Need Some Suggestions about Dies.

[brucev]

The other day I bought a nice 15-3 and a lightly used Rock Island Armory .45 ACP. I also own a 21-4 in .44 Special. I have a good set of RCBS .38/.357 dies that I've had since 1980. But, I do not have dies for the .44 or .45 calibers. I am on a budget and am looking at the Lee dies. I would appreciate any information/suggestions. I plan on loading basic standard velocity type loads for the 21-4 so that POI with be POA. For the .45ACP, I figure to load 200 gr. SWC... H&G 68 style if I can find them. I figure for hot loads, I'll mostly use factory ammo. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I have both sets of Lee dies and use them both. Were I in your shoes, I would order the .45 ACP deluxe carbide four die set, but only buy the carbide three die set for the .44 special. If you want to crimp the .44's separate from the seating then I would buy Ranch Dog's .44 crimp die. I would use Win 231 for both of those loads.

 

[ronnie gore]

dies

i have lyman, rcbs and more lee dies than anything else, i like the lee and they are cheap, but make sure you get carbide dies.

 

[Paul5388]

Another vote for Lee dies! I have about 20 RCBS dies and that many or more Lee dies, many of them are duplicates of the RCBS dies. I like Lee's decapping pin set up, which is set this way with two wrenches.

Just squeeze the two wrenches together and the collet will get as tight as needed.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I use Lee Carbide pistol dies for all of those calibers. The other day at a gun show though, I bought a set of used RCBS 44mag dies just for the seating die. I wanted a Lee seating/crimp die only, none available so I bought the used set of RCBS. Seating and crimping in two steps and not resizing the lead bullets that I need big for my Marlin.

If you get carbide dies you will be far better off. One thing nice about the Lee, if you load on a single stage or turret, is the powder through die. Lee is the only company that sells it with the set. A win/win in that aspect.

Hope this helps

 

[Linear Thinker]

Since you are on a budget, Lee dies are the way to go. Their 4-die deluxe sets are an excellent value. I really like the Lee Factory Crimp dies, and use them on ~10 pistol calibers I load, even though I prefer the Dillon dies for resizing and seating.

 

[semperfi71]

If you can do so, haunt the gunshops, want ads, the flea markets, and gunshows; and buy used. It is very hard to screw up most standard reloading equipment.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Be certain of what you are buying is new stock Lee dies.
I don't know when they changed, but sometime in the last few years Lee started making their dies with longer bodies so they may be used on progressive equipment from most all makers. The older dies have short bodies on them and don't have enough overall length to adjust a whole lot in some presses.

 

[SMSgt]

I have both RCBS and Lee dies and my only complaint about the Lees are the lock ring doesn't stay set. I finally bought setscrew locking rings. Other than that they work as well as the more expensive RCBS brand.

 

[gregintenn]

I actually prefer Lee dies. An added bonus is that they also come with load data and a shellholder!!! I agree with everyone else in saying the carbide dies are well worth the couple of extra bucks.

 

[TAROMAN]

I also use a lot of Lee die sets. As already mentioned, get the 4-die sets for pistol calibers. Revolvers can do fine with the 3-die sets.

I use a Lee turret press and swap the locking rings for the Dillon 1" ones, and use their special wrench to tighten 'em up. Set them up oncs and they're good to go forever.

 

[steamloco76]

I have RCBS, Lee and Hornady dies and for the money the 4 die Lee carbide sets can't be beat for value and performance. The factory crimp die is THE crimp die for any auto pistol cartridge.

The Hornady set I just purchased has the most finicky expander I've ever used. I've ruined more cases with that single die than all my other sets/calibers combined. Darn distributor was out of Lee and I bought the Hornady instead.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I own and use a lot of Lee dies and they work just fine. I would also use W231 for both calibers.

 

[papajohn428]

Another vote for Lee..........especially in pistol calibers. The only issues I've ever had with dies were with other brands. I currently have about 30 sets, and about 80% of them are Lee.

 

[halco46]

Lee carbide Dies.

I use the Lee carbide setup in .45ACP,Never a problem with thousands of rounds reloaded. Fun Hobby too!!!.

 

[KLNC]

Lee dies are fine and economical, I have several sets. The only thing I do not like is the powder through/expander die. I find with the design they use it isn't very smooth on the upstroke, and I often replace that die with a Lyman "M" expander die.

 

[mwtdvm]

A vote for flea bay

I nave purchased two carbide pistol die sets in the last month and both could be called ANIB but the sellers labeled them used. You have to watch the shipping costs though. I have not set up my Dillon 550 but that is about to change. Unfortunately there aren't very many bargains on flea bay for that brand.

YMMV

 

[Paul5388]

Lee powder through dies are supposed to be less than smooth when you extract the shell from the die. That supposedly will keep powder from bridging in the die.

 

[PDL]

I'll add my + for Lee carbide pistol dies. For the .45 get the 4 die set. In any case check out Graf's, free shipping in CONUS.
Graf & Sons - LEE 45 ACP CARBIDE DLX 4 DIE SET, S/H #2

 

[Reloader]

Glad to hear Lee dies have improved since the '80's.. Weren't good at all back then. I have stayed with Hornaday and RCBS. Carbide when possible.