who make the best quality dies.

plainsman · 10-19-2012, 19:20

Ive looked at some old RCBS, and some old Lyman's, and it seems RCBS's quality looked better. Any better brands to look at.

alank2 · 10-19-2012, 19:45

Hi,

I really like Redding:

http://redding-reloading.com

Good luck,

Alan

WiskyT · 10-19-2012, 19:53

Don't overlook Lee dies. The low price is out of proportion to the quality of Lee dies. In many cases, Lee dies are actually the best regardless of price.

Colorado4Wheel · 10-19-2012, 19:54

Redding.

But even the Lee work great for most people.

F106 Fan · 10-19-2012, 20:37

Redding or Dillon

Richard

MoNsTeR · 10-19-2012, 21:51

"Quality" isn't one-dimensional when it comes to dies (or most other things for that matter).

I run Lee sizers because they size lower, and because the decapping pin is less prone to breakage. I run Redding Competition micrometer seating dies because they let me dial in different OAL's repeatably. I run Lee FCD crimp dies because there's no other post-sizing crimp die on the market (there's plenty of FCD hate out there but I'm a believer).

Side-by-side it's quite evident that Redding and Dillon dies are "better quality" than Lee dies, in many of the ways we often think about quality e.g. fit & finish. But the Lee dies do the best job, so I use them. The fact that they cost less is just a bonus.

Edit to add: I only use Dillon lock rings. Every other lock ring on the market is TERRIBLE.

shotgunred · 10-19-2012, 22:25

Lee quality control is not what it should be. You can get a great die from them or a crappy one. How lucky are you?

I think everyone else makes good quality dies. I always buy Dillon for pistol because I like to seat and crimp in separate stations.

CanMan · 10-19-2012, 22:46

Dillon for pistol, Redding for Rifle.

ron59 · 10-20-2012, 07:48

I bought Dillon dies in 9mm when I bought my first press (550), but replaced the sizing die with a Lee one and the seating die with a Redding micrometer version.

I just went ahead and bought the Redding when I started loading .45ACP. I love that micrometer seating die, and all their dies are quality.

RustyFN · 10-20-2012, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotgunred

Lee quality control is not what it should be. You can get a great die from them or a crappy one. How lucky are you?

I think everyone else makes good quality dies. I always buy Dillon for pistol because I like to seat and crimp in separate stations.

I'm pretty lucky. I have five sets of Lee dies and all work great. The only other dies I have used are Dillon dies and I like Lee better.

norton · 10-20-2012, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyFN

I'm pretty lucky. I have five sets of Lee dies and all work great. The only other dies I have used are Dillon dies and I like Lee better.

Owning Lee, RCBS, Dillon dies, I like the Lee and Dillon for decapping pistol rounds.
I have had good luck with Lee dies. But I am not a precision re loader.

Uncle Don · 10-20-2012, 13:27

It's not the looks on the outside, but rather the inside that makes the difference. If you have a set of hole gauges, you can learn allot as it relates to consistency.

Most of my dies are Lee, but I have a set of RCBS and a set of Herters. Fortunately, all my dies work fine. I've never had Reddings and they do look very nice on the outside, but if you take a flashlight and look on the inside, it's actually rougher than I expected. Could have just been the set of dies I saw, but I suspect you won't find Reddings any smoother on the inside than any other brand of die.

A couple people mentioned Redding for the seating die because of the dial feature and I can definately understand making a choice for a reason like that - but to make it simply based on perceived quality I think is mistake. Obviously, just an opinion, but it's mine.

cajun_chooter · 10-20-2012, 18:01

my vote goes to Redding

F106 Fan · 10-20-2012, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Don

A couple people mentioned Redding for the seating die because of the dial feature and I can definately understand making a choice for a reason like that - but to make it simply based on perceived quality I think is mistake. Obviously, just an opinion, but it's mine.

For precision rifle reloading, I size just the neck. The Redding competition neck sizing die uses interchangeable bushings so I can get any amount of neck tension I want. The busings are PRICEY!

I also like the Redding rifle bullet seating die because it centers up the bullet as it is inserted.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with Redding for rifle.

Richard

SBray · 10-20-2012, 19:06

I like the Dillion for pistol and RCBS and Redding for rifle (when I used to load them). But I know a number of people that really like the Lee dies.

Steve

APERS · 10-20-2012, 19:07

Rcbs.

APERS · 10-20-2012, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiskyT

Don't overlook Lee dies. The low price is out of proportion to the quality of Lee dies. In many cases, Lee dies are actually the best regardless of price.

This too, Lee dies are squared away for 1/3 the cost of some brands.

PrecisionRifleman · 10-20-2012, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by APERS

Rcbs.

I like the RCBS dies, and they also have excellent customer service. I particularly like the RCBS gold medal match dies with he micrometer bullet seater for rifle cartridges. This is for a single stage press btw. If I were using a progressive I'd go with a Dillon and use their dies.

Bello · 10-21-2012, 06:26

Imo redding the best

WiskyT · 10-21-2012, 06:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBray

I like the Dillion for pistol and RCBS and Redding for rifle (when I used to load them). But I know a number of people that really like the Lee dies.

Steve

Great avatar. Marty Eggs!

Hoser · 10-21-2012, 11:39

Redding, Forster and LE Wilson.

judgecrater · 10-22-2012, 12:06

Only dies I had trouble with were Lee. RCBS have done just fine for me. Had a poor customer service experience with Redding as they felt lifetime with something less than I did.

WiskyT · 10-22-2012, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by judgecrater

Only dies I had trouble with were Lee. RCBS have done just fine for me. Had a poor customer service experience with Redding as they felt lifetime with something less than I did.

Doesn't follow that you had trouble with Redding as well?

unclebob · 10-22-2012, 17:23

As a total set, Redding. I use Lee or Dillon sizer die. Redding competition bullet seat. And either a Lee or Dillon crimp die. If loading lead bullets I like to use the Dillon bullet seat and crimp dies. Just for the ease of disassembling of the die for cleaning.
I have used Herter’s, RCBS, Lee, Dillon, and the Redding competition bullet seat die.

M24C · 10-22-2012, 21:43

For me I've use Dillon and Lee dies. I now only use the Lee dies with my 550b Dillon on 9mm and 40 S&W. Since over 95% of the loads fit in a case gauge why change it? That's why I use the Lee dies.

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