Which die set?
- Thread starter CRUSHER
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Cortland
Member
Four die sets generally come with a taper crimp die (or a Factory Crimp die in Lee's case). This allows you to seat and crimp in separate steps. With three die sets, you seat and crimp with the same die.
I don't like the Lee FC die, although some swear by it. In my view, resizing a loaded round is never a good idea since swaged lead doesn't spring back, but brass does.
I prefer Hornady die sets with a Hornady taper crimp die where applicable, but any set'll do ya.
I don't like the Lee FC die, although some swear by it. In my view, resizing a loaded round is never a good idea since swaged lead doesn't spring back, but brass does.
I prefer Hornady die sets with a Hornady taper crimp die where applicable, but any set'll do ya.
30Cal
Member
Some loads will respond to changes in crimp/crimp type and some won't.
Rifle dies usually come in a set of two (sizing and bullet seating) and pistol dies in a set of three (sizing, case mouth flare and bullet seating). As Cortland said above, the seating die will do a roll crimp if you thread the die body down.
For straight walled cases (pistol), get carbide dies and you will not need to lube the cases. With tapered cases, case lube is a fact of life. Rifle sizing dies come in a couple of flavors--neck sizing, Full Length resizing and occasionally you'll see a small base resizing die. Neck sizing works well if you only have one rifle in a particular caliber and it's a bolt action rifle. FL is pretty much the norm for semi-autos and SB dies are used if all else fails to feed. Some match rifles have particularly tight chambers and SB will be the only option.
Rifle dies usually come in a set of two (sizing and bullet seating) and pistol dies in a set of three (sizing, case mouth flare and bullet seating). As Cortland said above, the seating die will do a roll crimp if you thread the die body down.
For straight walled cases (pistol), get carbide dies and you will not need to lube the cases. With tapered cases, case lube is a fact of life. Rifle sizing dies come in a couple of flavors--neck sizing, Full Length resizing and occasionally you'll see a small base resizing die. Neck sizing works well if you only have one rifle in a particular caliber and it's a bolt action rifle. FL is pretty much the norm for semi-autos and SB dies are used if all else fails to feed. Some match rifles have particularly tight chambers and SB will be the only option.
Cortland
Member
With .45 ACP, go ahead and get the four dies. A three die set would work, but separate crimping dies are normally preferred for auto-loading cartridges.
My preference would be the Hornady 45 ACP 3-die set AND a 45 cal Hornady taper crimp die, but everyone makes 45 auto die sets and everyone makes taper crimp dies; you probably can't go wrong.
My preference would be the Hornady 45 ACP 3-die set AND a 45 cal Hornady taper crimp die, but everyone makes 45 auto die sets and everyone makes taper crimp dies; you probably can't go wrong.
SASS#23149
Member
IMHO,the main reason for using four dies is less shaving of lead/jacket material when seating the bullet.
I like Hornady dies because you dont need wrenches to adjust the seating depth...it's a 'friction' fit,hand adjustable.
I like the Lee lock rings on dies for the same reason.Just remember to no grasp the die body when removing 'em from the press.
I like Hornady dies because you dont need wrenches to adjust the seating depth...it's a 'friction' fit,hand adjustable.
I like the Lee lock rings on dies for the same reason.Just remember to no grasp the die body when removing 'em from the press.
lee n. field
Member
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- Dec 29, 2002
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- 4,320
And how well does it keep adjustment?
I don't care for the lee lock rings myself. I've replaced all mine with aftermarket die lock rings from Forster.
Cortland
Member
The lock nut on the Hornady seating stem is a large knurled affair with a rubber washer cemented onto the bottom of it. This way you can lock it down securely and without tools. My Hornady dies have no problem keeping adjustment, and would certainly be more secure than the Lee seating stems with just an O ring (though I haven't had problem with those either).
There's a photo here
There's a photo here
I own Dillon, Lee, Lyman, and RCBS dies. They all produce quality ammo. The best bargain are the Lee dies. Whatever you do, if you're loading pistol make sure you get a carbide die set- they all make them, and cutting out the lubrication step will greatly increase your output of pistol ammo.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Another tad bit of information to add to the story! 
Even though you are hereby instructed to seek out a
carbide die set; remember all brass must be cleaned
before entering the carbide die!
If you don't pay attention to anything else; PLEASE
pay attention to this warning. Failure to do so, can
and will cause scratches on the die walls; something
you don't want! This is particulary true with full
length resizing "range brass"; that one tends to
collect when visiting their favorite gallery.
As far as dies for the .45 ACP go, I use the TC set
from R.C.B.S. But, when the seating/crimping time
comes; I only seat with these dies, and crimp with
the Lee Precision FCD. Works very well for me!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Even though you are hereby instructed to seek out a
carbide die set; remember all brass must be cleaned
before entering the carbide die!
If you don't pay attention to anything else; PLEASE
pay attention to this warning. Failure to do so, can
and will cause scratches on the die walls; something
you don't want!
This is particulary true with fulllength resizing "range brass"; that one tends to
collect when visiting their favorite gallery.
As far as dies for the .45 ACP go, I use the TC set
from R.C.B.S. But, when the seating/crimping time
comes; I only seat with these dies, and crimp with
the Lee Precision FCD. Works very well for me!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
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