New Dillon 550b owner - Page 2

JLA · 08-27-2012, 06:43 AM

I know RCBS dies are way longer than Lee.

LDBennett · 08-27-2012, 07:07 AM

I have used just about everybody's dies and I find the LEE dies inferior. Yes, they work but...

They use an O-ring to hold them in the press rather than a real lock nut with an allen to tighten the lock nut to the dies body. If you remove them from the press often the O-ring will not hold the lock nut at its setting and you'll have to go through the adjustment again.

The seating adjuster is not locked down but again is held in place by an O-ring. The threads for that seating adjuster are so loosely made that you can rock the adjuster in the die which is not good for precision repeatable bullet seating.

I have over thirty (30) sets of dies of various ages and from various manufacturers, some up to 25+ years old. The only dies that have rusted were the LEE dies.

When you compare the internal finish of the sizing dies (the part that touches the case wall) you will find the machining there rather crude com-pared to almost any other die manufacturer's dies.

The LEE dies that use a collet (Neck Size Only and Factory Crimp Die) do not use the correct materials and the similar metals used in the die body and the collet gall together under use.

Is there a difference? Yes, but LEE dies work well enough and are certainly cheap. They are the Harbor Freight tools of reloading. You get to choose whatever you want to use. I choose not to use most LEE products because they all suffer the same set of problems: made of the wrong materials, and made for cheap. I will admit to using the LEE FCD for rifle cartridges because of the design but I occasionally have to "fix" them.

OK, the can of worms is now open! Remember we all get to have opinions and mine are based on MY experiences and MY preferences. You are entitled to yours. I present mine here for consideration, not to argue the point. You choose for yourself. And I care not what you choose.

LDBennett

flashman2002 · 08-27-2012, 10:07 PM

Understood. I will use these until I decide I need better or they suit me. I really appreciate all the feedback and welcome how nice everyone is. Quite a change from tech forums haha. I am happy that my wife saw the press mounted today and she said it looks cool and fun. Might be some quality time putting together our arsenal for the range.

JLA · 08-28-2012, 06:51 AM

Take it slow and easy and double check those powder drops visually

flashman2002 · 08-28-2012, 10:32 AM

That is certainly one thing that I have read and will take to heart. Thanks!

08-27-2012, 06:43 AM	#26
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,280	Re: New Dillon 550b owner I know RCBS dies are way longer than Lee. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

08-27-2012, 07:07 AM	#27
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,710	Re: New Dillon 550b owner I have used just about everybody's dies and I find the LEE dies inferior. Yes, they work but... They use an O-ring to hold them in the press rather than a real lock nut with an allen to tighten the lock nut to the dies body. If you remove them from the press often the O-ring will not hold the lock nut at its setting and you'll have to go through the adjustment again. The seating adjuster is not locked down but again is held in place by an O-ring. The threads for that seating adjuster are so loosely made that you can rock the adjuster in the die which is not good for precision repeatable bullet seating. I have over thirty (30) sets of dies of various ages and from various manufacturers, some up to 25+ years old. The only dies that have rusted were the LEE dies. When you compare the internal finish of the sizing dies (the part that touches the case wall) you will find the machining there rather crude com-pared to almost any other die manufacturer's dies. The LEE dies that use a collet (Neck Size Only and Factory Crimp Die) do not use the correct materials and the similar metals used in the die body and the collet gall together under use. Is there a difference? Yes, but LEE dies work well enough and are certainly cheap. They are the Harbor Freight tools of reloading. You get to choose whatever you want to use. I choose not to use most LEE products because they all suffer the same set of problems: made of the wrong materials, and made for cheap. I will admit to using the LEE FCD for rifle cartridges because of the design but I occasionally have to "fix" them. OK, the can of worms is now open! Remember we all get to have opinions and mine are based on MY experiences and MY preferences. You are entitled to yours. I present mine here for consideration, not to argue the point. You choose for yourself. And I care not what you choose. LDBennett

08-27-2012, 10:07 PM	#28
flashman2002 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 125	Re: New Dillon 550b owner Understood. I will use these until I decide I need better or they suit me. I really appreciate all the feedback and welcome how nice everyone is. Quite a change from tech forums haha. I am happy that my wife saw the press mounted today and she said it looks cool and fun. Might be some quality time putting together our arsenal for the range.

08-28-2012, 06:51 AM	#29
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,280	Re: New Dillon 550b owner Take it slow and easy and double check those powder drops visually __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

08-28-2012, 10:32 AM	#30
flashman2002 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 125	Re: New Dillon 550b owner That is certainly one thing that I have read and will take to heart. Thanks!