My ratings of reloading companies…

[Federalis]

Reloaded my first cartridge in 1977 or so, still learning a lot each time I pull the lever down, lots of pistol, revolver and rifle cartridges made because at first I generally got my brass free and I’m a cheapskate (guess I still am). Anyway, wanted to pass along 45 years or so years of experience in dealing with some well-known companies out there: RCBS - top notch, have a lot of their dies, tools, scales, etc. One phone call when I need to ask a question, mess up or break something and it’s handled. LEE Precision - a very close second to RCBS, their products are generally a little less but their attention to CS is way up there. LYMAN Products - Pretty good also but sometimes not as quick as RCBS or Lee to respond to issues, their products are top-notch also. My first little press was/still is an old Pacific Power C press made by Pacific Tool/Hornady, I think. Anyway, my two pennies worth I’m sure there’s many others out there…

 

[Jimk45]

Reloading Equipment

Both Hornady and Dillon are top notch!!! Customer service is great.

 

[Model52guy]

Just sent a press back to RCBS as the base broke. I expect a complete refurbished press back, They are very good at CS

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Lyman's service declined after ATK bought them out. They went to a One Year Warranty.

Normally, reloading equipment in made from Cast Iron or Steel (and some aluminum). If you use and store them correctly, What's to mess up? In about 1980, I had a 264 Win Mag FL die that didn't completely reduce brass fired in a different gun. RCBS was on that like ugly on a mud fence!

I have used Herter's, RCBS, Lyman All American and True-Line old dies (black cardboard box) and the newer (Orange Box), Pacific, Hornady, CH & CH4D, Hollywood, Lee, Dillon, and Redding dies. And a few L.E.Wilson arbor press dies. If you can use them Wilson's are the absolute best! Redding is tops in 7/8-14 threaded dies! RCBS is almost as good.

When I'm at yard sales, gun shops, or gun shows; I'll pay $10 for any set of dies I don't own a set of already, and I pick used common caliber die sets to make starter kits for friends and family.

One of the most common problems with used dies is broken decapping pins. Then they sit for years and get rusted useless. All of the older stems are on one of 4 common thread patterns, and are interchangeable! I keep lots of decapping pins in my parts box too. Many of those are interchangeable too.

Ivan

 

[Ruger 13]

I’m not a Hornady die fan………don’t like their stupid “Zip” spindle!

 

[jem102]

Over a lifetime of reloading I have used them all with a list very similar to Ivan's. IMO RCBS fell out about 15 years ago as to their dies. For quality of machining and concentricity its Redding, Forster (esp their competition dies) Dillon and Hornady. I have had a few exceptional sets of Pacific Durachrome and Lyman's. Each brand has some areas it shines in: Can't beat the RCBS bench mounted hand primer and their old 10/10 and Dial O Gram scales are great. Really like the Forster Co-Ax press. The new Hornady steel die rings can be lapped against a hard plate to be very true. I think I shoot just to reload and I am always trying to improve the tooling. When I shot X-course service rifle you needed to have pretty good ammo for 600 slow fire. Now days its mostly hand guns with cast bullets but I go for the best ammo I can make because I enjoy it, sort of satisfies that "machinist urge".

 

[GypsmJim]

I had a Lee die go bad because I used it with some nickle plated cases that disintegrated. The die was scored badly. Even though it was not in warranty Lee sent me a new dire free of charge.

I had a 40 year old RCBS bullet puller and one of the parts broke. I e-mailed them asking for prices of replacement parts. I never got an e-mail reply, but 3 days later a package came in the mail with the parts...also free of charge.

I had bought plated bullets that had awful accuracy. When I measured them they were 0.002" out of spec. The company refused to replace them because they met their "manufacturing tolerance". I won'y [ost the company name, but suffice it to say they are off my approved list.

 

[Nevada Ed]

My reloading equipment is so old and beat up that I don't want to embarass myself with any pictures but I give post #1, two thumbs up.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have friends that are missionaries in Central & South America, Australia, and Republic of South Africa. Over the years, I have sent basic reloading sets with them to many countries. They are not picky! But what I chose to send with them is any single stage press of the "O" style. I only send Full Length sizing dies, so the ammo fit any gun of that caliber. Locking rings of steel, and about 20 decapping pins. I prefer to send older Lyman shell holders as they were nickel plated (if the loading manual listed 2 shell holders, I sent them both-foreign ammo often is not to American specs!) I always sent a press mounted priming attachment both large and small. I sent wingnuts and bolts for mounting. And tools; lock nut wrench, Allen wrenches and/or screw drivers for all set screws. AND basic instructions. I never send Powder or primers, but did send projectiles and empty brass. I sent the Lee powder dippers and the related charts.

35 to 40 years ago, it was common to find used reloading equipment at small gun stores, that the owner had died and the family just wanted $10 for the lot!

Ivan

 

[M16]

I’m not a Hornady die fan………don’t like their stupid “Zip” spindle!

The worst idea ever conceived! They do zip right out of the die!