I think LEE DIES ARE GREAT. Sound off on your experiences.
- Thread starter sgt.rock
- Start date
I've used pretty much all Lee Precision products aside casting ones. I've also used Hornady, Dillon, RCBS, Redding and Forster, so I can compare.
I find that most of their products are well designed but poorly built : i cite as an example the cast aluminium linkage of their presses, which I broke three of during the five years using my 3-station turret press.
As for dies :
- Their sizing dies are ok, nothing to complain about
- Seating and crimping dies aren't bad, but they do not age well, after 2 years, rubber o-rings holding the adjustments are drying and becoming less "tacky", and I needed to re-adjust seating depth every 10 or so rounds
Factory crimp dies : In my opinion, this is Lee's best product, simple, effective and very durable!
I find that most of their products are well designed but poorly built : i cite as an example the cast aluminium linkage of their presses, which I broke three of during the five years using my 3-station turret press.
As for dies :
- Their sizing dies are ok, nothing to complain about
- Seating and crimping dies aren't bad, but they do not age well, after 2 years, rubber o-rings holding the adjustments are drying and becoming less "tacky", and I needed to re-adjust seating depth every 10 or so rounds
Factory crimp dies : In my opinion, this is Lee's best product, simple, effective and very durable!
Use the Lee for my 30-30 and 44 Rem Mag. Only dislike is the rubber o-ring set up, which has been mentioned before. I will try the locktite though. Use Hornady for 280AI and dislike the zip spindle and I don't like how the box opens. I have Redding coming for 300 H&H, and everything else is RCBS which I have had good luck with.
Lee dies are fine and their collet dies are great. Are they the absolute best quality? No. Does it make any difference? For the vast percentage of circumstances, no it doesn't. Their collet dies, they are outstanding.
As for comments about them being junk and not accurate? Check this. http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek075.html Half way down the page and at bottom. That person is Mysticplayer, now Mystic Precision.
I have dies from all the manufacturers and with the exception of some specialty dies, there is little difference. The Lee sizing dies (non-carbide) sometimes need a little polishing as this is one weak point. A bore brush coated with Flitz or JB Bore Polish on a cordless drill for one minute does the trick.
Like others, I don't like the O-ring lock rings. But they get used on die holders where the dies don't get taken out every time. Otherwise swapped out for a split locked ring.
As for Lee presses, they do take a little more fiddling to set up and get working than other presses. The Loadmaster is a great press, especially if it's purchased from the US for about $240, which includes a set of dies. One thing is they need to be mounted to an extremely sturdy bench. Some of the problems come from vibrations that can throw off the "rhythm" they need for best reliability. Also keeping the primer path degreased with alcohol swabs. A couple little things and they work well. If someone wants near out of the box setup and go, then get Dillon or Hornady. If they are mechanically inclined and willing to put in an hour or two tinkering, then the Lee presses are outstanding value.
As for comments about them being junk and not accurate? Check this. http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek075.html Half way down the page and at bottom. That person is Mysticplayer, now Mystic Precision.
I have dies from all the manufacturers and with the exception of some specialty dies, there is little difference. The Lee sizing dies (non-carbide) sometimes need a little polishing as this is one weak point. A bore brush coated with Flitz or JB Bore Polish on a cordless drill for one minute does the trick.
Like others, I don't like the O-ring lock rings. But they get used on die holders where the dies don't get taken out every time. Otherwise swapped out for a split locked ring.
As for Lee presses, they do take a little more fiddling to set up and get working than other presses. The Loadmaster is a great press, especially if it's purchased from the US for about $240, which includes a set of dies. One thing is they need to be mounted to an extremely sturdy bench. Some of the problems come from vibrations that can throw off the "rhythm" they need for best reliability. Also keeping the primer path degreased with alcohol swabs. A couple little things and they work well. If someone wants near out of the box setup and go, then get Dillon or Hornady. If they are mechanically inclined and willing to put in an hour or two tinkering, then the Lee presses are outstanding value.
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- Location
- Halifax - NS
Besides the turret press, LEEs dies are the only thing that company does well.
My 2 cents based on over 100k rounds loaded on their progressives until I saw the light.
My 2 cents based on over 100k rounds loaded on their progressives until I saw the light.
- Location
- B.C. Interior
I got a set of Lee .308 dies when I could not find any rcbs and I was suprised how good they work but I still prefer rcbs.
Bassmaster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- WMU 48 - Whitetail country
I only have Lee and RCBS dies in my meager collection so I can't compare to others, but I have no complaints. I use a lot of LEE stuff....4/20 casting pot, 9 bullet molds and several factory crimp dies.....all have done what I want them to do, without having to spend megabucks to enjoy the hobby
I've been using the same press for 20+ year's with the cast aluminum linkage's, and their still the original set that I bought. Mind you I dissassemble it every 5 or so year's and grease it.
- Location
- Central AB
I definately prefer Lee dies to the other dies I've used. I've had primer punches break on hornady dies, and bend on rcbd dies. But have never had an issue with a Lee die. Their collet dies are awesome, and the factory crimp dies are the best you can buy. All that and a great price.
Very happy with most of my Lee gear. I like the dies for the price, the collet and FCD dies are awesome. I use a wrench and tighten them down until the lock ring just bottoms. This keeps them where I want them. I find Lee's marketing is pretty spot on if you read between the lines. Its the best for the money, but not the best. It all works but some stuff requires some mechanical aptitude. Not a problem for me but some of their products are enough to upgrade to something better. Its the best value not the best gear.
Lee makes a very good carbide pistol die set for the money. Combined with their Autodisc measure they're easily my favourite die for a straight wall pistol cartridge. I do through out those O-ring lock nuts and put real ones on.
Their presses, moulds, casting pots , scales and rifle dies are junk though.
Their presses, moulds, casting pots , scales and rifle dies are junk though.
My biggest complaint with the Lee dies is they are extremely susceptible rust. Leave them out over night in my humid shop without a coating of oil and they have rust on them the next day. They're the only ones that rust that fast. I have RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, CH/CH4D, Bair, Pacific, and one other brand I don't remember the name of...The only ones I don't like are the Lyman (All American are what I have) dies. Well, I do like the M die but that's it. I've used Lee, Hornady and RCBS support and they have all been great. More hoops to jump through with Lee but that's it. Same result form all, new stuff in the mail in short order. The Hornady issue was 45 Colt dies that wouldn't resize the case small enough. Jacketed bullets dropped into the cases after sizing. They knew about the issue, they were designed for lead boolits. They sent me a bare 454 Casull die for free. Pretty good service imho!
