Author Topic: Reloading dies (Read 1060 times)

Bim · « **on:** February 24, 2005, 02:43:38 PM »

Hi Everyone,
I was about to order some RCBS dies from Midway when I saw Forster dies. All I've ever used was RCBS. Are these better? What about other dies? What's your favorites?
Thanks,
Bob

Dave in WV · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2005, 03:06:23 PM »

I like Hornady rifle dies. I've got RCBS, Lee, Hornady, and Redding dies. You can get a carbide expander ball for their rifle resizing dies which works well. The "deal" you get with Lee dies goes away when you buy another brand of lock ring to replace the ones that come with them.

Somerled · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2005, 03:34:12 PM »

I've never tried Forster dies. I started out with RCBS but switched after having problems with a couple, a .357 carbide sizer and a .223 Remington SB sizer. I've had good luck with Hornady (9mm and .30-30 sets), but I have settled with Redding. I have been using them 10 years now without a complaint.

I've used a couple of Lyman sets. After struggling with a .44 Magnum set, I became a non-believer. The expander plug was oversized. I do use Lyman molds and other accessories.

jh45gun · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2005, 06:20:03 PM »

Interesting comments on the Horady dies I had one set in 45/70 and the pin to decap the primers kept busting I went through about 6 of them finally took the dies back and switched to Lee and have not had a problem since. Not saying they are all bad but my one expirience switched me to Lee and I have never had a problem with their dies. Plus I really like the factory crimp dies that come with most of them. The die sets that did not come with them I ordered a separate FCD. Jim

.45 COLT · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2005, 03:04:51 AM »

My favorite is LEE. I also have good dies from RCBS, Redding and Herters.

Quote from: Dave in WV

The "deal" you get with Lee dies goes away when you buy another brand of lock ring to replace the ones that come with them.

I can see where there might be potential problem, but I've never experienced one with their lockring setup.

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2005, 03:33:43 AM »

The Lee dies may be OK for general shooting, but I am very wary of them for tight competition chambers. I had a vexing problem with their taper crimp die.

For my Dillon progressive press I really like the Dillon dies. They really are better for use in a progressive because the cases don't jam on the up stroke. The sizing die is excellent. And they are very easy to clean.

jh45gun · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2005, 01:30:12 PM »

Some world record shooting has been done with Lee dies they do the job they were intended for. Lots of good products out there and I guess you buy what you can afford. I am happy that Lee makes a product most all can afford and one that works. I have never had any problems with Lee stuff and all my dies are Lee that is all I will buy unless I ever get a caliber that lee does not make one for it. Jim

Dave in WV · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2005, 05:07:29 PM »

Let me clarify,I have more Lee dies than any other single brand. The supplied lock ring works fine IF you remove the die from the press by the lock ring and don't forget and grab the die body. I forget..... :oops: I replaced all of the lock rings. I have loaded good ammo with Lee dies. I do like Hornady bottle neck dies better overall though.

while99 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2005, 07:04:28 PM »

I use mostly RCBS and have had good customer service from them over the past 38 years that I've reloaded. I also have some Redding dies and I like them just as well. I think you'll be happy with either brand.

Dand · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2005, 11:02:07 AM »

I have been happy with both RCBS and Lyman. I have some RCBS dies I bought in the mid 70's that are doing fine - but I don't load a lot with them. I've also been pleased with my Lyman multi-deluxe pistol sets as they have several seater stems for the various bullet tip shapes. That said, I would seriously look at Dillon for my next pistol dies - especially if I planned to load a lot of cast or swaged lead bullets. Cleaning the lube out of my RCBS and Lyman dies can be a chore and the quick clean option of Dillon is really appealing.

223Shooter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2005, 04:05:06 PM »

I like my Redding dies the best for my .223.

Questor · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2005, 07:14:26 AM »

I had a set of Hornady dies that I got so frustrated with that I actually put them in my vise, wrecked them with a hammer, and threw them in the garbage. I did not like their customer service either. I replaced those dies with RCBS dies and my problems were solved.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2005, 07:32:58 AM »

I have used RCBS dies more than any other over the years. I've also used Lyman, Herter's, Redding, Lee and Texan. All worked and if any had some secrete advantage, I failed to recognize it. My favorite dies are Redding, even tho I haven't used a great deal of them. But they are nice looking dies and mine have worked.

Warren Paige wrote in "The Accurate Rifle" that his favorite cleaning solvent was Hoppe #9 because it smelled good; mine to for the same reason. As for Redding dies, they just look good to me and they feel good in my hand's.

bigdaddytacp · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2005, 10:55:58 AM »

Quote from: Bim

Hi Everyone,
I was about to order some RCBS dies from Midway when I saw Forster dies. All I've ever used was RCBS. Are these better? What about other dies? What's your favorites?
Thanks,
Bob

..........I have 26sets of dies RCBS,Redding,Hornady,Lyman,Forster,Wilson and Lee.......each has their good points..even Lee ....but for most uses they are all good.....the Reddings with the bushings for sizing are great for super accurate guns and special needs....some hand dies such as the Wilson are fantastic but slow/costly and RCBS make up most of mine and seldom am I disappointed in them and they are fantastic to help you if you have a problem...the Forster are finished a little nicer and mainly I like their sliding sleeve seater and ultra seater for the ease of getting good straight seated bullets in extra accurate loads/guns........you can't go wrong with either.....imo....good luck and good shooting-loading!!

MnMike · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2005, 04:32:53 PM »

The only dies I have had a problem with is Hornaday. The neck sizing die I bought just doesn't work. I suppose I could complain, but I just won't buy any more Hornadays. All the rest have been fine (even Lee).

mike

catman · « **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2005, 05:16:46 PM »

bought a new in the box set of Hornady dies in .223 Saturday and they broke sunday night, the decaping set up on them is junk, put them in the trash. will buy RCBS to match all of my other RCBS dies. I will never buy another thing from Hornady ever. didn't even try to call them to let them know about it. #?*! off

jh45gun · « **Reply #16 on:** March 01, 2005, 08:12:50 PM »

Interesting to see I am not the only guy who had problems with Hornady dies. I had one set in 45/70 and I too kept breaking the decapping pin. I traded them off for a set of Lee dies and never looked back all my dies are Lee and I like them expecially the factory crimp dies. Jim

Questor · « **Reply #17 on:** March 02, 2005, 06:16:50 AM »

I'm surprised to see so many posts on Hornady dies. I thought I was the only one who had problems. (My decapping pin broke too and it cost about $10 for a replacement. A problem like that with an RCBS would get you a replacement part free of charge within a week. RCBS has been a very good company to me and that is why I only buy their products, except for a couple of failed experiments and a set of Dillon dies for my progressive machine.)

Questor · « **Reply #18 on:** March 02, 2005, 06:18:31 AM »

By the way, one of the sad ironies related to my bad experience with the Hornady dies is that I avoid using Hornady bullets. I know the bullets are excellent and have a good reputation, but it's one of those psychological things, I guess.

MickinColo · « **Reply #19 on:** March 02, 2005, 02:35:47 PM »

Every die maker out there has problems with quality control from time to time. The companies that make the most have more rejects that can make it by the inspectors.

Ive bought a few bad dies, RCBS 22-250 (off center resize die) and a bad 270 Win (bent resizing die rod). I still buy RCBS dies though. No matter who made the die, I check all dies for alignment problems.

Questor · « **Reply #20 on:** March 02, 2005, 03:48:53 PM »

You're right, but my Hornady die was a case study in die making flaws. Everything about that die set was bad. It wasn't just one simple defect.

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #21 on:** March 02, 2005, 04:48:15 PM »

Quote from: Questor

I'm surprised to see so many posts on Hornady dies. I thought I was the only one who had problems. (My decapping pin broke too and it cost about $10 for a replacement. A problem like that with an RCBS would get you a replacement part free of charge within a week. RCBS has been a very good company to me and that is why I only buy their products, except for a couple of failed experiments and a set of Dillon dies for my progressive machine.)

this is true i sharted reloading 38special an i bent the decaping rod an emailed them told them i bent it told them i got them used from e bay an asked them how much it was to replace it an gave them address to get a new cataloge an two days later i got a reply saying that the book was in the mail
when it came it behold was a book, the new stly decaping rod an 10 pins with a not saying they were sorry the dies i had were made in the 60's an they no longer carry the same part so they had to give me a new rod again i like to point to the fact is that ""they"" said they were sorry that has had me set on ther dies sence that day

tomaldridge · « **Reply #22 on:** March 07, 2005, 09:23:57 AM »

Lee sizing dies won't dent bottlenecked cases as easily as some others

Lee seating dies (especially combined with a boat tailed bullet, yield better concentricity

The lock rings are a pain, but the decapper never breaks

I'v happily used RCBS & Lyman, but Lee dies work better

drdougrx · « **Reply #23 on:** March 07, 2005, 02:57:10 PM »

Y'know....I thought I was the only one. I've actually bought replacement die sets by Lee because the Hornady (45/70) and RCBS keep breaking/bending the decapping pins and are damn near impossible to lock down tight enough or have just become frustrated with them in general..

So....now...I primarily use Lee for everything. Just picked up a set for a 7x57 last Sat eve.

My 2cents.

Doug