Dillon w/ non-Dillon Dies

[runway1]

I have a new Dillon 650 setup. I loaded 9MM and 45ACP. Setup instructions specifically say (as do others) to seat the sizing die until it just makes contact with the plate when the ram is fully raised. Problem is, my Lee and RCBS dies don't have enough thread to get that far down in the tool head.

So, the loads I have for both occasionally FTF because I think they're not being fully sized. I looked at a friend's Dillon sizing die and it's a good 3/8 deeper in the thread, therefore allowing me to seat the die deeper in the tool head.

Is the Dillon machine designed to only work with heir dies? Anybody else have this problem? If not, how are you getting your Lee/RCBS/Hornady, etc., to sit deeper at make contact - or at least close - to the ram plate? Thanks all.

[klewan]

Install the locknut under the toolhead, instead of on top.

[Intimid8tor]

I use my dillon with Hornady dies just fine.

[runway1]

Install the locknut under the toolhead, instead of on top.

Well, crap, that's a simple solution. Checking that out tomorrow. Thanks!

[milotrain]

You can also use Dillon jam nuts instead as they are thinner. I used Lee .357 dies and RCBS dies on a 550 before. Now I'm mostly Dillon dies, but I use some specific RCBS dies in certain stations. I did not love Lee dies on the dillon, they were fine on the single stage but I didn't like their bullet seating stems and I don't like the depriming/expanding pin design.