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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,516 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,516 Likes: 1 |
I was browsing around on 1911forum and was suprised to find that most of those guys seem to favor Lee dies. While I like the price of the Lee stuff, I don't want to buy something that I'll want to replace later. Need dies for .45 ACP and 38/357.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,550
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,550 |
LSU Fan, Having used lots of different dies I vote Dillon Precision, and they are well worth the extra money. Their dies incorporate a number of features that others don't such as a seating and crimp dies that can be cleaned without losing adjustment - a very nice feature if you use cast and lubed bullets. Dillon dies are also designed to work better on a progressive press which is important if you might go that route in the future. I also like RCBS dies, but I did replace them all when I made the switch to progressive. Dillon Pistol Dies
Forgive me my nonsense, as I also forgive the nonsense of those that think they talk sense. Robert Frost
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 73,096
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 73,096 |
I am in the Lee carbide group, they just work for me. I load 38/357 and 44Spl/44Magnum and have a dedicated set for each one on turret plates for my Lee press.
George Orwell was a Prophet, not a novelist. Read 1984 and then look around you!
Old cat turd!
"Some men just need killing." ~ Clay Allison.
I am too old to fight but I can still pull a trigger. ~ Me
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 29,348
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 29,348 |
Lee's dies are the only Lee products that I can recommend. They're good � his best products. I prefer Redding dies first, then RCBS dies. Shop eBay and get good dies at great prices. I've bought maybe a dozen sets on eBay for 'way less than list, all in excellent condition, some never used.
"Good enough" isn't.
Always take your responsibilities seriously but never yourself.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,811
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,811 |
Put me in the Dillon camp. I've been reloading for about.35 years and I've used about every brand of die.(I started with a Lee Loader!)
Although I choose Dillon, everybody should use whatever works for them.
muddy
"A good judge applies the law as it is, not as she wants it to be", Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,401
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,401 |
I like the RCBS Carbide dies for pistol reloading, and would recommend staying away from nickle brass, nickle plated cases are hard on the dies.
hotrodusa.....N.R.A. Life Member
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,516 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,516 Likes: 1 |
Haven't paid much attention to dillion dies. Guess it's time to break out the "Blue Press". Thanks for the info.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 143
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 143 |
Jog
The only problem with Dillon Dies is that if you are not using their dies with the conversion kit for the appropriate caliber, then you do not have a belling die.
Don't get me wrong I have 18 sets of Dillon Dies and they are my #1 choice also, but their dies are set up for use on a progressive, and not a single stage as the powder-charger is what also bells the brass.
For a single stage press I would have to put my vote on Hornady, as I think the de-capping pin setup is the best, it is almost impossible to to break one due to the fact that it is held in please by a tension nut, not a fixed threaded rod like RCBS.
Zero
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,550
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,550 |
Zero,
DOH!
Great point. I often use a Dillon resizing die on a Rockchucker if the cases need trimming, or a seating die if the cases are already prepped - especially for small batches during load development. You're 100% correct tho - buying Dillon dies for other presses would be a mistake.
Forgive me my nonsense, as I also forgive the nonsense of those that think they talk sense. Robert Frost
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,516 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,516 Likes: 1 |
Glad y'all mentioned that. It had occured to me that Dillion dies might be designed for use in progressive presses but I was going to research that a little before asking.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 143
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 143 |
Yeap that is why I buy a set of Dillon's and a regular set for pretty much everything I own.
Another note on getting the Die Set you want, the ones you want are VERY common, so you might want to goto a local gunshow and I am sure you can pick them up for about 10.oo$ each. Everyone and their brother reloads 38/357!
I have never been to a show yet that I did not look at the dies for sale on table and see 38/357, 45ACP, and 9mm.
They usually rot there as almost anyone that reloads already owns them.
Just a thought
Zero
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 90
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 90 |
Exactally what JOG said.
I love Dillon dies.
I do have a Dillon xl 650 so
their dies work great for me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Good luck
Brian
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