I tend to stick with RCBS, but have had good service from all the big players, i.e., Redding, Lee, etc.
Die issues and what is your favorite die brand
- Thread starter rhodesengr
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I've been a loyal RCBS user for over twenty years...don't plan on making any changes
GypsmJim
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I've been reloading for 55+ years. 26 calibers. 100% Lee dies. I only had 1 problem and Lee replaced the die for free.
I dunno what's what except all my reloads are perfect. Tens of thousands of rounds down the pipe.
Maybe the expensive brands are better, but I don't know why, and at this point I don't see the need to find out.
I dunno what's what except all my reloads are perfect. Tens of thousands of rounds down the pipe.
Maybe the expensive brands are better, but I don't know why, and at this point I don't see the need to find out.
Been loading 20yrs, started with Lee, now only use Dillon and RCBS. I had a Lyman carbide set in there somewhere, but sold them as well. The only issue I ever had with ANY brand dies I've tried, is the older model Dillon decapping pins break. No biggie, Dillon sends a little bag of 6 for free.
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Still have my RCBS dies bought in mid 70's, years ago bought all Carbide RCBS. Sadly have heard disappointing reports about new RCBS equipment.
racer19j
Member
I like the RCBS dies for reloading handgun ammunition. The expander die is much better than the Hornady. The design of the RCBS allows you the modify the expander punch to increase the amount of tension on the bullet if needed. Also, the "straight" section of the punch makes the bullet "snap" into vertical position better than the Hornady.
For rifle I must admit I like Redding dies...esp the expensive target type.. But have and do use RCBS. I also have Dillon Carbide 223 & 308. For the Dillon progressives I use Dillon...For other presses I use RCBS dies. Hornady dies are a non starter for me as are Lee dies. Have used almost every brand over the years and almost all worked ok. I started loading in the late 50's and i used whatever I could afford back then including Herter's Pacific Hollywood Dunbar and others. The only dies I ever had fail were Lee and only have one set I will even use...they are the collet dies they made
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Redding for me. I have sets for every caliber I load. I do like Lee factory crimp dies, though.
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STORMINORMAN
Member
"I have never crimped an empty case." Uh, well, you must REALLY value every brass case!
1. Read the instructions that come with the dies regarding how to set/adjust the crimp.
It may differ from one manufacturer to the next. (It does!)
2. Have you ever heard of friction? Are the dies for a roll crimp or a taper crimp?
1. Read the instructions that come with the dies regarding how to set/adjust the crimp.
It may differ from one manufacturer to the next. (It does!)
2. Have you ever heard of friction? Are the dies for a roll crimp or a taper crimp?
RCBS and Lyman. Never a problem with either.
THE PILGRIM
Member
Don't reload anymore.
But when I did, preferred RCBS Dies.
But when I did, preferred RCBS Dies.
Hasbeen1945
Absent Comrade
I've been reloading since the 60's. Own a lot of different makers dies.
My preferred for rifle calibers is Forster.
My preferred for pistol is Redding. I also use the Lee carbide crimp die.
My preferred for rifle calibers is Forster.
My preferred for pistol is Redding. I also use the Lee carbide crimp die.
OP
rhodesengr
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A couple guys here we're pretty negative about Hornady. Can you be more specific what you don't like about them?
racoonbeast
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Dillon on my 650.
It looks like people's favorites run the gamut. Most of mine are Hornady, with Lyman M type expanders for the revolver cartridges. I also have several RCBSs and Redding (rifle) dies, along with some Lee FCDs. No issues with any of them, really, although I do prefer Hornady's locking rings.
DWalt
Member
I have at least one set of every brand, but for no particular reason I prefer Lyman.
I think the 'hang up' issue on the crimping as you are adjusting the die is due to the press going 'over center' which they are normally designed to do.
You may be feeling the ram pushing the case back into the crimp section of the die once again as the ram lifts slightly and then retreats as the handle is lowered back down to pull the round out of the die.
The heavier the crimp,,the more you will feel it on pulling the round back out of the die. All because the linkage going back over center will first push it back up to the max height before retreating back out of the die.
You can feel the same effect w/a FL sizer if you adj the shell holder on the ram to bottom out & touch the base of the FL die with the ram all the way up.
Then pulling the ram back down, at first there is a slightly more difficult to pull effort needed on the ram handle. This is the linkage going over center.
It first pushes the ram up,,and then it retreats and goes smoothly back down for you.
If you adj the shellholder/ram to be pressed too hard against the bottom of the FLSizer die with the ram at it's top position,,it can be near impossible to bring the ram back down because of that overcenter linkage movement that first pushes upward before moving abck downward.
re...Reloading Die Brands,,,I use and have about anything imaginable.
I use them all and they all work.
Somewhere around 60 different caliber sets and a lot of odd dies I use for forming brass and even making bullets
.
Some brands many likely have never heard of. Some others I have are those that many won't even consider as gifts let alone actually buying them. But they work just fine. A few home-made dies too.
They don't all have to have the same brand name on them either to load any certain caliber.
No die-snob here.
You may be feeling the ram pushing the case back into the crimp section of the die once again as the ram lifts slightly and then retreats as the handle is lowered back down to pull the round out of the die.
The heavier the crimp,,the more you will feel it on pulling the round back out of the die. All because the linkage going back over center will first push it back up to the max height before retreating back out of the die.
You can feel the same effect w/a FL sizer if you adj the shell holder on the ram to bottom out & touch the base of the FL die with the ram all the way up.
Then pulling the ram back down, at first there is a slightly more difficult to pull effort needed on the ram handle. This is the linkage going over center.
It first pushes the ram up,,and then it retreats and goes smoothly back down for you.
If you adj the shellholder/ram to be pressed too hard against the bottom of the FLSizer die with the ram at it's top position,,it can be near impossible to bring the ram back down because of that overcenter linkage movement that first pushes upward before moving abck downward.
re...Reloading Die Brands,,,I use and have about anything imaginable.
I use them all and they all work.
Somewhere around 60 different caliber sets and a lot of odd dies I use for forming brass and even making bullets
.
Some brands many likely have never heard of. Some others I have are those that many won't even consider as gifts let alone actually buying them. But they work just fine. A few home-made dies too.
They don't all have to have the same brand name on them either to load any certain caliber.
No die-snob here.
bulletslap
Member
I lean towards Redding Dies.
If Dillon doesn't make it I buy Redding.
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