]

For .45acp? Unless you are a very competitive Bullseye shooter with a very well tuned gun I doubt you'll see the difference with any die set you buy.

Buy the ones you want.

[Hondo 60]

^^^^^^^ what he said ^^^^^^^^

I have a set of Dillon, a set of RCBS, a set of Redding & 6 sets of Lee.
My finished ammo passes my specs on all of my calibers.
While I have other dies, I just didn't see any improvement over Lee.

[codefour]

I have never used Redding dies butI do use Dillon on my RCBS Pro 2000. The Dillon dies are a lot smoother than RCBS in a progressive. The nice thing about Dillon dies is you do not have to lose you seating or crimp settings to clean them.

I load a lot of cast lead bullets. The seat and crimp dies always geta build up of bullet lube in them. I just remove the die plate and pull the retaining pin. THe internal sleeve comes out and makes for quick and easy cleaning. You do not have to reset them! I do not know if the Redding Pro dies have this feature.

[Nanook]

I have a mixture of Dillon, RCBS, and Redding dies. I use the Dillon dies on my two 550Bs, and use the Redding on my T-7 turret press, along with some RCBS.

I really like the seating die on the Redding dies sets I have, which are 6mmBR and .32 H&R. Neither of those have Dillon die equivalents. Well, the .32 does, but the Dillon set won't do .327 Federal Magnum and the Redding will. This info is right from Dillon.

I'm thinking about buying the Redding competition seating dies for both .223 and .308 someday.

I'm slowly replacing my RCBS dies with Dillon dies for those calibers I load on the 550B. I'll keep some of them for single stage or turret use, but the pistol dies will be sold.

[gahunter12]

My vote goes to Dillon. I have all my tool heads loaded with Dillon dies.

[MoreIsLess]

I finally decided and ordered the Dillon dies in 45acp.

[weemsf]

I like RCBS dies. The Dillon dies don't always size all the way down the case, at least far enough to suit me. Redding are the cadillac of dies.

[rodinal220]

Dillon.I have been using their products and dies for 28 years,very satisfied.If Dillon makes a die(exception is the .50BMG($$$)) I use it.If they don't I normally use Redding as second choice.The Dillon dies are really geared for volume use on a progressive.

[waynecrothers]

I myself prefer dillon dies. I have just about every brand of dies and the dillons seem to be the best for me. Especially for pistol