Reloading dies

[elk hunter]

What are the best "bang for the buck" quality made reloading dies? and why do you think they are the best.

elk hunter

[ap1040]

Wow, that is a loaded question (pun intended).

The answer is really "it depends". If you are looking for ammo to target practice etc, then Lee dies work just fine.

If you are into competition or 1000 yard target shooting, maybe Redding would work better.

Other die makers will generally fall between the two above.

I personally use Lee dies and just recently added some Hornady and the ammo is still way more accurate than the shooter.

So decide what type of shooter you are and then can plan accordingly.

[elk hunter]

I'm a hunter that demands accurate ammo.

[Mot Mi]

Stick with lee carbide 4 piece set with the FCD for pistols and the 3 die set for rifles. Lee dies are literally the best bang for the buck. But, like the above poster mentioned if you're going for precise dies and accuracy in terms of reloading, go for the redding competition dies with micrometer. Then again, they're not the best bang for the buck as there is a hefty price tag on redding dies.

[pacrat]

What are the best "bang for the buck" quality made reloading dies? and why do you think they are the best.

elk hunter

elk hunter,

I'm a hunter that demands accurate ammo.

Pretty much describes me also. Go for the LEE Deluxe Rifle Die set. IIRC. It has the FL and the Collet Neck Sizer.

I personally have never found the need to "crimp" my rifle hunting loads.

The collet sizing die is a wonderfully simplistic system to maintain fireformed case dimensions while maintaining concentricity due to the collet "squeezing" the neck onto a mandrel. Rather than pushing downward using friction to resize the neck. And no goopy lube required is a plus.

JM2c

[ducky_0811]

I would suggest a hybrid set of dies. A full length set from redding will give you excellent full length sizing and seating. A Lee collet neck sizer as previously stated will allow you the benefits of neck sizing, plus being able to adjust for neck tension without having to buy and experiment with different bushings. You can pick up the neck sizer on amazon most likely for cheap.
This combo gives me great flexibility and consistency in my .22-250 and others. RCBS dies aren't bad by any means, but I prefer the refinement and ease of adjustment with redding.

[CSACANNONEER]

I'm a hunter that demands accurate ammo.

Uh, any ammo can be "accurate" just by adjusting your POA to the center of the POIs. I think you mean that you want "precise" ammo. Which would mean consistent ammo. But, a hunter only demands OK ammo. A BR shooter demands the best possible ammo. For hunting, any dies will do, I've got sub moa of PRECISION (accuracy can not be measured in "moa") using Lee, Eagle, HGW, Hornady, RCBS, Redding, Pacific, Lyman, etc.

[elk hunter]

I'm thinking a standard 2 die set with another die a neck sizer. I only crimp for tube mag rifles, revolvers and for semi auto military rifle use. For instance in my 7.62X51 Garand I will bump in a light crimp. Other than those I do not crimp, it serves no purpose. Thanks for the input.

[sl0re10]

What are the best "bang for the buck" quality made reloading dies? and why do you think they are the best.

elk hunter

depends on the cartridge... and even then I've bought dies from different companies to make a set... my tokarev being the most pain / diversity. Three dies, three different companies.

example: I often like Hornady seating dies the best for seating dies... but don't like their other dies.

Also; my goal is not always making the perfect ammo. Sometimes its just to have the least hassles reloading....

but then; what do you mean bang for buck? least expensive that work? Because see above; sometimes an extra $20 can make your reloading easier for... hypothetically... the rest of your life. re: a Hornady seating die that will try to straighten your bullets while seating them for instance...

[pacrat]

I'm thinking a standard 2 die set with another die a neck sizer. I only crimp for tube mag rifles, revolvers and for semi auto military rifle use. For instance in my 7.62X51 Garand I will bump in a light crimp. Other than those I do not crimp, it serves no purpose. Thanks for the input.

Bold describes the Lee Deluxe Die Set. Without further additional die purchases. And usually cost about the same as a standard 2 die set from RCBS, etc

I wish Lee had come out with their Collet Neck Die design 40 yrs ago.

Best thing since microwave popcorn.

JM2c

[Dutch3]

LEE works for me. I have some others, but it irritates me to have to pay extra for the shell holder.

[samcam13]

so far Lee, redding, RCBS, forster, Dillon all seem to work well for me. Only problem so far was my 300 Blackout. The Lee dies were a touch big for my Sheridan case gauge, had some fail to chamber in a couple different rifles. Stepped up to the forster dies and all fit well now. Dillon's are nice especially if you run one of their machines...

[Paperchasin]

I like RCBS...

[rcslotcar]

I have used RCBS for many years, never had any issues.

[Enfield47]

I like both Lee and RCBS dies as both have performed very well for my needs. The Lee collet die works great, I use it for my .303 British and .30-06 1903A3 rounds. One thing I do like about RCBS dies is their lifetime guarantee. Eventually something will break or wear out and with RCBS it's covered, the Lee only has a year warranty.