Rifle die set. Go all out, or keep it simple?

[williamcm]

I'm starting with .223 (SMK) in a match barrel and 9mm handgun rounds.

I am going to start reloading, and a die set is about all I need now. As a rule, I usually never buy cheap tools. I see some sets going for $50 to a whopping $300. Would popping for a higher end set be worth it? Or should I start with something simple and learn what I might want for the future?

What would you say is a good price point to start with? Anything/brand I should totally avoid? I'm not too sure I can trust the Amazon comments on this one.

Thanks,
Will

[CSACANNONEER]

What are you trying to do? Are you just loading plinking rounds or are you a hard core benchrest shooter? I'm guessing that you are somewhere in the middle and closer to plinking rounds. I just bought a couple sets of these in .223 for the reloading club. you can't beat the price and can always sell them for more after you use them a while. For 9mm, I really like Dillion dies due to their design but, even RCBS or Lee dies will perform just fine. Unless you are really anal and a competitive shooter, I wouldn't suggest starting out with super expensive dies.

[jh4db536]

What is your shooting style (plinking, competition, hunting, mag dumps) , how often do you shoot?

Do you plan to scavenge range brass or buy premium stuff ie lapua

Do you have space for a "setup"

[sl0re10]

I'm starting with .223 (SMK) in a match barrel and 9mm handgun rounds.

I am going to start reloading, and a die set is about all I need now. As a rule, I usually never buy cheap tools. I see some sets going for $50 to a whopping $300. Would popping for a higher end set be worth it? Or should I start with something simple and learn what I might want for the future?

What would you say is a good price point to start with? Anything/brand I should totally avoid? I'm not too sure I can trust the Amazon comments on this one.

Thanks,
Will

I put my set together piece by piece and I mixed up the brands. Like for dies...

I think I paid about $100 since I mixed matched on my 223 dies. Hornady bullet seater with RCBS resizer die.

I use them on a lee breach lock press... with a cheap lee powder meter... which both work fine. So; once you get away from sets you can pick and choose. and in general; the most expensive is not necessary (like with the dies; the Hornady and RCBS dies I have are great.. the lee products I use them with are great... et cetera).

Midway reviews are usually pretty good. I usually remember reading valid warnings before buying products that didn't work out right in the end.

[JMP]

.223 Rem is the ONE rifle cartridge where I use cheap dies because there isn't enough variance in thickness. For cheap rifle dies, RCBS, just avoid Hornady, they make awful rifle dies, IMO. However, I use a Redding comp seater for .223, even if loading them on a progressive.

9mm, Dillon with progressive, but Lee with single stage will get the job done.

[Bastard]

223 for an AR or a bolt? for the AR I would just get the small base RCBS dies for a bolt, I would lean more toward something offered by Redding.

the 9mm I would probably just grab a set of Hornady dies - for the 100 free bullets.


also no matter what brand dies you get, I highly recommend getting the Hornady split lock rings

[Mot Mi]

If you're going to go hardcore, at least, go redding on rifle dies but on pistol it doesn't matter at least not for me. Stick to Lee 4 pistol die sets.

[MrElectric03]

I prefer dillon dies but due to the price on only own one set for now. I'm trying to find them for,good prices but I'm too slow and they sell fast. The majority of my dies are rcbs and have been bought used on ebay when prices are good. I only use carbide dies for straight walled cases. They have always been good and rcbs customer service is second probably only to dillon in my experience. I have a couple hornady titanium nitride dies and they seem to be ok. All I do is plink but when I can eventually get into some bench rest stuff I like the redding dies.

[OpenSightsOnly]

For 223, I use the RCBS small base die set while the seating die is set for mag length ammo.

I use Forster micrometer seating die for the 80 grainers.

[TomReloaded]

I use lee dies for 40 and 223. Its a well made, sturdy die. Its not cheap quality or anything. However, lee seems to be about the cheapest dies you can get.

But, they make amazing, accurate loads. Much better than factory stuff. The better dies will do better, but as-is the low end of the spectrum for dies still provides excellent results.

The lee dies just plain work well, and they're cheap. Competitive shooters might desire more, but for people who are used to plugging off factory stuff, its a big step up in ammo quality.

[2shotjoe]

I only get the 2 die sets from rcbs.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[LynnJr]

I shoot in several shooting disciplines and the dies actually play a small role in the big picture.
Get cheap dies and learn how to reload and your ammo will be much better than a guy spending $425 on one die who doesn't use it correctly.

[krwada]

The basic full length sizer die set is your friend!

[foxtrotuniformlima]

I'm starting with .223 (SMK) in a match barrel and 9mm handgun rounds.

I am going to start reloading, and a die set is about all I need now. As a rule, I usually never buy cheap tools. I see some sets going for $50 to a whopping $300. Would popping for a higher end set be worth it? Or should I start with something simple and learn what I might want for the future?

What would you say is a good price point to start with? Anything/brand I should totally avoid? I'm not too sure I can trust the Amazon comments on this one.

Thanks,
Will

You did not say what you will be loading on or shooting in so this is a big wide swipe.

9mm

Most of us shoot handguns 100+ rounds at a time. Some of us ( USPSA, IDPA, Steel ) shoot 300+ at a time. Try loading 300 rounds on a single stage and you will want a progressive press in short order. Ssince I bleed blue, a Dillon Precision SquareDeal B is perfect. You can find them for $300 used if you look and the no BS warranty from Dillon means buying used is just as good as buying new. They come complete - dies and all.


223

You said SMK. You are going to want to go with a single stage press. I'm guessing you have one. In an AR or other semi-auto rifle, I like to use the RCBS Small Base dies. They really improve the reliability of reloads in ARs. Set comes with size & seating. $ 50

Now, if these are going in a bolt gun, you probably want dies with bushings to insure neck tension is controlled better. Some people go with a franken-set made up of different manufactures but the Redding Type-S bushing dies are really nice.

[sl0re10]

For 223, I use the RCBS small base die set while the seating die is set for mag length ammo.

I use Forster micrometer seating die for the 80 grainers.

also; I had to buy imperial lube for my small base die. The competitor's product I had wouldn't work.