Lee or RCBS dies?

[TreyNC]

I was thinking of getting some 9mm Lugar dies, my buddy tels me to get RCBS, all I have experience is with Lee pistol and rifle dies and have never had a problem. Are there any advantages for the extra 15$ for the RCBS? I will be reloading probably around 200-400 a month. Tell me your thoughts.

Thanks Trey

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

I have both. I don't see any advantage with the RCBS dies.

 

[fastattack]

Quality is probably a wash.
However, RCBS customer service is great. If your dies get damaged, they will replace them.

 

[rcmodel]

I have used RCBS dies for going on 45 years, and 5 years ago would have bought nothing else. They are the best company in the business as far as I'm concerned.

But now, I buy Lee dies.
They have carbide pistol sizing dies down to a science!
They are the Best in the Business, bar none.

The only thing I hate about Lee dies is the stupid O-Ring lock nuts that don't lock. I trash them and replace them with clamp or set-screw nuts as soon I get home with them. Or else drill & tap them for my own set-screws.


rcmodel

 

[TreyNC]

Thanks for the quick info, I'll stick with the Lee.

 

[alucard0822]

I never had a reason to buy a more expensive set of carbide dies than the lee sets I have. The decapper pins that lee uses also simply slide out if you encounter a berdan primed case, or a tightly crimped in primer in a progressive press. I have dealt with Lee customer service, and they are second to none, I called to buy a screw in cap for a collet neck sizing die that I broke (random 25acp case fell into an 8mmX57 case, pin jammed in the pistol case, but only the cap stripped and popped out) They not only insisted they send a replacement die for free, but also included a factory crimp die to thank me for my stupidity That is also the only lee die that I broke, basically 1 die broke, 62 dies still run flawless

 

[lee n. field]

My dies are about half and half Lee and RCBS. Either will work fine.

only thing I hate about Lee dies is the stupid O-Ring lock nuts that don't lock. I trash them and replace them with clamp or set-screw nuts as soon I get home with them.

Ditto. Dies that go on a single stage press get their lock rings replacee mine Forster lock rings. Alas, they're too big for the Lee Pro. [shrug].

 

[redneck2]

Actually, I prefer Lee. The finish of Lee is significantly better. Just take a Lee and RCBS and lay them side by side. Lee collet dies are the program for bolt rifle. Also, RCBS dies always seem to rust. Never had a problem with Lee.

Since Lee dies are short, you have to put the lock ring on the bottom side of the head of the press. I use a Dillon 550 with the slide in heads so it's no big deal.

 

[Linear Thinker]

I highly recommend Lee pistol dies, especially the Deluxe sets. You get 4 dies including carbide sizer and Lee Factory Crimp die for the same/lower price others charge for just the sizing/seating dies.
There's nothing better than Lee FCD to make sure your ammo will chamber, and have a proper crimp.

Redneck - Lee dies do rust . If that is an issue, Hornady makes plated dies.

RCBS rifle dies are better than Lee's, but I prefer Redding over the other makes.
They are beautifully made, and I like the Redding Comp seaters.
The other rifle dies I like are Forster and Lachmiller.
LT

 

[The Bushmaster]

Hot damn...rcmodel. You figured it out. Yup...drill and tap them. install an allen (hex) screw and yer set (don't forget the lead pellet)...Lee...Hard to beat. I have one set of RCBS .38 Special dies and other then the difference in adjusting I can't tell the difference that $15 to $20 makes...

 

[JonB]

I trash them and replace them with clamp or set-screw nuts

So where would a guy find the replacement nuts with the small hex screw? I don't have equipment to drill and tap the Lee nuts.....

 

[wally]

I prefer Lee as I find the decapper more robust and the Lee Factory Crimp Die in the four die set makes for totally problem free ammo in autoloaders. I started with RCBS, then tried Lee and have been using Lee for all the new calibers I've added over the years.

So where would a guy find the replacement nuts with the small hex screw?

I believe RCBS sells them

--wally.

 

[The Bushmaster]

jonB... Look in www.midwayusa.com