Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Best reloading dies?

After measuring stupid low runout using a dial caliper and runout gauge, I’ll continue to buy Forster.

A fella doesn't need dies for a flinter.

I like all I have tried.


So far that has been Lyman, Lee, RCBS, Hornady and Redding.

My wildest excess has been with Lee dies.


Being lazy, I decided to buy a set of dies to load 44 special.

I already had a nice set of carbide RCBS dies for my 44 Magnum.

With LEE being cheep and cheerful.......I sprang for a set so I would not have to mess around with anything.



They even send the little ring with the RCBS dies so you dont have to re adjust..........

Yes, they are called Forsters now.

I've got a question for y'all that have answered this thread so far.

Of the dies you haven't picked as the best, are there any dies you'd tell a fellow to stay away from?

I've got mostly RCBS and Redding, but I've been buying more Lee dies lately.

To answer my own question, the only dies I'd say to avoid are RCBS X-Dies. I bought a set in 30-06, and kept having the sizing die break. RCBS was really nice about replacing the expander assembly, but I finally tired of the drama and bought a regular RCBS sizing die and not had trouble since. I have an X-Die version in 30-30, and it has kept working flawlessly, so I think the problem lies in the shaft that holds the expander. If it is too long, it is too weak to handle the stress.

Lee Collett die
Redding body die
Forster seating die

That's the "best" of each as I see it.

On the cheap, I buy the Lee four die set and call it good usually.

+1

DF

That is funny and so true.

Even cheaper: get a 4 die Deluxe Lee set, grind out the neck of the FL die to make a body die. Have posted this picture several times. Works so well, I'll post it again, saves the cost of a Redding body die.

The Lee seater isn't the best, but works OK. Adding a Forster seater will seal the deal, IMO.

Most buzz for the buck, for sure. Spending a lot more doesn't assure more performance.

And, I do check run out with a Sinclair tool, correct as need with a TruAngle tool. Set up like this, no need to screw it to the bench. This is a lot handier, IMO. Works just as well and you can put it away when not in use. Doesn't clutter up the bench, get in the way.

DF

Had a similar experience with a couple sets of RCBS dies purchased in the early '80s. They made me a big fan of everyone else's dies since I figured out why I couldn't hit a barn door with ammo loaded with them.

I blamed the drop in RCBS QC on the flurry of companies being sold to one another in the late 1970s. Blount, Speer, RCBS, Outers, etc. It seemed there was a sale or amalgamation every six months.

I've got several sets exactly like that.

Did you hit the barn door with your flinter?

Warner Tool Co.have served me well.

Never tried. Tell you what.....step out about 100 yards and point to which ear you want pierced.

A number of my RCBS dies were made back when their QC wasn't exactly stellar. I transitioned over to Redding and have not looked back.

Got a little oof everything. Pacific, Herters, CH are some of the older ones. Redding is most likely the finest I have. I like Lee for handgun with their powder thru expander dies. Ease of mounting powder measure. With around 50 sets I have a lot of mix and match like the rest of you. The things that work best. Setting them up right has helped greatly of course. And switching to a decapper and running the exxpander ball way high has given very straight ammo. Thanks Johnny B.

The only dies I have had issues with were 1970 era RCBS. They promptly sent me a new one but I never knew what the problem was until I read about the separate reaming operations from John Barsenes. Other than that all have worked but some are machined nicer than others. If I had an unlimited budget it would be all Wilson, Whidden and Harrell dies, but since I don't, I mix and match and I like Lee because I can modify them without worrying about screwing them up. Now I get the three or four die set and re-ream the seater with the chamber reamer and hone the sizer or convert it to a bump die. Like others I usually add a Forster seater at some point.

The other RCBS issue I had was operator error but I don't like the crimp feature, if the dies are set wrong it gets in the way or if some brass is longer it will create issue (yes I know trim more often). But when the crimp is too low it buckles the necks even when used properly if the champfer is not good it can buckle or induce run out. I have been meaning to take out the crimper of my RCBS dies but have not gotten around to it especially since I now take more care to not set the die too low.

I seldom use the crimp on seating dies. I have Lee Factory Crimp Dies for all the cartridges that I reload. I have a mix of Lee, Redding, and RCBS sets. The only one I have had issues with is the Lee Collet Die for .30-06. It just won’t neck size adequately to hold most bullets even finger push tight. I should just send it back I suppose. Thanks for your replies. Happy Trails

What's the diameter of the mandrel?

OK 'Davy', whilst standing there whistling Dixie.