Lyman carbide dies: I have a question....

[GrantCunningham]

I like the Redding Titanium Carbide dies a lot - but the mouth of the die has almost no bevel, making it a bit "touchy" on a progressive press. The RCBS carbide dies have the right amount of bevel, but I don't like their decapping assembly. (I'm picky, what can I say?)

What about Lyman? None of the local dealers stock them, so I can't see for myself; anyone out there own Lyman dies, and can tell me how much the sizing die mouth is beveled? (Better yet, a picture??)

Thanks!

 

[loadedround]

If you have a Dillon progressive press, use Dillon dies and you'll have no further problems. Don't like Lyman dies and have not used them in 20 years.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Can't get a Redding Pro Series for the cartridge you're loading?

Given a liking for Redding what prevents the use of Redding Pro Series?

The “Pro Series” is a specially prepared three (3) die set for use in progressive reloading machines. Since the most popular machines do not make use of an expander die, it has been eliminated in the new “Pro Series” sets. The sizing die is the extraordinary Redding Titanium Carbide, complete with a decapping unit.........All dies in the set have a special large radius at the mouth for easy case entry, a necessary feature for progressive machines. Refer to the die chart below for ordering numbers . . .

emphasis added

Redding Pro Series pretty well covers all the Dillon applications and more - see the Blue Press where Dillon pushes Redding for applications Dillon doesn't cover.

My Lyman dies are from the middle of the last century so I can't say what the current production is like. Lyman does offer a nice 4 die set with Powder Through:

Premium Carbide 4-Die Sets

If you’re looking for one die set that will meet all your pistol reloading needs, Lyman’s Premium 4-Die Set is for you. 4-Die Sets feature a separate taper crimp die and powder charge/expanding die.

 

[Jim Watson]

I use a Lyman carbide sizing die in a Dillon 550 for .38s. No trouble with alignment, but it is an old die; I don't know what they are turning out nowadays.

 

[GrantCunningham]

I've looked at a Pro set in the store - and the size die looks exactly like the standard Redding Titanium Carbide die I already have. I too saw that copy on their website, but I sure can't see a difference! Just in case I'm mistaken, though, I've sent them an email - we'll see what they say.

All I'm looking for is a size die - I prefer other brand dies for the other stations (love the Hornady seating dies, for instance.) I've owned Lee, RCBS, Hornady, Dillon, and Redding, but never Lyman. Heck, I don't think I've ever seen a Lyman in the flesh!

Why am I going through this exercise? Well, I've found that there is always something about a size die that I don't like! Lees are too short and don't have knurling; I don't like the RCBS decap pin design; the Redding doesn't have enough bevel; the Hornady TiN coating isn't as durable as a carbide ring; and Dillon - well, let's just say that my experience with Dillon has not lived up to the hype.

If all else fails, I'll default to the RCBS; it performs well enough, even if I'm not crazy about that pin!

 

[Ol` Joe]

I don't like the RCBS decap pin design

I understand some of the other die quirks you don`t care for, but what is the problem with RCBS and their decapper? Just curious

 

[GrantCunningham]

Oh, I just prefer a one-piece decapping pin that doesn't have a protrusion on the top that catches and rips my shirt sleeve when I reach over the press instead of around.

Ask me how I know...

 

[Ol` Joe]

Oh, I just prefer a one-piece decapping pin that doesn't have a protrusion on the top that catches and rips my shirt sleeve when I reach over the press instead of around.

Ask me how I know...

Hmmmmm, You might want to avoid all these if that is a problem

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[GrantCunningham]

Actually, the ones with the smooth decapping pin held in a collet are a bit better than the RCBS...those exposed threads grab clothing and just don't let go. At least with the smooth ones there's a chance the sleeve will slide off before it gets torn!