Best Die Lock Rings - Page 2

eldermike · February 12, 2013, 10:25 PM

I use all types of rings. I view the set screw types as stops and the Less rings as locks. On rifle dies its quick and easy to screw a die into a rock chucker if that die has a set screw type stop ring. But then again pistol dies left in turrets work very well with Lee lock rings.

zxcvbob · February 12, 2013, 10:30 PM

I actually *like* the Lee rings for my sizing dies, which is a good thing cuz I have lots of them. They even work in a Co-Ax press. I use Forster or RCBS rings for my seating dies.

Heavy Metal 1 · February 12, 2013, 10:31 PM

If you follow Lee's directions and turn the die in finger tight, not turning by the lock ring they are repeatable. I like them because they allow the die to float a bit as I feel it helps center the cartridge. I think RCBS rings with those cheesy brass socket screws are the worst. Even with the lead shot under the screw they slip and strip out. I replace them with brass screws of the same thread pitch. They seem to hold then. Hornady's are good too. I have all three depending on the dies they came with.

zxcvbob · February 12, 2013, 10:39 PM

Most of my RCBS rings are old ones, with a slotted steel set screw with a lead shot under.

Cheap 870 · February 13, 2013, 06:13 AM

Rcbs's brass Allen head screws strip out easy.

rebs · February 13, 2013, 07:04 AM

Hornady's are the best in my opinion

4runnerman · February 13, 2013, 07:36 AM

I guess I use both O-Ring and Lock Rings ( Hornady). Can't say i find one any better than the other. They both do a great job, The few seconds it takes to set them is not a big deal.

WaywardSon · February 13, 2013, 07:56 AM

I have mostly RCBS with a few Lyman & Hornady. The set screw arrangement on all is "ok". I need to try the trick with the lead shot under the set screw. I'm sure that would help.

In the last year or so I have picked up a couple of sets of the Lee dies & I have to say that the o-ring system is growing on me. I load on a RCBS Rockchucker so volume production is not happening. Given the 100 or so rounds that I will load at a setting, the Lee dies stay in place about as well as the others. Also, if you are constantly screwing around with different bullets, seating depths etc., the Lee dies are pretty quick to change settings on.

md1911 · February 13, 2013, 01:39 PM

Hornady. I use Lee dies, but have replaced ALL Lee lock rings with Hornady. Good stuff.

sig220mwxxxx · February 18, 2013, 02:41 AM

Hornady

Clark · February 18, 2013, 03:14 AM

I like the Forster
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/110...-7-8-14-thread

But they are made of Aluminium.

These Sinclair clones are made of steel.

http://www.brownells.com/reloading/r...prod32863.aspx

http://www.brownells.com/reloading/r...ku=749-011-547

BFG9k · March 14, 2013, 06:29 AM

Are the Sinclair rings the same diameter as Forster? I see Sinclair has lock ring pliers for their rings but don't mention if they also fit Forster. Wish the rings had flats or notches for a hook spanner though.

Hornadys are the best for normal presses but are a little smallish for a Co-Ax (though they do work). Split rings are vastly superior to set screws and sometimes the flats are useful for extra leverage.

rajbcpa · March 14, 2013, 06:54 AM

I have used them all.

I like dillon locking rings. they are simple and don't crowd out other dies in progressive presses because they are only 1 inch in dia.

...simply the best!

Sport45 · March 14, 2013, 07:07 AM

I don't mind the Lee rings. But I've thrown away the o-ring in many of them and just use 'em as a standard lock nut.

When I take a die out of a press/turret it's normally to install it somewhere else and I'll be adjusting it anyway.

F. Guffey · March 14, 2013, 10:12 AM

I like the ones I have on my dies, The threads are 7/8”X14, If I fretted over the lock nuts I could purchase from an industrial type store etc. And the part where the set screw messes up the threads, in the big inning there was a small piece of lead at the bottom of the hole under the set screw. Back to securing the die, I secure the die to the press with the lock nut, I do not secure the lock nut to the die, I adjust my die every time I install one.

After securing the die to the press with the lock ring I verify the adjustment, while securing the die to the press I hold the die to prevent it from turning while securing the lock nut.

I do have a rubber dampening ring on a few dies, not my favorite, they came with RCBS competition seating dies, the dampening is on the micro adjust head, others have the detent adjustment, my choice.

F. Guffey

serf 'rett · March 14, 2013, 10:23 AM

Hornady - used in conjunction with the Hornady quick change bushing system

wncchester · March 14, 2013, 12:12 PM

I've used every type of lock ring ever made but I haven't spent much time agonizing over which might be 'best', fact is they all work quite well if used correctly. But, IF I had to pick a favorite I suppose it would be Lee's.

Cases vary between brands and over their life so, like Guffy, I expect to set each die as I want it each time I use it. Adjusting a die really isn't difficult OR time consuming if you know what you're doing. Otherwise, I suppose something foolproof like the Forster or Hornady split lock nuts would do well.

temmi · March 14, 2013, 12:46 PM

Hornady Sure-Loc gets my vote

pbcaster45 · March 14, 2013, 03:49 PM

I use them all but I think the Lee's are hard to beat for alignment, headspace control and reduced neck run-out.

hooligan1 · March 14, 2013, 04:07 PM

F.Guffey does exactly what I do which is not use the setscrew on my die lock ring because I adjust my dies each and every time to Varify, let me clarify: I have not "set to forget" any die I've used because it's just not dependable, you fellas can, but I'm sticking with what got me here and that's that.!

rodfac · March 15, 2013, 03:33 PM

Use whatever you like, but I've found Lee's with the neoprene O ring to be first rate. Glenn Zediker who wrote Reloading for Competition recommended using Lee's arguing that they allowed the case/round to self center in the die...a little wiggle room as it were. Finished round run out on my 600 yd prone slow fire rounds is always less that .004"....important at that distance. Best Regards, Rod

Eppie · March 15, 2013, 03:48 PM

Hornady are the only rings I've used and they work well for me.

hooligan1 · March 15, 2013, 03:58 PM

Rodfac, are you sure he was talking about the lock ring, or the ram for the shell holder? Cause I (under the recommendation of another handloader) changed that C-ring out to an O-ring so my cases selfcenter in the dies.

WCW · March 15, 2013, 05:42 PM

I use Hornady lock rings on every die set I own. They work great

wncchester · March 15, 2013, 07:40 PM

"Hornady are the only rings I've used and they work well for me."

With a range of experience like that, who could disagree?

February 12, 2013, 10:30 PM	#27
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	I actually like the Lee rings for my sizing dies, which is a good thing cuz I have lots of them. They even work in a Co-Ax press. I use Forster or RCBS rings for my seating dies. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

February 12, 2013, 10:31 PM	#28
Heavy Metal 1 Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2012 Posts: 247	If you follow Lee's directions and turn the die in finger tight, not turning by the lock ring they are repeatable. I like them because they allow the die to float a bit as I feel it helps center the cartridge. I think RCBS rings with those cheesy brass socket screws are the worst. Even with the lead shot under the screw they slip and strip out. I replace them with brass screws of the same thread pitch. They seem to hold then. Hornady's are good too. I have all three depending on the dies they came with. __________________ The blood runs free, the rain turns red, give me the wine, you keep the bread.

February 12, 2013, 10:39 PM	#29
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Most of my RCBS rings are old ones, with a slotted steel set screw with a lead shot under. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

February 13, 2013, 07:36 AM	#32
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	I guess I use both O-Ring and Lock Rings ( Hornady). Can't say i find one any better than the other. They both do a great job, The few seconds it takes to set them is not a big deal. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

February 18, 2013, 03:14 AM	#36
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I like the Forster http://www.midwayusa.com/product/110...-7-8-14-thread But they are made of Aluminium. These Sinclair clones are made of steel. http://www.brownells.com/reloading/r...prod32863.aspx http://www.brownells.com/reloading/r...ku=749-011-547 __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

February 12, 2013, 10:25 PM	#26
eldermike Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 545	I use all types of rings. I view the set screw types as stops and the Less rings as locks. On rifle dies its quick and easy to screw a die into a rock chucker if that die has a set screw type stop ring. But then again pistol dies left in turrets work very well with Lee lock rings.

February 13, 2013, 06:13 AM	#30
Cheap 870 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 159	Rcbs's brass Allen head screws strip out easy.

February 13, 2013, 07:04 AM	#31
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Hornady's are the best in my opinion

February 13, 2013, 07:56 AM	#33
WaywardSon Junior Member Join Date: April 29, 2012 Posts: 13	I have mostly RCBS with a few Lyman & Hornady. The set screw arrangement on all is "ok". I need to try the trick with the lead shot under the set screw. I'm sure that would help. In the last year or so I have picked up a couple of sets of the Lee dies & I have to say that the o-ring system is growing on me. I load on a RCBS Rockchucker so volume production is not happening. Given the 100 or so rounds that I will load at a setting, the Lee dies stay in place about as well as the others. Also, if you are constantly screwing around with different bullets, seating depths etc., the Lee dies are pretty quick to change settings on.

February 13, 2013, 01:39 PM	#34
md1911 Member Join Date: February 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 15	Hornady. I use Lee dies, but have replaced ALL Lee lock rings with Hornady. Good stuff.

February 18, 2013, 02:41 AM	#35
sig220mwxxxx Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Location: Marshall, Texas Posts: 104	Hornady

March 14, 2013, 06:29 AM	#37
BFG9k Junior Member Join Date: October 19, 2009 Posts: 11	Are the Sinclair rings the same diameter as Forster? I see Sinclair has lock ring pliers for their rings but don't mention if they also fit Forster. Wish the rings had flats or notches for a hook spanner though. Hornadys are the best for normal presses but are a little smallish for a Co-Ax (though they do work). Split rings are vastly superior to set screws and sometimes the flats are useful for extra leverage.

March 14, 2013, 06:54 AM	#38
rajbcpa Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2012 Posts: 321	I have used them all. I like dillon locking rings. they are simple and don't crowd out other dies in progressive presses because they are only 1 inch in dia. ...simply the best!

March 14, 2013, 07:07 AM	#39
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	I don't mind the Lee rings. But I've thrown away the o-ring in many of them and just use 'em as a standard lock nut. When I take a die out of a press/turret it's normally to install it somewhere else and I'll be adjusting it anyway. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

March 14, 2013, 10:12 AM	#40
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	I like the ones I have on my dies, The threads are 7/8”X14, If I fretted over the lock nuts I could purchase from an industrial type store etc. And the part where the set screw messes up the threads, in the big inning there was a small piece of lead at the bottom of the hole under the set screw. Back to securing the die, I secure the die to the press with the lock nut, I do not secure the lock nut to the die, I adjust my die every time I install one. After securing the die to the press with the lock ring I verify the adjustment, while securing the die to the press I hold the die to prevent it from turning while securing the lock nut. I do have a rubber dampening ring on a few dies, not my favorite, they came with RCBS competition seating dies, the dampening is on the micro adjust head, others have the detent adjustment, my choice. F. Guffey

March 14, 2013, 10:23 AM	#41
serf 'rett Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Stuttgart, AR Posts: 1,569	Hornady - used in conjunction with the Hornady quick change bushing system __________________ A lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part.

March 14, 2013, 12:12 PM	#42
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	I've used every type of lock ring ever made but I haven't spent much time agonizing over which might be 'best', fact is they all work quite well if used correctly. But, IF I had to pick a favorite I suppose it would be Lee's. Cases vary between brands and over their life so, like Guffy, I expect to set each die as I want it each time I use it. Adjusting a die really isn't difficult OR time consuming if you know what you're doing. Otherwise, I suppose something foolproof like the Forster or Hornady split lock nuts would do well.

March 14, 2013, 12:46 PM	#43
temmi Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 531	Hornady Sure-Loc gets my vote

March 14, 2013, 03:49 PM	#44
pbcaster45 Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2010 Posts: 139	I use them all but I think the Lee's are hard to beat for alignment, headspace control and reduced neck run-out.

March 14, 2013, 04:07 PM	#45
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	F.Guffey does exactly what I do which is not use the setscrew on my die lock ring because I adjust my dies each and every time to Varify, let me clarify: I have not "set to forget" any die I've used because it's just not dependable, you fellas can, but I'm sticking with what got me here and that's that.! __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

March 15, 2013, 03:33 PM	#46
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	Use whatever you like, but I've found Lee's with the neoprene O ring to be first rate. Glenn Zediker who wrote Reloading for Competition recommended using Lee's arguing that they allowed the case/round to self center in the die...a little wiggle room as it were. Finished round run out on my 600 yd prone slow fire rounds is always less that .004"....important at that distance. Best Regards, Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

March 15, 2013, 03:48 PM	#47
Eppie Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 802	Hornady are the only rings I've used and they work well for me. __________________ "Socialized Medicine is the Keystone to the Arch of the Socialist State.” -Vladimir Lenin "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." - Thomas Jefferson (An early warning to Obama care)

March 15, 2013, 03:58 PM	#48
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Rodfac, are you sure he was talking about the lock ring, or the ram for the shell holder? Cause I (under the recommendation of another handloader) changed that C-ring out to an O-ring so my cases selfcenter in the dies. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

March 15, 2013, 05:42 PM	#49
WCW Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2007 Posts: 132	I use Hornady lock rings on every die set I own. They work great

March 15, 2013, 07:40 PM	#50
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	"Hornady are the only rings I've used and they work well for me." With a range of experience like that, who could disagree?