Lee or Lyman

billcarey · May 29, 2009, 06:21 PM

I'm in the market for another set of dies for a turret press. Currenly looking at Lee and Lyman. I'm a happy Lyman user and like the locking rings, extra bullet seater (RN & FH) and multi stage expander. Looking at Lee for the price, powder through die and shell holder. What are the advantages/disadvantages of Lee other than way less price?

Oh, and I'm reloading pistol.

Thanks,
BC

tiberius10721 · May 29, 2009, 07:00 PM

I buy my lee pistol dies at midway usa .the four piece carbide pistol dies are great!Ive loaded thousands of rounds with them I love lee products because they are the best buy for the money and come with great easy to read instructions.

BigJakeJ1s · May 29, 2009, 10:20 PM

Lee carbide sizing dies are as good as anyone's, except for their useless lock rings that don't lock in place on the die.

I've not had good luck with Lee seating dies; they have too much play in the seating plug. They share the same seating plug for multiple calibers of bullets.

Lee powder through expanders only work with Lee powder measures. I've seen some with pretty rough finishes on the internal parts.

I've also had bad luck with the one and only carbide FCD I have, in 45 colt (roll crimp). It is roughly finished, and the crimp ring is too large in ID, letting the case mouth slip by underneath it, rather that finishing the roll crimp. I have no experience with their CFCD for taper crimped pistol cartridges.

Lee FCD for rifle and bottleneck pistol cartridges are great. Ditto for the Collet neck sizing (rifle) dies.

The only Lyman dies I've tried are the M-type expander dies, and they are great. Very nice fit and finish too.

In general I like Hornady pistol dies, particularly the seating dies and their lock rings are great. The seating dies include a floating alignment sleeve, optional micrometer adjuster, and they dis/re-assemble for cleaning without affecting the settings.

The Hornady TiN sizing dies work great too, and the zip spindle gives the best compromise between adjustability of a screw adjustment, and centering of a collet.

The Hornady expander dies are ok, but they are one piece, making it impossible to adjust the profile/diameter of the expander without some specialized turning equipment.

Andy

Gazzmann · May 30, 2009, 12:13 AM

Can't beat Lee for quality dies and price.

billcarey · May 30, 2009, 04:05 PM

Thanks for the response guys. Andy, thanks for the specific details...I have some Hornady reloading stuff and will check their dies.

Bill

May 29, 2009, 06:21 PM	#1
billcarey Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 273	Lee or Lyman I'm in the market for another set of dies for a turret press. Currenly looking at Lee and Lyman. I'm a happy Lyman user and like the locking rings, extra bullet seater (RN & FH) and multi stage expander. Looking at Lee for the price, powder through die and shell holder. What are the advantages/disadvantages of Lee other than way less price? Oh, and I'm reloading pistol. Thanks, BC

May 29, 2009, 07:00 PM	#2
tiberius10721 Junior member Join Date: December 22, 2008 Posts: 228	I buy my lee pistol dies at midway usa .the four piece carbide pistol dies are great!Ive loaded thousands of rounds with them I love lee products because they are the best buy for the money and come with great easy to read instructions.

May 29, 2009, 10:20 PM	#3
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	Lee carbide sizing dies are as good as anyone's, except for their useless lock rings that don't lock in place on the die. I've not had good luck with Lee seating dies; they have too much play in the seating plug. They share the same seating plug for multiple calibers of bullets. Lee powder through expanders only work with Lee powder measures. I've seen some with pretty rough finishes on the internal parts. I've also had bad luck with the one and only carbide FCD I have, in 45 colt (roll crimp). It is roughly finished, and the crimp ring is too large in ID, letting the case mouth slip by underneath it, rather that finishing the roll crimp. I have no experience with their CFCD for taper crimped pistol cartridges. Lee FCD for rifle and bottleneck pistol cartridges are great. Ditto for the Collet neck sizing (rifle) dies. The only Lyman dies I've tried are the M-type expander dies, and they are great. Very nice fit and finish too. In general I like Hornady pistol dies, particularly the seating dies and their lock rings are great. The seating dies include a floating alignment sleeve, optional micrometer adjuster, and they dis/re-assemble for cleaning without affecting the settings. The Hornady TiN sizing dies work great too, and the zip spindle gives the best compromise between adjustability of a screw adjustment, and centering of a collet. The Hornady expander dies are ok, but they are one piece, making it impossible to adjust the profile/diameter of the expander without some specialized turning equipment. Andy

May 30, 2009, 12:13 AM	#4
Gazzmann Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 133	Can't beat Lee for quality dies and price.

May 30, 2009, 04:05 PM	#5
billcarey Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 273	Thanks for the response guys. Andy, thanks for the specific details...I have some Hornady reloading stuff and will check their dies. Bill