Advice needed

[joe blow]

Hi guys,

I just bought a Dillon RL550B from a calgunner (thank you for the deal radio2).

The unit came without dies but a .223 caliber conversion. I understand a caliber conversion is needed for each caliber. My plans are to reload .223, .45ACP & 9mm.

I am in the process of buying all the odds and ends but am wondering about the dies. A buddy of mine says Carbides are a must for X caliber and yada yada yada.

I have been reading and there are a lot of opinions. I plan on buying the Dillon dies but wanted opinions on what type are best for each caliber I mentioned or are there other dies in the same price range that will work for the 4 station loader. Can you guys point me in the right direction?

Thank you

[Red9]

I just use dillon dies. Call me boring. I like the lifetime warranty. I reload 9 and 40 with no issues. Well except dillon elbow.

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[acoop101]

For pistol carbide is worth it but for bottleneck cases unless you are loading on a commercial scale they do. Nothing but cost more since you still need to lube the cases.

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[joelogic]

For pistol carbide is worth it but for bottleneck cases unless you are loading on a commercial scale they do. Nothing but cost more since you still need to lube the cases.

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+1 but Dillon pistol dies only come in carbide, iirc. But I still lube with pistol. Stroke is much easier.

[bazineta]

Carbide is a must for pistol cases. For sizing, the Redding dual-ring carbide does a great job, and for seating their micrometer adjust dies are very, very nice -- makes things much faster and easier, especially if you change bullet profiles, e.g., ball for plates, wadcutters for paper. For expand and taper crimp, I think there are many options, though I'm obviously partial to Redding.

I figure that whatever die you get, it's probably going to last several lifetimes, so you might as well buy the best you can afford.

[Bill Steele]

I have all Dillon carbide for my handgun calibers on my 550B. I use a light spray of Hornaday One Shot for lube. Many will tell you with carbide dies you don't need to lube and that is true, but just like carbide, lube makes it much easier a pull, much smoother. A full shell plate goes up and down with a light pull with the carbide dies and lube. I wouldn't recommend the Dillon lube as it is actually a little too thick, even if applied sparingly.

[robert101]

The main reason I don't use Dillon dies is that I started reloading well before I bought a progressive press. So I started with RCBS and had them in all my pistol calibers before the Dillon was purchased. I see no reason not to buy the Dillon dies for the Dillon press - it makes sense. And, I use only carbide dies with my pistol calibers because of convenience. Just so happens my rifle dies are mostly Lee.

[Jason_2111]

When it comes to getting set up for other calibers, do some google-fu for a cross reference chart.
You can save money sometimes by buying just the shell plates/locator buttons/powder funnels individually instead of getting whole caliber conversion kits.

http://brianenos.com/pages/dillon/cal.conv.chart

[milotrain]

The thing about dillon pistol dies is that they come with a floating depriming pin so if you are running mixed brass you will save yourself from breaking depriming pins. They are worth it.

For .223 I like the Forester micrometer seating die, but other than that I'm dillon across the board, and I've tried my old RCBS dies (which I love) in the 550 and I didn't like them.

[mjmagee67]

One question to all about dies. Is there a bad die on the market from a major manufacturer?

I reload 20,000+ pistol rounds a year and have used Dillon, RCBS, Lee, Redding, and Lyman. They all made good ammo and I've never noticed and difference in the % of rounds that pass case gauge. Just never noticed a difference.

The Redding Competition Seating Die is the only standout in the die world.

[milotrain]

I've never found a "brand" that was bad. I've had old lyman dies that I didn't like, and a forster sizing die that would stick cases. I don't generally like the Lee depriming stem system but I love their factory crimp die.

I think it's more about features and what fits your chamber best to save on brass life.

[McGuiver]

Advice needed

I do have Dillon carbide 223 dies. The carbide sizing die is so much easier then non carbide. I'm glad I did purchase it. Yes it was more money, but my arm thanks me. Yes you still need to lube 223 cases, but it feels as easy as a pistol case.


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[joe blow]

Thank you guys for the advice. It seems I have some decisions to make.