Are Dies Interchangeable?

[countertop]

This is probably a dumb newbie question - but

Are dies interchangeable between various brands of reloading presses??

I haven't reloaded before and am looking at the purchase of a Lee Anniversary Kit to get started. I noticed in the natchez's ad that all I need to get in addition to the kit is a set of Lee Dies.

What I was wondering was can I use anyone's dies with this kit? Does it matter who the manufacturer is . . . . or if I buy Lee dies to use with it, will I eventually need to buy Dillon dies or RCBS dies if I want to upgrade to one of their presses later on?

Appreciate any insights.

 

[BEARMAN]

Most new dies are threaded 7/8 x14 , but there are a few like the LYMAN 310 tool and a LYMAN press that uses those dies and the dies for the .50 BMG and other real large calibre's have a different thread and size . There are some others but most of them are 50 or so years old and for obsolete presses. The only other modern one are the dies for the DILLON SQUARE DEAL they have their own dies and only DILLON's will work. There are some other non interchangable dies but they are mostly powder funnel expander type dies that work with a particular powder measure ( if you use a LEE powder measure you need a LEE powder measure die and funnel or neck expander, if you use a RCBS or DILLON measure you probably need the same company die.)

 

[Dave R]

I use RCBS, Lee, and Redding dies with my Herter press...

Most use the same standard stuff. Your Lee press will use pretty much any standard die.

 

[308win]

I use Hornady, RCBS, and Lee dies in my RCBS Jr. (single stage press). They are all 7/8X14 pitch threads and are interchangable. If you are loading pistol (straight wall cases) spend the xtra money and get carbide dies. Follow the instructions for clearance so you don't turn your nice new carbide dies into expensive paper weights.

Good luck.

 

[BluesBear]

Interchangable? In a nutshell YES. The exceptions have already been pointed out.

However, should you ever use a different press the dies will have to be readjusted.



I had a buddy who lent his .30-06 dies to a friend. Who then proceeded to use them on his different brand press. He then complained to my buddy that his dies were defective since it was very difficult to resize and all of the reloaded rounds were splitting.


A .30-06 cartridge with the shoulder set back ¼" will give you really lousy accuracy.

 

[BobC]

Die sets which are expressly marketed for progressive reloading machines may not include the mouth expander die (progressive reloaders perform the mouth expansion operation at the same station where powder is dropped).