Which Die brand do you prefer?

Which brand of reloading die do you prefer?

  • RCBS

    Votes: 60 27.3%

  • Hornaday

    Votes: 20 9.1%

  • Lee

    Votes: 98 44.5%

  • Other

    Votes: 42 19.1%
  • Total voters
    220
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
Looks to me that he is saying Lee is as good or better than the others, and the only thing the others have over the Lee is cosmetic.
Click to expand...
I never found that to be the case. I bought some Lee dies and my overwhelming initial impression was that they were "cheap". I returned them, ordered more RCBS dies and never looked back. Now maybe they work just as well, maybe they don't. Fact is they didn't instill much confidence that I had bought the best I could afford. I'll probably never know. I know that folks will take exception to this statement and that is fine. Some folks just can't be objective about that stuff.
 
Different strokes for different folks. I prefer value over $$$$ spent, main reason I have no mortage on my home, and purchase all vehicles with cash, yup even the new ones, and no credit card woes. Life is good.
 
I prefer value over $$$$ spent...
Click to expand...
As do I. It's funny because you can never make any type of disparaging comments about anything perceived as "cheap", without protagonists of said "cheap" product chiming in with all manner of condescending comments. Because apparently you can never spend more to get more. You're only buying a name. Or status. Or you have money to burn. I swear I run into more people who are snobbish about their cheap stuff than about their BMW, Aston Martin or Westley Richards.
 
I use RCBS for my rifle shooting and have been very happy. I am kind of surprised to see Lee dies taking the lead in this vote. I remember when I got started with reloading, I asked a lot of the serious local shooters at my club what brand they recommended. Almost all of them said you can't really go wrong with any of the major brands (Hornady, RCBS, Lyman, Forster etc.)....except Lee. They all said to avoid Lee if possible unless budget was of the utmost concern. Maybe its unfounded, I don't know but dies aren't really a a huge expense in the reloading world considering how much use you get out of them and I decided to spent a few more bucks for piece of mind. As far as using them for trade, if a lot of people feel the same towards Lee then you are better off going with the other brands that are pretty universally accepted as being of high quality.
 
I wish the posters would explain their selection.
To say Lee, or RCBS or Redding or whatever is fine, but it doesn't explain why.

I voted Lee & said price was my first issue.
When they worked fine, I saw no reason buy more expensive dies.

But if there's a reason, other than brand loyalty or brand snobbery (anti-Lee), I'd like to hear it.
I think others would too

I'm not trying to insult those who buy more expensive dies.
Just trying to learn why. ;)
 
Hondo 60 said:
I wish the posters would explain their selection.
To say Lee, or RCBS or Redding or whatever is fine, but it doesn't explain why.

I voted Lee & said price was my first issue.
When they worked fine, I saw no reason buy more expensive dies.

But if there's a reason, other than brand loyalty or brand snobbery (anti-Lee), I'd like to hear it.
I think others would too

I'm not trying to insult those who buy more expensive dies.
Just trying to learn why. ;)
Click to expand...

Good point.

I like the Forster Ultra die set because of the way the expander ball slips back through the case effortlessly compared to the RCBS X-dies I previously used for .223 Remington.

I also am very fond of the micrometer seating die, as once I have started a bullet with the die, I can simply measure it's oal, and do some simple subtraction and dial in the correct setting to achieve my target OAL.

Additionally, once I have that setting for a particular bullet, there's no guess work next time I load that same bullet. Just look in my notes and set the die accordingly. It saves me time. I like that.

And yes, they cost more than Lee, but they're worth it to me.
 
OK, there are 2 reasons why I won't buy Lee dies (actually I have one in .30 Carbine and would gladly trade it to a Lee-lover for the same of a different brand): 1. I HATE that stupid lock ring that doesn't lock in place, and 2. I don't like the way the depriming pin attaches.

Don
 
I wish the posters would explain their selection.
To say Lee, or RCBS or Redding or whatever is fine, but it doesn't explain why.

I voted Lee & said price was my first issue.
When they worked fine, I saw no reason buy more expensive dies.

But if there's a reason, other than brand loyalty or brand snobbery (anti-Lee), I'd like to hear it.
I think others would too

I'm not trying to insult those who buy more expensive dies.
Just trying to learn why.
Click to expand...

My reason for liking RCBS sizing dies over Lee is the Lee dies I have bought have been very poorly made. The threads are stripped or the de-capping pin slpips because the top nut won't tighten enough. I have never had a problem with RCBS dies and I like their design better. I do like the Lee FCD alot.
 
The title to this thread and the content contradict each other.For trade,or resale,the more expensive dies would be what to look at.My personal favorites are RCBS,Redding,and Dillon. Lightman
 
Quote:
The threads are stripped
That I would like to see. Post a picture.

Quote:
the de-capping pin slpips because the top nut won't tighten enough.
Get a longer wrench, never saw this problem either. Actually they are made to slip before breaking the pin, thats why they are made that way.

Since I am obviously being called out because your favorite company could never make a mistake here it is. Straight from Lee this is how I recieved my 45acp dies. And I know how the dies work. They just don't work well.
 

Attachments

  • 001.jpg
    001.jpg
    276.8 KB · Views: 26
Contact Lee with this, its obvious there has been an error made by the manufacturer, things such as this happen, remember the Ford Pinto fiasco to name just one. This is why manufactures have warrenty policies.

BTW I do not consider Lee as my favorite company and I have reloading equipment from all of the major brands. From Lee all the way to Dillion and Sinclare International.
 
rcmodel said:
If I were doing that I would always pick older RCBS dies.

But I have about as many sets of new Lee's as old RCBS.

The quality of RCBS & Redding dies back in the day was second to none.


rc
Click to expand...
Do I understand correctly that RCBS Dies That I bought new between 1965 & 1980 are of a higher "over-all quality" than those of recent mfg? Thus worth more on the "resale market?.... Of the 6 that I don't use any more....2 are in the Green cardboard boxes--the others in the plastic boxes ........(26/06; 30/06; 30/30; 300 WBY & .357 Mag & .45 Long Colt )
 
I have had good success with rcbs and redding. Tried hornady but was not satisfied.

I have one gripe about the rcbs dies though and it is that sorry brass set screw. I usually buy other brand locking rings to replace them.
 
Nearly all my dies are Hornady, and I like them just fine. My only other die is an RCBS powder cop; the lock ring / nut to be of lower quality than on the Hornady. Of course on this particular die, hard-locking isnt THAT crucial (as it would be with seating), but I imagine the rings are the same on their other dies too.

I think the micrometer insert is very much a time-saver and definitely worth the money.

I have tried a borrowed set of 44 mag Lee dies. Though I was thankful for the generosity of the fellow than loaned them to me, I didn't find them to be as ...refined? as Hornady dies, in terms of features and finish.

And FWIW, i dont' consider myself a budget shopper nor a big spender. I buy based on what I want from a product; price only comes into play when I start wishing for one of those nice precision Redding seating dies. ;)

thorn
 
For me I like forster. Great bang for the buck. Redding of course is top notch; GREAT customer service as well.

Out of what you listed I like the lee.
 
Contact Lee with this, its obvious there has been an error made by the manufacturer, things such as this happen, remember the Ford Pinto fiasco to name just one. This is why manufactures have warrenty policies.
Click to expand...
Called Lee today and the nice woman on the phone said to send it in and they would send me a new one. Good customer service.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

WestKentucky
  • Locked
which dies? 10mm
Replies
19
Views
968
WMaximusD
W
V
  • Locked
Which dies for my Dillion? Need a set........
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
3GunEric
3GunEric
azar
  • Locked
Best dies for standard use?
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
Walkalong
Walkalong
Wildbillz
  • Locked
Thinking about getting a eletronic scale?
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
Potatohead
Potatohead
S
  • Locked
Die Interchangebility?
Replies
10
Views
409
rcmodel
R
Back
Top