Will Lee Pacesetter Dies work in a regular reloading press, or are they made for a special handheld device?
Lee Pacesetter Dies
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Electraclyde
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They will work in any press that uses the standard die threads, (which is most presses). I have several that I use in a Dillon 550 press.
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I think I've only bought one or two of the Pacesetter "bare bones" die sets. Based on that small number, they're actually pretty good dies and I've used most every brand on the market in the last fifty+ years.
venomballistics
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main question .... yes they will fit most any standard press.
Bonus round ... The shake down break down.
Sizing die ... I think i prefer RCBS, though Lee does the job. I find them perfectly acceptable for my low volume cartridges.
Expander die ... Its a little weird with it's floating tube mandrel designed to work with their powder measures. I tend to prefer the straight forward threaded mandrel of RCBS, but again, it works and I see no reason to change in my low volume cartridges.
seating die ... there are two flavors. a fixed design for use with a separate crimp die, and an adjustable version with some flavor of crimp.
I honestly dislike the fixed design as adjustment is accomplished via the coarse body threads. You can bet it's strong, but precise? we're going to be here a while. The more traditional dies seem to allow for more precise adjustment.
The one die they make that does something no other does, is their collet crimp die. absolutely get this for everything you shoot.
Bonus round ... The shake down break down.
Sizing die ... I think i prefer RCBS, though Lee does the job. I find them perfectly acceptable for my low volume cartridges.
Expander die ... Its a little weird with it's floating tube mandrel designed to work with their powder measures. I tend to prefer the straight forward threaded mandrel of RCBS, but again, it works and I see no reason to change in my low volume cartridges.
seating die ... there are two flavors. a fixed design for use with a separate crimp die, and an adjustable version with some flavor of crimp.
I honestly dislike the fixed design as adjustment is accomplished via the coarse body threads. You can bet it's strong, but precise? we're going to be here a while. The more traditional dies seem to allow for more precise adjustment.
The one die they make that does something no other does, is their collet crimp die. absolutely get this for everything you shoot.
GypsmJim
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The "bare bones" Lee dies are called "RGB". The "Pacesetter" dies are the premium set that even includes a factory crimp die. I have 9 sets from .222 to 8x56. They have never let me down. If I get a new caliber, I'll buy another set.
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If you're doing everything right, you don't need a collet crimp die or a factory crimp die, but used judiciously, it's likely neither will do any harm.
venomballistics
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they promote the separation of seating and crimping into individual steps. For certain match chambered guns, I've found it mandatory. seating moves a bullet in the case while crimping arrests that motion. At some point, they become mutually exclusive. In less finicky applications, COL runout is reduced and uniformity improved in most cases.
I've since adopted it a standard practice
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If they work for you in your applications, that's what's important.
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ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Yes, they will fit on any standard press.
I use them for some cartridges and they have always produced quality ammo for me.
I use them for some cartridges and they have always produced quality ammo for me.
dsf
Member
That "floating mandrel" drives me up the wall and is one reason I tend to stay away from Lee. Or if the pricing is right, I buy Lee and an RCBS or other brand expander die.
Downstroke, fine. But on the upstroke when the expander should slip out from the case with the rest of the die there's a distinct hitch as that thing stays stuck and pulled out.
I have to figure Lee knows about this, yes?
Lee specifically designed it that way. They may have built it this way to save manufacturing cost, as that drives many of their products, but they market this (just as you described!) as a design feature that knocks powder and prevents it from bridging inside the measure or inside the die. The Lee expander die is specifically designed to allow powder to flow directly through it so you can charge a case during the flare operation.
Regardless of how they came to this, that distinct hitch you described does do exactly what they market -- it jolts the powder and keeps it from bridging.
Regardless of how they came to this, that distinct hitch you described does do exactly what they market -- it jolts the powder and keeps it from bridging.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Standard thread for dies and presses is 7/8"X14, and any standard die sets will function with any standard press, regardless of manufacturer. Features and functions may differ, as prior comments indicate.
All of my reloading has always been done on single-stage presses. I have used just about all brands and types of dies over the decades, and I have preferences, but I will happily use Lee products as readily as RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, Bair, Lachmiller, or any of the others I have experienced.
Personally, I separated all operations years ago. Stopped using the neck expander plugs, went to Lyman M-dies. Priming is done separately in a dedicated priming die set. Powder charging is done with a precision powder measure, every 10th drop checked on a fine Ohaus scale. Bullet seating and crimping are always done separately.
Works for me. Your methods may vary.
All of my reloading has always been done on single-stage presses. I have used just about all brands and types of dies over the decades, and I have preferences, but I will happily use Lee products as readily as RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, Bair, Lachmiller, or any of the others I have experienced.
Personally, I separated all operations years ago. Stopped using the neck expander plugs, went to Lyman M-dies. Priming is done separately in a dedicated priming die set. Powder charging is done with a precision powder measure, every 10th drop checked on a fine Ohaus scale. Bullet seating and crimping are always done separately.
Works for me. Your methods may vary.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Most of my handgun dies are Lee. When I was starting out I didn't have a lot of money and the Lee dies were inexpensive and came with a shell holder which saved another $5 or so.
The worked well and still do so I never replaced them.
Many of my rifle dies are RCBS because I just like them better. I do have a set of Hornady dies for the 45-70 I bought at an auction before I even owned a gun to shoot it lol. Hey, the price was right...
My 30-06 and .223 does are Lee and they make good ammo so I kept them. They are very easy to adjust especially the bullet seating dies.
The worked well and still do so I never replaced them.
Many of my rifle dies are RCBS because I just like them better. I do have a set of Hornady dies for the 45-70 I bought at an auction before I even owned a gun to shoot it lol. Hey, the price was right...
My 30-06 and .223 does are Lee and they make good ammo so I kept them. They are very easy to adjust especially the bullet seating dies.
Paul in Nevada
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Nothing at all wrong with Lee dies, and yes they fit standard presses. I have several Pacesetter die sets and they work well.
You didn't specify what caliber you are loading but I gather it's for a rifle cartridge. The Factory Crimp Die is optional. I use it on my hunting cartridges. I prefer Redding dies with the Lee FCD for a few cartridges but I have way more Lee sets than any other brand.
You didn't specify what caliber you are loading but I gather it's for a rifle cartridge. The Factory Crimp Die is optional. I use it on my hunting cartridges. I prefer Redding dies with the Lee FCD for a few cartridges but I have way more Lee sets than any other brand.
OP asked about Pacesetter dies, which are for rifle calibers. The floating expander is found in pistol dies.
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Miracle Man
US Veteran
I've had very little to on problems with all my Lee dies. And like another poster said probably 70% of my dies are Lee including couple sets of pacesetters.
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