New Dillon die nuts...

[halfmoonclip]

...are a PITA. I had ground a big, stout wrench to fit standard die nuts (the stamped one from Dillon was sprung in no time). Slimmed the outside with a bench grinder so that it would fit in among the dies.
Tonight I was setting up for a new load with the .44 Mag dies; nothing in my complete sets of wrenches was big enough. Finally ended up setting it with a set of slip joints (!).
Love my 550; have had it 38 years, and understand Dillon's notion with smaller nuts to leave more room for a wrench.
It's right up there with .45 ACP small pistol primer cases; just a PITA that didn't have to be.
Moon
ETA-anyone make real wrenches (no stamped crap need apply) that will fit standard and Dillon die lock nuts?
M

 

[jmorris]

A 1” combination wrench does the trick.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/URREA-1-INCH-EXTRALONG-COMBINATION-WRENCH-1232L/202797515

 

[AJC1]

I use Fairmont wrenches on my dies and they work good and aren't stupid big or expensive. Ebay is where I got mine.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Give this one a go------it is fantastically STOUT......!!

1" Wrench for Reloading | ShootSteel.com

 

[KB Hill]

Give this one a go------it is fantastically STOUT......!!

1" Wrench for Reloading | ShootSteel.com

+1, great wrench.

 

[EricBu]

...are a PITA. I had ground a big, stout wrench to fit standard die nuts (the stamped one from Dillon was sprung in no time). Slimmed the outside with a bench grinder so that it would fit in among the dies.
Tonight I was setting up for a new load with the .44 Mag dies; nothing in my complete sets of wrenches was big enough. Finally ended up setting it with a set of slip joints (!).
Love my 550; have had it 38 years, and understand Dillon's notion with smaller nuts to leave more room for a wrench.
It's right up there with .45 ACP small pistol primer cases; just a PITA that didn't have to be.
Moon
ETA-anyone make real wrenches (no stamped crap need apply) that will fit standard and Dillon die lock nuts?
M

They're proud of them, but they're CNC machined, and made to fit in amongst the dies. Standard and the smaller dillon lock rings. https://www.uniquetek.com/product/T1532

 

[bihj]

I've been using a deep socket. Available anywhere tools are sold.

 

[beag_nut]

Are you familiar with tappet wrenches? They are thinner, low-torque open-end wrenches used on car/truck engines. Supposedly Harbor Freight has some, and also McMaster-Carr has them.