Lyman carbide 4 die set&LCT/Dillon 550b compatibility

Status
Not open for further replies.
Nordeste

Nordeste

Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
550
Location
Spain
I may have found a good deal (still negotiating) on a used set of Lyman carbide dies in 9 mm. All I've read about these dies is positive and I feel like getting them, however, one can't help taking advantage from THR wisdom and seek some feedback on them.

First, it's carbide like my current Lee dies so no lube required. How do they feel and work compared with the Lee dies?. Do they require less effort?. Do they size the whole case as the Lee die does?.

Then, the expander is a two-step expander, which sounds great. My concern is whether it would be compatible with my LCT powder measure. Remember it has a riser so as to provide clearance for the Safety Prime thing. It would be bad if I couldn't use the riser and I'd end up having to use the Lee die and powder measure, and I'm afraid this is most likely. No complaints on how the Lee system works, but if there is a chance to use something a bit smoother... why not?.

Reading the comments on Midway USA, one folk sent a comment in which he said something about the sizing use, kind of "could use a few more threads on the top end for use on a Dillon 550b". Great. I'm planning to get a 550b as soon as I get my tax return check. If the sizer dies won't work properly on it, that's bad news.

Your inputs appreciated, gents.
 
The Lyman expander would not work with your Lee powder measure.
I started out years ago with Lyman carbide pistol die sets. I have since replaced all of them with Lee 4-die sets.
 
I don't think that Lyman is at the technological forefront on anything. I use all Lee dies in my RL550b. Just make sure you buy a 4 pack of dillon die lockrings for each set off non dillon dies you plan on using. I highly recommend buying the tool set that mounts on the back of the press. $28.99 I believe.
 
You can use the Lee dies and lock rings on the Dillon tool heads by installing the lock rings on the bottom side of the tool head. Works great on my 650.
Str1
 
I use Lee dies for .40 S&W and .45 LC, an old set of Lyman carbide dies for .38 / .357, and the Dillon dies that I ordered with my 650 for .45 ACP. They all work great. I have added a Lee FCD for the latter two calibers, as now I wouldn't load without it. I would only add what several earlier posters have said: 1) buy the Dillon skinny lock rings, and 2) mount the rings underneath if they won't go on top. It's all good.
 
When you buy a 550 you must purchase a a caliber conversion kit for each caliber you load. The kit is a base plate with brass pins and an expander and powder drop tube. The 550 works with any 7/8 14 die. I use nothing but Lyman and RCBS and am set up to load five different pistol caliber each with its own tool head and powder measure. The expanding/mouth belling die will not be used as the powder drop tube does that function , and you adjust it for as much of a mouth bell as you want. The full length resize die determines the ram stroke and is set up first. There is no room for a lock ring under the tool head.

I also use the lock rings that come with the die set adjust and set each die up, one at a time and use a wrench to tighten the lock ring against the tool head.
 
IMO if you already own Lee dies you have no reason to buy the Lyman dies. The Lyman dies will feel no smoother. The newer Hornady dies with the Titanium Nitride sizing ring are the dies that make sizing feel very easy but in both cases you will need to use a Lee powder through expander die if you want to use your Lee powder measure on press.
 
Very true, personal choice , I just wanted to point out that the Dillons, with exception of the Square Deal all work with the 7/8x14 dies.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
IMO if you already own Lee dies you have no reason to buy the Lyman dies. The Lyman dies will feel no smoother. The newer Hornady dies with the Titanium Nitride sizing ring are the dies that make sizing feel very easy but in both cases you will need to use a Lee powder through expander die if you want to use your Lee powder measure on press.
Click to expand...

And this answers the second question. If they won't make sizing any easier, then I'll definitely pass. Some of my shooting buds who use Dillon presses and dies say that there's an actual difference between the force required to resize on a Dillon vs. Lee sizing die, and that this difference is even greater (and you pay for it) on Redding dies. The downside is that it looks like the Dillon dies do not resize the whole case as the Lee do.

Thanks all for your replies ;).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Dillon 550B & Lee Dies
Replies
17
Views
1K
Bronson7
B
ulflyer
  • Locked
Lee 9mm Dies in Dillon 550B?
Replies
8
Views
1K
jmorris
jmorris
P
  • Locked
Non Dillon dies in a Dillon 550B
Replies
6
Views
604
rfwobbly
rfwobbly
L
  • Locked
Lee Dies in a Dillon 550B
Replies
7
Views
1K
PCJim
P
S
  • Locked
Dies for Dillon when Dillon doesn't make them
Replies
22
Views
948
Toprudder
Toprudder
Back
Top