Press/die questions

jay007

jay007

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St Albert, Alberta
I am not brand new to reloading but anything I have done so far has been with the Lee Loaders.

I will be getting my Lee 50th anniversary kit on Sept 8, and in the meantime want to get ready with the extras.

I'm sure I will have many questions but for now;

Can I use different brand dies in the Lee Press?

When looking at buying dies, 2, 3, 4 piece dies?

If I am loading for a bolt action vs a semi auto would one set of dies work better than another (2 vs. 3 pc)?


Thanks
 
Any standard die will fit that press.

2 die vs 3 die sets depends on what you are loading for. I use 3 die sets because I mainly neck size. If you only want to full length size then 2 die sets are fine. Bolts can be neck sized, semis need full length sizing.
 
Just about any dies should work I would look at dies that have precision bullet seating control for rifle if you want to concentrate on accuracy.

4 die sets are better IMHO for pistol as they have a separate die for crimping than the regular combo bullet seating variety.
 
One set of dies won't work better than another, but 2 die sets are usually rifle calibres and 3 handgun. Even if you're neck sizing only, eventually you'll have to FL resize and all BNIB brass requires it when new.
And all regular dies are threaded 7/8-14. Fit any regular press. There was a time when Lyman, I think it was, made non-7/8-14 dies. Only matter if you find used dies. Used dies are ok, but its best to buy only RCBS kit used. Warrantee covers 'em.
 
sunray said:
One set of dies won't work better than another, but 2 die sets are usually rifle calibres and 3 handgun. Even if you're neck sizing only, eventually you'll have to FL resize and all BNIB brass requires it when new.
And all regular dies are threaded 7/8-14. Fit any regular press. There was a time when Lyman, I think it was, made non-7/8-14 dies. Only matter if you find used dies. Used dies are ok, but its best to buy only RCBS kit used. Warrantee covers 'em.
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You would be doing everyone a great service if you stopped giving advice concerning reloading, as most of your advice is flawed at best, and at worst, it's often outright wrong. There are different types of dies made for different applications, and some dies do work better for certain applications. As for three and four die sets, three die sets are common for both rifle and handgun chamberings, and four die sets are also common for handgun chamberings. As for FL sizing being required for all BNIB cases, that is pure B.S.
 
stubblejumper said:
You would be doing everyone a great service if you stopped giving advice concerning reloading, as most of your advice is flawed at best, and at worst, it's often outright wrong. There are different types of dies made for different applications, and some dies do work better for certain applications. As for three and four die sets, three die sets are common for both rifle and handgun chamberings, and four die sets are also common for handgun chamberings. As for FL sizing being required for all BNIB cases, that is pure B.S.
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Agreed regarding FL resizing new brass. I have only neck sized new hornady brass and never had an issue chambering
 
If I understand correctly, for my needs;

.223 - Since I want to focus quite a bit on accuracy for one rifle (single shot) while also having the ability to reload for a semi I should go with the 3 piece rifle die sets.

7mm-08,25-06 etc - For hunting bolt action and single shot rifles i really only need to go with a 2 piece die set.

9mm - Best to go with a 4 piece since it allows for crimping

Am I on track?
 
I'm new to reloading and just got my Lee 50th kit delivered. I also purchased some of the lock bushings to make change overs easier and just ordered a 4 die set since my first attempt is pistol reloading.

As recommended by other members here I picked up the ABC's of Reloading 9th edition. Great read and covers the basics and also some history. A reloading manual is also needed and I have my sights on the Lyman 49th.
 
jay007 said:
If I understand correctly, for my needs;

.223 - Since I want to focus quite a bit on accuracy for one rifle (single shot) while also having the ability to reload for a semi I should go with the 3 piece rifle die sets.

7mm-08,25-06 etc - For hunting bolt action and single shot rifles i really only need to go with a 2 piece die set.

9mm - Best to go with a 4 piece since it allows for crimping

Am I on track?
Click to expand...

Yeah, you are on the right track for sure. With the pistol dies, the fourth die is a factory crimp die which many prefer, but most seating dies also crimp the bullet being a roll or taper crimp.
 
Lyman makes some non-standard dies specifically for their hand-held press for reloading in the field but I believe it's just a few "cowboy" cartridges that are available.
Dillon also produces some non-standard dies for one of their presses (Square Deal press I believe) but I think it's only pistol dies.
There are also the larger dies for some of the really big cartridges like African safari/elephant cartridges and the .50BMG.
Other than those, 99.9% of dies are interchangeable between brands as they're all 7/8-14 as others said.

Personally, I'd order all the dies at once just so I have them on hand.
-FL sizer
-neck sizer
-bullet seater/crimper

Optional but I find them handy sometimes:
-stand alone crimper (like a Lee factory crimp die)
-neck flaring die (mostly for cast bullets)

I'd get something cheap and common to start. If you want to start going down the ultra-precision road later you will want to do a lot more research before buying some of the ultra-premium match dies like those made by Forster or Redding.

Also RCBS changed their warranty policy when ATK split their consumer/retail brands into the new subsidiary Vista Outdoors. Their warranty now only officially covers original purchaser; not secondary/used purchasers. There are many reports that they do still fulfil warranty requests but since they officially don't, they can stop anytime really and just point to the policy. I wouldn't count on them offering their old-style warranty forever.
 
sunray said:
One set of dies won't work better than another, but 2 die sets are usually rifle calibres and 3 handgun. Even if you're neck sizing only, eventually you'll have to FL resize and all BNIB brass requires it when new.
And all regular dies are threaded 7/8-14. Fit any regular press. There was a time when Lyman, I think it was, made non-7/8-14 dies. Only matter if you find used dies. Used dies are ok, but its best to buy only RCBS kit used. Warrantee covers 'em.
Click to expand...

Oh my..... so much fail. There are many different dies for many different uses and no not all threads are the same. I have never seen the need to FL size new cases. If possible get yourself carbide dies as that will eliminate the need to lube pistol cases: they will also be easier to clean and will outlast you! RCBS warranty will only covert the original purchaser (says so right here in my paperwork on my RCBS dies) so there is no advantage to looking for used RCBS dies.
 
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