Anyone else hate those hair pin clips on Dillon Dies?

[irving]

To me, these clips are a nuisance when adjusting the dies, especially when I'm switching between .38 Spl and .357 Mag. I wanted to replace them with something, so I was planning a trip to the hardware store to look at o-rings, but then I discovered something in my garage that works just fine - the gasket from a garden hose. The ones I found have an ID of just under 5/8" (.625"), so they fit snugly over the die insert which has an OD of .650". The dies are now a pleasure to adjust, so I went from hater to happy in 10 minutes flat!

 

[IWAC]

Mine works just fine...has for years, but I don't go through the hassle of readjusting for .38-357. I only use 357 brass. I have a Lee FCD that I put a lock ring on. I may replace it. Thanx for the suggestion!

 

[Soonerpesek]

I purchased that same die wrench............................I love it......!!
Good tip on the rubber washers, guess I don't mess with the settings enough for it to bother me...

 

[irving]

I have a Lee FCD that I put a lock ring on. I may replace it.

I had a Lee FCD, but didn't like it because it squeezed my seated rounds unnecessarily. I liked it much better after I removed the carbide ring, but it was still restrictive. Meaning it rubbed the case neck if the case opening was flared a little too much. That can happen when you use mixed brass.

Anyway, I like the Dillon crimp die a lot more than the Lee, especially now that I've ditched the clips.

 

[irving]

I purchased that same die wrench............................I love it......!!

The Dillon wrench worked fine for a while, then started slipping off, rounding the points on the die locking nuts. The new wrench works great! I just wish the handle was slightly smaller so it would fit into the slot on my tool holder.

 

[lordpaxman]

I’m glad you’re happy, and, neat idea, but I’m a bit confused as to why the hairpins were giving you grief? I use a combination of Dillon lock rings and Hornady’s but don’t see the hairpins getting in the way.

 

[irving]

Seriously? When you're turning the die more than a little, you have to reposition your fingers several times, and in some of those positions you wind up turning the clip instead of the die. Or the clip prevents your fingers from grabbing the die, like in the photo below. Maybe you have a different press, or slender fingers, etc.

 

[lordpaxman]

Seriously. Thanks for the explanation. As I said, I’m happy you’re happy. I just didn’t find the hairpin to be a problem. My fat fingers grab the adjusting nut, but the hairpin swivels out of the way. You have a novel solution to a problem I don’t have, that’s all.