Got dies?

[Andy Griffith]

Are you a serial die "collector?"

Not really a "collector" in the same sense that we collect guns, but in a way that...well...

Let's just say, that if I see a good deal on a set of dies for a caliber of firearm that I don't own, but might in the future I'll get them if they are deal.

Such has been the case for me on:

.300 Weatherby
.460 Weatherby
7.7 Japanese
7.62 Nagant forming dies (Lee) from .32-20
.22 K-hornet
.25 ACP (yes I know....like I'm going to load this! But hey, you never know.)
.250 Savage
9.3x62mm (I think that's right...can't remember off the top of my head)

All the other dies I have either are used by me occasionally, or I bought them for "friends" that have that caliber.

Is there such a thing as too much equipment?

I wonder if MEC makes die sets for the 600 Jr. in 24 and 32 gauge?

 

[n4zov]

I didn't start out to be a die collector, but it just kinda turned out that way. First, I have a set of dies for the .300 Winchester that a deceased brother-in-law bought so I could do some reloading for him. He died, the gun was sold, and I have the dies that I will never use. Ditto for a set of .221 Fireball dies. Then there are a half dozen steel handgun sizing dies that were replaced by carbide sizing dies. I also have some Lyman expander dies for cast bullets that will never be used again. The list just goes on and go............ So, I am a die collector of sorts. But you never know, I might be struck by the sudden urge to load up a couple of hundred rounds of .221!

 

[2152hq]

I buy odd caliber sets if the price is good. Some with the expectation of reselling just because they are very expensive to buy brand new. Some purchased as I have an interest in a particular firearm in that caliber that I just know I'll buy (someday!).

I bought sets of 30 Remington & 35 Remington last spring,,brand new RCBS w/shell holders for $15 each at a show. I have an interest in the Remington M8 & 81 Auto Loader rifles and figured sooner or later I'd run accross one in those calibers. Last week I bought a nice 1930 mfg M8 in 30Rem w/4 boxes of SuperX ammo. It works out right sometimes.
Others that worked out:
9x57Mauser
8mm Kropechek (rifle & dies since sold)
455 webley
43 Mauser (gone also)
9.3x74R
9.3x72R

Still waiting for a rifle :
450 Rigby rimless Magnum RCBS dies & S/H w/75 new unprimed cases
(couldn't refuse the deal!)

 

[s&wchad]

There's nothing wrong with putting the cart before the horse, as long as you get a good deal on the cart! Stockpiled accumulations of ammo, brass, dies, grips, scope mounts and holsters can be helpful when you're looking for a reason to buy another gun.

 

[Smithhound]

One of my favorite things to do is to prowl gunshow tables for die sets that I don't need, sometimes you can really do good. I've got dies for several calibers I don't own rifles for, but someday..ya never know.
RD

 

[keithherrington]

Neither of your collections is complete without a set of RCBS 351 Winchester dies, the caliber Frank Hammer used to kill Bonnie and Clyde. Now that is a storied caliber...and I just happen to have a set I'd be willing to part with to help one of you complete your impressive, but yet incomplete collection.