dies for 45 acp ?

rebs · April 23, 2012, 09:47 AM

I am looking at this set of Lee dies
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/661...die-set-45-acp
or they have the Lee 4 dies set for 46.00
Both the Lee sets include the shell holder

They are on sale for 26.99 and rcbs dies are about 48.00 and 7.99 extra for the shell holder
Are the rcbs worth that much more money ?

Nathan · April 23, 2012, 09:59 AM

It might be worth your money to try Lee. I have used their Factory Crimp Dies and find them acceptable.

In general, I like the way Hornady or Forester die sets adjust the best. RCBS is fine also.

For pistol, I would be willing to try Lee.

Jim243 · April 23, 2012, 10:18 AM

This is a personal choice thing, both will make excelent ammo. Some people like RCBS, some like Lee better. Some will like the way RCBS locking rings work some Lee locking rings, personal choice.

All I can say is that in over 8 years of reloading, I have 13 sets of Lee dies and only 2 sets of RCBS (Lee did not make dies for what I wanted).

For ease of use I think the Lee dies work better, but that is me. Lee, RCBS, Hornady and Dillon dies will all do the same thing, brand choice and budget are what motivates people in buying one brand over the other. (will I get something better if I spend more money?)

Lee dies have a 2 year warranty RCBS are life time warranty, I can buy two Lee dies for the price of one RCBS.

Will they both make great ammo, that depends on you and not the dies so the answer is yes, will one make you better looking and more popular - I don't think so (LOL).

Have fun and stay safe.
Jim

PA-Joe · April 23, 2012, 12:19 PM

The 4 die set gives you the factor crimp die which you will most likely buy in the future.

Shootest · April 23, 2012, 12:38 PM

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/8302

I suggest the 4 die set, a little better price here and lower s&h. Lee dies make ammo just as good as any but they will rust easier than the others.

md1911 · April 23, 2012, 02:22 PM

I also suggest the 4 die set. I have been using that same die set for 2 years now and have been very happy with it. Good luck.

William T. Watts · April 23, 2012, 02:25 PM

I've used both, I'm not as forgiving of the Lee products as some people, they are what they are. With that said I prefer any of the other major brand dies I.E. RCBS, Lyman, Redding, Forester in no particular order, all of these are quality products and will last a life time.. Many of my dies are more than 30 years old, my Lee dies (3) are crimp dies only. William

m&p45acp10+1 · April 23, 2012, 02:26 PM

The Lee Deluxe die set had served me well for over two and half years, with over 50K rounds loaded, and shot in that time. I have not had a single problem from them.

moxie · April 23, 2012, 02:36 PM

I've had the RCBS three die set for almost 25 years now and it continues to work great. No need for a fourth die or separate seater and crimper. The FCD is totally unnecessary if your other dies are properly adjusted.

this set:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/247...-45-acp-45-gap

dickttx · April 23, 2012, 08:27 PM

In pistol dies I have RCBS and Lyman. Both are good dies.
However, when I bought a Lee Classic Turret I eventually switched over to all Lee's. Work just as good at about half the price and they work much better in the LCT.

rebs · April 24, 2012, 06:14 AM

I decided to go with the rcbs dies, I know I could have saved money with the Lee set but I would always be wondering if the rcbs were that much better or not. I like the life time warranty instead of a 2 year warranty. Also I bought the rcbs set locally where I would have had to mail order the Lee set. Out of 4 local gun shops only one carries Lee and they didn't have the 45 acp.

jaguarxk120 · April 24, 2012, 06:39 AM

I have a set of RCBS British 303 dies and bent the decapping spindle. A phone call and thee days later I had a new spindle assembly in my hands, no charge.

My dies have a date code stamped in the top where the ID number is, the date code is 86 , not bad warranting die sets over 25 years old.

GTOne · April 24, 2012, 06:45 AM

I have a couple RCBS dies, they look nice. *shrug*

I buy Lee dies though, the paper or deer will never know the difference. The dies will outlive me.

10 acre woods · April 24, 2012, 06:51 AM

I have the lee 45 acp and it works fine for me.

Strafer Gott · April 24, 2012, 07:03 AM

Now that you took the plunge, you will still want that Lee factory crimp die. You can't put on a taper crimp without it, and 45 acp definitely works better with it.
It makes your reloads as trusty as factory. I know I trust my reloads, and like them better than any factory fodder.

wingman · April 24, 2012, 07:43 AM

I own Hornady, RCBS and Lee,I find Lee the easier to use and set up plus since I prefer to seat and crimp in different operation I like the 4 die setup.

Idaho Spud · April 24, 2012, 08:06 AM

A garden variety taper crimp die in 45 ACP by most every dies manufacturer should be sufficient for crimping. I used an old Pacific 308 Win FL sizer die (sans decapper) as a taper crimper for my first year or so. (I was poor)

Oh, I happen to use RCBS dies for 45 ACP, but have many Lee die sets (among others) for other applications. They all work OK.

rebs · April 24, 2012, 10:18 AM

I stopped by the range Saturday where they had a match going on, I talked to quite a few guys about reloading 45 acp and the majority of them said they use rcbs and do not use a seperate crimp die.
I hope I made the right choice

Sure Shot Mc Gee · April 24, 2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

they have the Lee 4 dies set for 46.00--Rcbs dies are about 48.00 and 7.99 extra for the shell holder

Both do the same thing. It's all eye candy now. Which die box color would you prefer seen on your reloading bench. Which ever Brand. I'm sure you'll be pleased. It's your money spend it wisely._

Idaho Spud · April 24, 2012, 11:17 AM

A properly adjusted seater die that "irons" out the flare should be sufficient, but I like to slightly taper crimp to catch the occasional, slightly short case that might not get completely "unflared". This could (and has for me) led to possible feed/chambering probs. With lead alloy projectiles, which I shoot most, I like to crimp to @.471-.472" in my guns. Especially with SWC boolits. As usual, YMMV.

rclark · April 24, 2012, 11:26 AM

Mine .45ACP die set is RCBS. Seems to work great. BTW, all my .45ACP experience is shooting .45ACP in Ruger revolvers.... No semi-auto experience.

Idaho Spud · April 24, 2012, 01:24 PM

rclark said:

Mine .45ACP die set is RCBS. Seems to work great. BTW, all my .45ACP experience is shooting .45ACP in Ruger revolvers.... No semi-auto experience.
__________________

My only experience is semis so I'm curious: do you roll crimp for the revolver rounds, and if so does your bullet seat die allow for this? Thanks.

End of hi-jack.

farmerboy · April 24, 2012, 01:44 PM

I've never bought Lee. I'm sure it would work but I started with RCBS and will stay there. Everything works great and great warranty. I just loaded 45s the first time last week and everything shot fine that I took outside.

Technosavant · April 24, 2012, 01:48 PM

I use the Lee 4 die set in .45ACP (and .38spl, and .357mag, and .44 mag), and it works great.

Some things Lee offers really are cheaper (functional, but you can tell the difference between the Lee and the other brands). But with their dies, IMO, they're as good as anything else out there.

wingman · April 24, 2012, 04:33 PM

Quote:

I stopped by the range Saturday where they had a match going on, I talked to quite a few guys about reloading 45 acp and the majority of them said they use rcbs and do not use a seperate crimp die.
I hope I made the right choice

They will work fine if your just beginning only load a small number perhaps as little as 15 rounds take those to the range along with commercial as you may have problems with first reloads(most of us do) as you gain more experience you can look at other dies.

April 23, 2012, 09:47 AM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	dies for 45 acp ? I am looking at this set of Lee dies http://www.midwayusa.com/product/661...die-set-45-acp or they have the Lee 4 dies set for 46.00 Both the Lee sets include the shell holder They are on sale for 26.99 and rcbs dies are about 48.00 and 7.99 extra for the shell holder Are the rcbs worth that much more money ?

April 23, 2012, 10:18 AM	#3
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	This is a personal choice thing, both will make excelent ammo. Some people like RCBS, some like Lee better. Some will like the way RCBS locking rings work some Lee locking rings, personal choice. All I can say is that in over 8 years of reloading, I have 13 sets of Lee dies and only 2 sets of RCBS (Lee did not make dies for what I wanted). For ease of use I think the Lee dies work better, but that is me. Lee, RCBS, Hornady and Dillon dies will all do the same thing, brand choice and budget are what motivates people in buying one brand over the other. (will I get something better if I spend more money?) Lee dies have a 2 year warranty RCBS are life time warranty, I can buy two Lee dies for the price of one RCBS. Will they both make great ammo, that depends on you and not the dies so the answer is yes, will one make you better looking and more popular - I don't think so (LOL). Have fun and stay safe. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

April 23, 2012, 12:38 PM	#5
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/8302 I suggest the 4 die set, a little better price here and lower s&h. Lee dies make ammo just as good as any but they will rust easier than the others. __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member

April 23, 2012, 02:25 PM	#7
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	Yes, I recommend a crip die also I've used both, I'm not as forgiving of the Lee products as some people, they are what they are. With that said I prefer any of the other major brand dies I.E. RCBS, Lyman, Redding, Forester in no particular order, all of these are quality products and will last a life time.. Many of my dies are more than 30 years old, my Lee dies (3) are crimp dies only. William Last edited by William T. Watts; April 23, 2012 at 02:30 PM.

April 23, 2012, 02:26 PM	#8
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	The Lee Deluxe die set had served me well for over two and half years, with over 50K rounds loaded, and shot in that time. I have not had a single problem from them. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

April 23, 2012, 09:59 AM	#2
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	It might be worth your money to try Lee. I have used their Factory Crimp Dies and find them acceptable. In general, I like the way Hornady or Forester die sets adjust the best. RCBS is fine also. For pistol, I would be willing to try Lee.

April 23, 2012, 12:19 PM	#4
PA-Joe Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: NEPA Posts: 909	The 4 die set gives you the factor crimp die which you will most likely buy in the future.

April 23, 2012, 02:22 PM	#6
md1911 Member Join Date: February 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 15	I also suggest the 4 die set. I have been using that same die set for 2 years now and have been very happy with it. Good luck.

April 23, 2012, 02:36 PM	#9
moxie Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: TX Posts: 513	I've had the RCBS three die set for almost 25 years now and it continues to work great. No need for a fourth die or separate seater and crimper. The FCD is totally unnecessary if your other dies are properly adjusted. this set: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/247...-45-acp-45-gap __________________ If you want to shoot...shoot...don't talk! Tuco USAF Munitions 1969-1992 RVN 1972-1973

April 23, 2012, 08:27 PM	#10
dickttx Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 500	In pistol dies I have RCBS and Lyman. Both are good dies. However, when I bought a Lee Classic Turret I eventually switched over to all Lee's. Work just as good at about half the price and they work much better in the LCT. __________________ Education teaches you the rules, experience teaches you the exceptions (Plagiarized from Claude Clay)

April 24, 2012, 06:14 AM	#11
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I decided to go with the rcbs dies, I know I could have saved money with the Lee set but I would always be wondering if the rcbs were that much better or not. I like the life time warranty instead of a 2 year warranty. Also I bought the rcbs set locally where I would have had to mail order the Lee set. Out of 4 local gun shops only one carries Lee and they didn't have the 45 acp.

April 24, 2012, 06:39 AM	#12
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	I have a set of RCBS British 303 dies and bent the decapping spindle. A phone call and thee days later I had a new spindle assembly in my hands, no charge. My dies have a date code stamped in the top where the ID number is, the date code is 86 , not bad warranting die sets over 25 years old.

April 24, 2012, 06:45 AM	#13
GTOne Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2011 Location: IL Posts: 210	I have a couple RCBS dies, they look nice. shrug I buy Lee dies though, the paper or deer will never know the difference. The dies will outlive me.

April 24, 2012, 06:51 AM	#14
10 acre woods Member Join Date: December 1, 2011 Location: the commie state of il Posts: 73	I have the lee 45 acp and it works fine for me. __________________ 9 out of 10 armed robbers agree that you should not own guns or conceal them. The other 10% stole the survey. Some times heaven is knowing you can send someone straight to hell.

April 24, 2012, 07:03 AM	#15
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	Taper crimp needed here. Now that you took the plunge, you will still want that Lee factory crimp die. You can't put on a taper crimp without it, and 45 acp definitely works better with it. It makes your reloads as trusty as factory. I know I trust my reloads, and like them better than any factory fodder.

April 24, 2012, 07:43 AM	#16
wingman Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2002 Posts: 2,108	I own Hornady, RCBS and Lee,I find Lee the easier to use and set up plus since I prefer to seat and crimp in different operation I like the 4 die setup.

April 24, 2012, 08:06 AM	#17
Idaho Spud Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2010 Posts: 330	A garden variety taper crimp die in 45 ACP by most every dies manufacturer should be sufficient for crimping. I used an old Pacific 308 Win FL sizer die (sans decapper) as a taper crimper for my first year or so. (I was poor) Oh, I happen to use RCBS dies for 45 ACP, but have many Lee die sets (among others) for other applications. They all work OK.

April 24, 2012, 10:18 AM	#18
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I stopped by the range Saturday where they had a match going on, I talked to quite a few guys about reloading 45 acp and the majority of them said they use rcbs and do not use a seperate crimp die. I hope I made the right choice

April 24, 2012, 11:17 AM	#20
Idaho Spud Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2010 Posts: 330	A properly adjusted seater die that "irons" out the flare should be sufficient, but I like to slightly taper crimp to catch the occasional, slightly short case that might not get completely "unflared". This could (and has for me) led to possible feed/chambering probs. With lead alloy projectiles, which I shoot most, I like to crimp to @.471-.472" in my guns. Especially with SWC boolits. As usual, YMMV.

April 24, 2012, 11:26 AM	#21
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,622	Mine .45ACP die set is RCBS. Seems to work great. BTW, all my .45ACP experience is shooting .45ACP in Ruger revolvers.... No semi-auto experience. __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

April 24, 2012, 01:24 PM	#22
Idaho Spud Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2010 Posts: 330	rclark said: Mine .45ACP die set is RCBS. Seems to work great. BTW, all my .45ACP experience is shooting .45ACP in Ruger revolvers.... No semi-auto experience. __________________ My only experience is semis so I'm curious: do you roll crimp for the revolver rounds, and if so does your bullet seat die allow for this? Thanks. End of hi-jack.

April 24, 2012, 01:44 PM	#23
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	I've never bought Lee. I'm sure it would work but I started with RCBS and will stay there. Everything works great and great warranty. I just loaded 45s the first time last week and everything shot fine that I took outside.

April 24, 2012, 01:48 PM	#24
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	I use the Lee 4 die set in .45ACP (and .38spl, and .357mag, and .44 mag), and it works great. Some things Lee offers really are cheaper (functional, but you can tell the difference between the Lee and the other brands). But with their dies, IMO, they're as good as anything else out there.