Need help with 9MM on a 550B

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kv501

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Hi all, thanks in advance for any help--

Here is my question...I am going to be getting into reloading 9mm, and I would like to possibly use the Lee 3 die carbide set. I have heard good things about it and the price is right. Previously I have always used Dillon dies because I have been too chicken to try another brand--I'm over it.

At the moment I load .357, .44 and 45ACP, all with Dillon dies. The 9MM will be for my brother who is on a tight budget, so there are a couple of things I am wondering about before I buy them:

1. I am not interested in the FCD, so the three die carbide set would be fine because (I think) the 9MM Dillon conversion kit will have my expander plug and I will still be able to use my current powder die. Am I correct?

2. How bad will I fight case alignment? Dillon dies are radiused for this purpose, are the other companies as well? If not, how much of a pain will it be?

3. If there would be a better choice for dies in the Lee price range to use in this situation, I would be happy to hear your experiences.

I know that some people will post responses telling me to buy the Dillons, but I guess I'd rather hear answers to my questions from people who've used other dies besides Dillon's in a 550. Any other help is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks,
 
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1. Yes, conversion kit will have expander.
2. Moderate pain - pull lever, wiggle case until it enters the die, pull lever to size. For me, the sizing die was the worst offender (RCBS more so than Lee). You will only have to do this for 8 out of 10, the other 2 will slide right in.
3. ;) I now own Dillon dies and don't feel bad. I also own 3 - 9mm's now.

My worst aggravation was 380 acp. Now I use Dillon .223 die to size. Works much better.

They will work, they will just be slower. Patience - it's still faster than a single stage.
 
Welcome to 9mm

KV -
It's really no big deal, but there are things to watch on the 550.....

• You should buy another Dillon die holder and Dillon powder drop tube. This way you can leave the belling adjustment set in place between loading sessions. You will not use Lee die #2 as that is the Lee powder drop, and only fits the Lee powder dispenser.

• The Dillon powder hopper with the small bar will do a superior job. To set it up, dump back about 10 loads before taking a scale reading. Unlike the other calibers you've been reloading, with 9x19 ammo 1/10 grain of powder makes a difference. So you'll need to be twice as careful with the 9mm. You can't guess; your settings must be spot on.

• Up until last week I was using a Redding sizing die with zero lead-in. It's just not an issue once you adjust the the loader plate locating spring to the size of the 9mm case. It should just barely touch the case. Experiment to get the tightest fit that still lets the shell holder rotate.

• Your taper crimp will need to be around .377-.378 diameter. You should be able to achieve that in your seating die. A metal cartridge gauge that mimics the 9mm chamber size is a great thing to have to check that crimp. Ultimately, you may want a taper crimp die in position #4. Some find it easier; some manage without it just fine.

Enjoy.
 
1. yes, you are correct. With FMJ bullets, I'd consider seating and crimping in the same stage to be fine for a budget setup. With lead or plated bullets, I'd definitely seat and crimp in separate stations. Given a choice, I'll always seat and crimp separately on a progressive press. It makes die adjustment easier and there is no downside except for the crimp die cost.

2. I use a U-die for sizing 9mm (custom, tighter sizer die made by Lee and sold by EGW). I have no trouble with case alignment. This is on a Dillon 550.

3. Lee dies are fine. I've used them on a 550 in the past and still have some for calibers I don't load often. I'm using mostly hornady dies for the inline bullet seater. I use no dillon dies at this time, but would not have an issue with them. By the time you buy an extra crimp-only die, the dillon dies aren't that much more expensive. I'm not a die snob, but I don't use a Lee FCD and have no plans to ever do so.
 
Since I use a Hornady LNL AP I can't speak for the press. I do use Lee dies for both 9MM and 380 with no alignment problems. I have loaded both with and without the FCD. I do like the FCD and am a believer in it after I, well long story short, the round worked fine even though I didn't think it would chamber.
Best of luck with your lee dies!
 
I use Lee dies for 40 S&W on my 550B and I don't have any issues. I also use RCBS dies for the 550B for 38 spcl, 357 Mag, 44 Mag and a mixture of dies for 223 (Dillon, Redding, RCBS)

LGB
 
are you using range brass? (anything you pick up?) or only brass fired from your gun(s)?

i ask because i shoot a glock, and on the odd circumstance i leave my brass behind (usually after 5 or 6 loadings i stop caring as much), the poor guy who picks it up to reload it is going to have to deal with the "glock belly" when resizing. i'm currently using a Dillon carbide seating and taper crimp die, and an EGW (machined down Lee) undersized sizing/decapping die.


AFAIK, the EGW U-die is about the only thing out there that will completely get rid of that bulge (and makes my 9mm loads chamber super reliably in even the tightest match chambers)
 
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