I've been using RCBS dies since 1986 and prefer them over Lee Dies. The ONLY Lee dies I will buy are their taper crimp dies. I find fine adjustment easier with RCBS than with Lee. In the end it is personal preference. I would stay away from Lyman as my experience with their consumer service after purchase, was horrible.
Dies. Does brand name make a difference?
- Thread starter Brianma65
- Start date
I far prefer the Lee dies - because I don't need to mess with a wrench and a screwdriver to adjust the seater depth. When I loosen the nut, I need to hold the turret with one hand and wrench with the other - now the adjuster - did it thread out with the lock nut when the nut broke free? Maybe the nut was tighter than the die was threaded into the turret - so now the die threaded out of the turret - now I have to tighten the die tighter - which also adjusts seating depth - and I sit there wondering why I still have any non-Lee dies.
The solution is obvious, purchase a seating die with a micrometer adjustment. You know exactly how far you are adjusting it, and you just record the settings for each bullet, or each rifle.
I actually talked to Lee about this, they have excellent customer service by the way, they emailed back within an hour. Lots of others never get a reply.
Anyway, their 7.5x55 dies are sized to the 1911 chamber, witch is tighter than the chamber used on the K31. The K31 apparently has a tiny bit longer headspace spec, and a bigger shoulder. The dies have to be made to the minimum 1911 spec. because it is after all the 1911 cartridge. It just fire forms to the bigger K31 chamber size.
I use Lee full length and collet dies all the time. Only thing I don't like is the decapping pin can't be removed. Other than that, no worries.
nomad 68
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
A 99 carbine is 20" barrel. I can't see Lee hand gun dies being inferior to their rifle dies but I have certainly been wrong before.
LordEvilPepper
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Under a rusty barge in BC
I've tried a lot of die pretty much every one except forester
Redding... the best... good fetures, good results, good quality parts.
Lee second best, bad lock nuts but good results.
Lyman meh good not bad not great
RCBS horrible run out, bad decapping pin system
Redding... the best... good fetures, good results, good quality parts.
Lee second best, bad lock nuts but good results.
Lyman meh good not bad not great
RCBS horrible run out, bad decapping pin system
I'm not too OCD when it comes to reloading dies, Lee served me well and I like the ease of using them. I would have no use for a locked bullet feed adjustment because I generally only load 20-25 of the same bullet at a session so I'd be pissing around with tools all the time. This way I just have the calipers out and adjust and go.
I'd not hesitate picking up an other set of Hornady dies since the one I have for 40S&W is well made good quality equipment. I run mainly Lee reloading equipment and have had no problems with any of their products. Their FC dies are the cats ass if I do say so myself
mossyhorns
CGN Regular
- Location
- The city that rhymes with fun
Redding all the way.
I prefer the Forster full length bench rest dies because of the high mounted floating expander the will not pull your necks off center and induce neck runout.
Below the rubber Co-Ax Washer (W-10) allows the spindle assembly to float and self center in the die greatly reducing neck runout.
I even retrofitted my RCBS dies with the Forster expander and spindle assemblies because of the reduced neck runout.
kamlooky
The O-ring allows the the die to float and self center in the press and thus produce more concentric ammo.
Below the rubber Co-Ax Washer (W-10) allows the spindle assembly to float and self center in the die greatly reducing neck runout.
I even retrofitted my RCBS dies with the Forster expander and spindle assemblies because of the reduced neck runout.
kamlooky
The O-ring allows the the die to float and self center in the press and thus produce more concentric ammo.
How is your crimp die on the Hornady? I have one set of Hornady for the 300BLK and I can't use it for crimping. I have a set for 45ACP I haven't used yet, still in plastic, I might ditch. On the 300BLK I had to wind out the die to prevent the crimp from working and buy a Lee Factory Crimp die. I would only ever have two scenarios with the Hornady die attempting to crimp: either I could shake the bullet out of the case, or it would crush the neck into a bulge and I could still shake the bullet out of the case. Yes, the actual manual from the box and the Hornady website says the die is capable of seating and crimping.
Oh, and I have been reloading for decades with RCBS, Lee, Redding, etc. so I won't bet on user error too quickly.
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Chefhunter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Maple ridge
I know every rifle is different but i have a 99f in 308 that i haven't shot yet, just curious to know what your rifle prefers.
Aniest,
I use the Lee FC dies for crimping my straight walled pistol ammo. The FC die I got for 7.62 Tok won't contact the case so I crimp with the seating die and run the "finished" round back through the sizing die to get reliable chambering.
I use the Lee FC dies for crimping my straight walled pistol ammo. The FC die I got for 7.62 Tok won't contact the case so I crimp with the seating die and run the "finished" round back through the sizing die to get reliable chambering.
I use RCBS carbide for .45 and.357. I was thinking of getting set of lee ($30) for my new .40. But I just seen a set of Redding dies just popped up on the EE for $75. I might just order the RCBS from Brownells.
If you are going to buy a new set, I suggest the Lee 4 die set. It includes the Factory Crimp die. It guarantees all your ammo will chamber.
