Which Dies

I have dies, I use dies, I do not make excuses for using one die or the other. I opened up a box of dies the other day and thought it was amazing, none of the dies had rusted, I sorted through them then realized none of them were lee.

F. Guffey
 
I've been using Lee dies for years and have never had any issues. All my pistol dies are the 4 die carbine sets. Have never had any rust issues what so ever, and have rolled out thousands of rounds.
 
subscribe me to the lee fans posse. not only the o-ringed locking ring works flawlessy but it also helps self centering the rounds because of the slight amount of play of the die on the press. for 9 mm i use the pacesetter four piece with the decapper pin installed on the factory crimp die and placed in the first poisition (first decaaping ful resizing die boy dicarded).
so basically
i resize&decap
-flare&charge
-seat&crimp
in only 3 passages
with the autopowder measure installed on the flaring die the whole process is very fast but effective and my 9mm imi rounds comes out with no cocke belly shape
 
DavidAGO said:
I am in agreement with the Lee dies, their lock rings will drive you crazy at first, but after you learn how to use them properly, they work well. now I prefer them.
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Can you explain? Why would I want Lee lock rings over any other type?

Just for added info, I like locking lock rings that lock to the die body because then the adjustment is remembered and no further adjustment is required.
 
Can you explain? Why would I want Lee lock rings over any other type?

Just for added info, I like locking lock rings that lock to the die body because then the adjustment is remembered and no further adjustment is required.
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See my post #15. Used like I explained there, they will do what you want. Some people get it some don't. I didn't for a long time, then I figured it out. It's another clever idea from Richard Lee. The "O" ring is bigger than the space between the recess under the ring, the die threads, and the top of the press. This causes compression of the "O" ring that locks the ring to the die. Same principle of how "O" rings work in hydraulics to seal oil.
 
See my post #15. Used like I explained there, they will do what you want. Some people get it some don't. I didn't for a long time, then I figured it out. It's another clever idea from Richard Lee. The "O" ring is bigger than the space between the recess under the ring, the die threads, and the top of the press. This causes compression of the "O" ring that locks the ring to the die. Same principle of how "O" rings work in hydraulics to seal oil.
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That still doesn't answer the question. You have to adjust your die every time you take it out of the press. And if you ever have to back the die out for a longer case in same caliber you will have to start over fiddling the ring out and further down the thread. That's 2 major disadvantages no matter how you look at it.
 
I've never used anything but Lee dies. There may be a reason to get something more expensive, but mine seem to work just fine. I'm also a fan of the 4 die carbide sets. Some people hate the FCD but it does the job for me. I haven't loaded any cast bullets yet, maybe oversized bullets and the FCD don't mix? FSreloading is a great place to pick up Lee equipment as previously mentioned.
 
That still doesn't answer the question.(b) You have to adjust your die every time you take it out of the press.[/b] And if you ever have to back the die out for a longer case in same caliber you will have to start over fiddling the ring out and further down the thread. That's 2 major disadvantages no matter how you look at it.
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You still don't get it. If you have the o ring locked, you turn the lock ring and the die both at the same time while unscrewing the die from the press, tool head , or LNL bushing. As long as you tighten the die the same next time, it stays adjusted.

you will have to start over fiddling the ring out and further down the thread.
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Nope, wrong again. The o ring will allow the lock ring to turn, just not very easily. That's why I said to maintain the adjustment, to turn both the die AND the lock ring, Or else the ring can turn on the die body.
 
You still don't get it. If you have the o ring locked, you turn the lock ring and the die both at the same time while unscrewing the die from the press, tool head , or LNL bushing. As long as you tighten the die the same next time, it stays adjusted.
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LOL

I'm using seater and crimp dies with micro adjuster. I'm already having a hard time adjusting a die with properly fixed lock ring in order to archive EXACT seating depth and EXACT amount of crimp. There is no way that your method provides PRECISION with the first lock down try.

You are trying to sweet talk an obvious design flaw with a workaround that doesn't provide the same accuracy, setup time or convenience as a fixed lock ring. Period.


Nope, wrong again. The o ring will allow the lock ring to turn, just not very easily. That's why I said to maintain the adjustment, to turn both the die AND the lock ring, Or else the ring can turn on the die body.
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So you're finally admitting that turning the lock rubber ring on LEE dies doesn't go easily but you still think Dr. Prof. King Richard Lee is the greatest inventor?

At the end of the day you can buy and use whatever you want. Obviously. But don't tell me that LEE products are the best around. Because they are not. They are cheap and you get what you pay for.
 
So you're finally admitting that turning the lock rubber ring on LEE dies doesn't go easily but you still think Dr. Prof. King Richard Lee is the greatest inventor?
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Yes I do. Tell me if Redding, RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, or any other company has the following; disc powder measure, final crimp dies, collet type neck sizers, in press trim dies, case trimmer spun by a drill motor, press mounted bullet sizers, auto hand primers,(yeah others have copied lee's original idea), tumble lube cast bullets. There's other things Lee has originally invented for reloading that I can't think of right now. If it weren't for Lee, a lot of people would have never gotten into reloading. AND if not for Lee the other companies would be a lot more expensive.

How about this; Don't use the innovative lee lock rings. Use whatever you think is better. My only reason for answering like I did is to give the readers that may be looking for answers on my take on how the Lee rings work.
 
This comparison not posted yet so...I choose Lyman dies because they have features Lee doesn't...2 stage expander, two seaters (flat nose & round nose) and knurling. It's a personal choice that makes reloading more enjoyable to me.

Lockrings: The last set of Lyman dies I bought had small footprint lockrings with a flush clamping screw. These fit my loaded turrent when others don't so this was a nice improvement compared to my older Lyman sets. I have no idea why the Lee oring type would be funtionally better unless taking the time to tighten a lock screw bothers a person.

I have Lee gear (and other colors too) but don't consider myself a fanboy. I'm from the you get what you pay for camp 99% of the time. To me, Lee is the Harbor Freight of reloading gear...some is good and other works but isn't exactly stellar. Other brands are generally higher up the food chain for a 2x more coin. If cost was a major purchase factor Lee would win hands down.

bc
 
another peeing match. LOVE IT ! ! !

I will say that I am very happy with LEE products. McCarthy has spent A TON of money on really REALLY great equipment, and it seems like he's trying to justify the expenditure rather than just enjoying his choice in equipment. I wish I had his wallet.

Note: the die sets you chose, should you chose to go progressive later, may not be "completely" compatible. Most sizing and seating dies are interchangeable, but the powder thru flare dies are specific to the progressive press you are using. So if you like a brand, and plan to upgrade your equipment later, stay with that brand... as a rule. Of course there are exceptions, but pay close attention.
 
Not justifying it, I'm just convinced and I'm too much of an engineer (I actually am) to be told that LEE is better or more innovative. Billcareys analogy with Harbor Freight tools is pretty much how I see it. In general I don't care what people buy, use or like. To each his own. Just getting a hang of unrealistic LEE fanboy posts.
 
i have purchased rcbs, hornady, and lee dies. The oly complain i have is lee dies do not come with lock rings, but other that that the work just the same as all the other dies as far as handgun calibers go. my advice If u want lee dies buy hornady lock rings to go with it!
 
I remove the slack between the press threads and die threads, I secure the die to the press with the locking nut. I do not secure the lock ring to the die because I adjust my die in the press to, or off or below the shell holder. If the die is not aligned with the shell holder I can measure.

If after sizing there is a problem with the case I can measure, a reloader can spend #100.00 + on a tool for measuring cases, I do not find that necessary, I did not start reloading from the beginning, I did something else.

And that is the reason I do not get all excited about things that excite other reloaders.

F. Guffey
 
Snuffy,

Thanks for the response. I see what you are talking about. While not precise, it would work OK.

I do wish Lee dies were longer. They are a bit short for Hornady LNL bushings.
 
Billcareys analogy with Harbor Freight tools is pretty much how I see it. In general I don't care what people buy, use or like. To each his own. Just getting a hang of unrealistic LEE fanboy posts.
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I'm no fanboy. Fanboys try to convince everyone their product is superior. My argument all along has been that LEE products get the job done, very well, for 1/3 the cost... and that ALL equipment has it's difficulties, regardless of brand. I defend LEE when folks liken it to harbor freight products, because that comparison grossly inadequate. More often, the OP has specifically stated that they are new to reloading, on a tight budget, or looking for a feature that LEE happens to offer. Being a LEE user, I offer my opinion of the product from experience. Note: you'll never see one disparaging comment about other equipment in ANY of my posts, other than to say that ALL brands of equipment can be frustrating... something I have experienced when using or watching my friends' equipment operate.

You, however, have time and again stated that, as a new loader and "engineer", you have determined that LEE is substandard, or looks cheap, but you have no personal experience with the product. I suspect you tend to abide by the old adage, "You get what you pay for" and determined early on in your quest for a room full of new toys that LEE couldn't possibly offer a quality product because it costs so much less than the next closest competitor. I'm not calling you a snoot, but the attitude you've taken towards any product you haven't deemed worthy, on looks alone, is a bit snooty.

And then there's the comments about innovation. While you might be a brilliant engineer, you're no historian. LEE was there in the beginning... the infancy of modern reloading, and designed systems that Dillon and RCBS and Redding all built theirs around. LEE was THE innovators, and while they may not be setting the world on fire lately, neither is anyone else.
 
I use Lyman, Lee and Hornady dies. They all work fine for me. None have rusted or become broken in any way. I'll usually buy Lee if they are cheaper(they usually are), but it didn't really matter much to me.

To the OP: if you find yourself changing dies a lot, look into the hornady Lock n Load bushings. They work great.
 
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