Well am considering getting my first rifle dies. Am thinking of starting with my odd ball fascination with 25-35 Winchester. This kind of limits my choice in brands. Have been buying carbide RCBS for handgun, but when I looked into rifle Redding & Hornady come up with frequently for recommendation. Given that Redding's (#80221) dies for 25-35 are $83.99. and Hornady's (#546266) dies are $42.99 (and have the 100 bullet promotion offer), I am leaning towards the Hornady. Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I have a lot of dies from different manufacturers, including Redding and Hornady. Both are excellent quality. Honestly, I have a slight preference for Hornady rifle dies, and I love their bullet seating guide which is part of their seating/crimping die. That pretty much eliminates seating a bullet off center or canted. Add the somewhat substantial price difference, and, for me, the deal is sealed for the Hornady dies. Oh yeah, don't forget, the Hornady dies also offer a mail-in coupon for 100 free bullets (see Hornady's list in their "get loaded" promotion on their website, a fairly large selection in both pistol and rifle calibers).

I loaded 25-35WCF with a set of Pacific dies at one time. They did the job just fine.
I load some odd numbers on old dies sets like Hollywood, Herters, Pacific, CH (before they were CH4D).
They all do what they're supposed to do.

My goal is to load safe shootable ammunition for some older guns.
Not after match spec ammo and I don't need to pay boutique prices for the dies.
I can usually find them used at shops and shows. A good inspection shows wether they're damaged or not.
Can't beat the prices compared to retail today.
If I have to buy a new set,,I shop price.

I'm sure the less expensive Hornady dies would do fine.
The extra 100 bullets isn't a bad deal either.
You'll need a shell holder too($) unless you already have one from loading another caliber with the same #..



Added..
Lee makes 25-35 dies in a 2-die set w/the shell holder.
Retail is $40, but you can usually find LEE die sets for less than retail.
I have several sets and they give fine service.

The shell holder included saves you extra $$. They're not cheap anymore either.

Have you already eliminated RCBS ?

Nope, just had seen several references to Hornady in regards to their seating die. Have been very happy with RCBS carbide for straight wall pistols (9mm, 38/357, and 45acp). Not under the illusion that 1 company can make the perfect product for everything, so thought I'd see anyone had a different preference for necked-down rifle reloading dies. Would gladly buy RCBS again. Looks like RCBS (#12101) are $29.99.

Redding is my choice for normal rifle dies for calibers I am trying to squeeze the most accuracy out. Unless it has changed, Redding was/is the only company that cuts their sizing die with one reamer like chambering a rifle instead of two like everyone else(?).
In your case since 25-35 is a tapered case it wouldn't matter. I would go with the Hornady due to their sizing die.

I like all the brands of dies and I am satisfied with all of them. Lee has some good prices. I like their locking rings and their Factory Crimp dies. Don

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Rifle dies are all RCBS except a Herter's set for .30 carbine. Handgun dies are RCBS, LEE, and Lyman. They all work great, personal preference may vary regarding various locking nuts or o-ring on Lee. For a new caliber I would probably opt for Lee carbide for price with shell holder included, however another best buy is Lee's sets of shell holders for both the hand primer and reloading dies.

I have used with complete satisfaction RCBS, Redding, Lee and Hornady dies. For loading typical reloads in a standard rifle such as your Winchester 25-35, any of these manufacturers will offer dies that will produce fine reloads. If I were at the present buying dies, I would buy the Hornady dies as with the bullet promotion it is more cost effective. That is of course just my opinion. HTH. Sincerely. brucev.

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You should not have a problem with any of the choices mentioned. I have been loading the 25 Remington since 1962. It is the rimless equivalent of the 25-35. the 25-35 uses the same shell holder as 30-30. If you are shooting a lever action you need to use round or flat nose bullets. If you are planning on shooting cast bullets you will need a separate expander die; Lyman calls these dies "M" dies. Usually rifles shooting this caliber (model 94 win for example) have a fast twist rate (1 in 7 or 8) so you need to stick to 100 grain or 117 grain bullets. I once loaded some 87 grain flat-nosed half jacket bullets designed for the 25-20, the rapid twist spun the jackets off the bullet as it left the bore.

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