What are your prefered die lock rings on a Dillon 550?

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Zaydok Allen

Zaydok Allen

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And why?

I am approaching the 1000 round count on my first reload cartridge (45 ACP) and I am eager to start reloading for other expensive cartridges, like 10mm.

I just picked up a quick change kit from Dillon for my 550B, and oddly enough, it didn't come with any die lock rings, with the exception of the one on the powder dispenser. I figured I'd just order some from Dillon since they are cheap, but then I remembered a spare set came with the reloader itself.

However, it made me wonder, what lock rings are folks using and why?
 
Hornady Split type locking rings for my single stage.

I finally picked up a Dillon 550 and do not use them on that setup.

For one thing, it is hard to work with them on that style Tool Head.

I am also using "stand alone" Tool Heads, so the Dillon Nuts work great.
Once I tighten them up, that's where they stay.
I am not switching dies any more on those particular applications.
 
Hmm. I'll check the Hornadys out. The Dillon rings are ok but the whole tightening in opposing directions is annoying and it seems like it should be easier.

I may use one on the seating die at least, as I see different seating depths in my manuals for different loads, and a split ring might be easier to adjust.
 
I like the hornady's for rifle and lee for pistol. Reason being I often make small adjustments on the pistol dies and the lee ones allow you to do that without tools
 
Most of my dies are mounted in turrets or LNL bushings so it is not as big a deal but I like the Hornadys best.
I still use Lee rings that came with my dies, wouldn't buy them if I was buying new rings but they work for me..
 
I love the Hornady rings for my Rockchucker. For my Dillon 550B, I'm still using the Dillon rings just due to setting it up that way. Not sure if there is room for the Hornady rings on the toolhead. Maybe someday I'll check it out but I hate to mess with the toolhead now that it's set up.
 
If I am using a tool head or bushing, I prefer the Dillon jam nuts. Smaller wrench than any other and the dies stays put.

I prefer the single split set collar style if I am threading the dies in and out or using them with the co-ax press.

After that the Hex nuts with a brass setscrew.

I use them all though, generally chunk the O-ring from the Lee nuts in a drawer and flip them upside down, when I use them, they are at the bottom of my list though.
 
What type of die are you using? Some lockrings won't work well with shorter dies and Dillon toolheads. I had to swap out my Lee rings for Dillon ones when I moved dies from my LCT to the 650. Hornady rings are awesome, but also wouldn't fit.
 
Dillon 45 acp carbide dies at the moment. Going to get into 10mm shortly, but I imagine there's little difference in die height.

After that it'll be on to 460 mag and 357.
 
I don't own any Hornady dies, but I have their lock rings on everything that didn't come from the factory with a split lock ring.

Just like with the Lee Universal Decapper and its collet retaining system; sometimes you just gotta admit that someone came up with a better product.
 
PO2Hammer said:
Dillon is advertising 1" rings for tight tool heads along with a nice wrench.
Click to expand...
I use those; the wrench isn't so nice. But they are great on a Lee Classic Turret as it is so cramped once the original 3-die design was changed to the current 4-die one. I've got Hornadys also, but it's hard to even install them on all 4 dies on a LCT due to the die spacing. The 1" Dillon ones are the hot setup for the LCT if you have multiple turret and die assemblies that you rarely alter.
 
+1 for the split rings. The locking rings that come with Lee dies don't lock in place and my dies always change when I remove or screw them to my press.

RCBS locking rings have the Allen head screw which tightens against die threads. These are never tight enough and come close, eventually the Allen head rounds due to being brass as its soft.

Never had any problems with the Hornady type split rings.
 
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