Die Brands and Features- Experience and Preference

[bigmyk2k]

I'm going to add another reloading question for you all, as I am adding metallic to my shotshell reloading. I have a 9mm die set that I am going to start out that caliber with (Lee 4-die set, including factory crimp die, which I got for $15 barely used), but I want feedback from you more experienced folks for my future purchases.

I have already asked about the RCBS X-Sizer dies, and while they are a great product, it seems they are meant for a higher volume reloader than what I will ever be.

The calibers I will be looking for initially are .45 ACP, and .308 Win.- so, another straight jacket pistol, and a shouldered rifle. I will likely eventually branch out into other calibers, but I don't see myself ever loading more than 1000 rounds of any single caliber for personal use in a given month (frankly, 500 is probably pushing it). Though, as I am looking at this as a hobby unto itself, it may happen that I decide to make and sell rounds.

I'll be initially reloading on a single stage, and saving up for a progressive like the Dillon 550 or 650, and imagine that I want sets that will be usable on both, but I could be wrong.

I would like your opinions and experience on brand preference, as well as what specific combination of features/dies works best in your opinion. For a non-competition shooter, reloading mainly for practice and hunting, what is going to be best, or best bang for the buck? What should I avoid?

One last question, I have seen- in other threads- guys mention that they are willing to show you the ropes on their setup, if you can come to them. However, these specific instances have been in Castle Rock or farther South. As I live in Longmont, I was wondering if there was anyone willing to give a similar offer in the North end of the Front Range- perhaps Broomfield/Erie to Ft. Collins. I am off 1st and 3rd Fridays, and that would be the ideal day for me to do it, but I can be flexible.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Zombie Steve]

If you're starting with pistol, just make sure the sizer die has a carbide ring in it (you won't have to lube cases). I like the Lyman setup a little better than RCBS (mainly easier to take apart and clean out), but I use both and they work just fine. Dillon dies are very good too. I'm not a huge fan of Lee anything, but I have a friend that really likes his Lee dies because they seem to size down a little further than what he was using before, and get rid of Glock bulge slightly better. IMHO, with all Lee products, it's hit or miss. Might get a good one, might get a turd.

If you're going to a progressive eventually, you might look for a set that has a dedicated separate taper crimp die (not just part of the bullet seating die). You'll likely want seating and taper crimp to happen in two different stations. Also, you'll want a flare die that can do a powder drop through it. You won't need this feature with a single stage, but it will be a must if you ever plan on getting a Dillon. If that's the case, I think you're looking at Dillon or Lyman 4-die sets.

If you can't find anyone up north to show you the ropes, let me know. I'd be happy to walk you through it.

[Tim K]

Redding Type S bushing dies for .308.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/271...308-winchester

I've been around and around on rifle dies, and I think this is the ultimate. Go cheaper on the seater if you want to save money, but the Type S bushing die is great.

[spqrzilla]

In general, I'm not a Lee fan but their die sets are decent value. I think all the die manufacturers do a decent job but at different price points. The Redding dies are higher quality but I've seldom been driven to them because usually the Lee or RCBS will work for me.

For my Dillon progressive press, in pistol calibers, the Dillon die sets do end up working best for the reasons mentioned.

[anomad]

I'm not a very sophisticated reloader, just casual shooting, some matches (but I am not really competitive) and hunting. I have Lee, Dillon, RCBS, Redding, and CH4D dies to do various things.

Lee and RCBS work just fine for my single stage stuff. And Dillon for progressive. I do use lee factory crimp dies on the 550 though. Seating and crimping in one step has never worked for me.
Unlike Zombie Steve, I prefer to lube all my cases, even with carbide sizing rings. Makes it smoooove...

Funny thing with the Lee dies, I have several sets for different calibers, but never could get what I wanted with .45 acp. RCBS dies in that caliber gave much better results for me. May have been operator error, but the lee dies I had in that caliber didn't agree with me. The guy I sold them to likes them just fine.

Pick up a Lee nutcracker press if you're just depriming and stockpiling brass while you experiment and test the waters. I use my nutcracker all the time. Even with a 550 and bench mounted single stage at my disposal. Its loaded a lot of 45 Colt at the cabin over the years.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/665...ock-hand-press

[SA Friday]

Well, for 9mm, 40, and 45 ACP, I use an EGW undersize resizing die and then basic RCBS flaring and seating/crimp dies. I've loaded at least a quarter million rounds with these set-ups. No bullet set back, accurate, easy to set up. If you dig deep enough into the reloading section, I did a whole thread about bullet set-back on pistol reloads and how to avoid it. CRIMP is not the answer.

BTW, if you have a Lee FCD, take that Fn thing and throw it in the trash. It's a tool looking for a problem, a gimmick, an incorrect fix for things that go wrong and should be fixed by other means. They are the devil and will cause more issues than fix. BTDTGTT.

[colo-pr]

I use for pistol Lee carbide and RCBS, for Rifle Redding by far... for me Redding is the best die that i tried, Dillon dies are good but Redding are superior, the bushing dies are awesome. I have Redding for some years for 223, 308 and 30-06 and all dies looks like new but in the meantime my Lee and RCBS dies are very rusty.

I had 2 Dillons 650 and both i sold it because in my opinion if you not need to reload a thousand rounds in an hour or if your consumption of ammo is 100-200 rounds a month you dont need it. I actually use and love a Reeding Big Boss 2 single press and Redding T-7 Turret Press and im very happy, i reload 9mm, 45 ACP, 45 LC, 357Mag, 38 spl, 223, 308, 30-06

i forgot say that Redding is the best?

[SA Friday]

He means Redding.

[colo-pr]

He means Redding.

opps, i fixed, thanks a lot :-)

[anomad]

BTW, if you have a Lee FCD, take that Fn thing and throw it in the trash. It's a tool looking for a problem, a gimmick, an incorrect fix for things that go wrong and should be fixed by other means. They are the devil and will cause more issues than fix. BTDTGTT.

Some would say the same thing about the EGW undersize resizing die...