Dies-Hornady vs. Lee Which is better?

mapwd · January 16, 2006, 11:49 AM

I bought some used Lee dies at a gun show a few weeks back. They are in great shape, carbide and all. The set did not have a crimp die though so I went looking for one of those and could not find one. I bought a set of Hornady Custom-Grade New Dimension dies because of the crimp die in the set. I have found out though that you do not need a crimp on a 45ACP bullet. Which set is the better set?? I would like to trade one of them for a set of 40S&W dies.

Poygan · January 16, 2006, 02:32 PM

Hornady. Why bother trading dies in...you'll need them sooner or later.

mapwd · January 16, 2006, 03:04 PM

I don't know why I would need 2 sets of 45ACP

.45 Vet · January 16, 2006, 03:30 PM

I may be a little old fashioned, but if your belling the case mouth enough to insert the bullet, then you'll need to reduce that diameter enough with a taper crimp to hold the bullet in place when it contacts the feed ramp. Other-wise you can get some serious set-back, and resulting pressure spikes.

Lot of guys that reload lead, and jacketed bullets are swearing by the Lee Factory Crimp Die. You do want to get the crimp area dimension down to around .468"---.471" for proper feed/function in most autos. Just my .02

**Mike Irwin** · January 16, 2006, 04:23 PM

I have three sets of .38/.357 dies, and 2 sets of .45 ACP dies.

I use them for loading different bullet types/weights.

As cheap as Lee dies are, you can buy multiple sets and do this easily.

I'm just turning out plinking ammo, so Lee dies are perfectly adequate.

Were I turning out match grade ammo, though, I'd go with a higher-end die, such as a Redding or Hornady.

cuate · January 16, 2006, 05:37 PM

I have both Lee and RCBS in 30-06, like them both but break a decapping pin occasionly with the Lees. Probably because of primer crimp in GI ammo.

BigJakeJ1s · January 16, 2006, 11:17 PM

I prefer the hornady seater to the lee seater. Both will crimp if adjusted properly. The sizer dies are a toss-up, but some folks like tungsten carbide in the Lee better than the titanium nitride coating in the Hornady. TN works great for me. Plus if you want to trade a set in, keep the hornady set with the better seater. The hornady seaters are easily disassembled for cleaning (on press if necessary) without touching the settings (helpful with lead, lubed bullets). They also have an optional micrometer adjusting screw.

Andy

Kayser · January 16, 2006, 11:57 PM

I'm personally a big big fan of the 4-die Lee sets with the factory crimp. I use 'em for .44 mag, .357 mag, and lots and lots and lots of .45 acp. Makes the seating step much more precise (no gaminess from the seat+crimp operation), and gives an excellent crimp.

January 16, 2006, 11:49 AM	#1
mapwd Member Join Date: December 13, 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 86	Dies-Hornady vs. Lee Which is better? I bought some used Lee dies at a gun show a few weeks back. They are in great shape, carbide and all. The set did not have a crimp die though so I went looking for one of those and could not find one. I bought a set of Hornady Custom-Grade New Dimension dies because of the crimp die in the set. I have found out though that you do not need a crimp on a 45ACP bullet. Which set is the better set?? I would like to trade one of them for a set of 40S&W dies.

January 16, 2006, 03:30 PM	#4
.45 Vet Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Location: Western Penn. Posts: 387	I may be a little old fashioned, but if your belling the case mouth enough to insert the bullet, then you'll need to reduce that diameter enough with a taper crimp to hold the bullet in place when it contacts the feed ramp. Other-wise you can get some serious set-back, and resulting pressure spikes. Lot of guys that reload lead, and jacketed bullets are swearing by the Lee Factory Crimp Die. You do want to get the crimp area dimension down to around .468"---.471" for proper feed/function in most autos. Just my .02 __________________ For those who've never fought for it, the price of freedom shall never be known...

January 16, 2006, 04:23 PM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	I have three sets of .38/.357 dies, and 2 sets of .45 ACP dies. I use them for loading different bullet types/weights. As cheap as Lee dies are, you can buy multiple sets and do this easily. I'm just turning out plinking ammo, so Lee dies are perfectly adequate. Were I turning out match grade ammo, though, I'd go with a higher-end die, such as a Redding or Hornady. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 16, 2006, 11:57 PM	#8
Kayser Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2002 Location: Illinois :( Posts: 550	I'm personally a big big fan of the 4-die Lee sets with the factory crimp. I use 'em for .44 mag, .357 mag, and lots and lots and lots of .45 acp. Makes the seating step much more precise (no gaminess from the seat+crimp operation), and gives an excellent crimp. __________________ ----------------- Box Of Truth Afficionado!

January 16, 2006, 02:32 PM	#2
Poygan Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2004 Posts: 125	Hornady. Why bother trading dies in...you'll need them sooner or later.

January 16, 2006, 03:04 PM	#3
mapwd Member Join Date: December 13, 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 86	I don't know why I would need 2 sets of 45ACP

January 16, 2006, 05:37 PM	#6
cuate Junior member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Location: Comanche Co. Texas Posts: 737	I have both Lee and RCBS in 30-06, like them both but break a decapping pin occasionly with the Lees. Probably because of primer crimp in GI ammo.

January 16, 2006, 11:17 PM	#7
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	I prefer the hornady seater to the lee seater. Both will crimp if adjusted properly. The sizer dies are a toss-up, but some folks like tungsten carbide in the Lee better than the titanium nitride coating in the Hornady. TN works great for me. Plus if you want to trade a set in, keep the hornady set with the better seater. The hornady seaters are easily disassembled for cleaning (on press if necessary) without touching the settings (helpful with lead, lubed bullets). They also have an optional micrometer adjusting screw. Andy