I've been hand loading for a little over a year. Started with 9mm. Then began .38 spl. Now looking at .45 ACP.

I've been using RCBS carbide 3-die sets for .38 spl. and 9mm. I've been very happy.

I would like to see what other folks are using out there.

All input welcome.

I use the Lee 4 die carbide set. I have used RCBS and Lyman in the past, but the Lee dies have worked well for me for a long time and tens of thousands of rounds at half the cost.

I freaking love the Lee FCD for my 1911's. I also find that the sizing die is a little easier on the brass than my RCBS sizing die.

I've got some Hornady, RCBS, Lee, Dillon and CH4D sets.

I honestly can say that there isn't a dime's worth of difference in the way they perform. The only caveat is if you are looking at older, used dies as the old Lee and even some of the old RCBS have short bodies and won't really work on the newer progressive presses.

If you buy new dies, it won't be a problem.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

Andy,

When I look at my Lee and RCBS sizing dies side by side I can see where the opening is rounded on the Lee while the RCBS seems to be cut more conical. I just find that the Lee sizing dies allow the case mouth to slip in easier than the RCBS. The only dies I have ever crushed brass with are the RCBS dies. That is the only reason I say they are a little easier on the brass.

When I go home tonight I can take a pic and post it if anyone is curious.

I guess I did forget to mention that some dies have little or no taper or chamfering on the bottom to allow a smoother insertion of the brass- which can be especially important when used with progressive presses and straight walled cases. They help to "throttle down" your reloading speed though- they still make excellent quality cartridges.

I've got a .45 Colt set of RCBS carbide dies that have very little chamfering on the sizer ring and have to "guide" each case into them by feel. Other than that, there is no problems in the way they load cartridges. I guess I have gotten used to loading on them and don't think much about it anymore. I have never noticed any difference in bottleneck cartridge dies- except perhaps the expanders, in which I do like the elliptical ones from Hornady, but it isn't something I notice a whole lot.

My newest set is a Lee carbide for .32 S&W which I was skeptical about working on my Hornady LNLAP. It works just fine.

I will add that if you load cartridges for lever rifles, the Lee "factory crimp die" that has the collet with the "fingers" is the "cat's meow" for .35 Remington, .30-30, .444 Marlin, .32-20 and any other calibers where you need a good tight bullet crimp- especially when using bullets without crimp grooves. I don't know how I got along without it.

I've become a die junkie- if it's cheap enough and I don't have it already, I'll pick up a set.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

My RCBS Carbide dies have been very consistant so far. Not a fan of their lock-rings, but are set now, and working well. Apparently, a suggestion for the brass set screw is to take a single lead shot from a shotgun shell and put it in first then install the brass set screw and tighten. Personally using a different style lock-ring would be more beneficial if you have to adjust the seater for different style leads often.

For the price you can't beat the Lee 4 die carbide.

Well, Palmetto99, it looks like most of us have had the same experiences and agree.

I've been loading for half a century. I was always a loyal RCBS die user and still am, having many sets.

BUT, a few years ago I tried the much less expensive Lee dies, which often include a totally superior carbide sizing die. I now buy nothing but Lee dies, and load around 40 different cartridge types.

I would still be buying RCBS dies, if the people who bought the late Fred Huntington's trade name had been willing to change with the times, continue the same kind of direct and customer friendly service, keep prices down to a reasonable and competitive level, make minor improvements when possible...but they have not. Yes, they still make great products...which I would be stupid to buy at their inflated prices.

It's the story of Sears, McDonalds, and Wal-Mart's recent slow slide. When a successful corporate founder dies, self confident hot shot successors often feel they have "a better idea" and are subsequently proven wrong. Wal-Mart execs claim they have learned their lesson and are trying to go back to some of founder Sam Walton's proven home-spun principles. Let's see if the RCBS folks ever figure this out.

Richard Lee, full of good ideas, founded Lee Precision. A son is running it, following the same business model. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just keep improving it.

Most of my friends have also switched to Lee dies and related products. You can't beat them for the money; and just on merit.

Don't want to sound like a commercial, but it looks like the rest of you feel prertty much the same way.

Lyman, CH, Pacific, and some of the others didn't make the cut at all. Too bad. Competition is not a bad thing. But hey, if one company takes over because they are efficient, quality oriented, and fair to us, I can live with that flavor of monopoly. Mike Dillon's company, while having no monopoly in the loading press or die business, is another standout example of how to do it right.

Lee for me, too. I have both the 4-die and the 3-die sets. They live in Lee turrets. One is set up for auto loads and the other for revolver loads. Never any problems with them.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Thanks for the input so far folks.

I didn't mention that I'm using a single stage RCBS press. I assume that other manufacturers dies are threaded the same and will work in it or is there an adapter required?

I've used RCBS, Lyman and now Dillon dies. All have been outstanding. If it's for a progressive however, you just can't beat the Dillon dies.

I didn’t mention it at first because I don’t have one yet but I have heard really good things about the Lee Universal Expander Die. If anyone here has used one, I would love to hear what they think of it.

For the most part they are a standard size thread unless you come across some ancient odd die set.

I sent the Lee dies back I purchased, can't remember what I didnt like about them, we have two sets of RCBS dies for 45acp for the 3 RCBS presses we have setup.

Just never found anyone to impress on how the progressive loaders are faster or better or I would have them.

If you ever think you want to load any Remington brass, you'll be best served with at least a Dillon sizer die. Last I checked, only Dillon made a sizer to original specs, which includes a slight taper. Remington brass is thin, and no amount of sizing will prevent bullet setback if the brass is not sufficiently sized.

I use the Lee carbide 4 die sets in .38/.357, 9mm and .45ACP.

They work fine & I like that caliber change is a simple turret swap.

True. I only use Rem brass for .452 lead boolits in .45ACP.

I own nothing but Lee 4 die sets in 9mm, 38 super,45 acp 40 S&W,223 and I couldn't be more pleased with the ammo they prouduce.

When I bought my original equipment in the late 60's and early 70's I basically bought RCBS rifle dies and Lyman pistol dies with their new miracle carbide sizer dies. They work just as good as they did then. When I started reloading again last year after several years absence I bought the Lee dies for 9mm (Lee didn't make dies when I bought my others) mostly because of the price difference. In about a years time I have replaced with Lee's for 357, 41, 45acp and 45 Colt. They work tremendously well. And my new Lee Classic Turret is a dream.
I absolutely hated the RCBS rings. As soon as you put that little lead shot in the hole and tighten it down, you might as well throw away the die instead of trying to made further adjustments.

I started reloading decades ago on a Rock Chucker with RCBS dies. When I bought my Dillon 550 a few years back, I already had RCBS dies for all the calibers I was loading, with the exception of the .40 S&W, so I bought Dillon dies for that caliber.

If you ever intend to move to a progressive press, I'd definitely consider the Dillon dies. They aren't cheap, but I do like the fact that you can very easily drop the seating die and crimp die "innards" out of the dies for cleaning, without disturbing the adjustments. I load cast bullets and the lube does build up on the dies. The design of the Dillon dies does make them easier to clean, IMHO.

Lou

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NRA Certified Instructor & RSO

I am totally happy with the thousands of rounds made with my Lee 4-die carbide set.

I have nothing but good things to say about Dillon dies. I use them in 45acp and 9mm on a Dillon 550 progressive press. They are easy to clean and I have never had a problem.

For 45 acp, including rem brass. A lyman carbide sizer die with bottom lip folded over. A lee undersize die to below base of bullet (for jaketed bullets mostly, or all rem brass). A reduced dia expanding plug die. A Redding comp seater. Lastly a LFC.

Certainly over kill for some .452 lead and good brass practice loads.

All done on a rock chucker

You must be kidding! Have you ever used a progressive press?

There are instances when a single stage is just as fast.

Usually, if you are one that will deprime and size and then polish all your brass- that can be done on a single stage just as fast as a progressive (unless you have a brass feeder). Also many people want to hand prime- and wouldn't do it one the press, so that would be mute.

So, if you are accustomed to doing batches or are very, very finicky about your reloads, a progressive press would be of little use- you'll just wear out the press and be out lots more $$$ for equipment that will be used just like a single stage.

Pistol and carbine shooters get the most out of progressives, whereas target shooters aren't concerned with speed, but with accuracy.

A progressive can indeed load much, much faster if all steps are performed on the press at once.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

Actually, there are quite a few NRA high power rifle shooters who load on progressive presses and nearly all serious target pistol shooters (including bullseye pistol shooters) load on progressives. I load on both a single stage press and Dillon progressives (550 and 650). The argument that a single stage press is just as fast is very weak IMHO. Really accurate ammo can be produced on a progressive.

Almost all my dies are RCBS (a couple of sets of Herter's; yeah, that old) and I've never had an issue with them. I bought Lee dies for my 9mm Makarov (nice price) but do not care for the o-ringed lock rings. I prefer a setscrew to lock the rings in place.

Just to be clear, I load nearly everything on a progressive. Even .410 brass/steel shotshells can be loaded on a progressive press.

I just thought that some of the "precision" guys- at least I've heard a few talk that the few thousandths of "play" in the ram on a progressive press might make a difference.

I can't tell a difference myself- I guess I can't shoot too good.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

I use a Dillon 550 and use their dies for piostol calibers where I load or have loaded lead bullets -9mm, 38 Special, 44 Special, and 45 ACP. The Dillon seater can be easilly removed, cleaned and returned to use without disturbing die alignment. I also use RCBS, Hornady, Lyman and Lee dies.

Nope been reloading since the early 80's & never seen one in action nor understood how it would be quicker?

I have 3 RC presses & a chargemaster, I don't see how it can go faster? cost is not the issue.

I started reloading using a Lee Loader. I loaded good ammo by pounding the brass in and out with a wooden mallet and tapping the primer in and scooping up the powder, tapping in the bullet and crimping. I couldn't see how things could get any better until I got my first single-stage press. As my interest in competitive shooting grew and therefore my consumption of ammo at the same time, I thought that possibly a Dillon RL 450 could make life easier and it did. Things went well until the RL 550B came along and eclipsed the RL450. Now in addition to the Dillon RL 550B, I have a Dillon XL 650 with case feeder and I'm loading even faster. If you can't see how a progressive can be faster, then my friend, you just don't want to see. Whatever floats your boat!

Amazing how folks get offended when opposing opinions don't agree that Progressive isn't the shiznitz.

I live across town from Dillon & at one time had interest in a progressive press.

Unfortunately, I would have to rearrange my established and proven reloading procedures, so progressive just didn't fit my way of life. Also, EVERY squib load encountered at my range, requiring a shooter to go in search of a stout rod to pound out a stuck bullet, was loaded on a progressive press. I've only seen one instance of where that missing charge went, and it was costly to the shooter.

I can GUARANTEE 100% of my cases are charged with powder via visual inspection. You can't say the same with a progressive.

I have a few RCBS die sets and a set from Hornady. The majority of die sets I have are from Lee and to tell you the truth, you can't tell the difference between the ammo they all push out. So, why not save money with the Lee dies?

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I have dies from Lyman, Hornady, Pacific, RCBS, Betters and Lee. In recent years I have bought mostly Lee dies, and find them to be of excellent quality. Specifically to 45the ACP, I use the Lee dies, and find their factory crimp die to be nearly indespensible when loading this caliber. Once set up properly, I have never had a round fail to feed or chamber properly. Yes, the Lee dies will work flawlessly in your RC, they have standard 7/8-14 threads, as does your press.

Regarding progressive presses, they are much faster than a single stage, no matter how one sets them up. I have an old Hornady Pro-Jector, the predecessor to the Lil AniP, and this is how I use it: I normally deprive/resize (after tumbling the brass) on my single stage press, inspect the brass, clean primer pockets, trim, etc., then hand prime the cases. I set up the progressive press with the expander die at station 1, the powder drop in station 2, a powder check in station 3, the seating die in station 4 and the FCD in station 5. The Hornady powder measure and case-activated powder drop has been very consistent, eliminating the possibility of a double charge or dropping powder on an empty station (if a case was not inserted or removed for some reason), and the check die shows immediately if the case has been properly charged or not. You just have to pay attention and there will be no squibs or double charges. I take my time, not rushing the process, and still turn out at least 4-5 times as much ammunition than could be done using the single stage press with batch production in the same time. The ammo is as of good quality, as well. I still do small runs on the single stage, though, and max charge ammunition is also on the single stage, weighing each charge.

I bought much of my stuff back when Lee was mainly powder dippers & Lee Loaders, so I didn't have much need for any new dies until recently.

The sale price on a 7.62x35mm die set from Midway was really all I wanted to pay, since I didn't plan on cranking out gazillions of the ammo. The "cheapo" Lee die set is suitably impressive - well made & quite functional. It does the job every bit as well as something more expensive.

Next time I need to get some new dies, I'll definitely look at Lee first.

I usually buy locally. That being said, I usually buy Lee BUT have a few other brands too. Mainly because the supply house didn't have the caliber I needed in Lee.

Like ALL reloading equipment available today, it works just like it is designed. Most of it works just fine. Lee equipment is economical. It is one reason I use it. I spend less here, get good results, so I can spend more other places!

(I think I need a new gun! )

First of all, let me say "to each his own", and that I own both a single-stage and progressive (Dillon 550B) press.

However, I must take exception to your statement regarding visual inspection in a progressive. I have no problem seeing into the handgun cases I load on my 550B as the cases pass from the powder station to the bullet seating station. I make it my business to ensure that every case has powder in it, and it's really not a problem. I don't load bottleneck cases on my 550B, but if I did, it might be more difficult to see down into those cases (I haven't tried it yet).

Anyway, in the interest of sharing as much information as possible with my reloading brethren, I wanted to point out that it is definitely possible to visually check the powder level in at least one progressive press, if you make it your business to do so.

Lou

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NRA Certified Instructor & RSO

Eric,
My XL650 is set up so I am looking down into the cases. I have a light set up on it too. A small flashlight that has a "snorkel" end on it. It lights the area of the shell plate GREAT, and I can see in each case. Now, what I have in station #3 is the "cat's meow" just in case I ain't lookin' too close. It is a die with a buzzer if the powder isn't at the correct level. Something an "eye" cannot do. It can be as much as .2gr off but still, that is pretty close and it won't make one difference in handgun range ammo, which is what the progressive presses are designed to feed!

Gotta watch out for those all inclusive statements. Some folks are smarter than the average bear and want to be safe even with a progressive press!

My only advice is that if you buy Lee dies for a straight case handgun caliber be sure to get the 4-die set with the taper crimp die. My .45acp 3-die set that I bought probably 20 years or more ago didn't crimp the case mouths firmly enough to keep SWC lead bullets from creeping slightly deeper in the cases from recoil while in the magazine, but the later addition of a taper crimp die (which BTW Lee sells by itself if you already have a 3-die set) took care of that problem. I also load .45 Colt with the .45acp dies and they work as well as well in a Ruger Blackhawk as the .45acp's do in a 1911. Likewise, I also load both .357 mag and .38 spcl with Lee .38 spcl dies and both .32 H&R mag and .32 long with .32 long dies. Of course that requires resetting the dies in the press to proper depth for each caliber, but that's easy enough to do and the different calibers all function equally well, at least they do in my guns.

Some reloaders I know will only use the more expensive brands of tools, and I have to agree that those look sturdier and more professional than Lee tools. But I don't see that their reloaded ammo is any more accurate or reliable than mine, and after all these years it seems like my Lee tools will go on forever with no breakage or noticeable wear, so why pay more?

I find it funny that some folks who have never used a progressive, seem to know that they aren't fast and are "unsafe". If someone wants to use a single-stage or even a Lee Loader, for whatever reason, then fine. A reloader may not get into progressives for a variety of reasons. Maybe their volume of shooting doesn't require them to produce large volumes of ammo quickly. Maybe they are too poor to afford a progressive, or too cheap, or not mechanically inclined or too clumsy. I just don't know why anyone feels like they need to justify their going slow and cheap by knocking the progressives.