RCBS dies in Dillon 550.

[twoclones]

I'm trying to setup a RCBS 3 die set in my Dillon 550B press but things are a bit different than with Dillon dies...

It seems to me that since the Dillon powder measure bells the case that I do not need to use the RCBS expander die. Correct?

From what I read online, the RCBS seater die apparently crimps the case as well. If that is the case, there really isn't anything to be done at station 4 where a Dillon die would normally crimp the case... Correct?

Am I on track or a terribly confused Newbie?

 

[distra]

Yep. If you have a combination seating/crimp die you will have a blank station. I have Lee dies for 38 super that has the combined seating/crimp die and station 4 is left empty. I prefer the seating die to be separate from the crimp die, these Lee dies work just fine.

 

[lgbloader]

What Caliber are you loading?

I use RCBS dies for 38 spcl, 357 Mag and 44 Mag when I handload with my 550B. Never any problems.

I set up my Tool head like this:

Station 1 - Size / Deprime with sizer Die
Station 2 - charge and flare w/Dillon powder die
Station 3 - Seat bullet
Station 4 - use a crimp die (Redding or LEE).

LGB.

 

[twoclones]

What Caliber are you loading?

I'm setting up for 500 S&W.
I loaded .357 Mag using Dillon dies and that was pretty easy. This probably is too but the difference took me by surprise.

 

[dave from mesa]

same as lgbloader except I use Dillon dies for pistol as I didn't have any others (well did have non carbide dies) when I bought their press.

 

[Cascades]

Some of the calibers I load on my 550B, I seat in the three hole and use a Lee Factory Crimp Die in the fourth.

A couple things I've found to be different between the RCBS single stage and the 550B--
Sometimes the crimp won't hold for my old Winchester calibers. I exhaust all adjustment possiblilities, and nothing will keep the bullet from being pushed back into the case (for use in tubular magazines). I've learned that when this occurs, a slight shaving of material off the base of the RCBS sizing die solves the problem. (Rebevelling the hole sometimes is necessary.) The height of the shell plate and the die bottoming-out is different between the two presses.

Another problem is for cast bullet loading in soft mouthed cases--Dillon does not make powder funnels that will open the mouths for several of the old calibers. A bit of creative powder funnel switching is in order to aid in opening the mouths to accommodate a cast slug without tearing the heck out of the case neck.

These are problems I hope Dillon solves in the near future.

Do love my Dillon press though. Certainly makes reloading simple and a breeze for most calibers.

 

[twoclones]

Station 4 - use a crimp die (Redding or LEE).

It appears that neither Redding nor Lee makes a crimping die for 500 S&W

 

[lgbloader]

It appears that neither Redding nor Lee makes a crimping die for 500 S&W

I can't confirm on that, Mate.

If that is the case, then just seat and crimp in station 3 and leave station 4 empty. You wont hurt anything for leaving station 4 empty.

I did this for years before I bought my first crimp die anyways.

LGB

 

[egivers]

RCBS dies in a Dillon 550b

you said..."Yep. If you have a combination seating/crimp die you will have a blank station. I have Lee dies for 38 super that has the combined seating/crimp die and station 4 is left empty. I prefer the seating die to be separate from the crimp die, these Lee dies work just fine"

So I have a Reloader Special full length two die set from RCBS in 223 (model # 11141). Is this still the case?? The Dillon representative see to think it was a good idea to purchase a separate crimp die... please advise

 

[shooter762]

egivers, yeah get a crimp die for 223, Lee makes a good one.