Dillon 550 Die Length Issue

[Xstang77]

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?

 

[Hoser]

Put the lock rings on the underside of the toolhead.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Dillon makes very nice dies that work well in their machine

 

[Xstang77]

Put the lock rings on the underside of the toolhead.

Like I mentioned they hit the indexing star unfortunately.

 

[Xstang77]

Dillon makes very nice dies that work well in their machine

Almost seems it's their intentional engineering to get you to buy their dies which are usually oos.

 

[snert]

I have been using redding dies and redding lock rings with little problem

 

[GLShooter]

My Hornady dies fit fine in my 550. I don't adjust them once I get them set. The tool head just gets swapped out a powder measure is dropped on.

 

[Xstang77]

On the hunt for shorter rings at this point as after a quick search I'm not sure dillon even makes fireball dies,guess worst comes to worse I may have to get or use a different machine

 

[Ray123]

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.

 

[rockhound78]

Put some teflon pipe tape on the dies. I have done this to good effect. I have also put the lock ring on the underside of the toolhead

 

[Xstang77]

I'll try the teflon,good idea,like I've mentioned putting the lock nuts under the toolhead wont work in this scenario as it makes the indexing star hit the locknut before the fl sizing die touches the shell plate.

 

[RegionRat]

Some solutions require the toolhead to be milled down. If the die body is really that short that neither the upper method or the lower method for the lock ring will work, you may be in that situation where the toolhead has to be shortened.

ETA: rehearse and work out all your other dies before you make the modification. Sometimes it is better to shorten the bottom, sometimes the top. Base that on getting the rest to fit before you cut.

 

[Mauser06]

For my match rifle I keep 2 Armanov heads setup. The critical tools are on floated rings. One tool head forr sizing and expanding. The other i run my expander, drop my powder, seat the bullet on.

I load weekly and having it setup saves me tons of time. Loading on the 550 saves tons of time. I wouldn't have the time to load if I didn't have my system.


Only issue I've had thus far is a Harrels sizer. Too short to work and like you mentioned, rings on the bottom simply don't work on the 550 tool heads.


Full length dies I've had no issues.

 

[hoz53]

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 a combination of forster, rcbs and redding- i always have plenty of room on the threads to put lockrings on the top. i use the hex lockrings by rcbs. you are using multiple die heads and keeping them set up arent you?

 

[hoz53]

Dillon makes very nice dies that work well in their machine

yeah I have a few sets but if you order their carbide dies now, I think its at least a year wait. Im still waiting on a set and its been at least that long.

 

[M21]

Drill and tap the die block perpindicular to the 7/8-14 die for a set screw. Preferably a set screw with a nylon or brass tip.

HTH

 

[PatMiles]

Loaded on a Dillon 550 for years with various combinations of manufacturers dies and never had a problem. Lock rings were always on the top of the tool head.
Maybe a few pics of your problem would help us get a better idea of what the problem is.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Check your lock rings, some brands may be thinner. If you don't have one thin enough, then take a file to one and thin it down. Or measure how much room before hitting the advance lever and have a machine shop thin one or two down for you. Go a hair thinner just to be on the safe side.

Frank

 

[Xstang77]

I'll snap some pics later today,I was considering having something milled down as I have a retired machinist with a lathe I'm sure I could get to help.
I do switch heads it's just when I run into issues like this on the dillon getting a new head set up. As I've mentioned this is the second different set of dies I've had this issue with. I have been eyeing a t7 for years now..

 

[old codger]

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.