Who makes the best carbide reloading dyes for 44SPL/44Magnum
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Can't go wrong with Lyman or RCBS. Best price for carbide die sets
probably won't vary greatly among on line sellers. Look for sales or
specials like free shipping.
probably won't vary greatly among on line sellers. Look for sales or
specials like free shipping.
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I have nothing but good experiences with my RCBS carbide 44 mag/app dies and all my other RCBS dies.
J. R. WEEMS
Member
DIES
Years before retiring I replaced almost all my dies with REDDING -- made in America as well. Presses too. Have never been sorry.
JMHO
Years before retiring I replaced almost all my dies with REDDING -- made in America as well. Presses too. Have never been sorry.
JMHO
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
I have always preferred RCBS dies. I have RCBS dies manufactured nearly 50 years ago and still in perfect working condition.
Lee dies will probably be the least expensive (and Lee includes a shell holder, which will cost several dollars from other makers). I have used Lee dies and they are OK for many purposes. I would not choose Lee dies for a caliber I intend to load a lot of ammo for.
Lee dies will probably be the least expensive (and Lee includes a shell holder, which will cost several dollars from other makers). I have used Lee dies and they are OK for many purposes. I would not choose Lee dies for a caliber I intend to load a lot of ammo for.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
RCBS is the best for normal going price.
Redding is better but usually costs more.
CH-4D Titanium Nitrate dies are the best there are but they are almost pure custom! (But available in any Thread pattern and diameter you can find a press in! Including the real old Lyman Tru-line Jr. 9/16" and old Starr 3/4 inch dies.)
Lyman use to have a good product, but since ATK took over their Customer Service absolutely stinks!!!
Lee, most likely to have best price and OK Customer Service!
"When just good enough will do, Lee's the brand for you!"
Very often too short for other presses.
Hornady, Ho-Hummmmm. neah Customer Service, They change designs so often, you can't count on two die sets using the same decapping dies.
Dillon, Great Customer Service, Designed to be serviced and cleaned without removing from the press. Higher but reasonable priced, only the more common cartridges available.
Last item for consideration: Loading dies are tools, they fail at the oddest time, Even with great C.S. you are down until parts arrive. Try to have dies of the same brand and style so you can strip parts at 10 o'clock at night and load for the next day's outing. (Been there, done that!)
BTW: Every Redding die set I have bought (8 sets) has come with one or two extra decapping pins!)
Ivan
Redding is better but usually costs more.
CH-4D Titanium Nitrate dies are the best there are but they are almost pure custom! (But available in any Thread pattern and diameter you can find a press in! Including the real old Lyman Tru-line Jr. 9/16" and old Starr 3/4 inch dies.)
Lyman use to have a good product, but since ATK took over their Customer Service absolutely stinks!!!
Lee, most likely to have best price and OK Customer Service!
"When just good enough will do, Lee's the brand for you!"
Very often too short for other presses.
Hornady, Ho-Hummmmm. neah Customer Service, They change designs so often, you can't count on two die sets using the same decapping dies.
Dillon, Great Customer Service, Designed to be serviced and cleaned without removing from the press. Higher but reasonable priced, only the more common cartridges available.
Last item for consideration: Loading dies are tools, they fail at the oddest time, Even with great C.S. you are down until parts arrive. Try to have dies of the same brand and style so you can strip parts at 10 o'clock at night and load for the next day's outing. (Been there, done that!)
BTW: Every Redding die set I have bought (8 sets) has come with one or two extra decapping pins!)
Ivan
Most reloaders have their favorites but all die manufacturers make dies within proper specs - but be sure you get carbide.
Ivan has covered this well.
I would add that Lee is a very good value. I have used them off and on for years and have had no failures of any kind. Presently have a set of 9mm Luger in my Dillon 550c.
Another brand option is Forster. Very good quality and excellent customer service, the couple of times I used it.
If I was starting over with all my present knowledge, I would get a lot more CH4D product. Their product is top shelf, but they need to move into the 21st century with the web site. To order, you have to call them by phone; can't order directly from web site. But still a very innovative company.
I would add that Lee is a very good value. I have used them off and on for years and have had no failures of any kind. Presently have a set of 9mm Luger in my Dillon 550c.
Another brand option is Forster. Very good quality and excellent customer service, the couple of times I used it.
If I was starting over with all my present knowledge, I would get a lot more CH4D product. Their product is top shelf, but they need to move into the 21st century with the web site. To order, you have to call them by phone; can't order directly from web site. But still a very innovative company.
I always used to use RCBS and still have many sets, but a few years ago I switched to Lee carbide 4 die sets with a factory crimp die. They're cheaper and I see no difference in the ammo.
RCBS for my money. I prefer thier seating die to others as they provide separate seating plug/stem with a profiled seating cup that fit different bullet types.
Waldo
Member
My experience has been that they all work. I think my first .44 Special/Mag set was Lyman. I would always buy whichever brand I got the best price on. I have Lee, RCBS, Redding, Pacific, Hornady and Lyman dies on hand. When Dillion came out with dies designed for progressive presses, I bought a set in .45 ACP. They are very easy to clean, which is a factor if you load a lot of cast bullets. I have since switched to Dillion dies for all the pistol calibers I load on my Dillion presses. In my opinion it is money well spent.
Through the years, I would pick up most of my carbide pistol/revolver die sets at gun shows for half or less the cost of new. I have maybe 15 sets from many different manufacturers found at shows and can say they all are working just fine. Pacific, RCBS, Lee, Lyman, Redding, Bair, CH4D, etc. are all fine. Find a big gun show and it will have every caliber that can be imagined. I recently found a set for 455 Webley and 45-90 (not carbide) at a show that cost $25 each with shell holders. Both were as new and probably near $100 each if bought new.
I think the choice of reloading dies is probably the least important decision in reloading. The choice of bullet, powder & weight, primer type, case (case prep for rifles) far outweighs the brand of dies as long as the dies are of good quality and are easy to stay in adjustment. I have loaded ammo on Lyman, RCBS and Dillon dies. My latest .44 Mag. were loaded with Dillon dies because I was using a Dillon 550 progressive loader. Those rounds have proven to be very accurate out of my S&W 629 Classic with 5" barrel.
MJFlores
Member
All of my carbide dies are Redding. They make a great product, and they're a great company to work with if you ever need to call or need service on something.
The best?
No question, the Redding dual ring carbide dies. The ONLY carbide dies in the world that retain the slight taper inherent in all "straight walled" cartridges.
Dual Ring Carbide Dies - Redding Reloading Equipment: reloading equipment for rifles, handguns, pistols, revolvers and SAECO bullet casting equipment
100 yd machine rest tests confirm their advantage.
Jim
The last set of RCBS dies I bought were missing the crimp die. I called the company, and the rep I talked to told me to fill out the online form and to attach a digital photo of the open box. I did as instructed and never heard back from them.
Fortunately, the seller turned out to be a lot more helpful!
No question, the Redding dual ring carbide dies. The ONLY carbide dies in the world that retain the slight taper inherent in all "straight walled" cartridges.
Dual Ring Carbide Dies - Redding Reloading Equipment: reloading equipment for rifles, handguns, pistols, revolvers and SAECO bullet casting equipment
100 yd machine rest tests confirm their advantage.
Jim
The last set of RCBS dies I bought were missing the crimp die. I called the company, and the rep I talked to told me to fill out the online form and to attach a digital photo of the open box. I did as instructed and never heard back from them.
Fortunately, the seller turned out to be a lot more helpful!
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MyDads38
Member
I have RCBS, Lyman, Pacific and Lee dies. They all work as intended. Honestly though, Lee equipment makes up about 95% of my reloading bench. Presses, dies and accessories; some bought when I first started out in 1980-and still working today. Just because you can spend more, doesn't mean you have to. Just my $.02...
I've got both Lyman and RCBS. Prefer the Lyman because of the decapping pin mounting.
The RCBS requires you to remove the lock nut and completely remove the decapping rod to change the pin. While resetting the pin isn't a real pain, it's more work than necessary.
Lyman puts the decapping rod on a top hat assembly that screws into the top of the die. Much faster to change, doesn't change readjustment and makes it possible to resize a primed case should you need to without a hassle. Originally, the Lyman decapping pin was headed and a far superior design. RCBS has gone to this system after the Lyman patents ran out.
Lyman also originated the stepped neck expanding die (M die), which is better for seating cast/lead bullets. The patent ran out on that too, I expect RCBS is now doing this also.
I suspicion, but don't know, that Lyman makes Dillons dies to their specs.
If you reload both .44 Spl & Magnum, make sure you get the spacer ring. You set up the sizing die normally. The expander and seating dies are set up for the .44 Spl, the spacer ring provides the proper settings for Magnum loading without readjustment-at least if you're using the same bullet.
Midway and Grafs sell loading stuff, I usually use Grafs.
The RCBS requires you to remove the lock nut and completely remove the decapping rod to change the pin. While resetting the pin isn't a real pain, it's more work than necessary.
Lyman puts the decapping rod on a top hat assembly that screws into the top of the die. Much faster to change, doesn't change readjustment and makes it possible to resize a primed case should you need to without a hassle. Originally, the Lyman decapping pin was headed and a far superior design. RCBS has gone to this system after the Lyman patents ran out.
Lyman also originated the stepped neck expanding die (M die), which is better for seating cast/lead bullets. The patent ran out on that too, I expect RCBS is now doing this also.
I suspicion, but don't know, that Lyman makes Dillons dies to their specs.
If you reload both .44 Spl & Magnum, make sure you get the spacer ring. You set up the sizing die normally. The expander and seating dies are set up for the .44 Spl, the spacer ring provides the proper settings for Magnum loading without readjustment-at least if you're using the same bullet.
Midway and Grafs sell loading stuff, I usually use Grafs.
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been using Lee dies for 30+ yrs in 357/38, 9mm, 44mag/44spc and 45acp never nad any problems what so ever. I know that the 357 set and 9mm set have over 20,000 rounds through them each and still work like new...also I have ''never'' broken a depriming pin because of the Lee system...
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