Differences between die brands

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Freyr_255

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So I did a search and best I could come up with is generic "which die is better" threads.

I'm still new to reloading and still haven't quite figured out what the main differences are between die brands.

What features are different and how do they affect function?

When we get down to it is there much point in going with something more expensive than a Lee set if you're not into long distance target shooting?
 
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The main difference is price... but, It mostly boils down to personal preference. I use all different brands of dies and they all work just fine. I do like the Hornady bullet seating dies if I have a bullet with a high BC and a soft tip because I fnd the little plunger guides the tip into place without marking it up. If I'm loading crimped lever action loads like a 45-70 I personally like Lee's collet crimping die. These are preferences and not necessities. I have and still use some old used dies I bought that are kinda rust pitted inside and look like hell but work just fine. Don't get caught up on brand names. Some guys gotta have brandX and can't do without. It's hogwash.
Long distance precision target shooting is a whole different thing and you'l have to disregard everything I said above.
 
Some manufacturers like Hornady offer lifetime warranty, others like Lee have just 2 years. I had problems with sizing dies in the past. Hornady replaced it no charge. The Lee die was past the warranty period. :( Other than that it's features. Such as a locking feature on the lock rings so you can remove and replace dies without having to setup the dies again. I like Hornady's lock rings as the locking is done with a bolt that squeezes the ring together. They also have flat sides that allow the user to use a wrench on them for removal and reseating into your press. RCBS locks their rings by forcing some softer material into the die thread, which I've found don't lock as well. Their ring is also round, which makes it harder to remove and reseat. Lee has no locking feature but also have flat sides.
 
+1 Lee collet die set. Nobody else out there makes anything that's comparable to the Collet die; although there are some calibers that are available in bushing style target dies that achieve similar results but at significantly more cost.

Otherwise, they're all pretty similar. I usually choose Forester, then Redding, then Hornady, then Lyman or RCBS in about that order of preference.
 
In my die collection are: Forster, RCBS, Redding, CH4D, Lyman, Hornady, Bonanza, and one unmarked set of 303 Epps dies.

I also have a couple of sets of L.E. Wilson straight line dies for my long range wonders, but they are in a different class.

If I had to list by preference, I would choose Redding, then Forster, then RCBS, but they are so close that it is hardly worth trying to sort them out.

Here's an interesting piece of trivia, though. I have 3 sets of 308 Norma Mag dies...all RCBS, none are small base. My new 308 Norma will only accept resized brass from one of these die sets, the others are slightly too large at the base even after "bump over" FL sizing, and will not chamber.
My PH M81 Classic will accept brass sized by any one of the three sets.

Regards, Eagleye.
 
My newest set of Redding dies has a sizer with the roughest interior finish on any set of dies I have ever owned. I don't know if that particular set was missed during the polishing stage or what but my normal high opinion of Redding has been knocked down a bit. :(
 
It's mostly a Ford vs Chevy thing plus the cost of providing the warrantee. RCBS will fix any issues you have with a phone call, but you pay more.
 
.. Guess it's a measure of Habit. I started out with a used set of Dies, Press etc. all RCBS. And have pretty much stayed with RCBS, plus , I like the "Purty Green Boxes" ! ... Customer Service is really good, even extending to Dies purchased used ! ..... David K
 
My favorite is the Redding bushing type sizing dies, because they let me adjust the neck tension. I tend to purchase the Match Neck bushing sets, with bushing neck sizer, micrometer seating die, and a body die.
 
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