e-mishka Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Is that ok to use Lee dies in dillon press? I need to buy 9mm dies and lee seems to be 30% less then dillon, are there any drawbacks of using lee dies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Hefta Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Is that ok to use Lee dies in dillon press? I need to buy 9mm dies and lee seems to be 30% less then dillon, are there any drawbacks of using lee dies? If you have a SDB then you need to use Dillon SDB dies, but that is it as far as I know you can use Lee dies in all the other presses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furyalecto Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 I use mostly Lee dies on a Dillon press. Used a Lee press before I bought the Dillon. I just wouldn't use the Lee Factory crimp die with Moly coated bullets. It didn't work well for me. Everything else was fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbs007 Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 I use Redding, RCBS, Lee and Dillon dies and even an RCBS powder measure on my 650; works just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e-mishka Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 i will use them in dillon 650, so should i get 3 or 4 die set ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbs007 Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 i will use them in dillon 650, so should i get 3 or 4 die set ? If you're using the Dillon powder measure then you'll need Sizing, Seater and Crimp dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob DuBois Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 I have excellent results using Lee Dies in Dillon Presses and prefer Lee's first stage sizer over Dillon. It sizes closer to the extractor groove and the punch design is better. If there's something in the case the punch will push up and more times than not won't break. Lee's seating die is very easy to adjust once you get it close by using a small knob on the top of the die. you can mark the knob with a sharpie for varying bullet weights and the adjustment comes in quickly. The crimp die is a wash. I don't use Lee's factory crimp die as such back the setting off and use it as a taper crimp die. With Lee's seating die you can modify the insert or send it back to Lee with a bullet and they will make an insert that fits that bullet. Helps in keeping over all length close. I would purchase a few primer punches when you order your dies, if it does break it's always at a bad time. That's with any die set. I don't care for Lee's locking nuts and would recommend Dillon one inch nuts. On my 650 I had to place the lock nut on the sizer on the bottom as there's not enough thread to lock the die. I know the carbide die set says no lube needed but the whole process runs smoother if you'll lube the cases. It's easier on the dies, the press and the operator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob DuBois Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Purchase the carbide four die set, you'll need Dillon's powder through die to bell the case and drop powder. Lee's powder through die won't work but you'll use the other three dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wes777 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 lee fcd lives in my .45 toolhead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKT1106 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Get the Lee 4-die set. Comes with the FCD to go in the last station, but you will need the dillon powder drop die and insert for 9mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itlogo Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 (edited) Might be just me but I used Lee dies in my single-stage to resize/deprime about 1K cases. Never used any lube because it was the carbide die. Yesterday, was about to use it in my 550B and noticed the carbide die is cracked in three places. Going to send back to Lee to be replaced under warranty. Edited January 17, 2012 by itlogo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCGLOCK Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 I use Lee dies in my xl650 for 38 Special, 9mm and .40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sc0 Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I use Lee dies for all my pistol calibers with the Factory Crimp Die, 9mm, .40S&W, .45ACP, .38spl, and even .45-70. (combination between XL650 and BL550) No problems to note, and the universal deprimer die is especially nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
See_Archie_Shoot Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I've been using lee dies in my 550 and 650. They work great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e-mishka Posted January 26, 2012 Author Share Posted January 26, 2012 Its good to know, i was able to get 4piece set from cabelas on sale. Thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diversmith Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 I have been using Lee 9mm dies in my 650 and they have been great....I have passed 6000 rounds now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linear Thinker Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) I've been using Lee dies on 1050s since ~1987. The older Lee dies were too short in the threaded part, and could not be locked at the right height with the standard locking rings. I got around that by installing the toolhead set-screws (Dillon RL1000 style), or by re-machining the Lee lock rings to attach from below the toolhead. The newer Lee dies, since ~2000, have longer bodies and can be used on Dillon presses without any mods. LT Edited February 11, 2012 by Linear Thinker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomicbrh Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I have been using Lee dies including the FCD and Lee presses for over 25 years. I bought a 650 from Brian in December. I tried my proven Lee 9 mm dies first in the 650 but the Lee dies seemed to slow my production down. The cartridges needed extra attention to insure that they entered the opening of the Lee dies precisely. I also bought extra Dillon die nuts so that I could use the Lee dies. After a few tries with the Lee dies I got the Dillon dies out of the box, set them up and the cartridges did not need the extra attention entering the opening of the Dillon dies. I could just crank away. No problems. I put my 9 mm. Lee dies back in my Lee turret for short runs or working up loads. I like the Lee dies in the Lee presses and the Dillon dies in the 650. The Dillon dies with the pull pins are easier to clean than the Lee dies. Both brands have their strong points. Just my opinion. Bobby H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e-mishka Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Finally started setting up my press and have a newbie question about lee dies: On the bullet seating and factory crimp dies there is a screw in knob on top, what is it for? And when adjusting lee dies, is it same process like for dillon dies? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acekc Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Finally started setting up my press and have a newbie question about lee dies: On the bullet seating and factory crimp dies there is a screw in knob on top, what is it for? And when adjusting lee dies, is it same process like for dillon dies? Thanks The seating die knob sets the seating depth and the crimp die knob sets the amount of crimp. The process for setting up the dies is the same in general, but you should follow the instructions that came with the Lee dies. If you don't have the instructions for some reason look here: http://leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/Pistol4.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csiedmond1 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I use RCBS for 223 in my 650, works great... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e-mishka Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 I was able to adust bullet seating die ok. btw my goal was 1.151 oal , closest i got was 1.152 , is that critical difference or i should be ok? In the lee manual for dies, it doesn't really say how much to adusy crimp die, any advise on that. Im just not sure to what extent its supposed to be crimped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreentie Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I reload 9mm on my 650. I have to say, I have quite a mix of dies on it! Station 1 I use a Redding carbide decapper/re-sizer, on station 4 I use a Lee seating die, and on stage 5 I use a Hornday taper crimp die. It's a long story but this combo personally works best for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e-mishka Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 Latest update, I cant get consistant oal range between 1.148-1.156. Shimmed toolhead, adjusted shell plate to almost no whigle, still have that inconsistancy. Im using barrys 147 gn rn bullet, and thinking to switch to dillon dies and see if seating stem is better fit for that bullet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickB Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Don't waste your time or money on a new set of dies. The inconsistency is coming more than likely from the bullets you are using and not the dies... Mick quote name='e-mishka' timestamp='1330372909' post='1647563'] Latest update, I cant get consistant oal range between 1.148-1.156. Shimmed toolhead, adjusted shell plate to almost no whigle, still have that inconsistancy. Im using barrys 147 gn rn bullet, and thinking to switch to dillon dies and see if seating stem is better fit for that bullet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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