Die interchangeability

[enichols]

Hello all,
This may seem like a silly question, but are dies made by, say RCBS, usable in Lee presses? I ask because I do my reloading on my uncle's equipment, and due to some family issues, well, I don't think I'll have access to that equipment for too much longer. The only equipment I actually own are my RCBS .308 dies, so I was thinking that if it's necessary to buy my own stuff about all I'll be able to afford will be the Lee Anniversary Kit from Midway (ya know, being a poor college kid and all ), so I was thinking that if the dies will still work in that press that's one less thing I'll have to buy.
Thanks for any info you can give me.
-Nic

 

[Black Snowman]

The dies are standardized. You'll only run into problems if you get into loading very very large cartidges like .50 BMG. The Lee kit is how I replaced my roomates reloading gear when he moved out and I was left with only a progressive. Can't really beat it for bang per $.

 

[Poodleshooter]

Most dies are interchangeable and use a 7/8x14 TPI thread configuration. IIRC, doesn't the Dillon Square Deal B use proprietary dies however?

 

[Black Snowman]

Yes the Square Deal does use smaller, proprietary dies.

 

[JNewell]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I've found that shellholders can differ a little. My old RCBS bench-mounted priming tool doesn't like Lee shellholders -- they're just a little bit taller and the primer tube doesn't work quite right. (Solution, buy RCBS shellholders.)

 

[lee n. field]

The Lyman tong tool uses proprietary dies, and I think Lyman had a bench mount press that used the same dies. Other than that and the Dillon, AFAIK they're all standard.

If you change brands of shell holder you may need to readjust your dies (the height can be different).

 

[patentnonsense]

I think the guys who reload .50BMG or 20mm use dies with 1.5" thread?
I recall hearing about a press called the "Rock Crusher," though I don't know if it's still around.

Anybody who shoots 20mm has my respect!

 

[Cortland]

There are 1" and 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" and 1 3/8" dies to load things like .50 BMG, .577 Snider, etc. These dies have varying thread counts. Some presses, like the RCBS Rock Crusher or Lee Classic Cast have 1.25x12" openings which accept Hornady LnL inserts, and of course 1.25x12" dies. These presses also ship with bushings to allow the use of standard size dies. The Rockchucker, Classic Cast, etc. cannot load .50 BMG -- they don't accept 1.5" dies and their openings are just too small.

20mm is a beast unto itself. 20mm presses load only 20mm; I'm sure the dies are larger than 1.5".

enichols: if you plan on using surplus Lake City .308 brass, look into getting a Lee Classic Cast press. The aluminum Challenger just won't be strong enough.

 

[Ross]

Rock Crusher

Dangerous Dave still has a few Rock Crushers, I believe, $825.00.
Old Western Scrounger, Dayton, Nevada.
The Orange Crusher and the Rock Chucker are no where big enough for the big boys.
He also stocks dies for some of the larger calibers like 23mm Soviet and 20mm Hispano.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

 

[30Cal]

As mentioned above, shellholders are often a little different between manufacturers. On bottlenecked rifle cases, this can effect the headspace of the loaded cartridge. If you'll be loading for semi-autos or using a FL resizing die, it's a good idea to pick up a case headspace gage (~$15) to make sure the die is properly set because the instructions that come with the die assume that you'll be using their shellholder.

Ty