Who makes the best dies?

My best Dies are Lachmiller

I bought these off eBay to leave at the hunting cabin to reload after the hunt. However, I left my RCBS die at the cabin and kept my Lachmiller at home. These dies were just to outstanding to load my 300 Win Mag. Because replacement parts are a problem I also suggest a universal decapping die so you don't bread the pin. My second favorite dies are Hornady and then RCBS. I have Lee but I found them ruff on brass. The interior finish on my Lachmiller is as smooth as glass.
 
I have used RCBS (rifle cartridge) dies for nigh on sixty years just from habit - I don't know whether they are the best or not. Last year I started using an RCBS decapping/resizing die in combination with a Hornady New Dimension bullet seating die because of the latter's ease of adjustment and surety of alignment.
 
Have used RCBS for years. Recently bought Hornady new Dimension dies for 22 hornet. Really impressed with this set up. Needed to replace the old RCBS dies for 22-250 so bought hornady. they are great! Have never used any other brands, but if life gives me time, probably will try others to make this more interesting.;)
 
Old thread, timeless question

I am in the process of upgrading all my pistol RCBS and Lyman dies to Lee.

The lee case mouth belling die allows charging with powder through the center of the die. You can use a funnel (with a charge thrown from a powder dispenser into a cup or from a Lee powder dipper) or using the Lee powder dispenser that mounts directly on the die and is actuated by the action of the press. Super convenient.

The operation of the Sizing/depriming die is the same as any other manufacturers' dies. The operation of the bullet seating/crimping die is, also. But Lee has their "Factory Crimp Die which puts a proper crimp on the brass just as other manufacturers' crimp dies do but the Lee die passes the cartridge through another sizing that also supports the brass to prevent buckling if you are putting on a super-strong crimp.

Seem like good ideas. That they are less expensive than others is a bonus.

However, the locking rings leave something to be desired. Their positioning is by "O" rings, but they don't hold securely if you are not careful when handling them. Likewise the RCBS lock rings with the set screw; better, but not anything like the split rings that Pacific uses. When you tighten those, they stay put.

I may still be looking for the perfect dies, but I am getting closer.

Lost Sheep
 
As to "Let him say what he wants, what's the harm in it?"

Well, the harm could be that some one, with little regard for his own safety, could try to duplicate that load and end up in a heap of trouble. :( Just my $ 0.02 worth.
 
Lee makes two types of Factory Crimp Die. The original FCD, for rifle, and now also bottleneck pistol cartridges, uses a collet to crimp the case mouth. It works extremely well.

The Carbide FCD, for straight wall pistol cartridges, has a conventional crimp ring (roll or taper crimp, as appropriate for the cartridge), and a post sizing carbide ring at the bottom of the die. This ring does not support the case to prevent buckling during crimping, but merely irons any buckling back out as the cartridge is withdrawn from the die. IMHO, if the CFCD post sizes a cartridge, it is only ironing over a problem that needs to be found and fixed at its source. In addition, the 45 colt CFCD I have has an oversized crimp ring which is roughly machined, allowing the case mouth to slip under/inside it without finishing the roll, and scratching the case mouth along the way.

Lee has a "Bulge Buster Kit" which can be used to convert a CFCD to a push-through pre-sizer to get rid of the bulge in a rimless case that has been fired in poorly supported chambers.

Andy
 
As someone mentioned (years ago!) I also prefer both green ones, slight edge to the Redding. Next for me is Dillon, then Hornady, Lee and Lyman. Reddings seem to be well worth the few extra bucks, Dillon's definitely are when using their presses-at least they were 20 yrs ago. Kinda curious about Wilson and Forster but not sure my rifles and limited marksmanship skills could take advantage of any edge in quality.
 
I like Lymans...They have decent lock rings and include two different bullet nose seats with pistol sets. The two step expander M die works great and isn't available by other mfgs to my knowledge. Their multi expand powder though die includes conversions for 6 calibers and a drop tube. The machine work is precise and shows it in fit, finish and loading. Lymans are just easy dies to use and do everything they are supposed to for my needs.

My Hornadys come in second in all respects except for finish...I don't care for their zip decapper because it has zero tolerance for less than perfect alignment (the Lyman pin centers itself everytime). The Hornady crimp is very sensitive to adjustment and is abrupt (Lyman is the opposite). The expander is ok but not a close cigar to the Lyman M. The Hornady seater alignment sleeve works good if you need it...I never have. It did come with two different bullet seaters though.

Both brands are knurled and I like the grip it provides. Lymans have a quality storage box (including die wrench) that is virtually unbreakable. The Hornadys I bought a few weeks back have an el cheapo plastic box (no wrench) and it isn't so durable.
 
Thanks, Andy

BigJakeJ1s said:
Lee makes two types of Factory Crimp Die. The original FCD, for rifle, and now also bottleneck pistol cartridges, uses a collet to crimp the case mouth. It works extremely well.

The Carbide FCD, for straight wall pistol cartridges, has a conventional crimp ring (roll or taper crimp, as appropriate for the cartridge), and a post sizing carbide ring at the bottom of the die. This ring does not support the case to prevent buckling during crimping, but merely irons any buckling back out as the cartridge is withdrawn from the die. IMHO, if the CFCD post sizes a cartridge, it is only ironing over a problem that needs to be found and fixed at its source. In addition, the 45 colt CFCD I have has an oversized crimp ring which is roughly machined, allowing the case mouth to slip under/inside it without finishing the roll, and scratching the case mouth along the way.

Lee has a "Bulge Buster Kit" which can be used to convert a CFCD to a push-through pre-sizer to get rid of the bulge in a rimless case that has been fired in poorly supported chambers.

Andy
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Thanks for the education. I have yet to use one of these type dies and look forward to learning more about them. I only know right now what I have heard, and that is little enough.


Lost Sheep (getting found)
 
I have them all and to be honest either will do. However I do like the easy take down of the Dillon dies. Notice I said feature not that I rank them above another die.

However I'm not sure I am sold on the Hornady set up for the seating die.

I hate dies that rust fast. :(

Any takers on which ones they are. :confused:
 
R.Childs - The following is my opinion and my opinion only. .... Wilson dies. I can't believe they haven't been mentioned. Best dies on the market. Use them on my 6ppc. If you haven't used them, you owe it to yourself to do so."

Wonder which press you use them in? Seems that would matter a bit. :D

Interesting that some would suggest that they think (?) XXX is "best" at the same time they say they haven't used the others. How much value is in an opinion based on no experience with anything else?

And Hart makes the best barrels. :confused: :rolleyes:
 
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Interesting that some would suggest that they think (?) XXX is "best" at the same time they say they haven't used the others. How much value is in an opinion based on no experience with anything else?
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I look at it this way...hypothetically speaking that is. A smart inexperienced guy can talk to 20 credible experts with hands on experience and add some research to get a pretty good idea of reality. There is plenty of solid data around these days that used to be very difficult for a newbie to find. He doesn't need hands on experience to get there and his opinion is less likely to be brand biased.

Otherwise, the single individual with hands on experience probably doesn't know as much as the 20 experts do but thinks he does. He is likely brand biased and assumes he knows what is best for everyone because it works for him. I'd say his hands on experience is valuable but the inexperienced guys opinion is more accurate...and valuable.

bc
 
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