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Posted: 8/15/2014 5:35:12 AM EDT
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I'm going to be ordering some new die sets in the near future and before I do I just wanted to get some input on which brand(s) people prefer the most and why. What do you prefer for reloading rifle cartridges? How about pistol? Do you have a favorite bullet seating die? How about crimping die? Instead of buying sets, do you build your own and if so, which dies do you choose and why?
Personally, I like Lee Deluxe Carbide die sets for pistol. They are inexpensive, they work well, and the deluxe set includes the Lee Factory Crimp die which I like. The only thing I really don't like about them is the Lee lock rings. I prefer to use Hornady's lock ring design. It would also be nice if the bullet seater die had a lock nut on it but personally I haven't found the lack of a lock nut to be a problem. As for rifle dies, I have both RCBS and Redding but I don't feel I have enough experience with them to say one is better than the other. |
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I love my hornady dies. I've used lee, RCBS and Hornady, and the latter is my favorite. Particularly, I like that the seating dies have a centering insert that keeps the bullet centered while seating. I've had a few bullets crush the brass while trying to seat with the Lee dies.
There are some things I'm not pleased with for the hornady 223 specifically. The neck tension is so severe the bullet seating die leaves a ring around the bullet when it seats. Other than that example, I've replaced all of my lee dies with a hornady and couldn't be more happy. Plus, all dies come with 100 free bullets, which basically pays for the dies... Edit: I also like the lee fcd's, use them on a few calibers. |
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Lee Pacesetter sets. I love the resizer dies because thier stuck case removal is fantastic. If you rip a case rim off, you just loosen the top nut and use a punch to hammer on the decapping pin and out pops the case. No drills, taps, or anything.
Thier carbide insert pistol sets are all you need for straight wall pistol cases. I never use the powder scoops that come with them though, that's just silly. |
| Top of the line standard die sets in my opinion is Redding for fit and finish. I have Redding, RCBS, Lyman, and Hornady die sets. Have had no problems with any of them and would recommend all of them. I do like Hornady's bullet seating dies with the sliding alignment sleeve. I've bought a few Hornady seating dies to use with my other sets. I use the Hornady seater and use the other die set seating dies to either taper crimp or roll crimp in a separate operation in another press. Seat with the Hornady in one press and crimp in another press. Redding would be #1 for rifles, followed by Hornady or RCBS. For pistol my pick would be RCBS but again I like Hornady's seating die. Don't like and wouldn't use a factory crimp die. |
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Top of the line standard die sets in my opinion is Redding for fit and finish. I have Redding, RCBS, Lyman, and Hornady die sets. Have had no problems with any of them and would recommend all of them. I do like Hornady's bullet seating dies with the sliding alignment sleeve. I've bought a few Hornady seating dies to use with my other sets. I use the Hornady seater and use the other die set seating dies to either taper crimp or roll crimp in a separate operation in another press. Seat with the Hornady in one press and crimp in another press. Redding would be #1 for rifles, followed by Hornady or RCBS. For pistol my pick would be RCBS but again I like Hornady's seating die. Don't like and wouldn't use a factory crimp die. Is the sliding sleeve on the Hornady seating die like that on the Redding competition seating die? |
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Like the OP, I like Lee Deluxe Carbide 4 die sets for my straight walled pistol calibers in part because of the price but also because both the Seating and FC dies are hand adjustable. For rifle, I like a combo of Dillon's resizer / decapper because of the carbide expander ball and Lee's Pacesetter Seating and Crimp dies as combined they are cheaper than a Dillon set and you get hand adjustment for bullet seating with the Lee Seating die. |
RCBS or Redding. I have a couple of Dillon sets as they came with my 550s. I like the RCBS Competition seating die for the .223. I've found only one good use for the Lee FCD, and that is crimping a non-cannelure bullet. Other'n that, they're a waste of money, IMO. But, if you don't trim brass, I guess they could be useful. 
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Hornady, use the floating straight line bullet seater and you will understand why. Same cost as RCBS, better features. Just a little more than Lee where you need to replace the lock nuts. Just to clarify dryflash's post, the hornady dies all come with a locking nut. When you buy the lee dies, and buy lock rings for it, you're almost better off just buying the better Hornady dies... Then if you figure in the free bullets with the hornady dies, it's a no brainer IMO. |
| I use Lee dies for handgun w/ the Factory Crimp Die. For rifle I use a mix of Redding (S-Type for match stuff), Hornady (general loading), and RCBS (general loading but X-Die for 223). I also use the Lee FCD for most rifle calibers that aren't match loads that are going in gas guns. |
| After reloading for 5 years, I found I don't have a favorite "set" so much as favorite dies for each part in the process, especially for rifle. I use the Lee 4-die carbide sets for straight wall pistol loading. For rifle loading, I have been using an RCBS FL sizer and a Hornady Seater for my 308s. |
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I love my hornady dies. I've used lee, RCBS and Hornady, and the latter is my favorite. Particularly, I like that the seating dies have a centering insert that keeps the bullet centered while seating. I've had a few bullets crush the brass while trying to seat with the Lee dies. There are some things I'm not pleased with for the hornady 223 specifically. The neck tension is so severe the bullet seating die leaves a ring around the bullet when it seats. Other than that example, I've replaced all of my lee dies with a hornady and couldn't be more happy. Plus, all dies come with 100 free bullets, which basically pays for the dies... Edit: I also like the lee fcd's, use them on a few calibers. +1 I think it depends on your press a little bit if you run a progressive. I used the Lee dies that I had when I first got my LNL AP, but didn't like how they sat so low in the quick-lock collar. The first set of Hornady dies I bought was a 9mm set to be used on the LNL AP, and it's been all downhill from there. Their lock rings and sliding collars on the bullet seating die are icing on the cake. ETA: I do use the Lee FCD for most rounds that I load for semi-auto/gas guns, as well as a Lee universal decapping die for almost everything before going into the wet tumbler. |
| I'm slowly moving over to to Dillon or redding for pretty much all of my dies. I do like the EGW U-dies which are made by Lee. Lee's do work well but I have a 40 die set that always shaves brass no matter what I do or adjust. The machining on the Dillon and Redding dies always seemed to look nicer to me. |
| I only reload for precision rifle currently, but I am quite happy with my RCBS Match die set with mic and bullet window. Made it really easy for me when I was starting out. I currently have 308 and 30.06, will be adding 260 to the lineup soon. Also use a Lee universal decapping die, great piece of kit all around. |
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I prefer Redding dies. The Competition seating die is the cat's whiskers! Same for rifle and pistol.
If I am loading pistol rounds on a progressive the wide mouth of Dillon dies has a purpose and a place. Be careful using a Lee FCD more accuracy ls lost due to over crimping than problems solved. If your brass is not tight enough to hold your bullet in place then you have much greater problems the the FCD can solve. Good loading and shooting. May your favorite powder always be in stock! |
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Quoted:
I love my hornady dies. I've used lee, RCBS and Hornady, and the latter is my favorite. Particularly, I like that the seating dies have a centering insert that keeps the bullet centered while seating. I've had a few bullets crush the brass while trying to seat with the Lee dies. There are some things I'm not pleased with for the hornady 223 specifically. The neck tension is so severe the bullet seating die leaves a ring around the bullet when it seats. Other than that example, I've replaced all of my lee dies with a hornady and couldn't be more happy. Plus, all dies come with 100 free bullets, which basically pays for the dies... Edit: I also like the lee fcd's, use them on a few calibers. This in bold! My pistol dies are Hornady and alignment insert rocks. I don't ever have to worry about seating a bullet off/sideways. My rifle die is a Lee and while it gets the job done and I haven't had any problems there is a definite difference in feel of finish compared to the Hornady. |
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This in bold! My pistol dies are Hornady and alignment insert rocks. I don't ever have to worry about seating a bullet off/sideways. My rifle die is a Lee and while it gets the job done and I haven't had any problems there is a definite difference in feel of finish compared to the Hornady. Quoted:
Quoted:
I love my hornady dies. I've used lee, RCBS and Hornady, and the latter is my favorite. Particularly, I like that the seating dies have a centering insert that keeps the bullet centered while seating. I've had a few bullets crush the brass while trying to seat with the Lee dies. There are some things I'm not pleased with for the hornady 223 specifically. The neck tension is so severe the bullet seating die leaves a ring around the bullet when it seats. Other than that example, I've replaced all of my lee dies with a hornady and couldn't be more happy. Plus, all dies come with 100 free bullets, which basically pays for the dies... Edit: I also like the lee fcd's, use them on a few calibers. This in bold! My pistol dies are Hornady and alignment insert rocks. I don't ever have to worry about seating a bullet off/sideways. My rifle die is a Lee and while it gets the job done and I haven't had any problems there is a definite difference in feel of finish compared to the Hornady. I must be the only guy on here that likes the RCBS dies better than Hornady. The carbide pistol dies are my faviorite for high volume reloading. The sliding bullet guide isnt my cup of tea. Ive never set a bullet in cock eyed on the RCBS. I have gotten inconsistent (uneven or insufficient) crimps on the Hornady die though. |
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I vote Hornady dies.
1. They come with the best lock rings. 2. Seating die has the bullet guide which helps make sure the bullet is straight, and does a great job helping to avoid pinched fingers! 3. They now have a taper crimp option instead of the roll crimp - just bought .45ACP dies a few weeks back, has an adjustment for seating depth and crimp and very simple to set up. That being said, half of my dies are RCBS. Only Lee dies I own are an universal decapper and two bullet sizing dies. |
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Here is the my observations
#1 Quality Redding Forster RCBS/Hornady/Lyman Lee #2 Functionality For pistol well you want Carbide if at all possible All dies will produce ammo, remember tis the carpenter not the tools that decides the quality of the end product. One can debate cost etc...the Lee Carbide Factory crimp die used with plated, swaged, and cast lead bullets is stupid! IMHO. Crimping only works well if you have uniform case length! With that said....if you using a Dillon press and have not bought dies yet...get the Dillon or Redding Pro Series... Why buy another set only to pay for an expander you will never use? Personally I believe the Redding Ti Carbide die are the slickest out there. For rifle same caveat applies...all about the carpenter..... Forster for value is a great choice....they will custom hone FL sizer dies to fit your gun. But they have limited offerings.... Redding is a excellent quality.... But, again...depending on application all will serve a purpose.... For best results...seat in one step and crimp in a separate step |
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Quoted: I must be the only guy on here that likes the RCBS dies better than Hornady. The carbide pistol dies are my faviorite for high volume reloading. The sliding bullet guide isnt my cup of tea. Ive never set a bullet in cock eyed on the RCBS. I have gotten inconsistent (uneven or insufficient) crimps on the Hornady die though. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I love my hornady dies. I've used lee, RCBS and Hornady, and the latter is my favorite. Particularly, I like that the seating dies have a centering insert that keeps the bullet centered while seating. I've had a few bullets crush the brass while trying to seat with the Lee dies. There are some things I'm not pleased with for the hornady 223 specifically. The neck tension is so severe the bullet seating die leaves a ring around the bullet when it seats. Other than that example, I've replaced all of my lee dies with a hornady and couldn't be more happy. Plus, all dies come with 100 free bullets, which basically pays for the dies... Edit: I also like the lee fcd's, use them on a few calibers. This in bold! My pistol dies are Hornady and alignment insert rocks. I don't ever have to worry about seating a bullet off/sideways. My rifle die is a Lee and while it gets the job done and I haven't had any problems there is a definite difference in feel of finish compared to the Hornady. I must be the only guy on here that likes the RCBS dies better than Hornady. The carbide pistol dies are my faviorite for high volume reloading. The sliding bullet guide isnt my cup of tea. Ive never set a bullet in cock eyed on the RCBS. I have gotten inconsistent (uneven or insufficient) crimps on the Hornady die though. |
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