Dies... good, better, best ? - Page 2

essexcounty · March 26, 2008, 01:03 PM

For the past fifteen years Redding has been getting my dollars. No buyer's remorse........Essex

The Lovemaster · March 26, 2008, 01:36 PM

I've been using RCBS dies for years and years. Recently I began using Lee dies and thoroughly enjoy the lock rings they have. My opinion is that both companies make a fine die.

Like many of us, my bench is a hodgepodge of green, orange, and red equipment, and it all works good enough for me.

totalloser · March 26, 2008, 07:29 PM

Gascheck- The lead shot under a steel setscrew; That's probably why you like em! That's a slick way to do it. My stuff has just a brass set screw, and it GRINDS against the threads as you spin it into place. I think I'll find myself some shot that fits in there! When mine grind, they get damaged by the threads, so sometimes they really aren't tight when they feel like they are. So when I remove them and reinsert them I can't be REALLY sure they are OK.

Of course there is also the quality of my memory

When I am putting them back in, I prefer to trust my eyes, not my memory. Once they are tight in the press, they all seem to work fine.

Those Lee decap setups really don't break pins tho. REALLY nice.

CPTMurdoc30 · March 26, 2008, 07:40 PM

For me it is Good = RCBS Better = Hornady Best = Redding or Forester.

BigJakeJ1s · March 26, 2008, 10:22 PM

OK, fair enough. Let me relate the problems I've had with Lee lock rings.

I tighten them as they were intended, according to the directions (finger tight, not wrench tight). If I accidentally grab ANYTHING on the die except the lock ring itself to install/remove the die, or even adjust the seating screw, the lock ring can and will move on the die, destroying the setup.

With the die off the press, there is no way to tell whether the Lee lock ring has moved since the last time it was used. With clamp style lock rings (Hornady, Forster), I tighten the clamp screw and the lock ring will not move unless I loosen the clamp screw, no matter what. If I am playing with a die or setup, and do not leave it set up for my standard load, I leave the clamp loose, so I will know the next time I use it that it has to be set up with my dummy round again. If the lock ring is tight, I know it has not moved, and it is good to go for my standard load.

If you use a removable tool head or turret plate, and your dies stay in that all the time, the Lee lock rings will probably work just fine (the dillon lock rings don't have an o-ring, set screw, clamp screw or anything to hold them in place, except that they are tightened down against the tool head, and they work just fine for that purpose)

Andy

ldv444 · April 3, 2008, 08:58 AM

For rifle....Forester or Redding.

Handgun....Redding or Dillion (if your using a progressive).

DaveInGA · April 3, 2008, 01:25 PM

I don't buy brands of dies or any reloading equipment by better, best or worst. I buy my equipment and especially my dies by application.

I'm a pretty good shot and haven't found one brand that truly outshines the other brands. I have found some brands that work better for a particular application and generally tend to mix and match dies to get the type of reloading results I want.

For me, this is the best of all worlds, with no sacrifice of anything.

Dave

April 3, 2008, 08:58 AM	#31
ldv444 Member Join Date: January 10, 2008 Posts: 38	Dies For rifle....Forester or Redding. Handgun....Redding or Dillion (if your using a progressive).

March 26, 2008, 01:03 PM	#26
essexcounty Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2005 Posts: 646	For the past fifteen years Redding has been getting my dollars. No buyer's remorse........Essex

March 26, 2008, 01:36 PM	#27
The Lovemaster Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 416	I've been using RCBS dies for years and years. Recently I began using Lee dies and thoroughly enjoy the lock rings they have. My opinion is that both companies make a fine die. Like many of us, my bench is a hodgepodge of green, orange, and red equipment, and it all works good enough for me.

March 26, 2008, 07:29 PM	#28
totalloser Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2007 Location: Fort Bragg, CA Posts: 679	Gascheck- The lead shot under a steel setscrew; That's probably why you like em! That's a slick way to do it. My stuff has just a brass set screw, and it GRINDS against the threads as you spin it into place. I think I'll find myself some shot that fits in there! When mine grind, they get damaged by the threads, so sometimes they really aren't tight when they feel like they are. So when I remove them and reinsert them I can't be REALLY sure they are OK. Of course there is also the quality of my memory When I am putting them back in, I prefer to trust my eyes, not my memory. Once they are tight in the press, they all seem to work fine. Those Lee decap setups really don't break pins tho. REALLY nice.

March 26, 2008, 07:40 PM	#29
CPTMurdoc30 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2008 Location: Stafford VA Posts: 969	For me it is Good = RCBS Better = Hornady Best = Redding or Forester.

March 26, 2008, 10:22 PM	#30
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	OK, fair enough. Let me relate the problems I've had with Lee lock rings. I tighten them as they were intended, according to the directions (finger tight, not wrench tight). If I accidentally grab ANYTHING on the die except the lock ring itself to install/remove the die, or even adjust the seating screw, the lock ring can and will move on the die, destroying the setup. With the die off the press, there is no way to tell whether the Lee lock ring has moved since the last time it was used. With clamp style lock rings (Hornady, Forster), I tighten the clamp screw and the lock ring will not move unless I loosen the clamp screw, no matter what. If I am playing with a die or setup, and do not leave it set up for my standard load, I leave the clamp loose, so I will know the next time I use it that it has to be set up with my dummy round again. If the lock ring is tight, I know it has not moved, and it is good to go for my standard load. If you use a removable tool head or turret plate, and your dies stay in that all the time, the Lee lock rings will probably work just fine (the dillon lock rings don't have an o-ring, set screw, clamp screw or anything to hold them in place, except that they are tightened down against the tool head, and they work just fine for that purpose) Andy

April 3, 2008, 01:25 PM	#32
DaveInGA Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2005 Location: Flowery Branch, GA Posts: 132	I don't buy brands of dies or any reloading equipment by better, best or worst. I buy my equipment and especially my dies by application. I'm a pretty good shot and haven't found one brand that truly outshines the other brands. I have found some brands that work better for a particular application and generally tend to mix and match dies to get the type of reloading results I want. For me, this is the best of all worlds, with no sacrifice of anything. Dave