Thank you for getting us back on track here, FJC. I think the whole point of this discussion is which dies are better for use in Dillon progressive press.
The answer is Dillon dies.
The Dillon dies are designed to allow for slight misalignment of components with generous radii on the mouths of the dies. They are made for use with a progressive loader. Other brands, unless they have changed their configuration, are NOT.
Sure other brands will work in a 550 and sure other brands are less expensive. Will other brands work as well in a Dillon press? NO they will not. They may work every bit as well in a single stage press, but they will NOT work as well in a Dillon. That was Mugsie’s original question.
We have gotten slightly off track here with this “My dies are better than your dies” nonsense.
Some of us are sharing our good and bad experiences with everyone in an effort to help out. There is no reason for anyone to get his panties in a wad over it.
Yes, FJC, your production WILL increase once you stop fiddling with the alignment issues you described. I have been there and done that.
If someone wants to buy an expensive press and then handicap it by using cheap dies, which were not designed to work with that particular press, that is his prerogative.
Will my Les Baer 1911 shoot Wolf ammo or reloads purchased at the local swap meet from Billy Bob’s Custom Ammo & Transmission Repair? Probably. Will I use that ammo? I don’t think so.
Speaking for myself, I don’t mind spending a few extra dollars for quality equipment. I stop to think about how long I plan to use the item and then calculate how much the extra expense really is when I spread it over the length of time I plan to use the item. At that point, the extra cost per year becomes negligible. By the way, that rationale seems to work well when you are explaining the cost of a new firearm to the Mrs.
My time is worth something. If I have to stop production to change a pin or otherwise fiddle with my dies, that annoys me. I would rather spend a few extra dollars if it means faster, easier production or avoiding down time.
Now, having said that, MY DIES ARE BETTER THAN YOUR DIES!!!!