Dies-RCBS or Lee

Most dies I buy these days are Redding, but I have afair collection of RCBS and a couple of LEE's.

I liek the Reddings the best, followed by RCBS. The LEE collet die is a good neck sizing die, though.

Since I mostly partial size cases, a FL Redding set usualoly works for me.:)
 
Since this is my first reloading setup I'm not willing to spend the extra cash on Redding stuff...I wouldn't know what to appreciate about their quality anyways. Originally I had all Lee stuff on order but some of it wasn't in stock so I just switched everything to RCBS. Cost me a little more than double the Lee setup but I've heard good things about RCBS.
 
mistahmojoryan said:
Since this is my first reloading setup I'm not willing to spend the extra cash on Redding stuff...I wouldn't know what to appreciate about their quality anyways. Originally I had all Lee stuff on order but some of it wasn't in stock so I just switched everything to RCBS. Cost me a little more than double the Lee setup but I've heard good things about RCBS.
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You won't regret it! RCBS has the absolute best warranty in the industry. They make high quality tools that will last a lifetime and by buying quality now, you're saving yourself a lot of money in the long run, because you'll have, from the start, the equipment you would've ended up with anyway!
 
kell2784 said:
Where do most people buy their Redding dies from? I can't seem to find much in Canada?

I have mainly RCBS dies, with one set of Redding. I find quality is equal.
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Mailorder Reddibg from the US is best.

Chris
 
prosper said:
Lee customer service is great too. I've gotten free replacement parts from them before without even having to send in the old ones.

Anyway, I pretty much stick to the Lee Collet die Deluxe sets with the collet die, seater and FL size die. Everything you need in one unit (don't bother with a crimp on most calibers). I rarely use the FL die, but it DOES come in handy. The collet die is IMHO the best neck die on the market, hands down (including the expensive bushing dies). The seater is no big deal, but it's as good as the RCBS. If you're into high precision, it's the one die in the set that you may want to upgrade with a Redding/Forester/Bonanza benchrest seater
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+1

I order that set for every caliber, and it doesn't hurt that it includes a shellholder. I also agree with the seating die comment, if you have a particular rifle that you like to try different bullets for often, or seriously shoot for bugholes with, then I'd consider a micrometer seating die from one of those manufacturers.

mistahmojoryan said:
Since this is my first reloading setup I'm not willing to spend the extra cash on Redding stuff...I wouldn't know what to appreciate about their quality anyways. Originally I had all Lee stuff on order but some of it wasn't in stock so I just switched everything to RCBS. Cost me a little more than double the Lee setup but I've heard good things about RCBS.
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So if after 2 years every item you order breaks, and Lee refused to give you any of the leeway that they tend to give on their products, you will almost break even with the Lee price? You just may be a victim of peer pressure by switching to green paint for twice the price. ;)

Lee leads the market in in the design of two dies, the Lee collet neck sizer, and the Lee factory crimp die. Nobody has a superior die for these two purposes. Not having to use lube with the collet die as well as the extra case life, save a lot of time and money, and they often increase accuracy as well.

The lock ring on the RCBS is more solid and repeatable, I would prefer that to the rubber o-ring setup that Lee uses. The best unit in this regard (for a single stage press) is actually the hornady lock'n'load system.
 
cariboo_kid said:
You just may be a victim of peer pressure by switching to green paint for twice the price. ;)
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Maybe but as long as the quality is there I don't mind the added expense of RCBS. (Ie, a Savage may shoot as well as a Sako but guess which one I own? ;) )

I'm still going with the RCBS 2-die set and from what I understand I don't really need a crimp die. I'm also not worrying about a neck sizing die at this point; a FL sizing die and seater die should do the trick for now.
 
I have many Lee sets, along with other brands. Sometimes the inside of the Lee dies are not finished quite as well as some premium dies. That is quickly fixed by using some Flitz on a bore mop (with cotton around it as necessary) for 30 seconds in a cordless drill.

After that, no difference that I have seen. The super premium dies may give you that "edge" to shrink your group a few hundredths of an inch if you are into benchrest competition, but honestly, what purpose are you loading for? Dies (except maybe a micrometer seater) won't make any difference for loading a hunting class rifle.
 
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stubblejumper said:
Neither of which is necessary to produce accurate,consistent reloads.
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Agreed, especially the factory crimp which I only use on my 444 with a tube mag.

Nothing wrong with RCBS whatsoever, I was just teasing him a bit about switching. ;)
 
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