Favorite pistol dies for Dillon 550?

[Langenator]

I bought a 550 of ebay...came with a set of dillon .45 ACP dies. I want to get a set of .40/10mm dies so I can reload my 10mm. Who makes the best ones, or is this one of those 'can't go wrong with a major maker (Dillon, Lee, Hornady, etc)' situations?

 

[Dr.Who]

Since you bought a dillion get dillion dies..... Then you can get their support if needed.

 

[HSMITH]

Dillon will support you no matter what dies you bought, trust me on that one.

Depends on what the gun is as to what dies I like. For standard guns and loads the Dillon dies are tops. The ONLY place I have found another brand of die to work better is in the 40 S&W and 9mm Glocks. They bulge the brass and the Dillon dies don't get all the way down to the casehead due to the big mouth on them. That big mouth is what makes them work so dang well in other calibers, and is not a problem unless cases are bulged down low. For the 9mm and 40 tupperware I like the Lee carbide dies, they get all the way down and size the cases fully. I use several other sets of Lee dies on my 550 but only because I bought 3 sets for less than another set of Dillon dies.

With other than Dillon dies you will mangle a case now and then, but it isn't a big deal nor very often if you are paying attention.

I hear the Redding dies designed for progressive presses are VERY nice but I have not tried them yet. I will say that their Profile Crimp Die is the best crimping die on the market.

 

[MrMunster]

The Lee dies work fine and are a fraction of the price Dillon charges for their dies.

 

[Johnny Guest]

I'm pretty committed - - -

- -To Dillon dies, IF you're loading cast or swaged lead bullets. The design makes it super-easy to clean out the shaved lead and lube that accumulates in the innards.

Once the dies are adjusted and locked into place in the toolhead, you're really set. If you will send the few dollars to purchase a toolhead for each set of dies, there's no reason to ever need to adjust the dies again, other than the seating stem. All you have to do is to pull the wire clip and the insert of the die drops out for cleaning.

I use a lot of RCBS dies I owned when I got my 550B, and some others on which I've found good buys since.

Another reason to use Dillon dies, though, is that they are chamfered to allow for easy entry of the case into the mouth. I've ruined a LOT of .380 ACP brass on my RCBS dies in the Dillon toolhead.

Yes, the Dillon dies are a touch pricey, but for loading lead handgun bullets, I believe they're worth every penny.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Fatelvis]

I agree with Johnny, Dillon dies are great for the "cleanability" without disturbing the settings.

 

[cheygriz]

I prefer the Redding "Pro" dies for my Dillons. I have a 650 and an upgraded 450. Redding is my first choice in both machines

 

[Cortland]

Get Lee dies with factory crimp, adjust the seating die so that it functions only as a seater (no crimp) and put a factory crimp die in the fourth station. Gives you the same function as the dillon die sets, is much easier to adjust (love that seating stem) and is about half the price.

My two complaints with dillon dies is that they're 1) expensive, and 2) a pain the arse to adjust.

 

[Ala Dan]

Hello All-

While I don't have a Dillon just yet, currently I'm
committed to using R.C.B.S. dies with a tungsten
carbide sizing die; with good results, I might add.
My press is also R.C.B.S., in the form of a "Rock
Chucker".

Past experience with Lyman (carbide sizer) dies
also yielded excellent result's. And, I've been
wanting to give Redding and Hornady a whirl?
Some say, that if you ever try dies from Redding;
you will not want anything less, but I guess that
is up for debate.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[HSMITH]

ALA Dan, that is true with rifle dies, and with the Profile Crimp Die. I don't have a local source of Redding equipment to lay a hand on the Pro dies but I am hearing really good things from guys that are really serious and really accomplished handloaders.

 

[SASS#23149]

In the past,the Lee dies were made shorter than some other dies and were harder to use on a dillon.....had to put the lock rongs on the bottom of the die holder.
I use Lee rings on my Dillon,and since I have toolheads for each set it makes em easier to adjust if necessary.If you snug em down tight they ain't gonna wiggle. Those non-frictin Dillon rings are a pain!!
I agree with seating and crimping in 2 diff. stations
I like Hornady dies 'cause they are friction adjustable on the seating stem...no wrenches needed. If I was a bullseye shooter I might want a more ridgid system but I'm a plinker so it works just fine.
I too like the way Dillon dies are made,but I don't like the price all that much.I see no need to pay shipping on dies when local shops and shows are loaded with ;'em.(dont fal for that "shipping included',or 'free shipping '' line.......it's in there!!! )

 

[C. H. Luke]

Have used Redding's Pro series dies for the 4 handgun caliber's reload for from the start on a 550.

Have gone with Lee's Fact. Crimp die for 9mm but is mostly due to using mixed free once-fired 9mm brass mostly from Glocks.

 

[Mikul]

I've tried RCBS and Redding dies and gotten bizarre results. I use Dillon dies and have no problem, but I do swear but the Lee Factory Crimp dies.

 

[444]

I have found that all dies seem to have certain features that make them desireable. I wish I could get them all in one set.
I have a set of Dillon dies in most of the calibers I load on the 550s and they certainly are a joy to clean. Adjusting them is a pain compared to some other dies, particularly the bullet seating die.
I recently tried a set of Redding Competition-Pro Series dies in .45 Colt and they are currently my faviorite. They feature a Titanium Carbide sizing die, a micrometer knob adjustment seating die, and a profile crimp die. These dies are made for use with a progressive press. They don't include a case flaring die since that comes with your Dillon powder measure.
I am going to buy another set for .357.
In these two calibers I like to experiment with different bullets. Particularly in .357: I use bullets from 110 grains to 180 grains. I load .38 Special and .357 with the same set up, and with these dies, adjustment is easy.
For calibers where I bascially only use one load and one bullet, the Dillon dies are terrific. .45 ACP is one example: 230 grain hardball. No experimentation.