Topic: Need some expert advice

[idcastandblast]

I stumbled into a great deal on a Dillon 550 press.  It is all set up for larger calibers, but I am only going to load 9mm right now.  I know that I will need to order a caliber conversion kit from Dillon or Cliff's, but what about die??  It looks like any die can work in the 550, but I have no idea of where to start.  I know that carbide is better, but do you experts have an optimal solution for 9mm?

I will probably be posting many questions to this group as I start on this path.

[egress81]

I have the dillon dies for both. 40 and. 45 and I really like them.

The resize die has a built in stuck case remover and the seating die plug is reversible for round nose and semi wadcutter style bullets and they are carbide as well.

The only downside is they are a little spendy, but any dies will work in the dillon 

[egress81]

Forgot to say get an extra powder setup as we'll as it will save you tons of time setting up the bell on the mouth of the case everytime

[ekuo]

Based on what you described, you will need the following:

Spare tool head
Conversion kit for 9mm (it includes a 9mm specific shell plate, indexing buttons, and the 9mm insert for the powder die). 
Powder measurer (get this even if you already have one.  Way better to have one dedicated for each toolhead)

Dies:  I use a combination of dies from different manufacturers.  I like Lee for sizing dies, Hornady for seating, and depending on the caliber I use Lee or Dillon crimp dies.  Get an extra set of Dillon die rings and ditch the kind that come with RCBS or Hornady, and use the Dillon rings to lock the dies into the tool head. 

Primer system:  Did your 550 come with the small primer bar and small primer tube insert (can't recall Dillon #'s).  Hope so, otherwise you'll need those plus small primer tubes to make your set up work for small primers. 

Why go with a dedicated toolhead for each caliber?  It facilitates changing calibers.  You mount all of your dies and the powder measurer onto the toolhead, adjust them, then you are good to go.  If you reload a different caliber, pull the two pins, pull the toolhead, and change out the indexing buttons and shell plate.  Takes maybe 10 mins (less if you don't have to switch from large primers to small). 

Where to order?  http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.html

[Nealio]

This is what I'm running for dies:

• EGW "undersize" sizing die:  helps 9mm feeding issues, as the 9mm is a tapered case, and many resizing dies don't do low enough to get any base bulge out.  Its also carbide
• Hornady seating die:  the Hornady dies have a sliding bullet seater, which helps for cases that didn't get flared as much as others (too short, brass is hardened, etc).  You can run the bullet up and then let the sliding seat take it, and it will align it before it starts seating. It *pretty much* eliminates crushing cases due to the bullet not being perfectly aligned.
• Lee factory crimp die:  They are cheap and seem to do a good job.  I also have a Dillon crimp die that I got for cheap that I need to try out.  I will probably be selling one of these

[idcastandblast]

Thanks guys.  This is exactly the information that I was looking for.  I got two extra heads and measures with the press so that will help.  Not sure about the large v. small primer tube.  The other thing that I am worried about is the size of the powder bar.  I think that they might be the magnum size.

[Beamncoke]

You're welcome to come look at the way mine is set up.  I'd be happy to assist with specific issues as well.