Reloading w/ Lee dies.

rocky · March 17th, 2008, 03:55 PM

I have set up and started reloading for .45 ACP using my Dillon 550B and Lee dies. A few observations. Compared to the Dillon dies.
1. Dillon bullet seat adjustment is more time consuming / difficult. One needs to adjust the whole die to adjust the bullet seat depth. The Lee in comparison requires only the twist of a knob on top of the die.
2. The Dillon die seems much more forgiving for bullets canted or off center while entering the seat die. Comparatively , the Lee is extremely sensitive to bullet angle. I believe the Dillon die has a wide mouth to help straighten the bullet as it enters the die.
Bottom line I find the Dillon dies to make my loading quicker , therefore I can crank out more ammo faster. The Dillon costs more , but is IMO worth it.
1. the Lee die mouth
2. Dillon die mouth
3. Lee top of die (w/ adjusting knob.)
4. top of Dillon die.
I imagine the Lee die has a smaller die moth due to it also crimps the case mouth in the same step compared to the Dillon which uses a 4th die..

HotGuns · March 17th, 2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

I find the Dillon dies to make my loading quicker , therefore I can crank out more ammo faster. The Dillon costs more , but is IMO worth it.

Yep.
I've been saying the same thing for over 25 years.

Great pictures btw...

alfack · March 17th, 2008, 05:43 PM

Ah, now if Dillon would just make a seating die with and adjustable knob on top. It is kind of a pain to adjust the die when switching between RN and HP, say.

Loosen collet nut, turn die, tighten collet nut, seat bullet, measure COL. Darn, too far. Put round in puller and try again.

rocky · March 17th, 2008, 10:07 PM

Yeah , a adjustable knob would be great. Thanks for the compliment Hotguns, I like my Minolta camera. .

jbailey · March 18th, 2008, 12:20 AM

Hi all,

I've been using Lee pistol dies in my Hornady LnL, but use a separate crimp die so that the seater only seats. This saves time in adjustments when changing bullet styles or seating depths. Aside from this, there is the Lee Factory Crimp die, which is handy for correcting the occasional round that won't gauge (if you gauge them or check them in the chamber after loading, you can catch these BEFORE trying to shoot them).

I've never used Dillon dies, and am sure that they are good quality, but I'm satisfied with the Lees.

Good shooting,

Jim

Tubby45 · March 18th, 2008, 12:52 AM

I use Lee dies for most everything.

friesepferd · March 18th, 2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocky

I imagine the Lee die has a smaller die moth due to it also crimps the case mouth in the same step compared to the Dillon which uses a 4th die..

doesnt lee have both 3 and 4 die sets?

rocky · March 18th, 2008, 12:08 PM

I believe they do. However the cost was the factor trying Lee dies. Obviously the 3 die set is cheaper.

mousehunter · March 18th, 2008, 12:37 PM

I have been fairly happy with Lee dies - I suspect bullet shape might play into a factor on how forgiving they are. Likewise I use separate seat and crimp dies - which makes adjustment far easier.

I also use a Lee Loadmaster press. I can easily imagine a machine being more user friendly - but when you develop your zen-like relationship with it, it does a fine job cranking out ammo.

Tubby45 · March 18th, 2008, 01:06 PM

Fries, the Lee 3 die set includes a sizer, expander, and seat/crimp die. The 4 die "deluxe" set includes the above plus the carbide factory crimp die, so you can seat and crimp in separate operations.

March 17th, 2008, 10:07 PM	#4
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 10,866	Yeah , a adjustable knob would be great. Thanks for the compliment Hotguns, I like my Minolta camera. . __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

March 18th, 2008, 12:20 AM	#5
jbailey Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NC coast Posts: 99	Hi all, I've been using Lee pistol dies in my Hornady LnL, but use a separate crimp die so that the seater only seats. This saves time in adjustments when changing bullet styles or seating depths. Aside from this, there is the Lee Factory Crimp die, which is handy for correcting the occasional round that won't gauge (if you gauge them or check them in the chamber after loading, you can catch these BEFORE trying to shoot them). I've never used Dillon dies, and am sure that they are good quality, but I'm satisfied with the Lees. Good shooting, Jim __________________ "There is no problem that cannot be solved through the proper use of high explosives" G. Alan Foster

March 18th, 2008, 12:52 AM	#6
Tubby45 Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: In the reloading room Posts: 1,796	I use Lee dies for most everything. __________________ Freakshow Manufacturing LLC Licensed 07 FFL with Class II SOT pending California CFLC compliant

March 18th, 2008, 12:08 PM	#8
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 10,866	I believe they do. However the cost was the factor trying Lee dies. Obviously the 3 die set is cheaper. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

March 18th, 2008, 01:06 PM	#10
Tubby45 Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: In the reloading room Posts: 1,796	Fries, the Lee 3 die set includes a sizer, expander, and seat/crimp die. The 4 die "deluxe" set includes the above plus the carbide factory crimp die, so you can seat and crimp in separate operations. __________________ Freakshow Manufacturing LLC Licensed 07 FFL with Class II SOT pending California CFLC compliant

March 17th, 2008, 05:43 PM	#3
alfack Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Marysville, Washington Posts: 119	Ah, now if Dillon would just make a seating die with and adjustable knob on top. It is kind of a pain to adjust the die when switching between RN and HP, say. Loosen collet nut, turn die, tighten collet nut, seat bullet, measure COL. Darn, too far. Put round in puller and try again.

March 18th, 2008, 12:37 PM	#9
mousehunter Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 123	I have been fairly happy with Lee dies - I suspect bullet shape might play into a factor on how forgiving they are. Likewise I use separate seat and crimp dies - which makes adjustment far easier. I also use a Lee Loadmaster press. I can easily imagine a machine being more user friendly - but when you develop your zen-like relationship with it, it does a fine job cranking out ammo.

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