Lee or Dillon Dies with RL550C

[Jfred-in-Texas]

I bought a new Dillon 550C a few months ago. At that time, Dillon dies were on backorder and the expected shipping date was 7 months. The machine and one caliber conversion kit arrived in about three weeks. In an effort to get loading asap, I found a 4 die Lee set in 9mm. I got everything set up and am producing some very nice cartridges. Once the Dillon dies arrive, I may consider selling one set or the other. The Dillon is a three die set, the Lee is 4 dies including the factory crimp die. Does anyone know of any compelling reason to keep the Dillon instead of the Lee?

 

[XTR]

I've reloaded thousands of 45ACP rounds with Lee dies, and use a carbide sizer so you don't have to lube.

(edit) and hey, dies are undoubted the cheapest thing you are ever going to buy in the shooting game. If you eventually decide to get another set its's not like you're dropping big $$.

 

[granite1]

I have the same Dillon. I use Lee dies with mine. No problems. If you are already set up with the Lee dies why change them?

 

[GLShooter]

No reason either way but having an extra set hand can pay dividends. I have five sets of 9 MM all preset for various presses. In the old days I'd just buy a new press for a new round I was competing with. Dillon 300's were the top dog then and they still run like a Swiss watch.

Congratulations on the press.

Greg

 

[Minshooter]

The Dillon set has three dies, because the powder drop die also serves as the case mouth flare die,
if any flare is wanted. Their die set has a sizer, seater, and crimper, as do most progressive loader die sets.
It may be that Dillon has changed their dies, but, speaking from 20 or so years back:
Dillon pistol dies advertised a more flared mouth, for easy feeding. This flare doesn't let the dies size the base down quite as far as some other brands. One loader friend could not get 10mm loads into his Glock 20 and 30 chambers; he switched from Dillon (to a lee or Hornady -I forget which), and the problems went away.
Lots of discussions on Glocks (and other unsupported) chambers can be found elsewhere.
If the 550 shellplate is adjusted correctly, most any other major brand of sizer die has worked fine for me,
but I do greatly prefer the sliding chamber seater dies, as found on Hornady, Lee, and some others.

I use the Lee Factory Crimp on all auto pistol ammo, and any rifle ammo running through an autoloader.
It's possibly the best thing lee has ever made.

 

[Riverlife]

I bought a new Dillon 550C a few months ago. At that time, Dillon dies were on backorder and the expected shipping date was 7 months. The machine and one caliber conversion kit arrived in about three weeks. In an effort to get loading asap, I found a 4 die Lee set in 9mm. I got everything set up and am producing some very nice cartridges. Once the Dillon dies arrive, I may consider selling one set or the other. The Dillon is a three die set, the Lee is 4 dies including the factory crimp die. Does anyone know of any compelling reason to keep the Dillon instead of the Lee?

Are you saying Dillon shipped the machine with no dies and you have to wait for the dies ?

 

[Jfred-in-Texas]

Are you saying Dillon shipped the machine with no dies and you have to wait for the dies ?

Yes, sir. They tell you that up front. They did not make any estimate on ship date for the 550, but they did say to expect 28 weeks on the dies. I did just receive one set of the 3 sets of dies I ordered back in February or March. But, I had found .223, .45, 9mm. and 7.62x39 in Lee brand. So, when all the Dillon dies arrive, I will 2 sets of all calibers I will be loading.

 

[Jfred-in-Texas]

Thanks for all the info and opinions. The wife also agrees I would be wise to keep all the dies, both Dillon and Lee.

 

[GLShooter]

Thanks for all the info and opinions. The wife also agrees I would be wise to keep all the dies, both Dillon and Lee.

I think it's a great reason to buy a second press.. Just say'in.

Greg

 

[Rsadams]

I use Dillon dies for my 9mm but Lee for all other pistols I load for.... It's darn hard to beat the Lee dies for pistol especially for the price... Both work fine in my 550....

 

[dsinfour]

Cry once and buy the better brand than lees if you want them to last without less headaches.

 

[1911nut]

I don’t know the Lee dies but the way the Dillion dies that come apart to clean just by pulling the hairpin cotter is well appreciated when loading wax lubed lead bullets in pistol cartridges.

 

[Charliemac]

What I like about the Dillon dies is the primer pin on the sizer is spring loaded. With that feature the spent primer doesn't stay on the end of the pin. Without it sometimes you end up re-seating the spent primer. For me that occurred a lot with 38/357.

 

[wagonman]

Who here remembers when RCBS carbide pistol dies were crazy priced until lee came out with their carbide die sets they forced RCBS to drop their prices. I have a few die sets I still use bought in the 80s. My most recent set 1year ago for 9mm produces good reliable ammo. I'm not a fan of their rifle dies.