reloading questions/advice if you would please?

[rcurtner]

i like that the 550C can use any die from any company,,,,i have all Lee carbide dies, except the the crimping die for the 45 ACP, that one IS a Dillon die. it just does a much better crimp (taper removal) of the 45's.

the SDB, you can only get the dies from Dillon. or eBay, for cheaper.

it might be awhile before i can get another Dillon, then i want the 4" In-Line-Fab mount like on my current one too.

Have four tool heads with powder measures one with Dillon 45acp dies and one for 9mm dies. Are the XL 650 tool heads compatible with the 550C press, guessing they are?

 

[Old_Me]

Have four tool heads with powder measures one with Dillon 45acp dies and one for 9mm dies. Are the XL 650 tool heads compatible with the 550C press, guessing they are?

i really do not know if they are compatible.

i just looked it up


No, Dillon 550c and 650 toolheads are not directly interchangeable. While both are made by Dillon, the 550 uses a 4-station toolhead, and the 650 uses a 5-station toolhead. The toolheads are physically different in shape and number of die stations. However, third-party toolheads are available that are designed to be compatible with both the 550 and 650 models, say Amazon sellers and YouTube videos.

 

[rcurtner]

i really do not know if they are compatible.

i just looked it up


No, Dillon 550c and 650 toolheads are not directly interchangeable. While both are made by Dillon, the 550 uses a 4-station toolhead, and the 650 uses a 5-station toolhead. The toolheads are physically different in shape and number of die stations. However, third-party toolheads are available that are designed to be compatible with both the 550 and 650 models, say Amazon sellers and YouTube videos.

Thanks Old_Me will do some research.

 

[jumpinjoe]

Being the old die hard "Lee" Precision tool user from the early 1970's, all I can say is I'm sorry to hear this. I started out using the simple, but effective "Lee" hand tool in several calibers, then a simple "Lee" Challenger 'O' frame press, then a late 1980's 3 die turret press. Used the 3 die turret for many years and thousands of rounds, up through 2016-18 when I upgraded to the newer "Lee" 4 die 'Classic" Turret press. Still use it today and occasionally will limber up the old 3 die turret. Then I saw the new "Lee" Challenger III Breech Lock 'O' frame press and bought one. Then there was a few months I temporarily set up a loaned "Lee" Pro 1000 progressive press and used it for several months. I also have many, many "Lee" accessories such as powder measures, scales, Auto Disc and Auto Drum measures, 10-12 die sets, length trimming tools, quick mount plates for various presses, and the list goes on. In fact everything in my loading room is "Lee" brand with exception of one powder scale sold by RCBS that I won in a raffle. And to the best of my memory, and after loading literally thousands of rounds for hunting, competition, and plain paper punching, I've never, not ever had a situation go wrong with any of it that I hadn't caused either by not paying attention, lack of experience or something similar ... and that number was very small. Now admittedly, I started out with the simplest tools available (hand tool) and because it was a hand tool I probably paid more attention to each detail as I used it and that paying attention probably carried forward with me through all the other equipment I've used over the years. Since I've personally had such good service from "Lee", and I don't call it luck, but service, I hate to hear of anyone else having such bad luck with it and feel like I should speak up for the "Lee" brand based on my experience. Today with the number of years I've been reloading, and the many, many thousands of rounds I've loaded, I could probably set a station up blindfolded. But I won't because it does require details even with many years practice and experience. Much like "SnapOn" tools compared to some others. They don't do a single thing that some others won't do just as well, but they are prettier! None of the above is intended to insult anyone who might have had some bad service with "Lee" reloading equipment, nor "SnapOn" hand tools ... just this one old man's personal experience.

 

[LDB]

Being the old die hard "Lee" Precision tool user from the early 1970's, all I can say is I'm sorry to hear this. I started out using the simple, but effective "Lee" hand tool in several calibers, then a simple "Lee" Challenger 'O' frame press, then a late 1980's 3 die turret press. Used the 3 die turret for many years and thousands of rounds, up through 2016-18 when I upgraded to the newer "Lee" 4 die 'Classic" Turret press. Still use it today and occasionally will limber up the old 3 die turret. Then I saw the new "Lee" Challenger III Breech Lock 'O' frame press and bought one. Then there was a few months I temporarily set up a loaned "Lee" Pro 1000 progressive press and used it for several months. I also have many, many "Lee" accessories such as powder measures, scales, Auto Disc and Auto Drum measures, 10-12 die sets, length trimming tools, quick mount plates for various presses, and the list goes on. In fact everything in my loading room is "Lee" brand with exception of one powder scale sold by RCBS that I won in a raffle. And to the best of my memory, and after loading literally thousands of rounds for hunting, competition, and plain paper punching, I've never, not ever had a situation go wrong with any of it that I hadn't caused either by not paying attention, lack of experience or something similar ... and that number was very small. Now admittedly, I started out with the simplest tools available (hand tool) and because it was a hand tool I probably paid more attention to each detail as I used it and that paying attention probably carried forward with me through all the other equipment I've used over the years. Since I've personally had such good service from "Lee", and I don't call it luck, but service, I hate to hear of anyone else having such bad luck with it and feel like I should speak up for the "Lee" brand based on my experience. Today with the number of years I've been reloading, and the many, many thousands of rounds I've loaded, I could probably set a station up blindfolded. But I won't because it does require details even with many years practice and experience. Much like "SnapOn" tools compared to some others. They don't do a single thing that some others won't do just as well, but they are prettier! None of the above is intended to insult anyone who might have had some bad service with "Lee" reloading equipment, nor "SnapOn" hand tools ... just this one old man's personal experience.

I am just studying and learning in plans to begin reloading sometime next year once I've accumulated some once fired (from my guns) brass to load. I am assembling kit and kaboodle to do so and so far it is basically all Lee unless it's something I didn't find offered from them. I don't see any reason to look elsewhere. And having written to them twice with very basic questions for new guy clarification I can confirm their CS is excellent. I'll be a Lee user for as long as I'm able to reload. Great company and great stuff. And I don't mind a bit not paying double for other names or paint colors on the equipment either.

 

[Old_Me]

Being the old die hard "Lee" Precision tool user from the early 1970's, all I can say is I'm sorry to hear this. I started out using the simple, but effective "Lee" hand tool in several calibers, then a simple "Lee" Challenger 'O' frame press, then a late 1980's 3 die turret press. Used the 3 die turret for many years and thousands of rounds, up through 2016-18 when I upgraded to the newer "Lee" 4 die 'Classic" Turret press. Still use it today and occasionally will limber up the old 3 die turret. Then I saw the new "Lee" Challenger III Breech Lock 'O' frame press and bought one. Then there was a few months I temporarily set up a loaned "Lee" Pro 1000 progressive press and used it for several months. I also have many, many "Lee" accessories such as powder measures, scales, Auto Disc and Auto Drum measures, 10-12 die sets, length trimming tools, quick mount plates for various presses, and the list goes on. In fact everything in my loading room is "Lee" brand with exception of one powder scale sold by RCBS that I won in a raffle. And to the best of my memory, and after loading literally thousands of rounds for hunting, competition, and plain paper punching, I've never, not ever had a situation go wrong with any of it that I hadn't caused either by not paying attention, lack of experience or something similar ... and that number was very small. Now admittedly, I started out with the simplest tools available (hand tool) and because it was a hand tool I probably paid more attention to each detail as I used it and that paying attention probably carried forward with me through all the other equipment I've used over the years. Since I've personally had such good service from "Lee", and I don't call it luck, but service, I hate to hear of anyone else having such bad luck with it and feel like I should speak up for the "Lee" brand based on my experience. Today with the number of years I've been reloading, and the many, many thousands of rounds I've loaded, I could probably set a station up blindfolded. But I won't because it does require details even with many years practice and experience. Much like "SnapOn" tools compared to some others. They don't do a single thing that some others won't do just as well, but they are prettier! None of the above is intended to insult anyone who might have had some bad service with "Lee" reloading equipment, nor "SnapOn" hand tools ... just this one old man's personal experience.

you and i had spoken via PM's in the past, when i said way back then, "i'm gonna take my sawz-all to this POS, and you talked me out of it.

now of course, i do not have your years of experience, but i do with Snap-On tools being a former wrencher. Yes, they are prettier tools, and of course, more pricey.

however, they work, day in and day out.

but this damned blasted Lee Pro-4000 has gotten on my last nerve, and i think i only paid about $200 for it, with the 45 ACP dies installed, at the same time.

it took time to set up...once it started to run, it would run fine....for THAT reloading session.

over and over again.

each "new time" in reloading i have had to remove the powder cup, and use a tool to poke thru the powder to make the powder flow...why..???

why not the Dillon..???

further...why the CONSTANT readjusting of the seating die..???

and not the Dillon..??

shell plate is snug, (no wobble), and the base is clean to allow smooth rotation.

ram is lubricated all the time

every thing is as clean as possible.

i set my seating depth to 1.135.....for that, ALL my guns, INCLUDING ALL my 9mm CZ's.....CAN shoot the 9mm reloads.

if i go by Lyman book seating depth..??

the CZ's do not shoot the 9mm's...

why does my Dillon, constantly give me my 1.135 seating depth...with Lee dies too by the way...and the Lee FAILS to do this time after time..??

well...only a price of $200 tells me why (only in my opinion)...

I have gone thru videos, i have asked for help (here in person) and on line.......

damn damned results.........the Lee has failed after each and every reloading session.....

at my age...i have had enough of the constant let downs and BS........

I will NEVER recommend a Lee, at the very least, NOT a Lee Progressive....maybe a single stage if at all.