Dillon Press using other brand dies

[bbq fan]

Hello THR,

I am a long time shooter, but a new reloader. I have purchased a nice used Dillon 550B press already set up for 9mm. The 9mm is not something needed anytime soon. .38 is the main target. I probably will load some 2,000 rounds within the next few months.

Dillon lists their dies at $62 plus shipping. Midway offers Lee Dies starting around $27. Is this possible to function properly? Any other considerations?

Thanks!

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr Fan -
Welcome to Reloading !


Yes and No.

Yes, Lee dies will screw into the tool head of the 550B and work in the #1 (sizing), #3 (seating), and #4 (optional taper crimp) positions. The threads are somewhat shorter on Lee dies, so you may want the optional Dillon die lock nuts. Some people simply turn the Lee lock nut over. The Lee powder drop/ expander in position #2 is replaced by the Dillon Powder Die and the Case Expander for the correct caliber.

No, in that that's not all you're going to need. When Dillon ships a press set up for any caliber, that means it comes with the correct shell holder, case expander and brass buttons (in other words the Caliber Conversion Kit is included). Before you can get started on 38/357, you'll also need to buy the caliber conversion kit for 38/357.

I would also highly suggest a new Tool Head and Powder Die for each separate caliber.

Hope this helps!

 

[cheygriz]

Most of the dies I've used on my Dillon's over the years have been Redding and/or RCBS and/or Lyman.

And you can mix them. When I load .44 magnum, I use a Redding "Pro" sizer, Redding seater, and Lee FCD.

My .38 setup has a Lyman carbide sizer, Redding seater, and Lee FCD.

 

[rscalzo]

I use all of them. the Dillion dies are manufactured in a way that allow the case to enter without assistance. My RCBS handgun dies need some guiding by hand. I only use Lee neck sizing dies in 308. They work just fine. Other rifle caliber are all RCBS and for the most part the press is used as a single stage.

I use RCBS for 38/357 loading. I'm partial to their dies but the others are fine. But you will probably find the case mouth hangs up a bit on the resizing die.

I do load 223 in larger quantities for informal range work and use the Dillion die set. In my opinion, powder selection is an important factor when loading necked rifle calibers. Many rifle powders do not flow well and stick powder can bridge the drop tube causing under or over loads of powder. For the informal 223 load, I use a ball powder (H335).

 

[BCRider]

I've got Lee dies on my .38 and .357 plates. Yes I set up two plates so I didn't need to re-adjust to go from Spl to Mag. In my case unlike rfwobbly above I just left the Lee powder and flaring dies in their cases and use the Dillon flaring and powder die so that I am able to use the Dillon powder measure. I don't use the #4 position in the plate with this setup. I put the Lee decapping/sizing die in #1, Dillon flaring/powder die in #2 and the seating/crimp die in #3. #4 being left blank.

Doing it this way did take a bit of extra time to get the seating and crimp die set up just right. But with having a die holder plate set up for each caliber I avoid having to do this fussy bit again.

 

[bbq fan]

Thanks again for all the information. This helps alot.

 

[cheygriz]

BTW, the Redding "Pro" sizing dies are slightly flared at the bottom for use in progressive reloaders, similar to the Dillon, but with slightly less flare.

 

[rbernie]

The Lee powder drop/ expander in position #2 is replaced by the Dillon Powder Die and the Case Expander for the correct caliber.

True, if you use the Dillon powder drop. For my pistol chamberings, I use the Lee die sets and the Lee AutoDisk Pro powder drop - works like a superflychamp.