Wish I was.
Lee vs Dillon dies
- Thread starter Woody3
- Start date
- Status
Truth is, about 95% of my shooting is with cast bullets, so I do not waste my time with measuring it. So my guess is, "bent like a banana", is something like .002", and not something a regular Joe like me would probably worry about?
I still think Lee are excellent dies and highl recomend them.
I still think Lee are excellent dies and highl recomend them.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
I've used Lee, Hornady, Lyman, and RCBS dies for both rifle and pistols.
I liked Hornady and RCBS the least.
If I can get it in a Lee die, I buy Lee. They load ammo. They load accurate ammo. And they're a great value with interesting features, like Factory Crimp and Neck size only dies, in sets that I have to buy separately in other brands.
I liked Hornady and RCBS the least.
If I can get it in a Lee die, I buy Lee. They load ammo. They load accurate ammo. And they're a great value with interesting features, like Factory Crimp and Neck size only dies, in sets that I have to buy separately in other brands.
Yes, the dies themselves are fine. By the time I bring them up to my standards Lee dies aren't the bargain any more.
But, i have some idiosyncrasies when it comes to die usage and reloading.
ranger335v
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
- Messages
- 3,797
"What are your feelings on the aforementioned die sets? Specifically in .223."
My feeling is that they both work fine. In any caliber.
In some 40+ years of reloading with wide variety of tools I've gone way passed the "my favorite die brand" stage. Individual exceptions exist but on average I've learned there is no real difference in what can be done with any brand of dies. Or presses. Or scales. Etc.
My feeling is that they both work fine. In any caliber.
In some 40+ years of reloading with wide variety of tools I've gone way passed the "my favorite die brand" stage. Individual exceptions exist but on average I've learned there is no real difference in what can be done with any brand of dies. Or presses. Or scales. Etc.
oldreloader
Member
My thoughts exactly. I have Redding, RCBS, Lyman, Hornady, and Lee dies. They all work very well.
amlevin
Member
I've got both. Both produce cartridges of the same quality.
For .223 I like the Lee over the Dillon as it's less money. After somewhere near 40k rounds of .223 reloads the Lee dies are still functioning just fine. On the Lee die the likelihood of breaking a pin when sizing/depriming a case with a crimped primer is almost nil. At the worst it will push the whole de-priming/expander assy up and out of the die.
There two appreciable differences and when using a Dillon press the Dillon die might excel. The Dillon dies are longer and you don't have to put the lock ring on the bottom of the die, under the toolhead. Dillon dies are also polished more. Lee's lack of polish doesn't seem to harm anything though as I don't notice the difference in operation or final cartridge.
Buy what you want. If you think you'll feel better spending more money then do so. If you want to save then get the Lee dies. They make great ammo.
For .223 I like the Lee over the Dillon as it's less money. After somewhere near 40k rounds of .223 reloads the Lee dies are still functioning just fine. On the Lee die the likelihood of breaking a pin when sizing/depriming a case with a crimped primer is almost nil. At the worst it will push the whole de-priming/expander assy up and out of the die.
There two appreciable differences and when using a Dillon press the Dillon die might excel. The Dillon dies are longer and you don't have to put the lock ring on the bottom of the die, under the toolhead. Dillon dies are also polished more. Lee's lack of polish doesn't seem to harm anything though as I don't notice the difference in operation or final cartridge.
Buy what you want. If you think you'll feel better spending more money then do so. If you want to save then get the Lee dies. They make great ammo.
giggitygiggity
Member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2009
- Messages
- 2,251
I only have Lee dies. I buy the Pacemaker dies and Deluxe carbide pistol dies. They are of excellent construction and have near perfect machining. For a fraction of the price of just about every other brand, I can't see why anyone wouldn't get the Lee dies.
Ian Sean
Member
I have had no problems with any of my Lee dies, and I have a few of just about every brand.
I do agree the internal finish can be a little rough, I have found the Lee's do benefit with a polishing with Flitz and a shotgun bore mop, other than that no problems.
Lee is the only brand I have never had an issue with a decapping pin.
I do agree the internal finish can be a little rough, I have found the Lee's do benefit with a polishing with Flitz and a shotgun bore mop, other than that no problems.
Lee is the only brand I have never had an issue with a decapping pin.
johnnierock
Member
I was at a gun show a few months back and was looking for .223 dies. I asked a gentleman that sold specifically reloading equipment if he had any. He said no but asked me a question, if I was using it for a automatic or bolt. When I told him auto he suggested to use small based dies due to them having less issues chambering. So I did some research in many forums and found he was steering me in the right direction. Some people said it didn't make any difference but I found a post that matched my particular rifle and went with the RCBS SB dies and have not had any issues.
lee dies
I used Lee dies for years and thought they were fine UNTIL I tried Hornady
dies. Man what a difference in quality, and their "zip" spindle decaping pin
is GREAT.
Try them, you'll love them, plus you get 100 bullets free through the end of 2011 with the rebate.
Enco
I used Lee dies for years and thought they were fine UNTIL I tried Hornady
dies. Man what a difference in quality, and their "zip" spindle decaping pin
is GREAT.
Try them, you'll love them, plus you get 100 bullets free through the end of 2011 with the rebate.
Enco
Red Cent
Member
"Yes, the dies themselves are fine. By the time I bring them up to my standards Lee dies aren't the bargain any more."
I am seriously curious what you do to a die. Really. Please explain.
I am seriously curious what you do to a die. Really. Please explain.
The Lee lock rings suck. They do not clamp to the die. Without a clamping lock ring, the die setting is lost when removed from the press and at the least requires confirming the setting when re-installed. (Some folks will dispute this but the bottom line is with no positive lock, the setting can be easily lost.)
So, I replaced all the lock rings on the Lee dies. Of course, if you use the Lee Breech Lock, or Turrets, the Lee lock rings are fine. Just set the die and hawg down on the lock ring against the Breech lock bushing or turret. Of course, you are then buying extra stuff for the dies and increasing the cost of your die set.
I do not care for the Lee storage boxes. I prefer RCBS or Redding. Works with my storage. My choice.
So, by the time i buy lock rings and storage box as well as pay extra shipping, I have come close to the cost of other dies that come set up the way i like. Also, I was finding difficulty getting lock rings as many vendors would be out and i would have to compromise or wait. Time I would rather not waste.
i could drill and tap the Lee lock rings for a set screw, but i really prefer split lock rings.
My choices and my idiosyncrasies. Adequately explained?
ranger335v
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
- Messages
- 3,797
"Lee vs Dillon dies -
Your ammo will never know the difference. Some brands have more squared mouths so they can size a bit further down the case than a more rounded mouth would do. All a rounded mouth can accomplish is to let misaligned cases enter the die easier -and "banannas" come out.
There are several slight variations in lock rings. Each design has some fans and some detractors but I can't see any rational logic in demeaning a whole die brand because of an individual user's lock ring preference. ?? IMHO, Lee's rubber lock rings are superior to the set-screw types like RCBS uses but I don't slime my RCBS dies because of it. (I DO change the steel set screws to brass tho.)
" I fyou use them on a regular basis for 15-20 years, you will find the Lee dies scrap aluminum."
Goodness. I've used my first sets of Lee dies for some 30 years and they continue to be steel, exactly the same as the Lyman steel dies I bought in '65; maybe I'm not doing something "right"? But, even if they should turn into alum after 15-20 of regular use I'd still be satisfied considering the purchase price and get another set --- IF that steel-to-aluminum transition actually happened!
Your ammo will never know the difference. Some brands have more squared mouths so they can size a bit further down the case than a more rounded mouth would do. All a rounded mouth can accomplish is to let misaligned cases enter the die easier -and "banannas" come out.
There are several slight variations in lock rings. Each design has some fans and some detractors but I can't see any rational logic in demeaning a whole die brand because of an individual user's lock ring preference. ?? IMHO, Lee's rubber lock rings are superior to the set-screw types like RCBS uses but I don't slime my RCBS dies because of it. (I DO change the steel set screws to brass tho.)
" I fyou use them on a regular basis for 15-20 years, you will find the Lee dies scrap aluminum."
Goodness. I've used my first sets of Lee dies for some 30 years and they continue to be steel, exactly the same as the Lyman steel dies I bought in '65; maybe I'm not doing something "right"? But, even if they should turn into alum after 15-20 of regular use I'd still be satisfied considering the purchase price and get another set --- IF that steel-to-aluminum transition actually happened!
mallc
Member
Who makes your reloading equipment?
I save an hour-a-day by not getting involved in such controversial discussions. This time I fell off the wagon.
They all work just fine. When buying new, I buy Redding or CH4D because they are American made. Can any other brand make that claim?
Scott
I save an hour-a-day by not getting involved in such controversial discussions. This time I fell off the wagon.
They all work just fine. When buying new, I buy Redding or CH4D because they are American made. Can any other brand make that claim?
Scott
Last edited:
clutch
Contributing Member
I have mostly Lee, with RCBS, Lyman, and a T/C die set to add to the mix. I don't like the lock ring system on Lee but that is all I don't like about them.
CLutch
CLutch
- Status
