Reloading Dies?

Hi...
I have used RCBS and Redding dies for rifle reloading for decades with no issues.
Mostly use RCBS carbide dies for handgun reloading with a few Hornady sets in the mix.

Howa 9700 said:

Am now looking for two additional sets of rifle dies (different calibers) to go along with the one set I already have. This is not for match level work, just reloading for now. And I'm talking rifles like 308 Win. Common calibers.

So is it best to stick with the brand I have for similarity, or assume all will work the same? In other words, find what you can vs. what you may want.

I assume used are OK too (which means ebay)?

And what to look for and look out for used? That means any that ought to be avoided?

Click to expand...

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Well, call me paranoid but, used from someone you know and trust is fine, not from a stranger online, though (IMO - YMMV). There's just too many opportunists out there these days and hiding behind a network port is too easy. You don't know what you're getting until you get it and then it may be too late.

As for sticking to a brand, I don't see it as all that important as long as you stick to well-documented and supported brands. The more popular brands (like Lee, RCBS, Forster, Hornady, Redding, Franklin Arsenal, Wilson, Lyman, etc.) all have enough of a following and history you can get help pretty easily. Sometimes it's better to use a different brand. My .45ACP/AR setup is Hornady and I prefer it for the case mouth expander die and depriming die setups. I have mostly Lee and RCBS for everything else but that's just because the Lee are cheap and the RCBS go on sale a lot.

There are some advantages of having the same brands of dies. An example would be if you are loading say 223 and bend the depriming stem you can "borrow" the one from your 22-250 set and keep on loading.

Some of us are loyal to one or two brands but truthfully they all will work.

As to used dies, I have bought a few but I was able to look at them in person. Buying on line, just look at any pictures and judge how they look. If they show any rust or plier marks I'll pass on them.

Brand makes zero difference, what does make a difference is how well the die matches the chamber which promotes safety, brass life and decreases the need for annealing. Recommend you choose a company you can work with for adjustments like honing.
I assure you finding good fitting dies makes resizing brass a pleasure vs a burden.

D

I have bought lots of used dies off of E-Bay.
Only one set out of close to forty sets was toast.
Not a bad average over all.
I don't hesitate buying dies and other reloading stuff from e bay if the price is right.
Trying to find any new reloading supplies at this time is like trying to find a unicorn mixed in with 10,000 dairy cows.

I don't know how it happened but my handgun dies are RCBS and Dillon and rifle are Redding, Fosters and a few Dillon. On every cal I crimp I use a Lee FCD. I have two sets of Lee dies that I absolutely despise because the dies are too short and Lee lock rings are just horrible.

All the dies sets I own, including the Lee sets, produce excellent ammo. I don't think brand makes any difference in the end product.

I like different brands of dies mainly because of the features like ease of use, less likely to rust, trim once feature( RCBS X dies) or ease of disassembly while maintaining setting(Dillon).

They only possible benefit I see to owning the same brand is possibly being able to swap parts.

They should all get the job done. All you seem to want is a two die rifle set. I use mostly RCBS but also have Lee and a few other names in the mix. Using manufacturer's instructions any set should resize a case to SAAMI prescribed specifications. With everything in demand right now I would not be choosey. Post the calibers you are looking for, maybe someone here has some of what you want and they no longer need.

Ron

My die inventory; 380acp, 9mm x2, 38/357, 45acp x2, 223 and a Universal de-capping die. All but the Universal and 223 were all purchased used and they are all Lee. I am not too Proud to use Lee equipment and I am not so Proud that I have to pay full price for new when used work just fine. The only dies purchased blindly were the 380 and they were bought from another forum member. If ya can't trust another forum member then just who can you trust?

Most any will do. I prefer RCBS or Redding and eve a few Hornady. As long as they have a life time warranty I don't really care. As you go up in quality the price goes with it along with some nice touches. I only have 1 Lee die and it was given to me. Still have not figured out a use for it, a under sized 40 cal sizing die.

I just finished sizing and belling several hundred .38, .357 & .44 pistol empty's with lee dies, they work as good as my RCBS dies. I have several sets of both Lee & RCBS. I love the Lee Factory Crimp dies. hdbiker

I buy mostly used off either Ebay or Gun Broker. I've had Lee, Lyman, RCBS and CH. Depending on the use, I prefer LEE or Lyman.(A Lee decapper die with the appropriate expander added is about as slick as it gets for opening up cases to bigger diameter bullets.) Don't believe I've ever bought a set that wasn't good to go.

I always had good luck in the Reloading For Sale section on this board.

I don't have any extra of what you need or I would have sent you some. Yeah, keep an eye on the forum classifieds. Right now is not a great tome to be looking so I hope you find some.

Ron

Are you shooting semi or bolt action

My dies are Forster micrometer seater and full length sizing for when I want the utmost precision, Redding and Hornady dies for everything else. Plan to add more Forster and Redding in the future.

At the present time all of my dies are rcbs, I did have some Lee, hornandy and redding dies, I sold them because I didn't load for those calibers any more. I've been using rcbs products since I started in the early 80's. Great warranty, will replace any broken piece without charge, there are several other companies that will as well.

OP I think I have a spare set of 270 dies. I will look for them tomorrow. I will get back to you.
Things to be aware of is gauling inside of a die. It will scratch your brass. I have a few sets I bought used (for cheap) that had this problem. You can polish them up but that takes time. I would stick with new or known good dies as you are new at it just to avoid problems. FWIW I have mostly Lee dies and RCBS next. Probably one set of the other brands as well. Herters are old dies as the company went out of buisness in the 70's. I have a set of their 45 Colt dies.