550b dies

High Altitude · 05-08-2011, 14:47

I am going to purchase a 550b as my first press reloading 9mm initially.

Should I get the dillon dies or would it be OK to save some money and use lee dies?

Any problem with using the lee dies in the dillon 550b?

digbmx4130 · 05-08-2011, 14:58

I have dillon dies for my 550b, but you shouldn't have any problems with other dies in your dillon.

Hoser · 05-08-2011, 14:59

Go with the dillon dies.

If you are ok with crimping and seating in the same step, which I and many others avoid, the any other brand will work.

EL_NinO619 · 05-08-2011, 15:11

I would go with Dillon, due to the bigger mouth. It runs better on a PP, lee tend to snag sometimes..

fredj338 · 05-08-2011, 15:58

ANy 7/8" dies will run ont he Dillon. Dillon makes a really good die set though & it is made to run on a progressive press. Lee will work, Dillon works just a bit better.

Colorado4Wheel · 05-08-2011, 17:07

I prefer the Lee Sizer. I wouldn't worry about it.

**n2extrm** · 05-08-2011, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredj338

ANy 7/8" dies will run ont he Dillon. Dillon makes a really good die set though & it is made to run on a progressive press. Lee will work, Dillon works just a bit better.

shotgunred · 05-08-2011, 17:16

I have ...

1 set of Hornady
1 set of RCBS
2 sets of Lee
half a dozen Dillion.

They all work. I prefer the Dillon. I like separate dies for seating and crimping.

Colorado4Wheel · 05-08-2011, 17:19

I almost never had my Lee snag. It was worse at the beginning. Then I learned to adjust the sizer with the ram up, and also make sure the adjustable retainer in station 1 had some tension on the case. After that it would only happen rarely when I forced it in a little tipped. Dillon dies can have issues with sizing 9mm and some other brass.

kjm1016 · 05-08-2011, 17:25

The Dillon dies are designed to work well with their progressive presses. Other brands will certainly work, just not as efficiently.

unclebob · 05-08-2011, 17:28

I use Dillon or Lee sizer die. Redding competition bullet seat. Dillon or Lee crimp die. If using lead bullets I use the Dillon bullet seat instead of the Redding. The Dillon bullet seat die is just easier to clean.

Colorado4Wheel · 05-08-2011, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclebob

I use Dillon or Lee sizer die. Redding competition bullet seat. Dillon or Lee crimp die. If using lead bullets I use the Dillon bullet seat instead of the Redding. The Dillon bullet seat die is just easier to clean.

Very true. I have found that if I mark the adjustable seating stem knob on the Lee with a pen/marker I can then unscrew and remove it, pop the stem out and clean it. Reassemble it and get it back to the same spot easy enough. Not as easy as the Dillon but not that hard either.

WI-Guy · 05-08-2011, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotgunred

I have ...

1 set of Hornady
1 set of RCBS
2 sets of Lee
half a dozen Dillion.

They all work. I prefer the Dillon. I like separate dies for seating and crimping.

^^^ THIS ^^^

I have a varied selection and I still just simply get better, more consistent results by having separate seating and crimping.

You can get seating and crimping done in one stroke with one die, but for a few dollars more and the ease of set-up and the consistent quality of the reloaded ammo it is just worth it to get the Dillon set.

Roughedgekid · 05-08-2011, 18:17

I use Lee dies in both my 550's with no problem. Its better if you get the dillion rings to go on them.

justinsaneok · 05-09-2011, 19:35

fwiw I have all Dillon dies I don't use lube.

SigFTW · 05-10-2011, 07:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL_NinO619

I would go with Dillon, due to the bigger mouth. It runs better on a PP, lee tend to snag sometimes..

For rifle dies I use Lee. For pistols I use Dillon. Lee pistol dies has a small mouth that can snag the case. Also, Dillon setting die has a two way setting that can be flipped for ball or flat type bullets.

Phunahm · 05-10-2011, 16:07

I have all Lee dies never had a problem 45acp ,10mm, 44mag,357mag, 45-70

IndyGunFreak · 05-10-2011, 16:16

Only thing I don't care for, is the Dillon Sizer, other than that, their dies are really good. I'm not really sure if they worth almost double the cost of the Lee though

You can get the Lee 4 Die set, yes you'll get Steve's favorite die (the Lee FCD), but it will work just fine, and you'll be able to seat/crimp in separate stations. You'll just have a Lee expander die laying around that you have no use for.

IGF

WI-Guy · 05-10-2011, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinsaneok

fwiw I have all Dillon dies I don't use lube.

Justin: It looks like you slipped that one by the crass fellas amongst us. I really expected a lube comment of some kind from the peanut gallery...

Colorado4Wheel · 05-10-2011, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyGunFreak

You can get the Lee 4 Die set, yes you'll get Steve's favorite die (the Lee FCD), but it will work just fine, and you'll be able to seat/crimp in separate stations. You'll just have a Lee expander die laying around that you have no use for.

IGF

You can get the Deluxe 3 Die set and the Lee Crimp die for the same price. No FCD and just a regular Crimp Die.

IndyGunFreak · 05-10-2011, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado4Wheel

You can get the Deluxe 3 Die set and the Lee Crimp die for the same price. No FCD and just a regular Crimp Die.

But how can you make quality ammo w/o the FCD?

jbremount · 05-11-2011, 18:04

(This type of thread can get more long winded than you may want, but of course you want opinions and personal experiences with the equipment discussed to make your decision)

My 2cents/opinions/experiences:

I would 100% recommend getting the Dillon dies and Dillon powder measure. Previous posters have metentioned the more obvious differences between Dillon dies and Lee dies but it does not stop there. It's the entire reloading phylosphy of the two manufactures of reloading equipment. The dies reflect this. The Dillon dies can be taken apart for cleaning and not lose the settings. The Dillon dies set will have a separate seater die and another die for crimping. The Dillon die will seat the bullet "absolutely straight" and not buckle/bend the case. I have found the Lee combination seater/crimp die will sometimes fail to do this and buckle the case. This leads to the Lee factory crimp die.There is no need for the lee factory crimp die if your Dillon 550b seater die and Dillon crimp die produces perfect ammo. The Lee powder measure is not what you want for a 550b either. Do your self a favor and get all Dillon stuff. Your Dillon NO BS warranty will be 100 percent for the life of the press.

With the above said, the Lee standard sizing die and undersized sizing die can be used to remove the glock bludge in the 40 or 45 cases.

Colorado4Wheel · 05-11-2011, 18:14

The Lee die set uses a separate seating and crimp die. ANY Combo seating and crimp die (and they almost all are except Dillon and I think a couple Redding) and be easily used to just seat bullets. My Lee seating die is better then EVERY die I have ever tried. Including Pro Redding and Dillon. Your right, Dillon are easier to clean. But beyond that your paying a ton more, sometimes getting more and often getting less.

fredj338 · 05-11-2011, 20:00

Buy a Lee 3 die set & an extra Lee seating/crimping die if you want to seat & crimp in separate stns. I like the Dillon dies in their progressives, but most all the dies work fine to one degree or another. The Lee lock rings are a ***** on the 550B tool head, replace those w/ the Dillon rings.

Colorado4Wheel · 05-11-2011, 20:13

Your right about those Lee rings on the Dillon Toolhead. Even on the 650 I only use Dillon Lock rings.