Best dies for progressive press

Gatehouse

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I’ve been setting up my Hornady LNL AP as time permits. Got the bullet feeder and case feeder working great, pawls adjusted, EZject upgrade done...:)

I was wondering if anyone had a preference for dies for progressives? I am mostly loading 45ACP and have my 20 year old RCBS dies installed that I’ve used on a single stage and older RCBS progressive. But it dawned on me someone may have come up with something easier or better for progressives in the last two decades so I thought I would ask.

What’s your preference and why?
 
Dillon dies are the best in my opinion but you're going to get all the usual suspects (Lee, Hornady, Redding and RCBS). A lot of reloaders will mix and match die brands based on specific requirements (e.g. Dillon sizing/decapping die, Redding seating die and Lee factory crimp die).
 
I have multiple dies in same the caliber from different manufacturers, so I can used them in my LNL AP with the bushings, and other sets without the bushings in either a RCBS RC with Piggyback conversion or Lee turret without having to readjust all the time from scratch. Choice of press depends on how many I need to make, what primer size is that press setup for and which press are the dies setup for.
Some I bought brand new, some from deceased friends, and some just given to me.

Only picky about the rifle caliber ones for match rifles. use a Hornady LNL classic for those and an OLD CH by Roddy C press with Lee universal decapper
Have dies from Hornady, Lee, RCBS, Lyman, Pacific, CH4D

Don't have Dillion dies due to I never bought any of their presses.

Have 2 Lee 45ACP die sets and 1 set from RCBS. My LNL AP 45ACP dies are the more recently made Lee's
 
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No issues with my Lee and RCBS dies on my LNL AP. I don't think the system is that picky that the brand of die would make a difference with any press.
 
I use Hornady dies in my LNL AP but only use the LNL AP for pistol rounds.
Use Lee rifle dies in my Classic Cast.
PTX all the way!
 
Dillon dies hands down. They all have a belled openings to capture misalignment of the rounds just incase.

That looks like a nice feature. Thanks


Yup, I've got that stuff. Haven't installed it yet as I was just going with a separate expander to get up and running and play around a bit. That's next on the list. :)

Thanks, folks
 
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