jw4570

I like that the question was asked here. It's nice to know Dillon makes some non standard items and are willing to sell them to those who need it. now I know. We all don't think to call and ask because if it's not online we are all usually told if it's not listed as don't have it. When I had a 475 Wildey, Wil Moore told me to call Dillon and they would fix me up as they out together kits for Wildey to load the factory ammo on a 550 and 650. Sure enough they did but it was all from parts they already made. I wasn't aware they had some custom templates lurking around

I faced the same issue nearly 20 years ago when I got my 550B. However, I already had dies in 38/357 and 45 Colt. I use RCBS Carbide dies. I simply bought caliber conversion kits with the powder funnel and loaded on the 550 with the RCBS dies(I did buy a 3 pack of toolheads and powder dies so I didn't have to readjust those). I swapped the powder measure each time I changed calibers and adjusted it (until I bought more of them). Later, since I was loading lead bullets, I bought Dillon's seating die which has a nice drop out insert to clean the lube/gunk out, and gave me separate seat/crimp stations. Buying RCBS dies and Dillon's seat die was still cheaper than only Dillon's dies. I would still do this today, however I do agree the Dillon size dies have a nice radius at the bottom that ease's entry into the die, but if you adjust the shellplate properly, it's not an issue. I have one set of Dillon dies, in 223. That all being said, I doubt those RCBS dies have ever ventured out of the 550B toolhead, except the seat/crimp which was moved to crimp only after I got the Dillon seater. So I never went back to manual loading for those calibers, ever. The expander sits all lonely in it's RCBS die box. If you get into some really odd calibers, Dillon doesn't make die sets, but you can use other brands, and Dillon will try and help you find the right shellplate/funnel combination to load on their machines. Most of the time if can be figured out. Particularly for the 550B, which has a lot of versatility. If it were me, I'd set the calibers up for the Dillon. And if I had the money, I'd buy it all at once to save on the shipping. I didn't so I piecemealed over the years like most of us do. However, since 45 Colt is fairly expensive, and fairly cheap to load (and the factory offerings were terrible 20 years ago), the cost savings repaid very quickly. Like the noylj said, it's what you want to do.

I found it. It's an at500 die. There are 2, one standard size and one oversize. You have to buy plastic funnel separate. Either Dillon or Brian can hook u up I'm sure

You need a different die with a plastic funnel on it. It will take the powder funnel or insert. Dillon sells it. I have two of them this way. I forget what they call it

That stinks. I would think Dillon knew the proper dimensions. I'd follow up with Dillon and see if they can help u

I would think that the 45 acp shell plate would work for 243 and 30-06. You might just just buy the small parts for conversion and save a bunch. Like powder funnel and case feeder pieces. Call Dillon or Brian and they can help u I'm sure

Try McMaster.com. I use them as they will sell to you if you don't have a business (and I don't anymore). search for dowel pin, select the size (5/32 diameter. 5/8 long) and you get 3 choices, the alloy steel says packs of 25 (really reasonable) but then when you add says packs of 10. Amazon has some different dowel pins listed too. But why not call Dillon and see how much they want. Then you know you got the right ones that they use. Sometimes I do that. I've bought bearings for a drill that were cheaper from DeWalt or Porter Cable than I could buy them online. Don't ask why. I guess they get them in volume. Jason

I did this in bifold closet in an apt. I screwed a 2x4 to back wall with three inch deck screws. Then to two sides extending to front of closer to hit studs in corners. For the bench, I used a solid core door (cheap luan one with particle core) slab I got for $30 (it was damaged. Obviously I didn't care as I cut it). That gives u a 1 3/4" bench. Mine was about 48" wide. When I moved, I filled the holes with spackle and touched up the paint.

I would contact Dillon. If they can't walk u thru it, they'll make it right I'm sure. Sounds like the tubes got bent or crushed somehow