What dies work in a Dillon RL1100?

[Dan_69GTX]

I am asking this because I just bought this press. Minus dies.

The Hornady dies I have are screwed down too far so the locking ring cannot be on the top, if I totally butcher the locking rings I have, I can put them underneath. I’d rather not do that.

So, what brand/model/make/etc. dies work in the press so I can put the lock ring on the top of the tool head?

I am sure I will have more questions about this press in the near future.

[George16]

Lee, Redding, Lyman, Forster, Dillon, Whidden to name a few. I don’t use Hornaday.

[Dan_69GTX]

I would go with Dillon dies, but they are on a 500 year back order.

I cannot remember if it’s an RCBS, or a Redding die that is a 223, small bass sizing die, I have the same issue with that, have to put the nut underneath the tool head.   Extensive use of the grinding wheel allows that nut to fit there so it doesn't hit the shell plate hold down nut.

[JBruns]

I put RCBS dies in my 1100 for 9mm, including their lock out die. No issues at all. For .223, I use RCBS TC dies in the same loader. I also use some Lee dies in it (undersized die for 9mm in station 3, and their universal die for crimping .223).

[Dan_69GTX]

JBruns, Thanks for letting me know.

Called Redding - they recommend the pro series and haven't heard anyone with problems in the 1050/1100 platform

Called Dillon - they said RCBS, Redding, etc - stay away from Lee because I'll have the same problem as the Hornady.

Now I know.

Thanks again

[tdogg]

Can you use the Dillon lock rings?  They are significantly thinner/smaller and may fit on top?  I too just purchased a used Super 1050 that was setup to load 40 S&W with Dillon dies and a Redding Competition seater.  I haven't tried to install any of my other dies on it but when I purchase a caliber conversion kit I will be trying to setup 223 and 9mm eventually.  I didn't realize the toolhead was too thick to support all standard dies?

Cheers,
Toby

[Dan_69GTX]

The Dillon locknuts would not work on the top. Just because there are not enough threads showing above the tool head. However, good idea on trying that Dylan lock nut underneath. Standing here looking at those locknuts, yes, they are thinner in the wall, but about the same thickness. That might work. Good idea.

I ended up ordering a set of Reading pro series dies. If they work, that’s what I’ll get for anything else.

My intention is to use the RL 1100 for 9 mm and 223 and 300 blackout. Due to the swaging station.  Just way too much work to swage on the Hornady.    I will you continue to use the Hornaday for all other calibers, as of now.   Too expensive to get conversion kits for the RL 1100 when I don’t shoot that large of quantity of the other calibers.

I also ordered the Tool head to use a trimmer. Now to figure out how to hook that up. Still haven’t bought any of the other stuff for that yet. 

[George16]

The Redding pro dies will work.

Here are my tool heads for my 1100:

Redding Micrometer seating die and Lee FCD on my 9mm reloading tool head; Lee UDie and Redding sizing die (both without decapping pins) on my processing tool head:


Lyman .223 M die on my .223 processing tool head:



I’m using Dillon lock rings and haven’t ran into problems with lee dies.

[Dan_69GTX]

George - thanks for that info!!

A couple of questions.  Why resize without decapping, or do you decap before you clean?

What are you using for your trimmer?

Thanks again!  Love learning from this forum.

Dan

[George16]

George - thanks for that info!!

A couple of questions.  Why resize without decapping, or do you decap before you clean?

What are you using for your trimmer?

Thanks again!  Love learning from this forum.

Dan

Dan, I have dedicated processing tool heads since I do a two-step reloading process. For .223, I wash and dry the brass then decapped, swaged, full-length sized, trim, expand case mouth, wet tumble without pins, polish with corn cob, sort and inspect them prior to reloading.

My processing tool head consists of:
- FW Arms Auto-centering primer popper. (It’s spring-loaded inside to prevent it from being stuck in the primer pocket pocket)
- FW Arms Auro-centering Swage foot die
- Bosch trimmer with Fast and Friendly brass adapter and Dillon .223 carbide trim die
- Lyman .223 M die for case mouth expansion

Here’s better pics of my .223 processing setup.


For 9mm, my processing tool head consists of
- FW Arms Auto-centering decapper
- Dillon pistol hold down die
- Redding sizing die
- Lee U die (without recapping pin) - installed this because it’s an extra I have laying around.

Here are links for the Fast and Friendly Brass trimmer info:
https://fastandfriendlybrass.com/shop/category.aspx/honey-badger-trimmer-adapter/15/

This link lists everything you need to assemble the trimmer setup. I bought my Bosch router from Lowes for $200.
https://fastandfriendlybrass.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=34

I can tell you that this setup is more powerful, more robust and cheaper compared to Dillon’s trimmer setup. My reloading mentor (75 year old guy with a Dillon Super 1050/Dillon trimmer setup) came over my house to check out my setup and he said, “ this is way better than my Dillon trimmer setup”. I asked him for his reason why he said that and his answers were, “ more powerful, more robust, cheaper and doesn’t heat up the trimmer housing”.

Hope this helps.


 

[Dan_69GTX]

George - that helped a lot - thanks.  I've looked at the Honeybadger setup but didn't know much about it.  Guess I'll have to get one.

On your press, the clip on the case feeder that holds the case drop tube - looks like you have magnets there - is that correct?

If so, does that work well?   I've just taped a magnet to the drop tube as a last ditch effort to catch any steel cases I might have missed.

[George16]

George - that helped a lot - thanks.  I've looked at the Honeybadger setup but didn't know much about it.  Guess I'll have to get one.

On your press, the clip on the case feeder that holds the case drop tube - looks like you have magnets there - is that correct?

If so, does that work well?   I've just taped a magnet to the drop tube as a last ditch effort to catch any steel cases I might have missed.

Yes, those are magnets I bought from Amazon. There’s one on each side in case I miss one of those brass-coated steel cases during my sorting process. Those magnets have worked well so far.

[Wobbly]

Yes, those are magnets I bought from Amazon. There’s one on each side in case I miss one of those brass-coated steel cases during my sorting process. Those magnets have worked well so far.

I agree and have the same setup. Lowes has a fabulous selection of magnets. I use them for stopping steel cases, for holding hex wrenches onto the press, and for picking up shotgun primers. When I had a single-stage press, I used them for keeping commonly used shell holders. They are just handy to have.

[JBruns]

George,
Does the trimmer you use also deburr and chamfer the trimmed brass?

[Dan_69GTX]

Got the Redding dies yesterday.  Got the press set up, but haven't loaded any 9mm yet. 

The Redding dies have enough threads above the tool head to place the lock ring above the tool head.  Looks like everything will work fine.

I'll keep the Hornady dies set up for the LNL.   Probably use that for doing the 9mm test runs.