Reloading - is there any difference between die manufacturers

[Hawk]

Is there any difference between the dies made by RCBS, Lee, Hornady, or any of the others, or are they all about the same? If I'm going to buy new dies, I want to get the right one.

[FiHuFun]

Most of the ones you mentioned are of equal quality and you wouldn't notice the differences once you have them set up. They have some "minor" differences with adjustments and install which could effect you if you need to change over you system to at differenct calibre, etc. on a regular basis.

You can also buy custom dies from these manufacturers if you wanted, but this is mainly for competition reloading. If you are doing competition loading then you have other (more expensive) die options from Sinclaire and Wilson that you can get.

You can PM me if you want more information.

Originally Posted by Hawk

Is there any difference between the dies made by RCBS, Lee, Hornady, or any of the others, or are they all about the same? If I'm going to buy new dies, I want to get the right one.

[Hunt'nFish]

They ALL are good quality. What sets one apart from the other is how they are designed.
Each has good things about them that set them apart from the next.

Some are cheaper, but rely on o-rings to maintain adjustments.
Others have better lock rings, or differant sized bushings for fine tuning custom neck sizing and neck tension.
Others have sliding de-cap pins, some hold the bullet in alignment during the seating process.
Some, like LEE's powder through the expander dies have thread pitches that screw right onto a Hornaday powder measure.
The list goes on and on.

All I can say is learn as many of these differant little cool features and pick which brand fits your particular needs. Yes cost figues in. All mine are not custom grade dies, I have a lot of LEE dies, and RCBS, and Redding.
I know this is not any help......but that's the way it is.
Hunt'nFish

[StickFish]

Redding and don't look back

[leadlobber]

i like the new hornady die sets havent had any probs with them plus they have a bullet guide on the seater dies that i really like.but rcbs are good dies too. id just get hornady if i was to buy new ones.

[Hunt'nFish]

Also if you learn or know of some cool little trick/feature about one die or the other......SHARE w/ us here!! We can't know it all, but by sharing we all can. Much of what I've learned, was shared w/ me by reading reloading articles & differant forums, etc.

Oh Hawk, BTW, I machined up some knurled caps for the Dillon meaure's adj screw.
I got tired of using a stupid wrench to adj the powder bar.
When you get tired too, holler and I'll make you one.

Also, don't be afraid to put LEE dies in your Dillon toolheads. I love the Lee powder dies mated to thier Auto-Disk powder measures for doing pistol loading. They are cheap enough you can have deticated measures on all your toolheads. I only use the Dillon measure & dies on my rifle toolheads.
Hunt'nFish

[kigercreek]

I haven't found a lot of difference in my RCBS, Lee and Lachmiller dies for rifles. On the pistol end, there is a bit of difference I'm finding due to locking rings/adjustability. I'm currently setting up some CH dies for 38 Special which had some missing components; I'm anxious to see how they end up, as they look well made.

[baltz526]

one benifit of the lee die sets, the lee crimper is included. i have lee, lyman, rcbs, forester, and a couple others. all work fine in single stage presses. i have match grade dies, and i can not tell the difference between them and a lee, rcbs or lyman

[Big Billy]

Originally Posted by StickFish

Redding and don't look back

I agree they come in a 3 die set.

[scottishsetter]

I buy only Hornady.
The reason, I have had the seating die "hold" a bullet by stiction only ie. friction. Close tolerence straight line seating. That is important to me.
Does you seating die 'hold' the bullet aligned for seating?

[Hawk]

I noticed the Hornady dies have an option of putting a micrometer adjustment for their seating dies. This sounds good in theory in cases where you're loading two different sized bullets for the same caliber (i.e., say 140 grain for deer and 220 grain for elk). Am I on the right track here, or is the micrometer a waste of time and money?

[StickFish]

Originally Posted by Hawk

I noticed the Hornady dies have an option of putting a micrometer adjustment for their seating dies. This sounds good in theory in cases where you're loading two different sized bullets for the same caliber (i.e., say 140 grain for deer and 220 grain for elk). Am I on the right track here, or is the micrometer a waste of time and money?

If you are going to load several bullet weights for the same cartridge they can be beneficial. But it is easier to make up a blank for each bullet weight and load so setting the normal screw plunger seating dies is a snap.

When I get done perfecting a loads' OAL I take a sized case (leave the primer out) and seat a bullet to the OAL for that load and write on the case with a sharpie the details. When I want to switch the seating die, I put the blank in the shell holder - back the seating plug all the way out, cycle the ram with the chartridge and TDC screw the seating plug back in till its snug, tighten the retaining screw, cycle the blank out and you are done - took me four times longer to type than to do it.

I wouldn't spend the money on one.

[CombinationLicense]

Wow, lots of good information guys - keep it coming

I do all my rifle reloading on my single station press and have only used my Dillon for pistol cartridge reloading so far. That makes me a bit of a rookie when it comes to progressive reloading so this discussion is really helpful. I'm in the process of getting set up for .223 and purchased a setup for my Dillon from a friend of mine. It includes the Dillon die set and the Dillon electric "Sizer/Trimmer" combo, which is supposed to size the case and trim it to length in one operation.

Anybody familiar with that setup? He ran it in a single station press and pre-prepped all the cases much like Hunt'nFish described.

"CL"

[ehunter]

Hey Rick have you found any small rifle primers maybe we need to put a bulk load togeter and we we can share the cost. I have had a heck of a time finding small rifle primers and large rifle primers

Originally Posted by CombinationLicense

Wow, lots of good information guys - keep it coming

I do all my rifle reloading on my single station press and have only used my Dillon for pistol cartridge reloading so far. That makes me a bit of a rookie when it comes to progressive reloading so this discussion is really helpful. I'm in the process of getting set up for .223 and purchased a setup for my Dillon from a friend of mine. It includes the Dillon die set and the Dillon electric "Sizer/Trimmer" combo, which is supposed to size the case and trim it to length in one operation.

Anybody familiar with that setup? He ran it in a single station press and pre-prepped all the cases much like Hunt'nFish described.

"CL"

[Hawk]

Another question I would have is whether anyone is using the RCBS lube die? In theory the lube die would eliminate having to mess with spraying lube on the cases and mucking around with them.

Theoretically we could put the lube die in station one of the progressive to decap and lube the case, then size the case at station two, and trim to length at station three.

We could then clean the cases and be ready to load them; using the decapping die in station one (like leadlobber PM'd me) to clean the flash hole, powder in station two, and so on...

Being a newbie on this reloading stuff, us newbies ask a lot of sometimes dumb questions...sorry...

[Hawk]

BTT...

Any takers on the question of how well the RCBS lube die works?

[billc_sbio]

Originally Posted by StickFish

Redding and don't look back

Yes, for most applications Redding Dies all the way!

I also reload several Antique/Obsolete cartridges, lots of stuff most ppl. have never even heard of much less seen.

RCBS will have Custom Dies for much of this, but often I can buy Lyman and when not those, CH-4D Dies and save >$100 for the same die sets.

[Quack Attack]

I'll add to the Redding comments, simply because they seem to have the best tolerances, hold bullets straight, and are at the same price point as the other 'inexpensive' manufacturers. IMHO they are custom dies at regular prices.

That being said, I am still in the process of switching out all of my locking rings to hornady ones. They use a pinch style locking ring rather than a set screw style, which both holds better, and doesn't wear or damage threads after years of use.

[DAB]

IMHO yes there is a difference between die makers.
#1 what grade of material are they made from.
#2 What tolerance do they work to.
#3 Shape of expander button.
#4 How well is the bullet aligned when seating.

Sort of like asking what is the difference in a stock Remington barrel and a custom made barrel.

DAB

[Lucky Guy]

Originally Posted by StickFish

If you are going to load several bullet weights for the same cartridge they can be beneficial. But it is easier to make up a blank for each bullet weight and load so setting the normal screw plunger seating dies is a snap.

When I get done perfecting a loads' OAL I take a sized case (leave the primer out) and seat a bullet to the OAL for that load and write on the case with a sharpie the details. When I want to switch the seating die, I put the blank in the shell holder - back the seating plug all the way out, cycle the ram with the chartridge and TDC screw the seating plug back in till its snug, tighten the retaining screw, cycle the blank out and you are done - took me four times longer to type than to do it.

I wouldn't spend the money on one.

Don't know if it helps but I use a little Loctite when I seat the bullet in the sized blank case to try to keep it from moving.

[baltz526]

this is a good idea

[DAB]

Originally Posted by StickFish

If you are going to load several bullet weights for the same cartridge they can be beneficial. But it is easier to make up a blank for each bullet weight and load so setting the normal screw plunger seating dies is a snap.

When I get done perfecting a loads' OAL I take a sized case (leave the primer out) and seat a bullet to the OAL for that load and write on the case with a sharpie the details. When I want to switch the seating die, I put the blank in the shell holder - back the seating plug all the way out, cycle the ram with the chartridge and TDC screw the seating plug back in till its snug, tighten the retaining screw, cycle the blank out and you are done - took me four times longer to type than to do it.

I wouldn't spend the money on one.

Another idea on how to mark your dummy loads is to take a fine file and notch the rim of the case with a notch / notchs, then record it in a ledger with all the pertanent load Info.
This is only an example not a load to go by.
30/06 - 1 notch - 180 Grain Sierra SPBT - 55.5 grains of IMR4350 - CCI 200 primer - and the OAL dim.

Or write on it with an electric pencil. I use the notch method myself. the notches never disapear and as long as you do not lose the ledger you never get them mixed up because the ink wore off the case.

[billc_sbio]

Quote:
Originally Posted by StickFish
If you are going to load several bullet weights for the same cartridge they can be beneficial. But it is easier to make up a blank for each bullet weight and load so setting the normal screw plunger seating dies is a snap.

When I get done perfecting a loads' OAL I take a sized case (leave the primer out) and seat a bullet to the OAL for that load and write on the case with a sharpie the details. When I want to switch the seating die, I put the blank in the shell holder - back the seating plug all the way out, cycle the ram with the chartridge and TDC screw the seating plug back in till its snug, tighten the retaining screw, cycle the blank out and you are done - took me four times longer to type than to do it.

I wouldn't spend the money on one.

Don't know if it helps but I use a little Loctite when I seat the bullet in the sized blank case to try to keep it from moving.

"back the seating plug all the way out"

Yeah, THIS is the main thing to do!

If you don't, a little Loctite ISN'T going to make any difference!

(That Bullet Seating Plug, plus TONS of force from your press is a lot! )

[Hunt'nFish]

Originally Posted by CombinationLicense

Wow, lots of good information guys - keep it coming

I do all my rifle reloading on my single station press and have only used my Dillon for pistol cartridge reloading so far. That makes me a bit of a rookie when it comes to progressive reloading so this discussion is really helpful. I'm in the process of getting set up for .223 and purchased a setup for my Dillon from a friend of mine. It includes the Dillon die set and the Dillon electric "Sizer/Trimmer" combo, which is supposed to size the case and trim it to length in one operation.

Anybody familiar with that setup? He ran it in a single station press and pre-prepped all the cases much like Hunt'nFish described.

"CL"

Rick, yeah I know what your talking about. But like I've said before, I feel trimming is over rated.
But that is a sweet setup you got there. And if it were mine I'd sure as HECK be using it.
Hunt'nFish

[CombinationLicense]

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

Rick, yeah I know what your talking about. But like I've said before, I feel trimming is over rated.
But that is a sweet setup you got there. And if it were mine I'd sure as HECK be using it.
Hunt'nFish

Thanks Mike - it's the Rapid Trim 1200B and the web site says that it can be used right on the reloading machine with a vacuum to suck out the trimmings. I think using it on the separate press makes more sense but would be interested in hearing from anyone that's used it on their press.

"CL"

[billc_sbio]

Originally Posted by CombinationLicense

Wow, lots of good information guys - keep it coming

I do all my rifle reloading on my single station press and have only used my Dillon for pistol cartridge reloading so far. That makes me a bit of a rookie when it comes to progressive reloading so this discussion is really helpful. I'm in the process of getting set up for .223 and purchased a setup for my Dillon from a friend of mine. It includes the Dillon die set and the Dillon electric "Sizer/Trimmer" combo, which is supposed to size the case and trim it to length in one operation.

Anybody familiar with that setup? He ran it in a single station press and pre-prepped all the cases much like Hunt'nFish described.

"CL"

Yeah I've GOT one of those (a friend of mine GAVE it to me! )

(I need MORE friends like this...maybe some with "too many" Ferarris or Ducatis!)

Mine "came" set up for sizing .308 cases and I had to buy the different pieces to set it up for .223.

So far I've only used it a few times, when prepping mega-batches of .223 brass and I use it set up on my RCBS Rockchucker.

It's a pretty sweet setup, much faster than anything else I've got (for other cartridges)

If you were reloading really a LOT of the same ammo, it would be worth it.