Lee Speed Die: is it any good?

carl418 · August 22, 2006, 09:25 PM

I'm new to reloading, and am buying equipment piece by piece. It's now time for dies. I'm only going to reload .357 mag and .44 mag for revolvers. I've seen lots of people writing about Lee Carbide dies being great, but I've never seen anything about the Lee Speed Die. Does it work? Is it worth getting? I have a single stage press. Thanks for the help.

amamnn · August 22, 2006, 10:46 PM

Lee has come up with some great ideas over the years. I don't know if this is one of them. I can't comment on the speed die because I have not used it. I have used their carbide dies, though. They work as advertised on handgun loads. I noticed that Lee lists a speed die for the .357 mag, but not for the .44 mag.

http://www.10ring.com/Categories/rel...olDieChart.htm

Rimrod · August 22, 2006, 11:41 PM

I have a .45ACP speed die. You'd be better off getting the regular carbide dies.

carl418 · August 23, 2006, 06:19 PM

Thanks for the replies! I think I'll stick with the 3 piece carbide set, even though the speed die would probably be faster. I would rather have 'better' than 'faster' anytime!

Ausserordeutlich · August 23, 2006, 06:32 PM

I have actually loaded ammo using the Speed Dies, so I feel o.k. with making a recommendation. You won't get "better" ammo with the three-die set; don't know where anybody'd get that idea.

The Speed Die also uses a carbide sizing ring; it's just that the sizing ring is removable. The Speed Die works as advertised. It's a lot easier to use on a single-stage press than having to install three die bodies to do the same thing that one Speed Die will do.

BigJakeJ1s · August 23, 2006, 09:24 PM

One aspect of the speed die is that the depriming punch is on the expander insert, not done during the sizing operation. I don't know if you can remove the punch from the expander or not, but if not, using pre-primed brass would be impossible. I also wonder about different shape seater plugs for different types of bullets (RN vs FP/SWC/WC).

Other than smaller storage space, I really don't see how these are any better than traditional three die sets. You still have to screw/unscrew something between each step. At least with traditional dies, you can use the Hornady LNL inserts to speed up die changes, if your press supports them. Or if you have a Co-Ax, traditional die sets would be better too.

Andy

Ausserordeutlich · August 24, 2006, 11:39 AM

I like Jake's idea of using the Hornady LNL system. Just wanted to relate my experience that the Speed Die does work as advertised.

JNewell · August 25, 2006, 12:36 PM

I bought one thinking I might use it in the hand press at the range, but haven't ever done so.

BigJakeJ1s · August 25, 2006, 09:58 PM

That's one place where the Speed Die concept would fit very well, in the SHTF kit... Wish they made one for 45 colt.

Andy

Rimrod · August 25, 2006, 10:30 PM

The only thing in my SHTF kit is a roll of paper towels and a bottle of oxy-clean. The last thing I will be doing is reloading, just pick it up off the ground.

JJB2 · August 25, 2006, 11:51 PM

i use a lee speed die set exclusively to load .38 spl and .357 magnum ammo!! they made me a special bullet seater insert to load LSWCs.... it was made from a deprimer expander stem. i think if i got some primed brass that would work just fine for flareing the necks on them to except a bullet......i really like mine !seems like just the thing to use on a single stage press.. altho i accually have two single stage presses on my bench so i ordered another die body so i could use them at the same time..... works for me!!

LIFE IS SHORT..................

August 22, 2006, 09:25 PM	#1
carl418 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: north Ga Posts: 208	Lee Speed Die: is it any good? I'm new to reloading, and am buying equipment piece by piece. It's now time for dies. I'm only going to reload .357 mag and .44 mag for revolvers. I've seen lots of people writing about Lee Carbide dies being great, but I've never seen anything about the Lee Speed Die. Does it work? Is it worth getting? I have a single stage press. Thanks for the help. __________________ Carl S&WCA \| SAF \| GOA Life \| NRA Benefactor

August 22, 2006, 10:46 PM	#2
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Lee has come up with some great ideas over the years. I don't know if this is one of them. I can't comment on the speed die because I have not used it. I have used their carbide dies, though. They work as advertised on handgun loads. I noticed that Lee lists a speed die for the .357 mag, but not for the .44 mag. http://www.10ring.com/Categories/rel...olDieChart.htm __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

August 23, 2006, 06:19 PM	#4
carl418 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: north Ga Posts: 208	Thanks for the replies! I think I'll stick with the 3 piece carbide set, even though the speed die would probably be faster. I would rather have 'better' than 'faster' anytime! __________________ Carl S&WCA \| SAF \| GOA Life \| NRA Benefactor

August 22, 2006, 11:41 PM	#3
Rimrod Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Behind enemy lines Posts: 1,309	I have a .45ACP speed die. You'd be better off getting the regular carbide dies.

August 23, 2006, 06:32 PM	#5
Ausserordeutlich Junior member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 996	I have actually loaded ammo using the Speed Dies, so I feel o.k. with making a recommendation. You won't get "better" ammo with the three-die set; don't know where anybody'd get that idea. The Speed Die also uses a carbide sizing ring; it's just that the sizing ring is removable. The Speed Die works as advertised. It's a lot easier to use on a single-stage press than having to install three die bodies to do the same thing that one Speed Die will do.

August 23, 2006, 09:24 PM	#6
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	One aspect of the speed die is that the depriming punch is on the expander insert, not done during the sizing operation. I don't know if you can remove the punch from the expander or not, but if not, using pre-primed brass would be impossible. I also wonder about different shape seater plugs for different types of bullets (RN vs FP/SWC/WC). Other than smaller storage space, I really don't see how these are any better than traditional three die sets. You still have to screw/unscrew something between each step. At least with traditional dies, you can use the Hornady LNL inserts to speed up die changes, if your press supports them. Or if you have a Co-Ax, traditional die sets would be better too. Andy

August 24, 2006, 11:39 AM	#7
Ausserordeutlich Junior member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 996	I like Jake's idea of using the Hornady LNL system. Just wanted to relate my experience that the Speed Die does work as advertised.

August 25, 2006, 12:36 PM	#8
JNewell Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2000 Posts: 1,092	I bought one thinking I might use it in the hand press at the range, but haven't ever done so.

August 25, 2006, 09:58 PM	#9
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	That's one place where the Speed Die concept would fit very well, in the SHTF kit... Wish they made one for 45 colt. Andy

August 25, 2006, 10:30 PM	#10
Rimrod Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Behind enemy lines Posts: 1,309	The only thing in my SHTF kit is a roll of paper towels and a bottle of oxy-clean. The last thing I will be doing is reloading, just pick it up off the ground.

August 25, 2006, 11:51 PM	#11
JJB2 Junior member Join Date: December 14, 2005 Posts: 558	i use a lee speed die set exclusively to load .38 spl and .357 magnum ammo!! they made me a special bullet seater insert to load LSWCs.... it was made from a deprimer expander stem. i think if i got some primed brass that would work just fine for flareing the necks on them to except a bullet......i really like mine !seems like just the thing to use on a single stage press.. altho i accually have two single stage presses on my bench so i ordered another die body so i could use them at the same time..... works for me!! LIFE IS SHORT..................