LEE Dies

I've got a 4die set for 357, works fine but is a pain in the butt, each die is another stroke of the press and on a single stage that a lot of strokes
 
lee 4 dies set you got full length sizing die , bullet sitter , crimps die and the neck sizing die that only for the neck that you reload only from the same rifle if you ware to shoot that caliber in outer rifles you have to use the full length die have fun
 
I've got a 4die set for 357, works fine but is a pain in the butt, each die is another stroke of the press and on a single stage that a lot of strokes

Huh? How does this differ from other brands? Are you suggesting a combo seat/crimp?
 
I also have the 38/357 set, no complaints here, easy enough to set up and use.

Although I use the sizing/depriming as a separate first step, then trim/clean primer pockets, and run all the brass through the rest of the press to make the ammo.
 
I have lee 4-die rifles sets for somewhere around 10 calibers. Likely loaded 10-15k rounds with them cumulatively. No serious complaints; just make sure you tighten the decapping pin nuts on the FL sizing dies from factory torque.
Have a couple of the 4-die sets for magnum revolver cartidges, ditto on no complaints. Probably around 5k rounds through them.
Also have two 3-die pistol sets (9mm and .40). In total probably 25k rounds with no major issues.

The Lee FL rifle sizing dies size smaller than most other brands; they seem on-par with RCBS small-base dies. The .308 die is the only one I rely on for some of my tighter-chambered rifles.
I've had issues with some non-toxic (NT) headstamped 9mm brass (SB and FC). The flash-holes are quite a bit smaller and 50/50 if the decapping pin can go through or not. I don't run across those headstamps much so I just toss em in the scrap box.
 
For pistol it's
FL resize
Case mouth expander
Bullet seater
Crimper
Other brands seat and crimp , so one less die

I'm very familiar with how they work, different brands offer different options.

So you were suggesting a combo seat/crimp....
 
I bought a Hornady 3 piece set, and a Lee 4 piece Deluxe for 45 ACP. I don't have the Lee set anymore. Extra die that didn't do anything.
 
I bought a Hornady 3 piece set, and a Lee 4 piece Deluxe for 45 ACP. I don't have the Lee set anymore. Extra die that didn't do anything.

Other than the Lee Deluxe set separating the seat/crimp functions how do they differ?
 
Lee is like Kraft Dinner, everyone likes it but no one will admit it. Lee does some amazing engineering as well. For 38/357 the 1000 pro is amazingly fast, it will blow the doors off all but the Dillon 1050. I know because I have owned them all. The Lee case feeder does work especially in 38/357.

I am a 1000yd guy. I use a Co-Ax press and have all the gizmos. I loaded a bunch on the Co-Ax and compared them to the same loaded on Lee checking run out etc. I really could see no difference and none on the range. A Co-Ax press is pretty big money compared to a Lee, dies too!
 
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