LeviSS Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) I've been reloading for about 7 years on a single stage press. Until last year when I started competing I was fairly low volume...reloading mainly for hunting and lower volume plinking. Now I'm shooting faster than I can reload, so I'm looking to get a Dillon 550B. I've used Redding dies almost exclusively. My question is with the powder drop. Would I have to get a different expander die that is a powder drop expander? Would the dies I alreadt have work? Should I just get the Dillon dies? Edited January 5, 2016 by LeviSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motosapiens Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 the dies you have should work. I got a dillon expander die so i could use the dillon powder measure, but I only use it for one caliber. For the other calibers I use the powder/expander die and powder measure I already owned (Lee). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeviSS Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) Maybe I'm confused. Don't you have to use a powder through expander die for the machine to charge the round automatically? The Dillon expander would accomplish this, right? I guess I'm confused about using my Redding expander die, how it works with the powder drop. Is the Dillon "powder die" that come with the press the part that expands and controls the powder dropping? Edited January 5, 2016 by LeviSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan550 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 The "powder die" contains the powder funnel for whichever caliber you're loading. A caliber conversion contains powder funnel, shell plate & locator buttons that are caliber-specific. You can change calibers and still use the same "powder die" but it's easier to get a separate tool head for each caliber, leaving the dies set on each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
427Cobra Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Each caliber conversion kit comes with a powder through expander, your Redding FL die and Seating or Seating\crimp die will work, since your already an experienced reloader I recommend a 650 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeviSS Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) Ok. Thanks guys. I think I get the picture now. I couldn't figure out how I was going to use my Redding expander die and get it to work with the powder drop. So really the only dies that I will need to supply are a sizer, seater, and crimp die? Edited January 5, 2016 by LeviSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motosapiens Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 yeah, if the redding expander die is NOT a powder-through type of die, then it is of no use to you on a 550. I d on't know nuthin bout redding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Ok. Thanks guys. I think I get the picture now. I couldn't figure out how I was going to use my Redding expander die and get it to work with the powder drop. So really the only dies that I will need to supply are a sizer, seated, and crimp die? Correct! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boggus Deal Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 LeviSS, I use Redding dies in my Dillons almost exclusively. That is 4 550s and a 650. I would go to the Dillon website and download the manual for the 550 and as it shows how to setup the machine, you will get a better understanding of what dies you will need. Redding sells a series of dies called the Competiton Pro Series, I believe, that is geared toward use in a progressive press. It does not come with expander die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Check your Redding "CARBIDE" die and make sure there is a bevel where the case goes into it I have an old set of 38/357 dies that the carbide ring is so straight that it won't work smoothly with a progressive press. you can polish/ fine grind the carbide but it a pain Might be worth getting a set of dies made for progressive presses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9x45 Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Shown with a Lee floating crimp die Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimk60 Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Shown with a Lee floating crimp die Did you mean Lee Factory Crimp Die (FCD). I could find nothing on a Floating Crimp Die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9x45 Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Jim, yea, I call it floating because the die moves up and down internally inside of a sleeve. Use it for .357SIG so I don't have to trim each case... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Man Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Get the 550, I think I have 3 different brands of dies on mine. Then get a 650 and keep the 550 for a back up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeviSS Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 Get the 550, I think I have 3 different brands of dies on mine. Then get a 650 and keep the 550 for a back up! That's kinda my plan...550 to load several different cartridges, then possibly upgrade down the road if I feel the desire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_Z Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Ok. Thanks guys. I think I get the picture now. I couldn't figure out how I was going to use my Redding expander die and get it to work with the powder drop. So really the only dies that I will need to supply are a sizer, seater, and crimp die? By the time you buy those, you might as well just get a set of Dillon dies. They are set up for use on Dillon presses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeviSS Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 Ok. Thanks guys. I think I get the picture now. I couldn't figure out how I was going to use my Redding expander die and get it to work with the powder drop. So really the only dies that I will need to supply are a sizer, seater, and crimp die? By the time you buy those, you might as well just get a set of Dillon dies. They are set up for use on Dillon presses. I already have these except the $30 taper crimp die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustybayonet Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 If your going to reload one caliber in mass go with a 650. If like myself you reload many calibers 550 is great. You can use any standard thread dies in these two dillions. You will have to buy the caliber conversion kit and it comes with the powder funnel/expander so you should be all set. I went from a single stage to a 550 and love it. If your does have a seprate crimp die even better, but it works fine when you seat and crimp. If my primer tubes are full, I can kick out 500 in an hour (I only have 5 tubes of each size). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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