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swamphunter
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 17 September 2008 |
| Location: | Faison, North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 3 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 30 October 2008 01:15 AM |
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I load both .270 WIN and 30-06 Spring. I currently use Lee Dies to full-length size. Looking at replacing the Lee Dies with something better. What would be the best die to use?
My home email is landglanier@yahoo.com
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Timberghozt
Board Founder
| Joined: | 11 February 2005 |
| Location: | Salado, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 5389 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 30 October 2008 02:42 AM |
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I like Redding dies..They are excellent,.
RCBS dies are good,no complaints..But Redding gets my money any day
____________________
"He who fights with monsters might take care, lest he thereby become a monster; For if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - F.Nietzche
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ohiococonut
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | 10 April 2007 |
| Location: | Central, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 88 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 30 October 2008 04:07 AM |
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| Another vote for Redding!
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barebackpat
addicted handloader
| Joined: | 22 January 2007 |
| Location: | Two Dot, Montana USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
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Posted: 30 October 2008 04:25 AM |
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| I will vote for redding dies also.
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64Impala
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 11 January 2008 |
| Location: | Brooklyn, Wisconsin USA |
| Posts: | 37 |
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Posted: 30 October 2008 05:58 PM |
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I never did understand (in my limited knowledge of the subject) what would make one brand of die better than the other, since they all have to size a particular case to the same end result. The actual resizing mechanics within the die have to be the same or nearly so.
So, in the interest of education, from a functional point of view (stupid engineers ) what do the redding dies (or other brands) do that a Lee die doesn't?
Not that I'm advocating one die over the other, I just happen to be using Lee at this time since they came with my kit
Puts on flame retardant suit 
Joe
____________________
From the movie "They Live"
"I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass, and I'm all outta bubble gum"
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overbore
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 10 March 2008 |
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| Posts: | 86 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 30 October 2008 06:35 PM |
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Fire extinguisher, Son. Lee makes one of the best crimp dies ever made in mass distribution. I can not knock their dies even though I also use Redding bushing dies. Check the feedback at Midway to see the many favoroable comments to support your view.
Cordially, Overbore
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wheezengeezer
addicted handloader
| Joined: | 16 July 2007 |
| Location: | Jeddediah Jones Swamp, Kansas USA |
| Posts: | 708 |
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Posted: 30 October 2008 08:11 PM |
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| the seating die will usually determine what is the best set.you want them to have as little runout as possible.
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overbore
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 10 March 2008 |
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| Posts: | 86 |
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Posted: 31 October 2008 12:08 AM |
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You are right, Sir, and the manner in which you determine the results of that seating die's runout are critical. If anayone has no knowledge of what I am speaking of, I
will repost ans suggest you print to file and print to paper. Cordially, Overbore
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Timberghozt
Board Founder
| Joined: | 11 February 2005 |
| Location: | Salado, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 5389 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 31 October 2008 12:31 AM |
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Look inside a Redding die,then look inside a Lee die.See how smooth and polished a Redding die is inside .I am not downing Lee dies by any means.Contrary to many I am not a Lee basher.I even have a few sets of Lee dies..A Lee sizing die for my cast bullets for 38 Special,Lee molds, AND bought my son a Lee press to learn on so he had his own press to load while I was on my Rock Chucker...
I am finicky about quality when it comes to my rifle dies.
I have Redding Neck and full length sizing dies and one set of Redding competition dies.I own about as many sets of RCBS dies and a few sets of Hornady dies..
I am sold on Redding.My Redding stuff never moves..
My biggest complaint about Lee dies is that stupid rubber oring as the lock ring holding mechanism.. I dont care what anyone says.I`ve been doin this long enough to know and I am a decent mechanic..That is a crappy concept..Redding,RCBS,all better made dies use lock rings with small allen set screws..stuff that wont move if tightened correctly..When you load as much as I do.I dont want to have to keep adjusting dies..and in my match grade stuff and my hunting ammunition,I demand precision..
I`m sorry..
Lee makes a great affordable product..But it aint Redding,it aint RCBS,..iTS OK,
but if I am going to spend money,I want a product that does what I want and gives me the end result I want.I will spend extra for that assurance.
Some folks dont,and that is more than fine with me.
When asked what I think is a good die,I say what I think.
TG
____________________
"He who fights with monsters might take care, lest he thereby become a monster; For if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - F.Nietzche
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ar10
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 1 November 2008 |
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| Posts: | 49 |
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Posted: 3 November 2008 01:05 AM |
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I like the Hornady dies but then I also have their press, guess that makes me a little biased. I will say I have the Lee taper crimp dies for all my handguns and wouldn't be without them now. I don't care what anyone says roll crimping a semi is NOT fun.
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Paul Tummers
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 18 June 2007 |
| Location: | Berg En Terblijt, Netherlands |
| Posts: | 337 |
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Posted: 3 November 2008 06:58 AM |
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| Forster Bench rest dies are not bad either-changed over to them for the rifle calibers I use, but I would not like to be without my Lee collet dies either.
____________________
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skibik
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 5 January 2008 |
| Location: | Badger, Minnesota USA |
| Posts: | 23 |
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Posted: 8 November 2008 07:54 PM |
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I am new myself to reloading cartridges and I wouldn't know if one brand is better than another. I have just started in .223 reloading and own a Lee Breechlock press and purchased dies with it. If it were not the fact that I had bought this Lee press with the pull out collars that you lock the dies into, that o-ring would be a pain in the you know what and you would have to spend more time resetting the dies. I also heard that those little allen srews don't hold either. Now I am not a Lee spokeman or anything like that but I like this new system of theirs. The reason I bought Lee dies with the press instead of going with RCBS dies or any other brand is because of the guarantee that Lee made with their collet sizing die being the most accurate or your money back plus they are at least $20 cheaper than most other brands. With this Breechlock system the dies are set just pop them in and out. More calibers you will need more collars. When it come time to purchase .45 Colt dies I decided to stick with Lee and spend the difference of what I would have spent on the other brand of dies on powder or primers.
So in my book I don't think any one brand is better than the other since they all do the same thing, resize, deprime, seat, etc. It is just how much you want to spend to do it.
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ar10
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 1 November 2008 |
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| Posts: | 49 |
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Posted: 9 November 2008 02:11 AM |
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skibik wrote:
So in my book I don't think any one brand is better than the other since they all do the same thing, resize, deprime, seat, etc. It is just how much you want to spend to do it.
Some day I may buy another single stage press. It's not like I don't like production work, I just have more time than money. And besides I can pawn myself off as an "expert" with the amount of time I actually have to spend in front of my press.
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unclebill
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 1 November 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 16 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 9 November 2008 02:36 PM |
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i use
LEE
REDDING
RCBS
DILLON
C&H
HERTERS
Dies and cant tell any difference in my bench tests in the accuracy of my finished rounds.
i have a set of RCBS micrometer .308 dies and they look the coolest.
Last edited on 9 November 2008 02:59 PM by unclebill
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Charley
Administrator
| Joined: | 9 September 2005 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2299 |
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Posted: 9 November 2008 10:39 PM |
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I use a mixture of dies, some from Lee, RCBS, Redding, and Lyman. All will work when used properly! Follow the manufacturer's suggestions for use and adjustments, and your amunition will shoot better than you can hold.
Poor workmen often blame their tools.
Last edited on 9 November 2008 10:40 PM by Charley
____________________
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"The LA Times they called him that,
'cause he's not authentic like me..." Al Sharpton
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Bigdog57
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 30 October 2008 |
| Location: | Tallahassee, Florida USA |
| Posts: | 57 |
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Posted: 10 November 2008 06:08 PM |
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I have not been reloading long, especially for rifles, but I have had some serious trouble with the Lee .30-30 neck-sizer dies - the sizer ball seems over-sized, and my bullets WILL NOT stay put. Lee's instructions do specify this die set doesn't crimp, so I bought their crimp die - good product, and fixed the problem.
But, my M340 has a tight chamber and the loads with Lee dies may stick if using range-pickup brass. The RCBS FL dieset has totally eliminated the problem.
A buddy has had problems with 6.5 Jap and .223 Rem dies also not working properly - he had to send them back.
My .45 ACP Lee dies work alright, but the sizer/decapper seems to have some roughness inside, and a case will hang up every so often - I intend to try polishing it to smooth it up. If it still does this, I wil invest in RCBS dies.
I also prefer RCBS's lockring system - much more secure!
In Lee's favor though - I really prefer their hand priming tool - much more 'user-friendly' than the RCBS model!
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Lifelong Florida Cracker!
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unclebill
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 1 November 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 10 November 2008 06:15 PM |
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i agree with the lee primer
dirt cheap and works great!
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Paul Tummers
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 18 June 2007 |
| Location: | Berg En Terblijt, Netherlands |
| Posts: | 337 |
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Posted: 10 November 2008 07:03 PM |
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Just like Timbergholz I also am aware of what I get for the money, like to pay more for quality, have an engineers/machinist background myself, and generally have a feeling of wether I can trust a tool for the job on hand or not.
The Lee concept of locking rings is not what I like to see on my dies, even is useless to me because I have a Co-Ax press. This O-ring story could have a happy ending for those folks who screw the dies into a tool-holder plate of a progressive press, adjust them and let be.
At the other hand, If one realises what Lee does charge for a set of dies,one realises, there must be some difference between a high-grade die like a Redding Bench-rest die and a Lee die.
This has not necessary to be seen in the results right away, because quite some of the extra costs of a Redding die does go to the exterior finish, which does not contribute to the technical performance-seen from the mechanical point of view.The psychological contribution of the use of a tool of superb finish and renown overall quality certainly is present very well, leading to more careful working, change of mind to the job on hand,and thus gives an overall better result in the end, this even is carried down to the range were one does start shooting with more confidence which leads to better shooting, which will be added to the quality of the used tools.
Lee makes a high quality die FOR THE MONEY they ask for their product, their collet dies are a genial concept, and I really hope, when Patent rights do end, a company like Forster or Redding will pick it up and refine it. Oh boy, I want those dies from them!
Regards,
Paul T.
____________________
There almost always is a way to do things better, more often than not by simplifying.
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unclebill
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 1 November 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 10 November 2008 10:39 PM |
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i am no machinist
but i AM a good shot and i own quality firearms.
my groups do not show a difference.
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swampshooter
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 3 August 2008 |
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Posted: 10 November 2008 10:53 PM |
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| IMHO, Redding.
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