Reloading

[dzrtram]

If any of you have experience (not theory) reloading the .22Hornet I would
sure appreciate some help. I need your input on the best die set, both brand i.e. Hornady, Lee, Redding, Dillon, etc, and which type, i.e. two die, three die.
I also need to know if any of you use the Lee Factory Crimp Die, in any caliber, but specifically in .22 Hornet. I would like to know if the Lee FCD is really the best way to go for crimping in any caliber. It seems to have overwhelming popularity. Just about everybody I've talked to says it's the best. Is it? It has to be more than just opinion, I would think. It either is, or it isn't.
Thanks for your help!!
 

[Ladobe]

'Best' is a realitive term when asking for opinions pard - ones guys cake is another guys lemon    :wink:   Been reloading metallics for over 35 years - shotgun a bunch longer before that.... tried a lot of dies brands, including a bunch that are no longer made, and I have gravitated to the Redding and the Wison arbor dies for the most part the last dozen or so years.   I personally hate Hornady dies, have had perfectly fine results with RCBS and even some standard Lee's, CH and Herter's (plus some other no names I have since forgot the names of) - do have a lot of Lee Collet die sets (mostly for my wildcats) that get used from time to time.   Doesn't mean any of the other brands won't get the job done.   These are just what I have come to feel comfortable with, especially important when you are almost excliusively doing wildcats.   Have also had a bunch of 22 Hornets (until I discovered the 17AH), still have both a rifle and pistol chambered for them, and to me whats more important than which die set you use is that you do in fact use a crimp die of some kind on this round (and this finicky to load round needs the help).   BTW, the only Lee FCD I own is in fact for the 22 Hornet, and it works very well - as advertised.   I might have more of them if I didn't already have so many custom collet type dies.   All only in my opinion and what works for me - YMMV.
Ladobe

[dzrtram]

Just for you interest only.  Not my opinion, just passing it along.  This is a response I got about the Lee Factory Crimp Die.  Wondering what you, or anyone, thinks:
"On the crimp dies, I have loaded and fired somewhere in the area of 750,000 rounds in my 30+years of reloading and competitions. I have shot several competition disciplines on the national and world levels before retiring years ago. I have never crimped a rifle round in my life nor do I know of anyone who does in my circles. Point of question, ask Tony Boyer if he uses a Crimp die on his match loads? I think not! This includes countless thousands of .223 and .308's in my AR's and M1A's. My thoughts here are doing anything out of the ordinary to squeeze or damage a seated bullet is death to accuracy. I did use a taper crimp die on my .45 acp and 38 Super handgun competition rounds but these are different bullet designs, chambers, and pin point accuracy was not necessary. However, we are talking a different ballgame between the accuracy levels needed for hunting and competitions. However, I want all the accuracy I can get in both!!"

You know what "Dirty Harry said about opinions, don't you? :wink:

'Best' is a realitive term when asking for opinions pard - ones guys cake is another guys lemon    :wink:   Been reloading metallics for over 35 years - shotgun a bunch longer before that.... tried a lot of dies brands, including a bunch that are no longer made, and I have gravitated to the Redding and the Wison arbor dies for the most part the last dozen or so years.   I personally hate Hornady dies, have had perfectly fine results with RCBS and even some standard Lee's, CH and Herter's (plus some other no names I have since forgot the names of) - do have a lot of Lee Collet die sets (mostly for my wildcats) that get used from time to time.   Doesn't mean any of the other brands won't get the job done.   These are just what I have come to feel comfortable with, especially important when you are almost excliusively doing wildcats.   Have also had a bunch of 22 Hornets (until I discovered the 17AH), still have both a rifle and pistol chambered for them, and to me whats more important than which die set you use is that you do in fact use a crimp die of some kind on this round (and this finicky to load round needs the help).   BTW, the only Lee FCD I own is in fact for the 22 Hornet, and it works very well - as advertised.   I might have more of them if I didn't already have so many custom collet type dies.   All only in my opinion and what works for me - YMMV.
Ladobe

[Ladobe]

Just for you interest only.  Not my opinion, just passing it along.  This is a response I got about the Lee Factory Crimp Die.  Wondering what you, or anyone, thinks:
You know what "Dirty Harry said about opinions, don't you? :wink:

My response is as it should be...  simply another gents opinion, and since I am not answering this person who actually made the comment himself... I'll make no comment on his opinion.

Here's another opinion that I will share with you though, since I am seeing this copied and pasted on multiple sites:   Whom ever this gent is, his comments were made in context and directed to whatever the particular thread was it was posted to, only to that forums individuals, and where he could address any replies it got, good or bad.   Whether his comments are accepted or not, parading it out of context all over the Internet is a disservice to him, and one I know that I would not be too happy with myself.    Just something to think about it.