OK, I am new to the forum as of today, but have been surfing as a guest for quite some time. I want to start reloading all of my ammo and casting my own bullets. I have read in some places that loading your own cast bullets is different than loading commercially available bullets, but I can't seem to find any reliable data to support this.

I am looking at getting either the RCBS 2 die set or the Redding 3 die set. Both are comparable in price. Is there one that would be better than the other and if the statement about cast bullets is true, which one would suit my needs better?

Also, I am not opposed to purchasing commercially available ammo for reloading, so which if either would support both reloading of the bullets.

I apologize if this seems like a newbie question, but after weeks of trying to figure this out, I thought I would put the question to those that practice the art of reloading.

Thanks

A cast bullet is a cast bullet;-).there are cast lead, swaged lead and jacketed bullets.They all load the same,but the swaged,being softer,are loaded to lower velocities (700fps).No experience with Redding dies,but I've used Lee and RCBS 3 die sets for years with good results.Pick up a few books on reloading ,Lyman's is a good one for cast bullets and the jacketed bullet makers all have good manuals too

With cast bullets, Lyman's M-Die expander helps avoid shavings when seating.

Just a thought.

These two sentences confuse me. For similar new die sets Redding are more expensive than RCBS. You didn't write what cartridges you plan to reload, but I'm guessing straight sided handgun cases. Most often die sets for straight sided cases are include 3 dies, but some times 4. Either way they will load both jacket and lead bullets.

We need more information to understand your question.

I've added Lyman's two step M-Dies to most of my rifle die sets because most bottle neck case expanders don't flare the mouth enough for easily starting lead bullets. I've added a few M-Dies for straight sided handgun cases as well. They're nicer for handguns also, but aren't nearly as much of an improvement as they are with rifles. M-Dies are a good reason to direct the original poster to Lyman, but there are other considerations like if he needs a powder drop through expander for a progressive press.

Check with RCBS about their dies. I recently bought an RCBS 40 S&W die set and was pleased to see the expander plug was stepped like a Lyman M die. May be that all of their straight-wall dies are made that way now.

My apologies for not listing what I want to reload. I plan on reloading:

1. 9mm Luger
2. 45 acp
3. 44 rem. mag
4. 357 mag (revolver and rifle)
5. 30.06 springfield
6. 270 Win
7. 38 s&w
8. 223 rem
9. 7.62x25

There may be others in the future, but these are pretty much it for now. As for the the prices being comparable, yes there was a difference, but when I look at 2 vs 3 dies, I consider that as part of the variable. The reason for the post was for the 30.06 and 270 mainly.

Thanks for the input.

Redding offers a .30-06 three die set in which the extra die is a neck sizer. Neck sizers are very nice to have for bolt action rifles. They’re not so useful for other types of repeaters that don’t have a bolt action’s cams to seat and extract snug fitting cases. Bench resters wouldn’t be without them, but neck sizers are not necessary because you can just back out the full length sizer a tad. IMO an M-Die would be a more useful 3rd die for loading cast bullets that are going to be fired in hunting or military surplus rifles.

Redding IS the top of the line. Price should be different but the
Quality is there with the Redding line. Make sure to purchase the
Titanium nitride dies for the straight wall pistol chambering
Do purchase the full length sizing dies for the rifle chambers
You will get what you pay for with redding (44 years of reloading
Experience speaking here)

I've made or modified several drop through expanders to "M-Die" configuration for my Dillon presses.

But as a new reloader, manoftea, a progressive press should be down the list a bit.

I like both the Redding and Lyman dies. RCBS seems to be better now than in the "old days", but I still try to avoid them out of habit. Hornady dies went the other way. Used to prefer them, now they seem generally awful.

For lead bullets I'd get the Lyman sets. Jacketed- Redding.

As to bullets that you cast yourself versus "storebought" cast bullets the usual difference is the beveled base on the store bought. Keith type bullets should be flat based! No steekin' bevel base. (The bevel is added to reduce rejects when casting in large volumes. But some folk will tell you that it's to make them easier to load. Hogwash! That's what M-Dies and a little case mouth flare is for.)

First - welcome! This is a very friendly and informative forum. I've learned a lot from folks here.

Second - the first thing I was taught by the gurus was to buy a book called "The ABC's of Reloading".

Third - Amazon has the best price. Amazon.com: the abcs of reloading

Fourth - The gurus were right!

the gurus are always right...

I have tried lots of dies over the years. Here's what I prefer based on my reloading needs.

Redding dies-and competition seater for rifle cartridges.
Dillon dies for pistol calibers
Lee factory crimp die for .223

Lee, RCBS, and Hornady make good products. I just prefer those listed above.

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The American dream is alive

Thank you for all the information. I did purchase a single stage press, just trying to get all i's dotted and t's crossed before I get started.

The reason for wanting to cast my own bullets is because I have access to lead from my neighbor, old tire weights, as he was an avid fisherman and use to cast his own sinkers.

Casting bullets can itself be an enjoyable pastime. Some consider it drudgery but I actually enjoy it. Nothing quite like watching a pile of newly-cast bullets grow.

It used to be that Lyman was as good as any (even better than most), but they were bought out. The quality has slipped and the customer servce is very poor, their warrenty is 1 year (when honored). Lee's warrenty is lifetime, the only problem I have with their dies is they are a little short when used on some presses. RCBS just takes care of their customers! Redding, In my estemation are the best Quality, and I have never heard of anyone needing customer service. Hornady, quality and service come and go (in the 80's, they had a bad shot shell press that they refused to support and many stores stopped carrying their products for years!). I think, for most reloading, that RCBS will cover your needs. For long range (500+ yards) and hyper accurate things like Bench Rest, you need a better line of dies, at this Redding has cornered the market (Wilson dies use a different system and might be better). RCBS is making inroads into this market.
When you're loading late at night for shooting the next day, Murphy's law comes into play; haveing most dies of the same brand allows you to swap parts and continue loading, say like when your last decaping pin snaps, or you bend a stem.
Lastly, I will buy any brand of die set- used & in a cartridge I don't have for $10 or $15. At last count, I load for 104 cartridges, some are wildcats, some for old military rifles most people will never hear of (or the country that made them). So parts are are not the corner hardware, and I'll have be "creative"-American thread patterns are pretty standardized, but many die companies use different patterns so mixing happens.
Enjoy reloading, it lets you save money and shoot loads that can't be bought. Ivan

I have been reloading about 30 or so years, to be honest I have seen any difference in the end product from any of the major players dies, I do find that RCBS makes the best press shellholders. When I need a new die for a pistol I generally buy Lee because I find their through the die powder expander die to be a real time saver. I generally load lots of pistol ammo at the same time and would use a powder measure anyway and theirs saves me a step. I also find that Lee dies have a better way to hold their de-priming pin, but generally I find the end product the ammo the same.

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Thanks
Allen

Welcome to the forum! Sonora

Have used Lee, RCBS IN THE PAST, BUT- when I was getting ready to retire I upgraded all my dies that I could to REDDING. While Lee dies seem to have problems down the line, and RCBS seem at times to be a bit rough around the edges, Redding dies and their Turret, and BOSS, presses have NEVER failed me. Assorted reasons for not using anything else and did so ONLY if Redding didn't make them. RCBS scale cannot be touched far as I am concerned. JMHO To each their own.

Bevel base reduces flame cutting & leading in revolvers.
A gas check offers the same advantage.

I tend to buy RCBS dies in general. No specific reason but they have always done the job well. I do have many Redding profile crimp dies for my revolvers and by luck of the draw, most of my rifle dies are Reddings due to RCBS's being out of stock.

I consider them interchangeable and more of a preference than anything else.

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SWCA 1646

You need to go to the Cast Boolits web site good folks+lots of good info.

When I started I always bought RCBS and I'm still using them after many years. I bought a set of Redding dies for 7.5 Swiss and they are very nicely crafted. You will be happy with either brand.

RCBS's customer service is second to none. They have always provided parts and this time, an upgrade, at zero cost. A simple email or phone call is all it takes. Redding stuff is nice; I have a press and a few dies. But they're comparatively expensive and don't begin to compete with RCBS's customer service

Been loading since 1959...First press was a Rock Chuck Bullet Swage press and a set of their swaging dies in 224.(still have it) RCBS still makes good products and I will buy their dies if needed and the price is right but not their new presses. I prefer the dies made by Redding for most of my reloading on single stage and the T7 turret. For my progressive Dillon machines I use Dillon dies. Great customer service and they work great on their presses. Have had more problems with Lee dies than anything else..and they back their dies up for a year only..In fact had one set in 500 S&W that loaded 11 rounds when the carbide insert just cracked and fell out. Refused to replace it too.. I must admit they make a decent classic cast single stage and turret press...Made in the US of A too...Unlike RCBS presses now.. I also have some Lyman M dies for cast bullets in rifles..which I hardly do any more..The only Hornady dies I have are the ones for 300 Whisper..they have a tapered expander which works well for necking up the 221 Fireball cases tp 30 cal. Their customer service has been kinf of terrible for quite a few years. I tried a LnL progressive that pretty much sucked from day one..After 6 months of trying I finally got it right..and promptly got rid of it.

Welcome from Alaska!

Some stuff not mentioned above:

Anything from Redding is US made, (to include their baseball caps).

For your rifle dies, Redding makes a carbide expander ball that you can get as an additional accessory. I've got them on all of my rifle dies that they are available for, (they only go up to .338); I like them that much.

For straight wall handgun cartridges:

First- I don't shoot a handgun well enough to even think that the quality of the die is going to make a difference.

Second-whatever brand you decide on, buy the carbide set!!!

-Klaus

I have used Lyman, Lee, RCBS, Hornady, and Redding. Lee die's are less expensive and if you aren't loading huge amounts of ammo are fine, I don't like the seating adjustment with the rubber washer. When I first started 30+ years ago I bought 38 Spec and 44 Mag dies from Lyman, (carbide), and I'm still using them and still very happy. Most of my Rifle dies are RCBS and I have never had a problem. Redding is top of the line, but I personally don't think the quality is much better than RCBS. Hornady I will never buy again, the only dies I ever stuck a case in in 30+ years and it happened twice. I reload something over a dozen calibers, and formerly shot pretty competitively and have used a Dillon 550 for 25+ years.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Handgun cartridge are best done with a four die set, to seat and crimp in separate stages. This is much more forgiving of variations in case length, and less likely to shave bullets or crumple cases. The first thing you notice is that the force needed to crimp is much less than in a combined operation.

Four die sets are standard with Dillon, optional with Redding (and some others), but generally not with RCBS. I get good results with RCBS dies, but adjust the seating/crimping die between stages, or purchase a separate Redding profile crimp die. Some like the Lee Factory crimp die, which squeezes rather than swages the case.

Redding offers specialized dies for precision seating, with a micrometer head. Dillon dies have an easily reversible seating post for RN and FP bullets, whereas RCBS uses a different post for each, with RN posts optional and often hard to find. That's important if you load for lever guns.

with any lead bullet, you need a little extra case flare over jacketed.
this keeps you from shaving the shank of the slug.

Casting is easy to do.
Loading traditionally lubed and sized cast to perfection gets into a long list of issues good for hours and hours of debate.
Hi Tek coating system and powder coating mitigate all of the traditional issues relating to alloy hardness, size, powder choice, charge weight, and lube quality.
Where size still remains as a point of tuning for accuracy within coated cast, nothing else stands in your way, and all else is rendered far less critical.

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it just needs more voltage

There are many books with this title. Do you have a preferred book or author?

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Mis-Placed Texan!

You have proof of this? IME, bb bullets can lead a bit more, depending on caliber & powder used. Lead bullets in general can reduce gas cutting vs jacketed.
As noted, yes you reload lead bullets a bit diff than jacketed. You MUST have a belling or flaring die of some kind to reload lead bullets. Whether a std as in 3die sets, or an add'l M die from Lyman. Otherwise the bases of the bullets get damaged during seating.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

That's crazy talk,
bb bullets are truly sinister...period

Till you either powder coat or Hi Tek coat them.
There after, they are the bliss they promised to be.

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it just needs more voltage

You guys know this thread is from Jan of 2013? If the OP is still on track he has probably loaded hundreds if not thousands of rounds by now.

we never let that get in the way of a good debate before ... why start now?

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it just needs more voltage

Lyman makes two books, the 49th which is a general manual showing data for both jacketed and cast bullets. The other, 'The Cast Bullet Reloading Manual' is smaller, but completely dedicated to cast bullet shooting.

I'm happy with RCBS equipment, but Redding makes very fine stuff.

Do you have a 'how to' reloading manual that you have studied thoroughly? The Lyman 49th has general reloading instructions, while the Cast Bullet Manual has a lot of space devoted to smelting, alloying and casting essentials.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

It's the same book, just older and newer editions. I do not know why each edition is shown as having a different author. And I don't even remember which edition I bought as I passed it on a couple of years ago.

It is a bit odd, though...

Dean Grennell 3rd edition is the one everyone talks about. Dean is a humorous writer which makes reading easier.

You may get a used copy cheaper here:

ABC's of Reloading by Dean A. Grennell - New, Rare & Used Books Online at Alibris Marketplace