Who makes the best carbide reloading dyes for 44SPL/44Magnum

[hassiman]

Hi,

I was just wondering who makes the best carbide Dye sets for 44SPL/44Mag. RCBS? LEE? And who has the best prices?

[alwslate]

Can't go wrong with Lyman or RCBS. Best price for carbide die sets
probably won't vary greatly among on line sellers. Look for sales or
specials like free shipping.

[CH4]

I have nothing but good experiences with my RCBS carbide 44 mag/app dies and all my other RCBS dies.

[J. R. WEEMS]

Years before retiring I replaced almost all my dies with REDDING -- made in America as well. Presses too. Have never been sorry. JMHO

[LoboGunLeather]

I have always preferred RCBS dies. I have RCBS dies manufactured nearly 50 years ago and still in perfect working condition.

Lee dies will probably be the least expensive (and Lee includes a shell holder, which will cost several dollars from other makers). I have used Lee dies and they are OK for many purposes. I would not choose Lee dies for a caliber I intend to load a lot of ammo for.

[Ivan the Butcher]

RCBS is the best for normal going price.

Redding is better but usually costs more.

CH-4D Titanium Nitrate dies are the best there are but they are almost pure custom! (But available in any Thread pattern and diameter you can find a press in! Including the real old Lyman Tru-line Jr. 9/16" and old Starr 3/4 inch dies.)

Lyman use to have a good product, but since ATK took over their Customer Service absolutely stinks!!!

Lee, most likely to have best price and OK Customer Service!
"When just good enough will do, Lee's the brand for you!"
Very often too short for other presses.

Hornady, Ho-Hummmmm. neah Customer Service, They change designs so often, you can't count on two die sets using the same decapping dies.

Dillon, Great Customer Service, Designed to be serviced and cleaned without removing from the press. Higher but reasonable priced, only the more common cartridges available.

Last item for consideration: Loading dies are tools, they fail at the oddest time, Even with great C.S. you are down until parts arrive. Try to have dies of the same brand and style so you can strip parts at 10 o'clock at night and load for the next day's outing. (Been there, done that!)

BTW: Every Redding die set I have bought (8 sets) has come with one or two extra decapping pins!)

Ivan

[ken158]

Most reloaders have their favorites but all die manufacturers make dies within proper specs - but be sure you get carbide.

[oysterer]

RCBS certainly...

[Just another 22 shooter]

Ivan has covered this well.
I would add that Lee is a very good value. I have used them off and on for years and have had no failures of any kind. Presently have a set of 9mm Luger in my Dillon 550c.
Another brand option is Forster. Very good quality and excellent customer service, the couple of times I used it.
If I was starting over with all my present knowledge, I would get a lot more CH4D product. Their product is top shelf, but they need to move into the 21st century with the web site. To order, you have to call them by phone; can't order directly from web site. But still a very innovative company.

[madmikeb]

I always used to use RCBS and still have many sets, but a few years ago I switched to Lee carbide 4 die sets with a factory crimp die. They're cheaper and I see no difference in the ammo.

[fordson]

RCBS for my money. I prefer thier seating die to others as they provide separate seating plug/stem with a profiled seating cup that fit different bullet types.

[TazTJ]

I have used the Lee dies for 9mm, 38, 45, and 44 and have been very happy with them in the Classic Turret, Loadmaster and Auto breech lock. I have some RCBS in 38 and 45 IIRC, but the Lees work fine for me for normal shooting.

[Waldo]

My experience has been that they all work. I think my first .44 Special/Mag set was Lyman. I would always buy whichever brand I got the best price on. I have Lee, RCBS, Redding, Pacific, Hornady and Lyman dies on hand. When Dillion came out with dies designed for progressive presses, I bought a set in .45 ACP. They are very easy to clean, which is a factor if you load a lot of cast bullets. I have since switched to Dillion dies for all the pistol calibers I load on my Dillion presses. In my opinion it is money well spent.

[glowe]

Through the years, I would pick up most of my carbide pistol/revolver die sets at gun shows for half or less the cost of new. I have maybe 15 sets from many different manufacturers found at shows and can say they all are working just fine. Pacific, RCBS, Lee, Lyman, Redding, Bair, CH4D, etc. are all fine. Find a big gun show and it will have every caliber that can be imagined. I recently found a set for 455 Webley and 45-90 (not carbide) at a show that cost $25 each with shell holders. Both were as new and probably near $100 each if bought new.

[BE Mike]

I think the choice of reloading dies is probably the least important decision in reloading. The choice of bullet, powder & weight, primer type, case (case prep for rifles) far outweighs the brand of dies as long as the dies are of good quality and are easy to stay in adjustment. I have loaded ammo on Lyman, RCBS and Dillon dies. My latest .44 Mag. were loaded with Dillon dies because I was using a Dillon 550 progressive loader. Those rounds have proven to be very accurate out of my S&W 629 Classic with 5" barrel.

[MJFlores]

All of my carbide dies are Redding. They make a great product, and they're a great company to work with if you ever need to call or need service on something.

[6string]

The best?

No question, the Redding dual ring carbide dies. The ONLY carbide dies in the world that retain the slight taper inherent in all "straight walled" cartridges.

Dual Ring Carbide Dies - Redding Reloading Equipment: reloading equipment for rifles, handguns, pistols, revolvers and SAECO bullet casting equipment

100 yd machine rest tests confirm their advantage.

Jim

The last set of RCBS dies I bought were missing the crimp die. I called the company, and the rep I talked to told me to fill out the online form and to attach a digital photo of the open box. I did as instructed and never heard back from them.
Fortunately, the seller turned out to be a lot more helpful!

[MyDads38]

I have RCBS, Lyman, Pacific and Lee dies. They all work as intended. Honestly though, Lee equipment makes up about 95% of my reloading bench. Presses, dies and accessories; some bought when I first started out in 1980-and still working today. Just because you can spend more, doesn't mean you have to. Just my $.02... :-)

[WR Moore]

I've got both Lyman and RCBS. Prefer the Lyman because of the decapping pin mounting.

The RCBS requires you to remove the lock nut and completely remove the decapping rod to change the pin. While resetting the pin isn't a real pain, it's more work than necessary.

Lyman puts the decapping rod on a top hat assembly that screws into the top of the die. Much faster to change, doesn't change readjustment and makes it possible to resize a primed case should you need to without a hassle. Originally, the Lyman decapping pin was headed and a far superior design. RCBS has gone to this system after the Lyman patents ran out.

Lyman also originated the stepped neck expanding die (M die), which is better for seating cast/lead bullets. The patent ran out on that too, I expect RCBS is now doing this also.

I suspicion, but don't know, that Lyman makes Dillons dies to their specs.

If you reload both .44 Spl & Magnum, make sure you get the spacer ring. You set up the sizing die normally. The expander and seating dies are set up for the .44 Spl, the spacer ring provides the proper settings for Magnum loading without readjustment-at least if you're using the same bullet.

Midway and Grafs sell loading stuff, I usually use Grafs.

[kenjen]

been using Lee dies for 30+ yrs in 357/38, 9mm, 44mag/44spc and 45acp never nad any problems what so ever. I know that the 357 set and 9mm set have over 20,000 rounds through them each and still work like new...also I have ''never'' broken a depriming pin because of the Lee system...

[SMSgt]

RCBS have always worked fine for me. I managed to lose the expander ball for my .223 die and they send me a free upgraded version with extra primer pins.

Lee works, but I throw away the lock rings and use Hornady lock rings instead.

I have one set of Hornady dies for a wildcat cartridge and they seem to work fine also.

[Krogen]

Ivan covered the question perfectly. RCBS is my go-to supplier. Their dies are good and their customer service is impeccable. The few times I've used their customer service, I was extremely pleased. They earned my repeat business. Sure, Lee is cheaper, but I'll direct cost isn't the whole picture. As for Hornady, they should stick to bullets. I purchased a few Hornady die sets for some oddball calibers that others didn't stock. What a poor excuse for a set of dies.

Now I know the OP asked about 44 handgun cartridges, but for making itty bitty bugholes with a primo rifle, my money is on L.E. Wilson. The dies are beautifully constructed and look like jewels. And they work!

[patrol]

Redding is my first choice, with RCBS and Lyman very closely behind. Hornady makes good dies, but they do change occasionally, as noted earlier.

You couldn't melt a set of Lees and pour them on me.

[smoothshooter]

Originally Posted by hassiman

Hi,

I was just wondering who makes the best carbide Dye sets for 44SPL/44Mag. RCBS? LEE? And who has the best prices?

I think the term is " carbide dies ".

[Hasbeen1945]

I think I have at least one set of dies made by each of the manufacturers.
Redding is my first choice for handguns.
Forster for rifles.

[gregintenn]

Best price? LEE


Best quality? Redding


Good quality and reasonable price? RCBS


My least favorite have been Lyman. I'm always breaking a decapping pin in their resizing die. Not sure why.





Personally, although they are the cheapest, I prefer many features of the Lee dies to other brands. I've yet to have a set of dies from any manufacturer that didn't work as advertised.

[gregintenn]

Originally Posted by patrol

Redding is my first choice, with RCBS and Lyman very closely behind. Hornady makes good dies, but they do change occasionally, as noted earlier.

You couldn't melt a set of Lees and pour them on me.

Would you care to expound upon that thought a bit? What do you dislike about Lee dies?

[Warren Sear]

My biggest complaint with RCBS dies are the brass set screws on the locking rings. They strip out almost immediately. Easy enough to replace with a steel screw and a small piece of lead under it.

I just tried to buy a Redding .41 Magnum carbide die set. Has to be made to order. Good stuff, but no thanks.

My favorite dies in order: Redding, RCBS, Lee, Hornady, Lyman. Lyman used to be equal with RCBS, but something changed. I have no opinion or experience with other brands.

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm probably repeating much of what has been posted already.

The least expensive dies come from Lee and I see nothing wrong with Lee dies except they are not as pretty as most of the others.

As for the best, you will need to clarify what you mean by best. You can buy competition dies from Redding where each die is $100+. Some sets are $200 depending on the brand but most expensive doesn't necessarily mean the best dies IMO.

I see a lot of suggestions for RCBS and Lyman and they are top quality but for my money the Hornady dies with a Titanium Nitride sizing ring are excellent dies. They cost only slightly more than the Lee dies but size brass so smoothly it's amazing. You will need to buy the shell holder while Lee supplies one but it's still worth it. As a bonus the Hornady dies come with their sure-loc lock rings that some reloaded buy separately to use on dies they buy from other companies.

Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension Nitride 3-Die Set 44 - MPN: 546548

If you like to crimp in a separate step Lee has a Collet style crimp die for under $13 that works great. (not their factory crimp die) It really works very well.

Lee Collet-Style Crimp Die 44 Remington Mag - MPN: 90930

I hope this helps a bit.

[kennyb]

No question...RCBS

[The Norseman]

Lee Dies.

The Majority of my Dies are Lee, the others are
RCBS and Hornady. They all work Great for me.

For what the Average Reloaders/Shooters do
Lee is the Best. Lee may not be Pretty, but they
do Make Accurate Cartridges.

And only the Serious Reloader will have a separate
Crimp Die. To me that separate step to put a Crimp
on a Cartridge is Wise and shows true Craftmanship.

The Best to You and your Endeavors.

[Warren Sear]

^^^ +1 on the Lee crimping dies, with crimping done as a final step.

[342ti]

Caliber doesn’t matter when it comes to quality of the DIES you’re using. Having owned Lee Carbide in the past, I only use Dillon/RCBS these days. I prefer the RCBS, as they don’t lose their adjustments after prolonged loading, like the Dillon’s do.

[Old&Retired]

Have used nothing but Lee since the mid '80s and have not had any issues.

The one time I went with RCBS was for a universal depriming die. Broke 4 pins in a row before it went into the junk bin. Have NEVER broken a Lee pin.

BTW...I reload for 9mm; 7.62x25; 9mm Mak; 45 ACP and 45 Colt as well as 223/5.56.

I also agree that the factory crimp die is a must for any reloader.

Finally, and somewhat sadly, a lot of people equate inexpensive to mean low quality. This is one of the reasons that some simply hate Lee, assumptions, not facts.

[fredj338]

Redding for sure, most of my rifle die sets are redding. Rcbs & dillon about equal. Then hornady then lyman lee on the bottom.

[johngalt]

I started out with Lee, then switched to Hornady. The only other manufacturer I've tried is the RCBS lockout die.

Lee dies are ok, but just barely long enough to work in my Hornady LNLAP. The sizing and expander dies are rough. The Hornady dies are far smoother. I've only used their pistol dies, don't reload rifle. Ive never broken a die or decapping pin, so they seem to be equally durable.

The Lee seating die seemed to be slightly less consistent with the searing depth, but for pistol I'm not sure if that matters even when shooting 50 yds.

[H Richard]

The very first sets of carbide dies I bought were Lyman, 44 Special/Mag and 38/357 Special/mag back in the early 80's and still using them and no complaints on them. The least favorite dies I have are the Hornady Titanium Nitride, as they are the only dies I have ever stuck case in. I found with the Hornady dies you still need to lube the cases occasionally.

[bigedp51]

The patent for the Lyman type "M" expander expired and Redding dies now have a Lyman type expander.

Below in the center is the newer type Redding expander, less case mouth flare and better straight inline bullet seating.

[sw282]

ANY die but RCBS... Their customer service is ZERO... Handle broke on

my recently purchased RCBS Summit press... Called them but could

get any help.. Finally found one on GB.. The problem with RCBS, SPEER,

CCI, and Federal Premium ammo and primers is VISTA outdoors... They

own all the above listed companies now plus Allient Powders

... Got 10 thousand Federal Match

LPP primers last year... At least that's what l thought they were.. 0utside

cardboard sleeve said they were Large Pistol. 0pened cardboard sleeve.

0ut pops 5 boxes each of 1000 Large Rifle Primers... Both sleeves were

the same... l had no use for 10,000 Rifle Primers... Called Federal/Vista

for a solid month.. Always the same phone tag/ dog and pony show.. We

will call you back:-( Finally tired of calling for a solid month...

From now on l check to see who owns the company BEFORE buying..

lf its owned by VISTA l will do without!!!!

[bigedp51]

A French company owns the Australian ADI powder that makes Hogdon's extreme powders. And the French eat escargot or snails but that doesn't mean that the Hogdon's powder is slimy or no good.

And do not forget that the RCBS manufacturing plant was flooded after a levee broke and was under water for a few weeks. And you will find thousands of reloaders who are happy with their help and service. Meaning after the flood RCBS was was behind in their customer service because of circumstances beyond their control.

[oink]

I've used Lyman RCBS and Lee and come to think of it I have a set of Hornady in something. I have a RCBS Rockchucker and an old Lyman single stage. I have Dillon 450 and 550 progressives. I also have an old *** Lee progressive in a cabinet somewhere. That cured me on Lee progressives. I haven't had any issues in using any of the dies in any of the presses. The Lee dies are a bit short but are just long enough. I do wonder why they don't make them just a smidge longer but maybe they do now. I've been cranking out 44 mag with my Lee dies on my Dillon 450 and 550 for many years. They work well. The Lee progressive press was junk. I do like their little hand press for range work.

[Eddie Southgate]

They all work the same . I have at least 5 sets in 4 brands and all work equally well .

[dave1918a2]

Been reloading since 1968 and use RCBS and Redding. Never bought a set of Lee dies that didn't scratch the case right off the bat, 9MM, 10MM, and 45/70 that were horrible. Sold them at a gun show for $10 for the lot. Got a Redding 44 mag dual ring carbide die and will never change. Every new cartridge I acquire I always buy Redding first and Rcbs second. No others and both Manufacturers work great in My Dillons.

[Qc Pistolero]

Any made in USA.And if you're hit by Mrs Badluck,they all have good aftersale service.
I've had experience with RCBS and Dillon and they are A1.I think Redding would score pretty good too.
Like I said,any made in USA. Buying a brand name should give you satisfaction.
The guy telling you this isn't a USA guy!Means a lot for the thrust I have in their products!

[Loyaljeeper]

I started out with Lyman and RCBS dies, and then I borrowed a set of Lee dies. I really like Lee dies for pistol calibers. I have switched to Lee dies for every pistol caliber I load. I do use Lyman lock rings on my Lee dies.

[typetwelve]

All I can talk about is what I have. I'm currently reloading a good amount of 44 spcl and using Dillon dies...so far I've been more than pleased with them. I do like that the crimp die is separate and that you can remove the center of the both the seating and crimping die to clean them on occasion without messing with your setting.

[Skeet 028]

Been reloading since 59. Used all kinds of brands. Sopme re no longer made. These days I prefer Redding as they make some good stuff. But most makers dies are usually made well. The dies I choose not to use for the most part are Lee. They usually work but the company doesn't seem to pay attention to detail like the, yes...more expensive brands. I have multiple die sets for many handgun rounds for different loads. With the Dillon machines I use Dillon dies as they are loaded in large batches. With most of my rifle loads I use either Redding or RCBS competition dies as they are generally loaded in much smaller quantities. Customer service is generally pretty good from most companies but outstanding with RCBS Redding and Dillon. As an aside...the Redding dual ring carbide dies are awesome but of course ....expensive. Have two sets now but hope to purchase one more set just for another magnum round

[prairieviper]

I prefer RCBS or Lyman but I have some Lee dies and can find no fault with them.

[pasound]

Originally Posted by kenjen

been using Lee dies for 30+ yrs in 357/38, 9mm, 44mag/44spc and 45acp never nad any problems what so ever. I know that the 357 set and 9mm set have over 20,000 rounds through them each and still work like new...also I have ''never'' broken a depriming pin because of the Lee system...

I also started reloading about 1990 - Lee dies and a turret press. Loaded probably 5,000 combined rounds of .38/.357, .44spl/.44mag, .45acp/.45 auto rim. Press slowly got loose, quit using it and sold it to a good handyman who fixed it up, and shoots cowboy, and he loves it. Now "upgraded" to a Lee "Value" progressive with lots of tools - powder measure, scales, trimmer. But, I also bought RCBS .38/357 dies for my first loads - carbide, and taper crimp. Rounds look like factory when done, and never an obvious "reloaded" roll crimp.

Looking at a Lee set for my M&P15, though.

[hoytx10]

I use both Lee and RCBS. For the money, I don't think you can go wrong with Lee and they are so easy to set up.