Which brand dies and presses

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I like Hornady dies for rifle cartridges and Lee for pistol. No reason other than they were available at the time and perform well.
 
With the exception of the Dillon SB, I believe all dies fit all presses.
 
I have an RCBS and a Dillon machine and use RCBS, Lee, and Lyman dies. They all work fine. I find RCBS hard to beat on warranty work. Any one of their parts I have managed to break, they replace for free.
 
I have both a Dillon and a RCBS and have dies from most of the major manufacturers and can use them interchangeable. IF you buy quality and take care of them, you will be able to hand them down to you grandkids.
 
I have a mix of gear. RCBS Rock Chucker and Lee/RCBS/Lyman dies. I am getting to appreciate Lee pistol dies. I think it is pretty hard to chose between the gear available today.
 
I have a RCBS Rockchucker but thought about using Lyman, Lee or other dies for .243 - Is this OK and will it make any difference mixing?

It is Ok. There are good quality makers out there today. Most are good and some are better.

They all work basically the same. But if you dont much experience then it can help to have the same similar style dies to set up. You will ultimately add more.

I generally prefer and have mostly Redding dies. They are excellent and will last a lifetime. Forster makes a quality die. RCBS makes some very good dies. Hornady is good with their bushings called Lock and Load. Lyman is Ok. Lee is Ok.

If you dont want to spend the extra money on the Reddings, then maybe the RCBS. They are widely distributed too.
 
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I have a forster co-ax press and use rcbs and lee dies. The universal lee decapping die is fantastic. Use it to decap 500 once fired lake city 5.56mm brass.
 
Most modern dies sets are standard 7/8-14 body threads and most modern reloading presses (single stage, turret, and progressive) are designed to use 7/8-14 dies. Of course there are exceptions (I believe there's a Dillon press use only Dillon dies, and 50 BMG dies are 1 1/4-12 body thread), but you can use Lee dies in your RCBS press and visa-versa...
 
Lee and RCBS dies in my Lee and Herter's presses. Don't like the Lee lockrings, so for Xmas I got Hornady lockrings to replace them. Other than that, no issues.
 
My single stage and turret presses are Redding, and my progressive metallics are Dillon.

I use all Redding dies, except in the Dillons. I pretty much stick with Dillons' dies due to the ease of disassembly and cleaning.
 
Lock Rings

What do you like better with the Hornady Lock-Rings vs. the Lee?

Thanks!

Lee and RCBS dies in my Lee and Herter's presses. Don't like the Lee lockrings, so for Xmas I got Hornady lockrings to replace them. Other than that, no issues.
 
As many answers as reloaders. Here's mine. Lee. Good quality dies, best price. But all brands are OK.

I advise looking on eBay - usually lots of new and used die sets to be found at good prices. I buy all of my dies there.
 
Broke 4-5 rcbs dies for my .223, warantee is great but still halts your loading for a week or two

I said screw it last time and replaced with hornady dies, and any die from here on out will be hornadies for me

I own lee/ hornady/Lyman/ rcbs dies
But the hornadies are my first choice from now on, they just seem to work better for me
 
I have 2 RCBS presses and all my dies are also RCBS. They have great warranty(lifetime) with no questions asked. Have never heard of anyone breaking a die? I have been reloading for over 30 years.
 
Decapping pins

I don't know what it is but I broke two sets in one day, I'd say it was me but after three I bought my Hornadies and have had it for three years now
 
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