Which Seater Die for Dillon Press?

[Mikul]

I was all psyched up to use my new reloading setup with the ever-so-nifty RCBS competition seating die until I tried to use it and realized that the die doesn't sit low enough to seat the bullet. I called RCBS and they said that certain competition seating dies (like the .308) won't work in a Dillon press. I wish the people at Midway knew that when I asked them just that question.

Anywho, now I need to find another seating die. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I heard that Redding has a competition seating die designed specifically for progressive presses. Or should I just order the Dillon seating die?

 

[Fatelvis]

Mikul, If I understand correctly, the seating die cant screw into the toolhead far enough, right? Is the lockring stopping the die from screwing down any further? If so, try this. Take the lock ring off, screw the die down to the desired depth, and put the lockring on the BOTTOM side of the toolhead. This has worked with the thick Dillon toolhead, and some short dies (like Lee brand) in the past, for me. Hope it works for you.

 

[Master Blaster]

Dillon dies are very good, I have had good luck with them.

 

[Mikul]

This is a .308 seating die. It is screwed in until the die touches the floor plate and then backed off a smidge (1/4 turn). The top of the competition seating die screws up or down to adjust the depth of the bullet. So, instead of adjusting the die in press, you just turn the knob until it's at the right depth.

In a Dillon, this die even with the adjustment knob screwed all the way down, is still too high to seat the bullet. RCBS's customer service confirmed this when I called them.

So now I'm looking for another good .308 seating die for the Dillon. The RCBS die holds the case and bullet before they touch to keep the bullet from being seating slightly to one side or the other. I'm just looking for another die that keeps that alignment.

 

[Nero Steptoe]

There's something going on with your RCBS die that has nothing to do with the type of press on which it's mounted. If you can screw the die body down until it touches the raised shellplate, then how could the problem be press-related?? Something's going on with your die, not with your press. I use Lee, RCBS, and Redding dies, all with complete success, on my 650.

 

[Fatelvis]

Nero, I think the Dillon series has a thicker dieplate than most presses, and that is what is causing the problems. I dont have any of those "big-buck" seaters , (cuz Im always hurtin for cash!), but I think the micrometer top to the die, is bottoming out on the dieplate when/ if the die is screwed in enough to touch the shellplate. Whew! That was a mouthful!

 

[Nero Steptoe]

"but I think the micrometer top to the die, is bottoming out on the dieplate when/ if the die is screwed in enough to touch the shellplate. Whew! That was a mouthful.."


I suppose by "die plate" that you're referring to the toolhead, into which the dies are screwed. Unless the o.d. of the micrometer screw is greater than the width of the hole into which the die is screwed, (7/8") then I don't see how the thickness of the toolhead is relevant. If the die body can be screwed down until it touches the shellplate, then it'd seem to me that a properly-funtioning seater die adjustment would work o.k.

 

[Fatelvis]

I think the micrometer "head" on the seater die IS larger than the 7/8" threaded hole in the "toolhead". (Now I know what to call it! )

 

[Mikul]

The RCBS die comes with an extended shellplate. This is not an optional item. If you don't use it, the case doesn't go into the die far enough. Using it is doubly problimatic since it doesn't fit under the shell plate (it's about 1/4" thick). Besides, even if it did fit, you'd have to put it in by hand each time which wouldn't be very progessive.

RCBS seems to have done this deliberately since I can't find a good reason for it to be made this way and since most of their other competition seating dies (including 30'06) don't use an extended shellplate.

 

[Mikul]

The RCBS die comes with an extended shellplate. This is not an optional item. If you don't use it, the case doesn't go into the die far enough. Using it is doubly problimatic since it doesn't fit under the shell plate (it's about 1/4" thick). Besides, even if it did fit, you'd have to put it in by hand each time which wouldn't be very progessive.

RCBS seems to have done this deliberately since I can't find a good reason for it to be made this way and since most of their other competition seating dies (including 30'06) don't use an extended shellplate.

 

[Nero Steptoe]

I can't fathom the use of an "extended shellplate" for progressive reloading. I'm apparently missing something in the design of the seater die. I'm using the cheap-but-excellent seater die from the Lee neck-sizing (collet) die set. Die works in my 650; doesn't crimp, has screw for adjusting o.a.l. ; superb accuracy in my .243, which is a .308 necked-down.

 

[cheygriz]

Redding!!!

 

[Master Blaster]

Use a dillon die and all your problems will be solved.

It doesnt have that nifty micrometer feature though, which means a screw with numbers etched around it.

The dillon die has a threaded body which does the same thing, it fits the press, and then you use a good dial caliper to adjust the OAL. which you will need to use anyway with the Micrometer die.

If the Dillon seater does not work I'm sure dillon will give you a refund.

Save yourself a headache using a piece of equipment not designed for your press and buy the right die for your press.

But hey you could buy an RCBS press to use the seating die in.