Lyman Carbide 3-Die Set v. RCBS Carbide 3-Die Set

[jski3]

Is there a reason to prefer one of these die sets over the other?

Lyman Carbide 3-Die Set v. RCBS Carbide 3-Die Set

 

[BruceM]

The Lyman set has a better IMO expander ("M" Die). Other than that it's tit for tat.

Bruce

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would go with RCBS because their CS is superior to that of Lyman. Additionally the RCBS dies are very good too.

 

[SteveFi]

The Lyman set has a better IMO expander ("M" Die). Other than that it's tit for tat.

Bruce

recent RCBS carbide dies I have bought have the m style expander - they call it stepped expanders, these were .44 SPL/MAG, .45 ACP & .45 Colt

 

[damienph]

I've been handloading for a few years (since 1976) and currently load for 28 cartridges and have several different brands of dies. They all work, most work well but my favorite is RCBS. I have a few Lyman die sets that do work well. Between the RCBS and the Lyman, honestly I would buy whichever set was readily available for the best price, either set will serve you well.

I jut tend to lean toward the green.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The current owners of Lyman, don't believe in customer service!

But the truth is, on a weekend is when the stem or primer pin bends or breaks. Your other die sets of the same brand are your spare parts. All brands use ASE threads, but there are many diameters, so getting parts from other brands is a little iffy!

I load 114 cartridges and won't pass up a inexpensive set of used dies, so I have every brand of dies and some shop made dies. For standard (including Carbide) the best dies are Redding, RCBS, & C-H tied for first place Hornady (Pacific) and Lyman are OK, and Lee's do work, but to keep the price down they do things differently and make the dies as short as possible (stems also are short) they work well with Lee presses but not with some others (especially very old presses from the 50's & 60's! Certain series of many brands have permanent decapping pins in the stem. I won't own one! The down time is too great waiting for the free replacement!

I try and keep a set of decapping pins for everything! But for some reason the companies change diameters or designs without my permission. That is why you cannibalize from other dies.

Ivan

 

[Collo Rosso]

Very happy with RCBS carbide dies. The 3 die sets are fine for revolver with a roll crimp. I've not had a problem seating/crimping a bullet with a crimp band. Cannelure is another story. Semi-auto rounds I get separate taper crimp die. ALWAYS have spare decapping pins handy!

 

[gojones]

I've been handloading for a few years (since 1976) and currently load for 28 cartridges and have several different brands of dies. They all work, most work well but my favorite is RCBS. I have a few Lyman die sets that do work well. Between the RCBS and the Lyman, honestly I would buy whichever set was readily available for the best price, either set will serve you well.

I jut tend to lean toward the green.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I've been handloading for a few years (since 1976) and currently load for 28 cartridges and have several different brands of dies. They all work, most work well but my favorite is RCBS. I have a few Lyman die sets that do work well. Between the RCBS and the Lyman, honestly I would buy whichever set was readily available for the best price, either set will serve you well.

I jut tend to lean toward the green.

I am with damienph on this topic. I started reloading 45 years ago. I have used die sets from RCBS, Lyman, Lee, Hornady, Bair, Pacific, and Herters. They have all been satisfactory, although I have developed a personal preference for RCBS based on consistently high quality and proven long-term durability.

If I were looking for a die set that would be used a lot over many years I would certainly choose RCBS. If I were loading a caliber that I expected to use only infrequently or in small quantities I would select the most economical dies readily available (example: .44-40 for my antique Marlin and Colt, which I like to shoot but seldom use more than 100-200 rounds per year, so the Lee dies do a good job at very small expense).

 

[DWalt]

I too have a large variety of dies from all different manufacturers, and I cannot say I have any brand preference. I have only two sets of Lyman dies (one in .308, one in .44 Mag), no complaints about either. Numerically I have more RCBS die sets, followed by Lee. My point is that I really don't care who made the dies. When I first started reloading I had a Lyman Tru-Line Jr. press which used much smaller dies. I still have that press and Lyman TLJ dies in several calibers, but I have not used them for many years.

 

[GB]

I can add only a little to what has already been said. (But I will Blab away anyhow)

I have used most of the major brands. Had my Lyman 45acp sizer die fail. But it was nearly 50 years old. Replaced it with a Lee and then a RCBS, just because. I have no complaint about any Carbide sizing I have ever used. My problems usually involves one of the other dies, seater/crimp or in the expander stage. In order of preference:

1. RCBS
2 Redding (not because they aren't good but I'm not sure they are any better than Big Green but the cost is significantly more.
3. Lyman
4. Lee (my issues are with other than the sizer
5. Hornady (again my problems with this brand are several not the least of which is that I find the sizing die, with their "Magic metal" coating, Ain't magic! And has not performed well for me.

I must add that all of my reloading is done on one, or more, single stage type presses. (more than one brand) I don't have a progressive machine and that could well change the whole dynamic of my choices.

Disclaimer: This is my experience and you may well have had a different experience. That doesn't make either of us wrong, just different.

 

[38SPL HV]

Used RCBS for 40 years...great dies and excellent customer service. By the way, Lee is good also...

 

[STORMINORMAN]

I really prefer the design of the Hornady expanders and their die lock rings (vs. the RCBS ones), like the LEE FCD's, use a dedicated LEE decapper (mounted in an old RCBS Jr. press) to help best keep my various sizing dies clean and undamaged...

With a Lock-N-Load bushing installed in my LEE Classic Cast Press I too notice that the LEE die bodies are pretty short, especially the expanders, but once set they seem to work OK.

My latest OCD effort is to check weigh (on a small digital scale) each completed round before they go into a container: no more exposure to a possible "primer only" mistake. A couple grains (or tenths?) either way should ring a bell or two...? Do sorted empty cases from the same manufacturer even vary that much?

 

[zeke]

The only advantage I have found with lyman pistol carbide sizing die is the bottom lip can be rounded over inward. This allows sizing the case down further on .40 and 45 acp.

 

[moosedog]

Started in 1973 with RCBS and have used both since then, but prefer the RCBS. The few times I asked for help with RCBS, they bent over back wards to help, and fast too.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

Favorite dies for rifle are Forster's. Use RCBS, Lyman, Hornady for pistols. Use Lee carbide crimp die on all my pistol loads. Like repeatability of adjustment.

 

[BoCash]

Began reloading in 1969.........multiple rifle and pistol calibers.

Like others, have owned dies from RCBS, Lyman, Lee, and Hornady.

Have had my best luck with RCBS, Lyman, and Lee (Lee in pistol calibers only). Have had issues with Hornady and now avoid them. My oldest Lymans are in .45 acp and have been going strong since early 1970's.

 

[Bakebfr480]

I use both but mostly RCBS..........I will NOT use Hornady dies!

 

[Troystat]

Since my press is green I use the dies in the green box. Seriously I use RCBS dies and they seem to work well. I am sure other brands are good as well. You can often find them for a good price on EBAY.