What brand of dies?

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I'm new to reloading and I have decided to go with the rcbs rockchuker kit. Now I need to decide what dies to get is there a big quallity difference between brands if so wich brand should I be looking at I'll be reloading .223 and 30/06

edit: who makes a decent tumbler

Thanks
 
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RCBS or Redding would be my choice for dies (Redding over RCBS)

Lyman Tumbler's are quiet. The Frankford Arsenal works but is noisy and to dump the media you have to lug the whole machine to your dumping station.
 
pricewise,the lee dies are way less expensive than the rcbs ones.
lee are about $33.00 +tx. for rifle including the shell holder.
rcbs cost me (.303) $50 + $8 +tx. for shell holder (not included).

for tumblers,i have the frankford arsenal and the lyman 1200.
the lyman is much quieter but they both do a good job.
the frankford cost me (whole kit) $109 +tx.

hope this helps...
 
Man I think I have one set of just about everyones dies and they all work fine. On the other hand for some unknown reason I do prefer Redding Dies and RCBS Equipment.

Good Luck Ken.
 
I can't reccomend Lee dies EXCEPT their factory crimp die is a very good thing. I've been reloading for 30+ years and I prefer Redding, Hornady and RCBS, in that order.
 
I've got mostly RCBS, but I may go to Lee dies, as they come with the crimp die, which I might start needing to reload TSX's. I've got one set of them already and I'm not noticing any practical difference between them and my RCBS dies, in terms of the cartridges the put out.
 
Lee dies are good for the money. They are packaged well with the crimp die. Great for the beginner. I still use my Lee's for my lead bullets and plinking loads/guns.

Starting to use RCBS instead but for a few $ more than Lee, you still have to buy the Lee Crimp Die. I haven't found they do a better job than Lee but I do like the fact that you can lock down the depth adjustment with the lock nut. Left on a Turret, I never have to adjust them now. Use RCBS for my IPSC, AR and bolt loads.
 
I use RCBS dies and they work good. No complaints for me. If I was a precision shooting nut, I'd probably go with redding competition dies. Friend and I tried a set of Horndy dies but we got a shell stuck it it the first time we used it. Both ended up getting mad and breaking it to get the case out.
That started the RCBS only collection.
 
BTW LEE will custom make a factory crimp die for CHEAP. I got Redding to custom make a set of dies for my 375 Whelen Imp.40 and then LEE to custom make a collet crimp die. The best of both worlds.
Oh yeah, my main press is a RCBS I bought new as a teenager in 1977. I also have a LEE handpress that I use a lot. You can't really full length resize big cases with it but it's good for everything else.
 
thanks for the replies. I decided to go with the rcbs for the 30/06 and I might get it for the 223 also but I am consdering the reddings for it as I might get into percision shooting. Is there a big difference in the end product between therse two brands?
 
agreed i have a few sets of RCBS i have 2 lee dies 3 reddings and only 1 Hornady (.243) and i like the hornady the best i duno from the slider that holds my bullets in place to the actual rubber setting screw setup it just seems faster and better my adjustments are also better.

personally Hornady have my Thumbs up but they all do the trick i have made very good shells from all of them i just find the hornady quicker and more precise when trying to do a bunch of loads quickly.
 
Forster seating dies are top shelf, as are their new neck bushing dies. RCBS also makes neck bushing dies which is the style used by most match shooters.
 
Hornady new dimensions are great dies & my fav, after loading for 30 yrs only ever had trouble with 2 sets of dies, Lyman, although they replaced them, it's not worth the inconvenience! Have loaded 1,000s of rounds with Lee's as well & never had a lick of problem, actually for hunting rifles I might actually prefer them :)
 
Use them all too - like the Hornady seating die setup, very consistent. I don't have any competition dies or micro seaters or any of that - I load hunting ammo, and the RCBC, Reddings and Lees all work fine. The Lee Deluxe sets are interesting and work as well as any others for me. The neck-size die is slick, and quicker to set up than partial sizing with a F/L die (probably just me). Found the Reddings needed a real good cleaning brand new and tend to mud up faster, but they sure work well.
 
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