Die issues and what is your favorite die brand

[rhodesengr]

I have been doing more metallic reloading recently as opposed to shotshell. I am doing 38special, 357mag, and 9mm.

I have two set of 357 Hornady dies, and one set of RCBS dies.

I am seeing minor issues with both versions. So I am asking here which brand of dies you prefer and why.

My first set of Hornady dies I think is OK but I bought an RCBS set just to get experience with a different brand. The outer thread on one of the three dies had a machining defect so that was disappointing. It dinged up the thread in my press a little before I noticed it. The expander die on the RCBS seems to have more of a taper shape while the Hornady type has more of a flair shape. I don't know if it makes a difference or not.

The second set of Hornady dies has two issues on the "seat and crimp" die. There is a rubber washer under the seating rod. That washer seems too soft and squishes out when I snug it down. The washer in the identical, first set doesn't seem to act that way.

The second issue: as I am adjusting the crimp depth, something is catching on the down-stroke. I don't think the first set acts that way. Any ideas about that?

Anyway, I would love to her any replies about which brand of dies you prefer and any comments about the issues I am seeing.

 

[USBP SW]

I have always liked rcbs dies and have been very happy with the warranty. I think ribs would happily replace the problem die that you mentioned. The quality of rcbs dies is really second to none. I am also impressed with the quality of Redding dies and have used those with very good results. Regardless of what you choose, happy loading.

 

[DesertFox]

RCBS has always treated me right. Use mostly Dillon dies but do have RCBS and a couple Forester.

 

[zwartepiet]

Lee have proven very reliable for me. Great value IMHO.

Have a couple of CH4D for some odd-ball calibers…..great dies, but at a premium.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

RCBS is about as good as it gets for standard and Carbide pistol dies. For Long Range and Target rifles I like Redding Competition die sets, but they cost double to triple RCBS's best rifle dies. My targets prove they are worth it!

Ivan

 

[glenwolde]

Usually Hornady. I prefer their seating dies.. Redding are absolutely the best but pricey.

 

[rhodesengr]

can anyone shed light on the "catching" issue? This is while I am adjusting the crimp. The seater is backed out. I turn the crimp die in a little, raise the case to add to the crimp and then as I lower the case back down I can feel the assembly catching on the die somewhere.

 

[max]

I have been very pleased with RCBS for over 40 years. I have used Lee for a shorter period, but no problems I am aware of. There is also 1 set of Lyman I have had for a very long time also.

 

[jake1945]

LEE anything else is just a reloading die. Why pay porterhouse steak prices when flank steak is just as good.

 

[rhodesengr]

Dumb question: Is this just the case mouth wedging in the crimp, and it feels weird because of the case rim fitting loosely in the shellholder?

Does the shellholder contact anything with this die?

How does if feel with now brass? Brass but no bullet?

I don't know what it is.

The shell holder doesn't get anywhere near the set&crimp die. The bottom is way up inside.

I have never crimped an empty case. The bullet is always pressed in at the stage where I set the crimp.

 

[The Norseman]

To Die For

Which Reloading Dies do I like? I'm just a practical reloader.
I don't do precision shooting, I don't do long range shooting.

I have no loyalty to any Reloading Manufacturer. The majority
of my stuff is Lee. I have RCBS. I have Hornady.

All I know is they make me some very accurate reloads in
Revolver, Pistol, and Rifle. I've been reloading for a good
30 years.

I also know, time behind the Sights, time working the Trigger
and putting a Crimp on my cartridges makes me an very
good shooter. There's some other things in there too.

I've really don't have any complaints with the Reloading
items I use and they are in good company of each other.

 

[The Norseman]

FCD

P.S. I only have used Lee Factory Crimp Dies
(FCD).

Never had trouble with any of mine. Just followed
their instructions and they did their job.

 

[rockquarry]

I guess I've used just about all the brands since 1965 including some that are no longer made like Herter's and Wells. Also Neil Jones hand dies for benchrest. I've had few problems. I doubt you'll go wrong with anything currently marketed. Die problems can really be die problems but can also be operator problems.

 

[Green Frog]

First choice=Lyman, second choice=RCBS, third choice=Lee. Of course if I can get Dillon dies for the Dillon 550 and Star dies for the Star Progressive...

I especially like the Lyman M-type and Powder through expanders, and it seems like the Lee taper crimp type crimpers are working well for me if that step is needed.

All in all, I'm pretty easy to satisfy in my tastes in dies.

Froggie

 

[Krogen]

Most of mine are RCBS. I started with them a long time ago and they've been great. Never had to use their customer service for dies. They were great one time with my primer tool.

I have a few Forster dies; they're the dies that Hornady wishes they were. In my opinion, Hornady fails miserably with dies and should stick to making bullets. The Lyman dies I have are good, Redding are great but expensive. For super accurate rifles, I use Wilson dies and an arbor press. Wilson dies are like jewels.

At last count I have at one time or another handloaded 39 different cartridges, so I've had a few die brands over the years. I guess I'm allowed to be somewhat opinionated . . . .

 

[austintexas]

I've been reloading since '61, Started out with Herter dies but now have used just about everyone's dies. I prefer Lee, mainly the factory crimp die set. the only bad dies I've run across are ones someone didn't care for, dirty brass, rusty. I'm not a precision reloader, I've learned that paper doesn't care what you shoot at it. I do my rifle loading on an old Rockchucker I bought used for $25 and my pistol with Dillon Square Deals (paid $138 for the first one). I'm still using my first set of dies I bought in 1961, Herters in 30-06
SWCA 892

 

[minconrevo]

For loading handgun in standard carbide dies, I use a VERY thin coat of pure lanolin on my brass, applied to the clean, ready-to-load brass in bulk. I simply put a tiny amount on the palms of my hands and rub it about the brass that I've put in a clean gallon plastic bag. Leave the brass in the sealed bag until you are ready to load. Your loading tool arm force is considerably reduced and your loading dies will last much longer. It is not necessary to remove the lanolin at the end of the loading process. Nor is it necessary to remove any small residue from the case mouth. Given a few hours the lanolin will evaporate away into the air.

 

[minconrevo]

Over the years I started with Herter's which I quickly abandoned. Next went to RCBS and was completely satisfied. That was until I went to a Dillon progressive press. The Dillon dies are optimized to run on their presses. RCBS did re-machine my in-use dies (at no charge) to run on my progressive. Both Dillon and RCBS have given excellent customer service over the years. For a couple little used applications I have Lee dies.

I've seen good things from Redding also and will consider them the next time I add a caliber.

 

[MsRuth]

Favorite dies, Hornady. But my very first ones were Lee and they worked fine, RCBS in the middle (but a tad closer to Hornady).

 

[Dfish1247]

can anyone shed light on the "catching" issue? This is while I am adjusting the crimp. The seater is backed out. I turn the crimp die in a little, raise the case to add to the crimp and then as I lower the case back down I can feel the assembly catching on the die somewhere.

May be a powder settler feature, all of my Lee dies do that same thing in the crimp die. Allegedly, this was to level and somewhat pack the powder against the primer.

Also, how firm of a crimp makes a difference.