220 Swift Dies

cbhester · February 2, 2010, 09:52 AM

I'm getting into reloading as we speek and am trying to balance quality equip. with finances. I noticed that the dies for the 220 swift are pretty expensive. Will getting one of the less expensive brand sacrafice accuracy or quality in my reloaded rounds? If so, what would be the general opinion of the best die in combination of money and quality?

Doby45 · February 2, 2010, 09:57 AM

Depends upon what your shooting goals are, hunting, plinking, benchrest and so forth.

If you are looking for hunting/plinking you will be more than well serviced by Lee dies.

I use both Lee and Hornady dies. I bought the 2 sets of Hornady dies because they did not have Lees when I went to make my purchase. With using both of them I would say the work the exact same way and just as well as each other.

Now if your looking into benchrest, I would say you might want to step up your dies to some more expensive ones.

Scorch · February 2, 2010, 01:17 PM

Look into a set of Lee Collet dies, they work like a neck sizer die. You will also need a full-length sizer die if you buy the collet die set.

FrankenMauser · February 2, 2010, 03:55 PM

Step up to RCBS dies. You'll be happier in the long run, and it's only $12-15 difference. (Sometimes less than that.)
Your rifle has much more influence on accuracy than a reloading die ever will. I used an out-of-the-box set of RCBS dies for my Swift. It consistently prints dime-size 10-shot groups and 100 yards. (On the rare occasion that I actually go to a range.)

The old saying holds true, even with reloading equipment - You get what you pay for.

The best 'bang for the buck' is Redding, in my opinion. As a bonus, they're made in America.

farmall · February 3, 2010, 02:39 PM

+1 On the Lee Collet Dies, but get the Deluxe set, as you will need to bump the shoulder back every once in a while. They also minimixe having to trim, and help the brass last longer.

I size with the Lee Collet die, and seat with a Hornady seater. That setup has minimized runout for me, but I can't see any difference on the targets.

Another note....try to find Remiongton brass. I shoot several Swifts, and the W-W brass is junk, IMHO, brittle, inconsistant neck thickness, loose primer pockets. R-P is much better for the same $$$.

If you are new to reloading, you don't need to contend with all those problems too!

Andy

mrawesome22 · February 3, 2010, 10:32 PM

Hornady dies for sure. Inline seating sleeve standard, the best lock rings, great quality dies.

February 2, 2010, 09:52 AM	#1
cbhester Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Location: Brownsville, KY Posts: 57	220 Swift Dies I'm getting into reloading as we speek and am trying to balance quality equip. with finances. I noticed that the dies for the 220 swift are pretty expensive. Will getting one of the less expensive brand sacrafice accuracy or quality in my reloaded rounds? If so, what would be the general opinion of the best die in combination of money and quality?

February 2, 2010, 01:17 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	Look into a set of Lee Collet dies, they work like a neck sizer die. You will also need a full-length sizer die if you buy the collet die set. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 2, 2010, 03:55 PM	#4
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,772	Step up to RCBS dies. You'll be happier in the long run, and it's only $12-15 difference. (Sometimes less than that.) Your rifle has much more influence on accuracy than a reloading die ever will. I used an out-of-the-box set of RCBS dies for my Swift. It consistently prints dime-size 10-shot groups and 100 yards. (On the rare occasion that I actually go to a range.) The old saying holds true, even with reloading equipment - You get what you pay for. The best 'bang for the buck' is Redding, in my opinion. As a bonus, they're made in America. __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

February 2, 2010, 09:57 AM	#2
Doby45 Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2009 Location: Powder Springs, GA Posts: 213	Depends upon what your shooting goals are, hunting, plinking, benchrest and so forth. If you are looking for hunting/plinking you will be more than well serviced by Lee dies. I use both Lee and Hornady dies. I bought the 2 sets of Hornady dies because they did not have Lees when I went to make my purchase. With using both of them I would say the work the exact same way and just as well as each other. Now if your looking into benchrest, I would say you might want to step up your dies to some more expensive ones.

February 3, 2010, 02:39 PM	#5
farmall Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Beatrice Nebraska Posts: 613	+1 On the Lee Collet Dies, but get the Deluxe set, as you will need to bump the shoulder back every once in a while. They also minimixe having to trim, and help the brass last longer. I size with the Lee Collet die, and seat with a Hornady seater. That setup has minimized runout for me, but I can't see any difference on the targets. Another note....try to find Remiongton brass. I shoot several Swifts, and the W-W brass is junk, IMHO, brittle, inconsistant neck thickness, loose primer pockets. R-P is much better for the same $$$. If you are new to reloading, you don't need to contend with all those problems too! Andy

February 3, 2010, 10:32 PM	#6
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Hornady dies for sure. Inline seating sleeve standard, the best lock rings, great quality dies.