What would you do?

[32_d3gr33s]

I just started getting into reloading, so I've been accumulating all the needed parts. As of today, I have everything. My question is, I came across a 3 die rcbs 9mm set for 40 bucks. Brand new. Now, I have a Lyman 4 die set on order but won't get it for another couple weeks.
Both sets are carbide, and both seem to have good reviews. I'm not too familiar with dies in general, so I'm not too sure what to base my decision off.

Do I keep the rcbs, and cancel the order for the Lyman dies,
Return the rcbs
Keep both and compare, then sell unneeded dies?
Or something different? Thanks for any input

 

[floydster]

Keep the RCBS.

Smokeyloads

 

[BYJO4]

Both will do the job. I like RCBS personally but if you plan to seat and crimp in seperate as most of us do when taper crimping for a semi auto, you will need to order another crimp die for your RCBS set.

 

[FROGO207]

I generally have a spare set of dies for my most used calibers so that I will be able to load or loan no matter if something is broken or not. If the price is good and you have the money to spare no big deal to have 2 sets IMHO.

 

[kyhunter]

I prefer the rcbs. I say go with them and never look back

 

[ridgerunner1965]

either are fine, most of mine are rcbs. dont loan your dies out tho. yull never see them again.

 

[cwbys4evr]

I had the same problem. I've had Lee .223 dies on backorder for a long time, but I found a Hornady set in the LGS the other day. Gonna get the Hornady dies and cancel the backorder.

 

[altitude_19]

Cancel the lyman order. The ETA is probably bogus anyway. A bird in the hand...

 

[James2]

I would get the RCBS and cancel the order.

 

[beatledog7]

The only Lyman die I own is a dedicated .357 roll crimp die. It works as it should.

I have about a 1/2 dozen sets of RCBS, and they all work great. I'd keep the RCBS dies.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

Are the rcbs that much better? Or are the Lyman just so overpriced that people don't use them? I think maybe at this point ill keep both, and that way ill have the extra in case something breaks. I guess I'm still a little confused on the 4th die though. Is it just splitting one die (from the 3 set) into 2 separate processes, or is it a different type of crimp?

 

[Jesse Heywood]

The Lyman 4 dies set has a separate die for taper crimp, with the seater combining as a roll crimp die. RCBS has a combo seater/ taper crimp die. For semi-auto pistol the taper crimp is preferred. I use RCBS, but have a separate die for crimping, which makes adjusting a little easier. Either set will serve you well. Having both will give you some options.

 

[Walkalong]

A bird in the hand...

Yep, and RCBS dies are very good. 9Mm uses so little crimp (Just remove the bell), that seating and crimping in one step is no big deal. Sure, it is slightly harder than setting up the crimp in a fourth and separate step, but neither way is hard.

A link to my thoughts on crimping
.

 

[mljdeckard]

I agree that the fact that the RCBS ones are in-hand breaks the tie.

I have a couple of sets from each, and the things I like about the Lee sets, is that they come with a shell holder, and I think they are just peachy for the money. I did wind up adding a Lee Factory crimp die to my .45 set, but I really think this was to cure a problem with one particular gun, not a problem with the loads. (That gun is currently back at Para Ordnance being looked at.) I have done many 9mms through a Lee set and I have never had a problem with them.

 

[lightman]

I would get the RCBS dies and not think too much about it. Others have said "a bird in hand", and I agree. Theres nothing wrong with Lyman, and a four die set is nice if you are using a progressive loader. You won't go wrong with either set. Lightman

 

[Idpa SO]

Personally speaking I would keep thr RCBS dies. You got them for a steal at $40 for carbide. You could always use the Lyman as a back up set or on a progressive machine,but then again you could list the Lyman on ebay and probably get more then you paid for them in this day and age of craziness.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

I ended up just keeping the rcbs, and canceled the order for the lyman. I also ended up buying a set of rcbs in 38/357 as well

 

[Jesse Heywood]

That's good. Finding the dies you want right now can be a challenge.

 

[gamestalker]

Keep the RCBS if it were me. I've only had one issue with dies and that was my fault. The carbide ring fractured because I had the die making too much contact at the shell holder, snap! 9mm
GS

 

[MaterDei]

RCBS

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I like RCBS dies and since they are available right now, buy them right now. I would cancel the Lyman dies and stick with the RCBS dies. I would normally say it's might be a good ides to have a spare set of dies but prices being what they are and how little stress there is on 9mm dies I would say just the 1 set is fine.

 

[ljnowell]

I own all lee dies, and one redding die. The single redding die cost more than a full set of the Lee dies. Actually it cost more than 2 sets of dies, I believe. I got it on clearance sale from midway. I have only had one die that I wasnt happy with, want to guess which one it was?? Yep, the redding. Its a "competition seating die." Unfortunately, IMO, it lost the competition. From the beginning I had issues with it seating "crooked" so to speak, cutting lead bullets, irregular seating. I took it all apart, leveled surfaces, smoothed edges, polished it all up and got it to work at a "satisfactory" level.

I certainly wouldnt pay full price for one again. Though, I do admit, a single problem sure isnt enough to judge a brand. Lee certainly has its problems from time to time, I love thier products. Even the best company has bloopers that make it through. That one just got me. You would think that for a 75 dollar die that only seats bullets, it would do a better job and not need a "fluff and buff" to get working right.