Are RCBS dies still good quality?

[Rafter-S]

Gentlemen,

I have not reloaded in almost 12 years, and have not bought reloading dies in over 20 years. Back when I was buying dies I bought primarily RCBS. I need to buy a couple of more rifle die sets and was wondering if RCBS is still as high quality as they used to be. What brands are reloaders with current experience buying?

I am not in high production--use a RCBS single stage "O" press.

Thanks in advance for you suggestions and advice.

Rafter-S

 

[Snowbandit]

I haven't had to buy dies in many years but did recently have an issue with RCBS. I was loading some .44 Magnum and one of the cases had a 9MM case stuck inside. Needless to say, bad things happened. Bent the decapping rod like a pretzel. I called to RCBS to see if I could buy a new rod and they told me no.... It seems guaranteed means guaranteed. They sent the rod and a lifetime supply of pins for free. Was back up and running in about three days. Their customer service is great.

 

[Pisgah]

I have RCBS dies 30 years old, and RCBS dies six weeks old. They seem equal to me.

 

[lafayne]

I think they are better. All of my dies are RCBS, Redding or Dillon except for the Lee factory crimp dies for the handguns.

 

[Centenniel]

RCBS dies are excellent quality. Additionally, their customer service is the best in the business. You won't go wrong choosing RCBS.

 

[Dale53]

I have and use die sets from all of the major manufacturers. I load on a couple of Dillon 550B's and their dies do offer advantages (pop off the hairpin clip and slip the die apart to clean without disturbing the die setting, etc and they have nice "lead ins" to avoid brass damage in a progressive press) but they ARE pricy.

I have bought many sets of Lee dies and NEVER have I got a bad one. A Lee Distributor is just down the road from me, and that can be VERY helpful when I need something NOW. I use the Lee Factory Crimp dies on all of my pistol and revolver loads.

We are living "smack in the middle" of the Golden Age of reloading. There is everything out there that a KING could desire IF your pockets are deep enough.

Bottom line, you pays your money and makes your choice.

Dale53

 

[SAA]

After over 40 years of reloading, I am still using the very first set of RCBS I ever purchased, in .38 Special. I reload for dozens of calibers and have used about every other type that has come and gone on the market, including EAGLE, CHS, etc., but found that RCBS, LYMAN, and LEE are the most consistent. RCBS still makes a great product, and I have never had a problem with replacement parts. They have provided odd/trim/obselete caliber dies in the past, and they definately hold up. Go with carbide for reloading any straight walled cases.

 

[Rule3]

Even though I have mostly Lee dies, I do have some RCBS dies and equipment. All their stuff is excellent and they have by far the best customer service, warranty around. No questions asked. I lost a part to one of my 45 acp dies and told them I lost it and was my fault. I was calling to buy the part. They said no problem and just mailed me the part no charge.

 

[David Sinko]

The only "bad" RCBS die I have is a carbide sizer for .40 S&W that will not satisfactorily size the case. This results in bullet setback, which can be very dangerous with any pistol cartridge in general and the .40 S&W in particular. It has since been replaced by the EGW U Die, which is in fact made by Lee.

On the other hand, I have an RCBS resize die for .308 Winchester which has been terribly abused by my pounding out at least two stuck cases. It still sizes perfectly though.

Dave Sinko

 

[Jellybean]

It's easy to find "cheaper" dies, but you will be hard pressed to find better ones.

I currently have dies from RCBS, Lee, Forster, Lyman and Redding. Of all of these I prefer the RCBS the most and some of the others are slowly getting replaced with them.

I have an older Lube A Matic that a friend gave me that was missing a part. I called them to order the part and told them I didn't buy it and it wasn't anywhere close to being new. They shipped the part at no cost and no shipping fees.

As for their other products, they should be paying me for advertising.

 

[matsu]

the boys in oriville, ca still do a very good job or they would be called lyman

 

[kennyb]

+1 on RCBS equipment....they are tops in service and overall quality