Ever use RCBS Competition seater die in DIllon 550?

[garandman]

Bought this used micrometer adjust RCBS seater die to use in my 550C and the shellplate doesn't push the case up far enuf to seat the bullet. As the pic shows, the bullet drops into the case mouth thru the "window" from above the case. But even with the die threaded ALL the way into the 550 toolhead, the bullet isn't pressed into the case mouth. Normally, the collet (bottom of the window) is pushed up by the case shoulder to where the bullet tip engages the seater stem (top of the window) But the Dillon doesn't push the case into the die far enuf to seat the bullet, even with the die threaded all the way in.

Honestly, it looks more designed to work with a Rockchucker single stage, and that's what the pics in the manual show.

Any helps?

 

[dhagerty40]

this answers it:
RCBS Competition Dies are meant for reloading bottleneck cartridges for competitive marksmen who measure success in fractions of a millimeter. The Seater Die doesn’t crimp; it features a micrometer for super accurate bullet seating depth in increments of 0.001 inch, as well as a bullet loading window and a seating guide that ensures correct bullet alignment before and after seating. Note: Not for use with progressive reloading presses; competition dies do not require neck bushings.

 

[garandman]

I did find this for adjusting seater stem height, which is what I need:

See @ 7:30. ....

 

[garandman]

On RCBS website.....seater stem is much lower.....

 

[10XSHOOTER]

They also sell extended shell holders that fit inside of the die for shorter cartridges.

 

[dhagerty40]

you do know that the Matchmaster die is a different die?
The competition seater die: (has warning): https://www.rcbs.com/dies-and-shell-holders/seaters-2/competition-seater-die/2050.html

The matchmaster die (no warning): https://www.rcbs.com/dies-and-shell-holders/matchmaster-1/matchmaster-–-seater-die/1000999.html

 

[garandman]

@dhagerty40. ... I got a call into RCBS on this....

 

[garandman]

They also sell extended shell holders that fit inside of the die for shorter cartridges.

Link? "They" who ? Thx..

 

[dhagerty40]

Link? "They" who ? Thx..

this is it: https://www.rcbs.com/dies-and-shell-holders/competition/competition-extended-shell-holder/2047.html

 

[garandman]

this answers it:
Note: Not for use with progressive reloading presses; competition dies do not require neck bushings.

I'm wondering if this "warning" is because their seater has no crimp. (I got a separate Lee Crimper in station 4 of the 550)

Not seeing any reason the seater would be unsafe in a progressive....but maybe it just won't work in a prog,

Then would the extended shell holder work? There's one in the die set box, but looked like it only work on the Rockchucker ram. Gonna try that out tonite. (Its what you linked to above.)

Thats what I asked RCBS.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Sorry, RCBS sells extended shell holders.

 

[RegionRat]

Some of the issues with using certain dies in a progressive press are from the shell holder side of the design.

For example, if a progressive shell plate interferes with the function of the die, or doesn't support moving or static parts of the die body. Most single stage press designs follow a rough standard to work with other company's dies, but some progressive press designs just didn't start out with that in mind.

If the particular machine, say the D 550 for example, makes the die work, then it is up to the user to establish their risk since the die maker can't control the design of the other company's parts. That said, if the die works with the 550 plate, then it works and the warning may have been directed toward some other design where it may not.

 

[ppaul]

Could you post a picture of the die in the press? Let people unfamiliar see what you're dealing with, might get some different thoughts.

 

[Hector]

Could you post a picture of the die in the press? Let people unfamiliar see what you're dealing with, might get some different thoughts.

I use RCBS Gold Medal dies for all my seating except for 17 Fireball. Fireball needs extender. Don't know what the difference is between Competition and Gold Medal. The Gold Medal look just like Competition.