New to reloading, will be asking a lot of questions.

[JustSayWhen]

First question is I have a Dillon RL550B that I got from CBR. Great transaction and he was a great guy! I am looking to buy die sets and can get Hornady die sets through my distributor at work. Are they good and will they fit or is the best to go with Dillon? Thanks guys!

 

[Wall]

LEE Dies is what you need.
Get the deluxe 4 die set for each caliber your loading.

 

[Matt1911]

I have LEE and Hornady. They're both great dies. Just be sure to get an EGW undersize die for the pistol calibers.

 

[JustSayWhen]

I will look into those as well I can get those and rcbs too. So die threads are universal and will fit any reloader?

 

[Wall]

yes, for the most part. There are some that are non std, but that 550 uses std thread dies

 

[Wall]

Just be sure to get an EGW undersize die for the pistol calibers.

These are just rebranded Lee Dies.

I've not found an undersized die necessary & I never have ammo issues.
I use range brass just like everyone else & I can probably count on 1 hand the number of case problems I've had out of countless 1000's of rounds, of course YMMV.

 

[Dustin Cantrell]

I've only used Lee dies. Well, Lee dies plus a Redding GR-X die for resizing .40 S&W brass.

 

[Feegee]

I use the Dillion dies and like Tony said no problems here either, and I tried to get some to mess up but couldn't.

 

[mikey80]

Tony has converted me to Lee dies. I got the deluxe .40 kit. I use a Redding Competition Seating Die which is f**king marvelous. I prefer to sort my brass my brand, some guys don't, but I'm just picky. It helps me enough in my process to justify the effort.

Make sure your powder measure is dialed in. I cycle mine 30-40 times and get the meter that I want before I charge cases, but im kinda picky.

I check my seating depth frequently. Every 100 rds and I verify my powder charge and crimp, as well.

It's not rocket science. The trick is doing it consistently and going about it the same way every time. Developing a safe and efficient method and sticking to it.

Be very careful when loading at or near maximum charge weights. Stay safe! ...or you won't be having any fun.


When setting up your Dillon's, don't some of you guys put cases in each station to balance the tool head as you calibrate the dies?

 

[Bob Sanders]

I've had good luck with Lee dies on my 550. Also I use a Lee Bulge Buster for .40SW. Be sure to find someone experienced to help at first, really helps the learning curve.

 

[Wall]

When setting up your Dillon's, don't some of you guys put cases in each station to balance the tool head as you calibrate the dies?

This!!!!!!!!!!

 

[foghorn918]

Are there certain Headstamps on brass to stay away from? I read military brass has a crimped primer pockets, how do you tell what will be a problem?

 

[JustSayWhen]

Wow so much help thank you guys! Just another reason I love this forum. Ok we'll my first question is answered an d will be ordering some lee dies today at the shop. Stay tuned cause I will have more questions. Thanks again!

 

[Dustin Cantrell]

Are there certain Headstamps on brass to stay away from? I read military brass has a crimped primer pockets, how do you tell what will be a problem?

Throw all Amerc brass in a scrap bucket. I think scrap brass is around $1.50/lb. All of my unreloadable brass goes in a bucket to scrap later. Brass with crimped primer pockets will have a ring stamped around the primer. You can ream or swage the primer pockets and reload them.

 

[Wall]

Throw all Amerc brass in a scrap bucket. I think scrap brass is around $1.50/lb. All of my unreloadable brass goes in a bucket to scrap later. Brass with crimped primer pockets will have a ring stamped around the primer. You can ream or swage the primer pockets and reload them.

Most crimped brass I run across I have no problem pushing in a primer. There is only 1 head stamp that fails & I can't remember the name right now.

 

[drmitchgibson]

When I shot 9mm I tossed out every case with a NATO headstamp. Now I'm leery of Winchester .40S&W brass because of the number of crimped primer pockets I've run into in the last several weeks.

 

[dennishoddy]

Crimped primer pockets have to be reamed or swedged as has been said. Its one more step, but not that difficult. I've found some of the eastern Europe block brass that comes from Hungary, etc will have the primers glued in, and will break a pin in the decapper. If the primer doesn't come out easy, it goes into the scrap bucket.

 

[Scott Hearn]

A Dillon super swage is the best thing since sliced bread for crimped primer pockets. The only thing better is a 1050 press!

I have several sets of Hornady new dimension dies. No issues and I really do like their seating die a lot. Great value for the price and you used to be able to get a free box of bullets in a rebate.

For .223 get Dillon dies, they have a carbide expander that runs slicker than snot. Litterally...The press is just so much smoother with them. Also no need to lube the necks if you do your sizing while trimming and tumble afterwards like I do. I was pulling the shoulder back out with my Hornady die unless I lubed the necks which is a PIA. That is the only issue I've had with Hornady dies and it would probably be an issue with most any brand. But the Dillon is just a little carbide expander ball that has a bevel above and below the part that does the sizing, so it has very little engagement with the neck as it sizes (you'd just have to see it).