Dillon 550 Die Length Issue

[jelenko]

FYI. I've loaded 223, 45, 38, 9 mm with no issues. I've used both the thicker aluminum rings and the thinner black ones with the brass set screw. I've always had at least 2 threads showing at the top of the die.
Pics!

 

[Xstang77]

I have a 550 and load 223, 38 spl, 357 mag, 30-06, 9mm, 45 acp and 45 colt, all with Lee dies. It seems strange you are having problems with 44 (mag?). A 45 ACP is shorter and my lee dies work, I have replaced the lock rings with the newer lee ones which adjust with the small plastic wrench. No problems at all.

The newer lee lock rings are shorter,the newer set I bought of that for 44 ended up having just enough threads to work

 

[Xstang77]

Here's a pic of the fl resizing die set so it properly touches the shell holder and takes out toolhead slop

 

[Larry Koch]

It seems like every time I go to set up my Dillon I spend close to an hour always setting it up more specifically using non dillon dies on it. Anyone else deal with this? My old style lee dies wouldnt work for 44 so had to get the newer lee dies with the smaller lock rings and they just barely lock down on the last threads.
Now setting up my forster benchrest dies in fireball and its the same grief, and when trying to resolve by putting the locking nut under the tool head no go either as it hits the indexing star.
Surely I can't be the only one who deals with this?
I can semi get by without the lock rings but for benchrest ammo it's not gonna fly,any suggestions?

The simple answer is to get a 550 for each caliber. Or one for small primers and one for large primers.
And a 650 for ammo you reload the most.

 

[kenhwind]

The simple answer is to get a 550 for each caliber. Or one for small primers and one for large primers.
And a 650 for ammo you reload the most.

I have two 550 presses, one for large primers and one for small primers.

Like others here I use Dillon as well as non-Dillon dies in my presses, but I load rifle on a Redding T7.

Years ago, when we first acquired a 550, I seem to remember setting up LEE .45 ACP dies with the lock ring on the underside.
I'd try the Dillon lock nuts.

Edit: It has dawned on me that we didn't use the under-side lock ring on a sizing die.

 

[RegionRat]

Here's a pic of the fl resizing die set so it properly touches the shell holder and takes out toolhead slop

Definitely an example of a Forester 221 FB sizier body being pretty short.

The set-screw modification with a good witness mark so you can keep an eyeball on the die rotation, or the modified toolhead look like they will be necessary to use that die.

I'm not a 221 Fireball guy, so I don't know if there are alternative dies that might work without the drama?

I'm just curious, are you actually running 221 Fireball, or just using the parent brass for a wildcat? For now, I am sure you have considered just running that size operation on the side and then feeding that brass to the rest of the process until you have a cleaner solution.

 

[Xstang77]

Definitely an example of a Forester 221 FB sizier body being pretty short.

The set-screw modification with a good witness mark so you can keep an eyeball on the die rotation, or the modified toolhead look like they will be necessary to use that die.

I'm not a 221 Fireball guy, so I don't know if there are alternative dies that might work without the drama?

I'm just curious, are you actually running 221 Fireball, or just using the parent brass for a wildcat? For now, I am sure you have considered just running that size operation on the side and then feeding that brass to the rest of the process until you have a cleaner solution.

Yea you'd think using some of the best components in the industry you wouldn't have to deal with this stuff,but I know all the presses certainly have their own quirks.
I found some Dillon lock rings I didn't realize I had sitting around that came with my press which I've managed to make work for now albeit they're threaded on the last couple threads seem to be holding securely for 20 rounds now.
I may grab an ebay toolhead and have my friend mill off 15 thou to see how it works out.

I'm starting loading for the fireball itself for a 4 digit xp100 I just fitted a burris ler scope onto so loading up to get it sighted in;neat little round.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ive never seen a die that didnt work in my 550 either. Of course i dont use lee or forster so they may be the exeption

 

[Minshooter]

Nope, don't have any problem with the Dillion 550...and I only have one set of Dillon dies, which are not used, I'm not a Dillion die fan, as too many combinations are available that do better.. I use aftermarket dies and find they work great, RCBS, Hornady, Redding, Lyman, Forester, Wilson, most times inter mixed in the tool head, and never a Dillon die, and only Dillon powder measure for pistols only...they are no-good for rifle reloading, (not accurate enough) and use the Hornady with powder drop feature. If ya don't want to set dies each time use the interchangeable Dillion tool heads pull the whole tool head with dies included....then Buy extra dies for single stage presses. Loading 380 acp in the Dillion right now, in the tool head are: Lee carbide sizer, Dillion powder measure, with home built powder drop as all are, a new Lyman match 380 acp micrometer seater, and a Lee carbide crimp die, in the Dillion 550. Almost never use a complete die set from one manufacturer, but quite often I have different brand sizers, and different brand seaters etc in tbe same tool head...not brand loyal, use cheap and expensive dies side by side in the tool head, but no Dillon dies. The only Dillion die set is 45 Colt, I have 3 carbide sizers and use RCBS 454 carbide die for 45 Colt in the Dillion 550...not the Lyman or Dillion dies, Only because the RCBS fits my application better, for me, with this cartridge, in this setup.

Interesting.
What do you do (different from Dillon) with your home built powder drop tubes?
Thanks

 

[Minshooter]

It's almost as if some design their dies with insufficient threads for use on the Dillon. Imagine that, Richard.
BUT, if your're dedicating a toolhead for each caliber (And, if not -why not?),
it's easy to drill and tap holes into the sides of the die toolhead, and add setscrews.
Yes, you have to remove the toolhead to lock in after final adjustments, but once set, nothing moves.

 

[Ray123]

Interesting.
What do you do (different from Dillon) with your home built powder drop tubes?
Thanks

Make em in the lathe, they are free, plus make several work so that one powder measure can be used for several cartridges so loosen two powder measure screws leave the 380 powder tube go to 9mm and put the 9mm powder tube go 300 blackout 300 blkout tube same powder measue no adjustment made to powder measure except charge weight, cases flaired that need it to exactly the same as the last time, those that don't aren't but no adjustments made to the same powder measure except the charge weight screw. The only thing I buy from Dillion is the reloader and then another shell plate when changing calibers. I do 17 Rem to the big bore magnums with shell plates only and aftermarket dies, and all the pistol calibers with just a few common shell plates, and make the brass retaining pins to go with the case heads. Aluminum works for the pins too. Lots of benefits polish the powder tube, increase the hole size, change the taper. Plus other things that can be improved like cast primer slides.

 

[Minshooter]

Thanks

 

[BolloX]

Hi,

A way of dealing with short dies and a Dillon 550 is to use the Whidden (non-pinned) or Armanov tool heads for instance. They have a low and a high side as you can see in the picture. I just flip the toolhead over.

 

[Michael C]

It seems like every time I go to set up my Dillon I spend close to an hour always setting it up more specifically using non dillon dies on it. Anyone else deal with this? My old style lee dies wouldnt work for 44 so had to get the newer lee dies with the smaller lock rings and they just barely lock down on the last threads.
Now setting up my forster benchrest dies in fireball and its the same grief, and when trying to resolve by putting the locking nut under the tool head no go either as it hits the indexing star.
Surely I can't be the only one who deals with this?
I can semi get by without the lock rings but for benchrest ammo it's not gonna fly,any suggestions?

I use Dillon lock rings on all my non Dillon dies and have zero problems. I use Lee, Redding, Forester, and Dillon dies. I load mostly pistol cartridges on my two Dillon 550’s but I do load all my match 223 ammo for NRA/CMP short line ammo. I use Forester dies on my 223.

 

[Xstang77]

Hi,

A way of dealing with short dies and a Dillon 550 is to use the Whidden (non-pinned) or Armanov tool heads for instance. They have a low and a high side as you can see in the picture. I just flip the toolhead over.

Awesome,thanks for the tip,I'll check them out!

 

[Xstang77]

I use Dillon lock rings on all my non Dillon dies and have zero problems. I use Lee, Redding, Forester, and Dillon dies. I load mostly pistol cartridges on my two Dillon 550’s but I do load all my match 223 ammo for NRA/CMP short line ammo. I use Forester dies on my 223.

Yea I managed to get dillion lock rings to work on my forsters although they are on the last couple threads but hey it works for now.