Dies for a Dillon

[13 AMU]

I have a question for those of you who are experanced reloaders. I recently got a hold of a Dillon RL 550B and I need to get die sets and supplies for it. Dillon stuff is expensive so what other company can I use or am I stuck with Dillon. Also where can I get supplies a an afordable price? Thank you.

Matt

[cz759]

You can use almost any standard reloading dies on the market. And in my opinon Dillon dies are good, but are not the best. I personally use whatever brand. even mix the dies on different stations to get what I expect from the process. The one die I use exclusively is the Lee crimp die. Harbor Freight = digital caliper
RCBS = digital scale
Dillon = case gauges
case lube = home made lanolin/alcahol
case trimmer = rifle carterages
All Dillon presses come with a lifetime warrante. Have had all mine in operation since 1995. Had them rebuilt once @ no charge. You can purchase all replacement accessories from Dillon. Repair parts for the press itself are free. Foe every caliber you will be reloading, you will need changeover sets which include pins, shell plate, and powder drop. Some of these parts are interchangeable between calibers.
I would recommend new tipe for the primer tubes as they get a lot of use. Two powder measures if you are loading both pistol and rifle as that it makes things so much easier. May have missed a few items here, but I am sure someone else here can jump in and help

[SSwee]

Something to watch for that I've seen. Check the prices at Dillon, Lee, RCBS, Lyman for what ever you are in the market for first. I have seen several places advertise sales on parts that you could get for a few dollars cheaper direct from the manufacturer.

[oldpaint0]

I have had a 550 since around 1995 too. I know that for a complete caliber conversion it runs from 175.00-225.00 but over the years I have aquired about 8 or 9 completed tool heads and enjoy the 5 minutes it takes to be reloading a new caliber. You can save money on the rifle dies by using Lee but stick with Dillon's carbide pistol dies.

[97th Signalman]

I don't have a Dillon press but I think that there is one thing you need to watch out for if using other than Dillon die sets. The dies on a Dillon shell plate are very close together so you may need to use Dillon die locking nuts with whatever dies you use on a Dillon press. I look for one of the actual Dillon users here confirm of refute my recommendation on locking nuts.

I load my rifle calibers in a Lee Classic Cast Press with RCBS dies. Lately I have been changing over to the Hornady Lock and Load quick change adapters to facillitate quick die changes on that press.

For handgun cartridges I use Lee Carbide 4-die sets in a Lee Cast Turret Press. I have a seperate 4-die shell plate or die holder for each caliber for quick caliber changes on the Lee Turret Press.

[SSwee]

I have the Dillon 650. The interference problem with large locking nuts not that big of a problem. Most brands of dies are no problem. Dillon offers smaller replacement lock nuts for the ones that do. It is just difficult to tighten the large ones down. I don't remember my buddies 550 being too much of a problem.
SS

[bladeworks123]

I have a 550, and prefer the Dillon dies on rifle calibers like 5.56 and 7.62, but prefer RCBS or Lee carbides for pistol calibers. If you are like me and get most of your supplies via the net, I like to do business with Natchez Shooters Supply.