thinking about upgrading my press

Hornady dies worked in my 550. Did the same thing started with SDB and then went to 550 and then went to two Hornady LNL's.

I only load mostly 38 special and 357 magnum. I have 12 seater dies and it is quick to to change them out. Also I like the 5 th place for the lockout die.


If I were you I would look at 650 before a 550

dannyd said:

I only load mostly 38 special and 357 magnum. I have 12 seater dies and it is quick to to change them out.

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A different seat die for each bullet profile?

Keep the sdb for pistol. I assume you already have dies.

buy the 550 for rifle.

rskent said:

A different seat die for each bullet profile?

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Yes different one for each bullet and I have 6 powder measures. 3 for 38 Special and 3 for 357 magnum. One press setup 38 special other for 357 magnum.


If I load for rifle I use a single stage press.

Dillon tool heads are threaded for 7/8 X 14 dies. The only dies that I have ever heard of not working on Dillons are Lee. At one time I think Lee dies were shorter than others. And please don't take this as a cheap shot at Lee!

I really like my 550 but the 650 would be nice too!

I went from using a Lee Pro1000 to a Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro and had a heck of a time adjusting to just the different priming systems so do not be surprised if it take a little while to adjust from the Auto index of the SDB to the manual index of the 550. Just saying it might seem awkward and uncomfortable at first.

I too have heard that the Lee dies are shorter than others. Best wishes for your upgrade!

The dies will work fine. If any are for straight walled cases, you won't need the belling die as it is incorporated into the powder funnel, included with the conversion kit. You will need conversion kits as these are press specific.

unless its a special press like the SDB all dies are 14x7/8.

JO JO said:

Some specialty dies are a different thread pitch example the 50 cal is a larger thread size , i am asking about length of die as some are to short and
Won’t extend far enough in a Dillon tool head and can not be locked down correctly as I understand it, but luckily
Hornady dies are not an issue

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Never reloaded for a 50, but the length of the Hornady dies should not be a problem because the LNL top head is wider than the Dillon tool head so it should be okay.

I have a 550B.

Forget all those, get a 650 with auto case feeder, auto bullet feeder.

Based on my experience Hornady dies should be no problem. I have several brands of dies in various calibers for my 550. It may be worth a thought to keep the SDB committed to one caliber. Do the rest on the 550.

Addendum: Current generation of Lee dies work well in the 550. Older dies were too short. Make sure of what you are getting and the problem goes away.

You will probably need Dillon lock rings, because the tool head is a bit cozy. I am using Lee .223 dies with my 550B with no problems. Some of my older Lee pistol dies sets (30 years old now) were too short and I had to put the Dillon lock rings underneath the tool head. I have since replaced them with Dillon. The 550 is a great machine!

Small lock rings: Good point. Dillon has a lock ring made for standard dies in their tool head. I have changed most of the lock rings on the tool heads to this style of lock ring. This smaller lock ring makes adjustment etc. much easier. Dillon also sells a wrench for this lock ring. Check it out on the website.

Don't miss Whiterook808's comment about putting lock rings on the BOTTOM of the tool head...that is the solution that I've used for all short dies on my 650xl tool heads.

Mowgli Terry said:

Small lock rings: Good point. Dillon has a lock ring made for standard dies in their tool head. I have changed most of the lock rings on the tool heads to this style of lock ring. This smaller lock ring makes adjustment etc. much easier. Dillon also sells a wrench for this lock ring. Check it out on the website.

Click to expand...

Yep, bought Dillon rings and wrench off amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dillon+d...refix=Dillon+die+,aps,266&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_11

I had used a LCT for some time when they first came out. That is a neat machine. I loaded mainly rifle calibers so the Rockchucker was my main press. Later, I got a Co-Ax. Personally, It's a good press that is over-advertised. I was in a pawn shop and found a complete RCBS Piggyback including press and powder measure cheap. Got that thing running with an update from RCBS. Made a promise to myself never to get a self indexing press ever again. This was a personal decision. Later, got what was to become a 550 in an estate sale of a friend. Due to support from the company and clear instructions it became a favorite. This is my personal history getting to were I'm at now. It's hands on experience and use after many years with the Dillon. That history confirms the decision to stick with Dillon. What ever anybodies decision is I hope they get as much use and enjoyment as I have to the present day. Finally broke down the Piggyback and now use the RC and Uniflow frequently. The Co-Ax is just in the way.