All I have are LEE dies. Except for .22 hornet which are Lyman dies. No problems with them at all.
Just started using their 2 cavity bullet molds and they also work great.
Just started using their 2 cavity bullet molds and they also work great.
Use Lee dies?
- Thread starter judgedelta
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I dont think you beat Lee dies for standard cases, wild cats I wouldn't use them, I did that once, and had to buy a set of dies from the builder, but I have 4 sets of dies from lee, that I use on standard chambered pistols and rifles.Doctor lee makes good simple stuff that works,
Swampman
Old Fart
I'm fairly certain that if Redding or Forster had invented the rifle type "Factory Crimp Die" and had exclusive rights to it, they'd be priced at well over $100 each.
It also wouldn't surprise me a bit if a lot of the people that scoff at them now as a cheap Lee product started selling their kidneys so that they could buy one for every caliber they load!
It also wouldn't surprise me a bit if a lot of the people that scoff at them now as a cheap Lee product started selling their kidneys so that they could buy one for every caliber they load!
You must be doing something wrong or not purchasing the right Lee dies. For .40/10mm there are two sets a three die set and a four die set. I purchase the Lee four die for .40/10mm just last month and had no problems cranking out 500 rounds in part of two evenings on an old Rock Crusher.
My .44 dies happen to be RCBS and have been using them for more then 20 years no problems.
My .44 dies happen to be RCBS and have been using them for more then 20 years no problems.
Every die you pick up will do the job properly, if the die was well maintained. Lee is known for being on the cheaper scale, but they also market different items as well, presses, lube, trimmers and assc. RCBS does the same thing, but on a more expensive scale.
I can load 1000yd ammo with Lee as i can RCBS, Dillon. Each has their little things, but if im hitting 12 inch by 12 inch steel, with a cheap set of dies. They are alight in my book.
I can load 1000yd ammo with Lee as i can RCBS, Dillon. Each has their little things, but if im hitting 12 inch by 12 inch steel, with a cheap set of dies. They are alight in my book.
G11354
Member
I started reloading with Lee dies and have so far been very happy with the results. I've used Lee dies for .223 Rem and recently bought a set for .40 S&W. Excellent product for those on a tight budget or just looking to save some money. Their dies are nothing fancy, but they get the job done.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Lee for me!
Everything I reload .380,9mm,357mag 40S&W are done with Lee dies.Hvee used Lyman,R.C.B.S.,Redding in the past,Lee is every bit as good,and a heck of a lot cheaper.
Everything I reload .380,9mm,357mag 40S&W are done with Lee dies.Hvee used Lyman,R.C.B.S.,Redding in the past,Lee is every bit as good,and a heck of a lot cheaper.
The only room for improvement I see is expanding their two die rifle sets. The FCDs are fine, but I don't crimp rifle ammo and would love an option to buy a two die set including a shell holder. An upgrade from the RGB line if you will.
That being said, I have 8 sets and nary a problem that wasn't resolved quickly.
That being said, I have 8 sets and nary a problem that wasn't resolved quickly.
i have nothing but lee dies except rcbs neck size for 7.62x54r. only issue i have had with them is the threads on the decapping rod hold down came from the factory stripped but they made good on that mistake. other than that its a no brainer lee good for the money.
mgmorden
Member
I have a variety of brands. Only time I DON'T use Lee is when there's an incentive not to.
That typically boils down to either:
1. Finding a good price on a used set of a different brand.
or
2. When Hornady is running their "Free 100 bullets with die set purchase" promo that sometimes makes it worth paying the extra couple $$$ since the bullet rebate balances it out.
That typically boils down to either:
1. Finding a good price on a used set of a different brand.
or
2. When Hornady is running their "Free 100 bullets with die set purchase" promo that sometimes makes it worth paying the extra couple $$$ since the bullet rebate balances it out.
Potatohead
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2013
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- 5,375
+1 to the hornady lock rings.
Ive actually started to like the Lee rings too after hating them at first. They act worse when their O-ring is warped-ish.
Ive actually started to like the Lee rings too after hating them at first. They act worse when their O-ring is warped-ish.
il.bill
Member
tommy.duncan
Member
I always look for dies by Lee first...mainly because they're value priced versus some amazingly INFLATED prices on other brands. I've read a lot of crap spewed about Lee dies, but I own almost every caliber of LEE dies and have never had a single problem with ammo loaded with them functioning perfectly. Also, Lee makes a FCD which others do not...there's a lot of things Lee does...or started back when others turned their snooty noses up at it...and while there are plenty of people who'll be quick to yank any chain about how much "better" some other brand is...it's all BS.
Don't let your chain be yanked.
Don't let the "opinions" of others dictate your choices...it's YOUR money so spend it as you see fit.
evan price
Member
Sold off my RCBS dies. All Lee now. I use turrets so the O-ring lock rings work just fine for me.
Swampman
Old Fart
Originally posted by TenDriver
Just get a set of Lee shellholders.
They're not near as cheap as they used to be but still not a bad deal.
Unless you load a lot of oddball calibers, this set will cover most of what you're likely to need.
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-set-of-r-shellhldrs-90197.html
Just get a set of Lee shellholders.
They're not near as cheap as they used to be but still not a bad deal.
Unless you load a lot of oddball calibers, this set will cover most of what you're likely to need.
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-set-of-r-shellhldrs-90197.html
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Is Lee any good?
Well I chose Lee .223 dies over the $200+ Redding and Bonanza set that White Oak Arms sells for competition loading, and all I shoot is White Oak uppers. That says something.
My old partner in crime is a match shooter and taught me reloading, I'm only a few years in, and I used that expensive die setup of his in the beginning. I couldn't justify the $220 plus ship so when I ordered my second press, a lee 4 classic I ordered it from Kempf's gun shop online and got their version of the full deluxe classic kit which excludes a lot of the junk like Lee scale and trimmer ect. In place they give you a choice of a die set among other things and I grabbed for no particular reason other than saving money the 223 lee pacesetter 3 die set and they threw in the 4th charging die. I began loading the usual 69 and 77 sierra and 75 hornady match bullets I had loaded before on my friends setup. Eventually I got to the range with him again as he moved away and he inspected and shot my different loads and he assumed I bought the white oak setup, I told it was the Lee and he didn't believe me. The Lee dies worked that well in the classic 4 turret a guy with 20 years of reloading experience along with a decade in match and service rifle competitions couldn't tell the difference between his loads and mine. Everything identical down to the sierra and hornady bullets and grains, lapua brass, cci 41 primers and r15 and n140 powders.
Well I chose Lee .223 dies over the $200+ Redding and Bonanza set that White Oak Arms sells for competition loading, and all I shoot is White Oak uppers. That says something.
My old partner in crime is a match shooter and taught me reloading, I'm only a few years in, and I used that expensive die setup of his in the beginning. I couldn't justify the $220 plus ship so when I ordered my second press, a lee 4 classic I ordered it from Kempf's gun shop online and got their version of the full deluxe classic kit which excludes a lot of the junk like Lee scale and trimmer ect. In place they give you a choice of a die set among other things and I grabbed for no particular reason other than saving money the 223 lee pacesetter 3 die set and they threw in the 4th charging die. I began loading the usual 69 and 77 sierra and 75 hornady match bullets I had loaded before on my friends setup. Eventually I got to the range with him again as he moved away and he inspected and shot my different loads and he assumed I bought the white oak setup, I told it was the Lee and he didn't believe me. The Lee dies worked that well in the classic 4 turret a guy with 20 years of reloading experience along with a decade in match and service rifle competitions couldn't tell the difference between his loads and mine. Everything identical down to the sierra and hornady bullets and grains, lapua brass, cci 41 primers and r15 and n140 powders.
Seriously?
The fact that Lee dies are less expensive makes you think they aren't as good as the other brands? Wow...marketing rears its head and proves its worth!
So by your logic Hornady can produce total crap and be considered top drawer, but no matter what Lee does it will always be junk....you are the PERFECT consumer....
The fact that Lee dies are less expensive makes you think they aren't as good as the other brands? Wow...marketing rears its head and proves its worth!
So by your logic Hornady can produce total crap and be considered top drawer, but no matter what Lee does it will always be junk....you are the PERFECT consumer....
I have dies from all manufacturers. I just orders dies for 358 Winchester last night. Lee only makes a two die set so I order that. I also ordered their FCD because the rifle style ones are great. Their custom shop isn't taking orders for collet dies, so I ordered one made by Hornady. And since Lee doesn't make a proper expander I ordered one made by Lyman. If Lee had made a 4 die set I would have ordered it and the Lyman expander. The dies that I buy as a last resort are RCBS. Not because they don't work. But because they rust instantly. No matter how I treat them they end up rusting. I'm sure guys that live in the desert don't have this issue.
Swampman
Old Fart
Yep! RCBS dies DO rust instantly.
And so do Hornady...
And Pacific...
And Hollywood...
And Bair...
And Herters...
And Lee...
Hell, I always thought rust was like, a standard feature?
Or a plot by the makers of silicone spray lube.
But maybe its just this damned humid swamp...
And so do Hornady...
And Pacific...
And Hollywood...
And Bair...
And Herters...
And Lee...
Hell, I always thought rust was like, a standard feature?
Or a plot by the makers of silicone spray lube.
But maybe its just this damned humid swamp...
No, the others don't rust instantly where I live. I didn't type it out just because I wanted to. All nee dies get treated to a ride in the tumbler which has nufinish in it. All other brands don't rust. I have to keep RCBS dies WELL oiled to prevent the rusting. And by well oiled I mean more than I think I should have to. I use RCBS expanders for rifle as much as possible so I like their dies.
Salmoneye
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