What dies to get?

[Finn McCool]

I have a RCBS Rockchucker press(new to reloading). I am going to start reloading 44 specials. I am confused about what dies to get. I'd like to get some recommendations. I'll be reloading LSWC to start. I know a lot of people recommend Lee dies. Will they work in a Rockchucker? Thanks in advance. I appreciate all the help I've gotten from forum members. You guys rock.

 

[Snowbandit]

Lee dies will work. Hornady gives 100 free bullets when you buy their dies and, as far as I'm concerned, Hornady makes better dies. RCBS and Dillon make excellent dies also but they're higher priced. Make sure to get carbide or, if you go with Hornady, titanium nitride so you don't have to deal with the mess of case lube.

 

[Dragon88]

RCBS carbide.

 

[PattonTime]

Dies

I reload for quite a few cartridges, I have mostly Lee.
I bought Redding when I started because I generally like the best , especially
when its only a few bucks more.
However, in a lot of cases I have found myself, retiring the Reddings and going with the Lee's, mostly because I like their powder thru expander die the best.
In a nutshell, in my opinion, Redding are the "nicest " looking dies , but all work pretty much the same and I don't think any are bad !
I have tried most all , except Dillon and have only ever had one bad die, it was a Lee , but they replaced it immediately, I thought it undersized and they said I was right and sent a new one. I was sticking 30/06 cases often no matter what lube I used , borrowed a friends small base RCBS and that worked fine, so I was sure i was right.

 

[GearHead_1]

I have dies from literally every major manufacturer. Heck, I have 12 different presses to use them on. Most of the dies perform exactly as they are designed to do and will deliver ammo that will meet your expectations. I'm not going to tell you which ones are the best dies to buy, simply because this answer is subjective. I will say that unless you're loading ultra precision target ammunition LEE dies are a lot of product for the money. They often come in at 50% of the price of other popular dies. I like their crimp dies as well as any. Unlike many, I actually like their O-Ring lock nuts. Carbide is always good if offered in the caliber of your choosing. Good luck shopping.

 

[Vartarg]

I like Redding and Wilson for rifles, but for handgun rounds I've been very pleased with Lee carbide sets including their crimp die.

 

[Finn McCool]

Thanks for the replies. I think I need a three die set. Does anyone recommend a fourth die for roll crimping or will a three dies set do the job?

 

[Rule3]

Thanks for the replies. I think I need a three die set. Does anyone recommend a fourth die for roll crimping or will a three dies set do the job?

The bullet seating die will roll crimp, so no you do not need the Factory crimp die. You will just have to learn how to adjust it correctly. When you set it to roll crimp it will push the bullet around .05" more into the case. So when you set the bullet seating up, you need to set it a little bit high (past the cannelure), then turn the whole die in a bit and it will crimp.

I use the FCD on everything as the turret press has 4 holes anyway and it is easier to fine tune the crimp die.

 

[papajohn428]

Just a thought............buy 44 MAGNUM dies, in case you ever decide to load for that caliber later, they will work for both, but will have to be readjusted when it comes time to flare case mouths and seat bullets in the different-length brass.

I have dies from RCBS, Hornady, Forster, and Lee, and the ammo I make will all of them is more accurate than I'll ever be.

You can perform all the needed steps with a 3-die set, but if I was starting from scratch, I'd get the 4-die set. Flexibility is a good thing.

 

[Qmark]

Lee Dies

I like Lee dies not only because they cost less but they get the job done. Starting out with a single stage press Lee brand dies will work just fine. The caveat though with Lee dies are the length of their sizing dies. Don't know if it will be a problem with 44 dies but as I discovered with 45ACP, 380 and 9MM. The Lee sizing dies are a bit short in my Lock N Load press. If you become addicted to reloading as many of us do. You will someday want to upgrade to a progressive set-up. I can't speak from first hand knowledge but have read on the net of some problems locking down Lee sizing dies on a Dillon unit.

One thing to keep in mind buying reloading tools. You can more often than not recover a large portion of the initial cost selling the used tools. Ebay especially has plenty of buyers with deep pockets with more money than brains. It is not unusual to find a used reloading item on Ebay selling used for more than the cost of brand new in the box. There are also bargains to be had there.

The Lee factory crimp die does a great job but can be a problem if you're loading lead bullets. The carbide ring can reduce the size of the lead bullet. I say "it can" it doesn't always but there a variables you're working with. The size of the bullet, thickness of the brass and the actual inside diameter of the carbide ring. I have used Lee factory Crimp Dies for years with good success. It could just be my particular 38/357 crimp die using the slightly thicker military surplus brass and some used brass I purchased years ago without a brand name stamped on the head. The brass came from a New York police agency. The thicker brass does reduce the size of my home cast 148 full wadcutters. Hasn't been a problem with name brand commercial 38 Spec brass.

 

[310Pilot]

I have dies from many manufacturers, including Lee, Hornady, Lyman, RCBS, Pacific, Herters and a few others. IMHO, the best value, especially for pistol caliber dies, are the Lee 4 die sets. Internet prices are usually a bit lower, or equal to, other brand 3 die sets, and their quality is good. The FCD is superb, really helps in making high quality ammo. I have Hornady dies for 44 Split & Mag (love their bullet seating guide, BTW), but use a Lee FCD for crimping. It truly makes a difference, I have been so pleased with the results from the FCD that I bought them for all my pistol calibers, and for most of my rifle calibers as well.

Oh yes, you need to buy 44 Special dies, NOT 44 Magnum dies - the Special dies can be adjusted to load Magnums, but the Magnum dies cannot be adjusted to load the shorter Specials

 

[cochise]

Good sugestions and agree with has been said. I would like to emphasize to buy at least 2 loading manuals, 3 is better and read their section on loading in the front of the manual. The procedures and information given are very, very important especially to new reloaders. I still reread the instructions and learn.

 

[GearHead_1]

Good sugestions and agree with has been said. I would like to emphasize to buy at least 2 loading manuals, 3 is better and read their section on loading in the front of the manual. The procedures and information given are very, very important especially to new reloaders. I still reread the instructions and learn.

This is good advice but I would add that if you can only get one manual to look at the LEE manual. I have a dozen different reloading manuals, they're all decent. I'm going to really sound like a LEE fan boy in this thread when in reality I have far more Dillion and RCBS equipment than any other manufacturers. The reason I make this recommendation is simply that they compile their info from the other component (powder, primer, bullet) manufacturers and are not limited to talking about just their brand. They have no stake what so ever in the component selling end of things and it comes across as very neutral. I will say that their manuals are way too heavy on LEE press set up and use but their data is just fine. Once again, economy is what I'm suggesting here. You can pick up their manuals with a single stage press and accessories that can be dedicated to sizing bullets or de-priming cases for a bit of nothing. Seems like I got one of these set ups though it's been a while for about $39.

 

[TheTinMan]

Redding Profile Crimp Die

IF you are using a separate die for crimping a revolver cartridge, I think the Redding Profile Crimp die does a great job. The crimp is more gradual than other roll crimp dies I've tried (not all available by a long shot) and I find them very easy to adjust.

Your mileage probably will vary.

 

[Qmark]

IF you are using a separate die for crimping a revolver cartridge, I think the Redding Profile Crimp die does a great job. The crimp is more gradual than other roll crimp dies I've tried (not all available by a long shot) and I find them very easy to adjust.

Your mileage probably will vary.

I could not get a decent crimp on my 45 Auto Rim. The taper crimp was ok for most bullets, jacketed especially but the taper crimp was not securely holding some of my cast lead. The Redding Profile Crimp worked like a champ. Since I started using it I can't recall having a lead bullet back out from recoil as I did with taper crimp dies. These were all crimped with my Redding Profile crimp die. It was well worth the extra expense.

I honestly don't know if anybody makes a roll crimp die suitable for the 45AR but after following some internet advice and trying the Redding I stopped looking for a roll crimp die

 

[crankyoldlady]

I have Redding. I have Lee. I see and feel the difference in quality. But, all in all, the Lees do the job just as well as the Redding.

That said...when I had my first "stuck" case I found it much easier to remove from the Lee die than it would have been from the Redding.

 

[Have gun-will travel]

I also use the rockchucker and most of my pistol dies are RCBS carbide .I also have Hornady and Lee dies.I think the quality is better on the RCBS but in the loading you really can't tell the difference in the finished round.Lee is a lot cheaper .

 

[TheTinMan]

I honestly don't know if anybody makes a roll crimp die suitable for the 45AR but after following some internet advice and trying the Redding I stopped looking for a roll crimp die

This page from Redding makes a distinction between their taper crimp dies and their Profile Crimp dies, making me think the later IS a roll crimp:
Competition Pro Series Die Sets In Titanium Carbide | Redding Reloading Equipment: reloading equipment for rifles, handguns, pistols, revolvers and SAECO bullet casting equipment

It's not as abrupt a roll as you would get from say a Hornady seating die, but it definitely turns the case mouth inward more than a taper crimp die ever should.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I like Lee dies because they cost less than the others and they make good ammo too. I have used several different dies and while RCBS look nicer and are very well made IMO the ammo they produce is no better than the ammo I make with Lee dies so why not save the money?

 

[arjay]

I have rcbs and lee dies.Both work fine.Lees are cheaper.Get carbide for straight walled calibers.Be safe and have fun.