Can you use non-dillon dies in a dillon?

[wacki]

I have a bunch of lee and hornady dies and want to know if I can use any of them if I buy a dillon.

thanks,

W

 

[ReloaderFred]

If the Dillon press you get has 7/8"x14 threads, then any common dies will work.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[snuffy]

The answer is yes on the Hornady dies, and maybe on the lee. Some of the earlier lee dies are too short to be used with the lock ring on/at the top of the die, where it's usually used. BUT you can, and many people do, put them on the bottom of the die, under the tool head. One of my tool heads is set up like that, it works fine.

 

[dmazur]

While it's a detail, it can cause trouble if the dies have a "square bottom".

If you're reloading pistol brass, the edge of the case mouth can catch on the square edge.

Dillon and Hornady dies (and probably others designed for progressive loading) have a beveled bottom opening that prevents this hang up.

 

[zxcvbob]

They won't fit a Dillon "Square Deal" press.

 

[billybob44]

The answer is yes on the Hornady dies, and maybe on the lee. Some of the earlier lee dies are too short to be used with the lock ring on/at the top of the die, where it's usually used. BUT you can, and many people do, put them on the bottom of the die, under the tool head. One of my tool heads is set up like that, it works fine.

Good idea Snuf. Never thought about it. When I had that problem with Lee dies in a Dillon, I called Dillon and they sent me a shim kit to raise the ram platform on my RL550 enough that the Lee dies would work.

 

[hydraulicman]

i use lee and rcbs on my dillon 550B with no problems

 

[Tacoma]

They won't fit a Dillon "Square Deal" press.

x2!!

 

[spoonbender]

I use quite a few other mfg's other than Dillon on my 550B, but as mentioned, gotta be carefull about straight wall pistol case alignment without the lead bevel base dies. I kinda wiggle/rotate the head a bit when pulling the handle to encourage alignment. Tapered rifle casings are OK, have'nt had any issues to date.

 

[GaryL]

i use lee and rcbs on my dillon 550B with no problems

I have Lee, RCBS, Dillon, and Hornady dies. I've never caught them fighting with each other about it.

 

[wmurphy]

Maybe, but why

After using Dillon dies, I wouldn't use anything else.

 

[jpdavis423]

I often mix dies from different manufacturers on the same toolhead. As time goes by however I find myself using more and more Dillon. But I do use a Redding taper crimp die when I'm reloading wad cutters for my 52-2.

Jeff

 

[billybob44]

After using Dillon dies, I wouldn't use anything else.

++1-When I can afford the Dillons.

 

[ReloaderFred]

There are some dies that perform certain functions better than the Dillon dies, which is why I have dies from all the manufacturers, including some that are now out of business. By sticking with just one brand of dies, you may be depriving yourself of a better way of doing something, or of producing a better product.

Brand loyalty is fine for some people, but I prefer to use the tool that's best suited to a particular job, no matter who makes it.

Hope this helps.

Fred