traub
Member
I am curious what are your favorite reloading dies for pistol & rifle and why you like them.
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Favorite Reloading Dies?
- Thread starter traub
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I mainly use Lee dies. They work and they're a good value. I have bought a couple sets of RCBS dies used. They are high quality but cost much more.
All the Lee Dies I own contain the carbide sizing die which is nice because you don't have to mess around with sizing lube.
All the Lee Dies I own contain the carbide sizing die which is nice because you don't have to mess around with sizing lube.
I started with RCBS 40 years ago. I have Lee and Lyman and have had no problem with any. However RCBS customer service is above and beyond.
Magload
US Veteran
Lee carbide 4 die sets is what I got for 9mm, 38/357, 40 S&W and 45 ACP. Don
Rocket3
Member
I like RCBS die sets and Redding for crimp dies.
Over 50 years with RCBS in my old rifle and pistol dies and they....
keep ticking.
keep ticking.
jag312
Member
I have RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Hornady, and Lee dies. Some are old, some are new, and most are in between. I have three favorites; Hornady for .44 Special, Redding for .44-40, and Lyman for .45-70.
THEWELSHM
Member
Hornady and Lee
thewelshm
thewelshm
2011redrider
Member
Sounds like my collection plus a set of 44 mags, Had all RCBS in the late 70's and sold it all 15 yrs ago when kids came along. Just got back into reloading a year or two ago and got all 4 die sets with carbide sizer and carbide taper crimp die in the 4 die sets. Been very happy with them. Never used the powder dippers, but all come with the shell holder which is a plus on a single stage or LCT.
happy1
US Veteran
yup LEE DIES
Paul
Paul
gwpercle
Member
Over the years I have used Bonanza , RCBS, Herter's, Lee, Lyman, Pacific, CH4D , and Redding.
My favorites are those made by CH4D. I like the way they are made and the way they adjust. Second and third would be Lyman and Pacific Durachrome dies .
Lee carbide sizing dies are a great value. Lee die sets work, I just don't care for their sliding decapping pin and the finger tighten adjustment/locking rings. Seems like it always takes two wrenches to adjust and tighten them...that's the part I don't care for.
Gary
My favorites are those made by CH4D. I like the way they are made and the way they adjust. Second and third would be Lyman and Pacific Durachrome dies .
Lee carbide sizing dies are a great value. Lee die sets work, I just don't care for their sliding decapping pin and the finger tighten adjustment/locking rings. Seems like it always takes two wrenches to adjust and tighten them...that's the part I don't care for.
Gary
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biquer
Member
Dillon pistol dies that include crimp dies.
Always prefer to seat and crimp with separate operations. On the 550.
RCBS sets pair with Redding crimp dies.
Always prefer to seat and crimp with separate operations. On the 550.
RCBS sets pair with Redding crimp dies.
jimbo728
Member
RCBS and Lee dies have been ok. Only problem was RCBS seater dies gave an uneven roll crimp in .357 and .38. Taper crimp, light, helped fix that.
Jim
Jim
+1 . . . The two inserts for the Hornady bullet seating die make it my favorite for wad cutters and some of the round nose projectiles that it fits better than the Lee bullet seater. The Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die in the four die set is my preferred method for getting reliable crimps.
Both sets have sizing dies that work equally well. I keep part of one set in the garage where there is a full sized, bench mounted press, and the rest of the dies are in my home office where I use a Lee Hand Press when the garage is at uncomfortable temperatures.
Oh, and . . . a precision reloading article praised the L E Wilson bullet seating die for making 30-06 straight cartridges. So, I bought one hoping to improve my 30-06 ammo for the Garand. It works perfectly!
Yeah, it is a bit of a luxury, but this is supposed to be fun, right?
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Pistol Dies
Dillon for progressives... otherwise Redding. Lee dies for the most are junk. Had a 500S&W set that the carbide insert dropped out of in pieces after 11 Rounds. Wouldn't replace 'em either. To be honest I've never had an issue with any other dies... even the old Herter's dies. I reload for 47 different calibers.
Dillon for progressives... otherwise Redding. Lee dies for the most are junk. Had a 500S&W set that the carbide insert dropped out of in pieces after 11 Rounds. Wouldn't replace 'em either. To be honest I've never had an issue with any other dies... even the old Herter's dies. I reload for 47 different calibers.
I started using Lee stuff with a 9.95 "Lee-Loader." I've never seen any reason to change.
Collo Rosso
Member
Don't have near the experience some here have. When I started reloading I bought a RCBS Caribe 9mm die set. Worked great so for my next couple calibers I again bought RCBS die sets and again no problems. During the great 2012 reloading shortage I couldn't find a set of RCBS 45acp dies so ordered a lyman set. I had trouble with the seat crimp die only to discover it was a roll crimp die. Lyman made good on it and sent me a taper crimp die. I still prefer RCBS. The Lyman expander die makes a trumpet bell before the bullet will sit in it and the taper crimp die very abrupt and touchy to adjust.
joeintexas
US Veteran
I use RCBS for 9mm and Lee for 45acp. No particular reason, they both work fine and do what they are supposed to do.
