Newbie Dumb Question

hags · January 14, 2007, 12:37 AM

I'm thinking of getting my feet wet with reloading.
I was wondering if you can use dies from one manufacturer in another manufacturer's press.
I was looking at getting a Lee Classic 4 hole turret press and have access to RCBS dies.
Thanks.

Smokey Joe · January 14, 2007, 12:49 AM

And if there were, they'd still be a lot easier to handle than dumb mistakes!

Hags--The answer to yr question is "mostly." There are a few exceptions, the Dillon Square Deal B being the commonest AFAIK--it uses its own proprietary dies, which are NOT interchangeable with anything else, including other Dillons. But for most reloading presses, and dies, Thank God someone had a severe attack of common sense back when they were being designed, and most dies and presses are completely interchangeable.

I can't begin to imagine the state in which reloading would be at present, if RCBS dies only fit RCBS presses, Lyman only Lyman, Dillon only Dillon, Posness-Warren only Posness-Warren, and so forth. Yech.

Your Lee Classic press and RCBS dies will work just fine together.

BTW, have you got the "standard text" on reloading? It's The ABC's of Reloading put out by Krause Publishing, www.krause.com Get it @ yr local sptg gds sto, gun sho, the I'net, or order direct from the publisher. Tons and tons of good info for beginner and expert alike.

Oh, and welcome to The Magnificent Obsession--Reloading!

Rimrod · January 14, 2007, 12:51 AM

Yes, RCBS dies work in LEE presses. Most Dies and presses use a standard 7/8X14 thread. There are exceptions however like one of the Dillons and the old Lyman 310 loader.

arkie2 · January 14, 2007, 12:56 AM

If you get RCBS dies make sure (if it's pistol dies) that they're carbide dies. Lee pistol dies are carbide but I'm not sure about about RCBS.

mrawesome22 · January 14, 2007, 02:36 AM

Most presses are universal. I can even use 2 different size dies on my Rock Chucker Supreme. 7/8 by 14 with the insert in and 1/2 by 12 with the insert out. I think those are the dimensions.

CrustyFN · January 14, 2007, 02:04 PM

Great choice on presses also I might add. If you haven't bought it yet check out Cabela's, they have the classic turret in a kit now for $149.
Rusty

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...847&hasJS=true

sanson · January 14, 2007, 02:07 PM

without reloading & testing shooting would be boring

blancoman · January 15, 2007, 11:13 AM

Put my Lee Classic Turret Press together over this last weekend. Some things to think about. First of all, even with the double disk adapter kit, the pro powder measure will only throw about 42 gr of powder. The pro powder measure is designed to throw for pistols or maybe something small like a 223. The safety auto prime works and I am sure I will get better with it. Takes a little getting used to. If you are loading a rifle you will need a thru the expander powder die. All that having been said. I was loading about 150 rds an hour in the first hour. Like I said, It will get faster. Dillon is better but do you really need something that produces 400 rds. an hour? For the money, the little lee cast press is hard to beat.

rangermonroe · January 15, 2007, 02:21 PM

I use my grandfathers CH dies in my LEE, and my RCBS dies in my CH presses without a problem. They are all 7/8 x 14.

I love the common sense idea from yesteryear.

January 14, 2007, 12:37 AM	#1
hags Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 151	Newbie Dumb Question I'm thinking of getting my feet wet with reloading. I was wondering if you can use dies from one manufacturer in another manufacturer's press. I was looking at getting a Lee Classic 4 hole turret press and have access to RCBS dies. Thanks.

January 14, 2007, 12:49 AM	#2
Smokey Joe Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2001 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,106	There are no dumb questions! And if there were, they'd still be a lot easier to handle than dumb mistakes! Hags--The answer to yr question is "mostly." There are a few exceptions, the Dillon Square Deal B being the commonest AFAIK--it uses its own proprietary dies, which are NOT interchangeable with anything else, including other Dillons. But for most reloading presses, and dies, Thank God someone had a severe attack of common sense back when they were being designed, and most dies and presses are completely interchangeable. I can't begin to imagine the state in which reloading would be at present, if RCBS dies only fit RCBS presses, Lyman only Lyman, Dillon only Dillon, Posness-Warren only Posness-Warren, and so forth. Yech. Your Lee Classic press and RCBS dies will work just fine together. BTW, have you got the "standard text" on reloading? It's The ABC's of Reloading put out by Krause Publishing, www.krause.com Get it @ yr local sptg gds sto, gun sho, the I'net, or order direct from the publisher. Tons and tons of good info for beginner and expert alike. Oh, and welcome to The Magnificent Obsession--Reloading! __________________ God Bless America --Smokey Joe

January 14, 2007, 02:04 PM	#6
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	Great choice on presses also I might add. If you haven't bought it yet check out Cabela's, they have the classic turret in a kit now for $149. Rusty http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...847&hasJS=true __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded. Last edited by CrustyFN; January 14, 2007 at 11:43 PM.

January 14, 2007, 02:07 PM	#7
sanson Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2006 Location: FL panhandle Posts: 547	without reloading & testing shooting would be boring __________________ www.sansoneservices.com

January 14, 2007, 12:51 AM	#3
Rimrod Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Behind enemy lines Posts: 1,309	Yes, RCBS dies work in LEE presses. Most Dies and presses use a standard 7/8X14 thread. There are exceptions however like one of the Dillons and the old Lyman 310 loader.

January 14, 2007, 12:56 AM	#4
arkie2 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2006 Posts: 475	If you get RCBS dies make sure (if it's pistol dies) that they're carbide dies. Lee pistol dies are carbide but I'm not sure about about RCBS.

January 14, 2007, 02:36 AM	#5
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Most presses are universal. I can even use 2 different size dies on my Rock Chucker Supreme. 7/8 by 14 with the insert in and 1/2 by 12 with the insert out. I think those are the dimensions.

January 15, 2007, 11:13 AM	#8
blancoman Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 37	Put my Lee Classic Turret Press together over this last weekend. Some things to think about. First of all, even with the double disk adapter kit, the pro powder measure will only throw about 42 gr of powder. The pro powder measure is designed to throw for pistols or maybe something small like a 223. The safety auto prime works and I am sure I will get better with it. Takes a little getting used to. If you are loading a rifle you will need a thru the expander powder die. All that having been said. I was loading about 150 rds an hour in the first hour. Like I said, It will get faster. Dillon is better but do you really need something that produces 400 rds. an hour? For the money, the little lee cast press is hard to beat.

January 15, 2007, 02:21 PM	#9
rangermonroe Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2005 Location: savannah Posts: 758	I use my grandfathers CH dies in my LEE, and my RCBS dies in my CH presses without a problem. They are all 7/8 x 14. I love the common sense idea from yesteryear.