A potpourri of loading dies

[pricedo]

I have reloading dies made by just about every manufacturer (LEE, RCBS, Hornady, Pacific, Lyman, Redding, you name it).
Some of my dies are made by companies that have gone out of business years ago.
LEE makes a pretty good die set at rock bottom cost.

[Maximumbob54]

I have to agree. After having tried some Lyman, RCBS, and Redding dies I have to say that for rifle dies I regularly just shop around for a decent priced set of Lee dies. I've not tried their RGB dies yet though. And the rifle FCD is a work of genius. I won't load .30-30 ammo without that die.

[Ranch Dog]

I had gathered a pretty good range of brands throughout my life, a couple not in production any more. I think it was '95 and I was at a gun show up in Dallas with a lot of money in my pockets and I ran across a Lee vendor that occupied one corner of the building. I had not found any firearms to buy so the bug hit me and I bought a new set of Pacesetter dies for everything I shot. Actually, I bought everything new. It took me several trips to carry it all out of the building.

When I got home, I cleaned off my bench and put it all on eBay.

[akuser47]

I love lee dies Only thing I change on them is the lock ring and I am pleased even after that still cheaper than the competition. Plus I think they are easier too set up or maybe just better instructions.

[joec]

I have to agree. After having tried some Lyman, RCBS, and Redding dies I have to say that for rifle dies I regularly just shop around for a decent priced set of Lee dies. I've not tried their RGB dies yet though. And the rifle FCD is a work of genius. I won't load .30-30 ammo without that die.

I too have every set in Lee Dies for every caliber I load. However since loading some of the cast bullets in 45 Colt and 45-70 I invested in a set of RCBS cowboy dies. Now here I use the Lee Sizer, RCBS expander, Lee Powder thru die with no expansion set followed by the RCBS seating die then either Ranch Dog collet type 45 Colt FCD or a Redding Profile Crimp die for 45-70. For my 454 Casull I use all Lee dies except here I use the Lyman M die and the Redding Profile Crimp die. For 9mm and 45 ACP I use only the Lee 4 die sets and for 12 ga Magtech brass shot shells the RCBS Cowboy die for it. I only load these with black powder and had someone make me up and powder compression tool to fit the RCBS die. I also only use the old style wads with these and no crimp but seal them with glue.

[44-40 Willy]

I have Lee, Lyman and Eagle dies.

[Ranch Dog]

I have Lee, Lyman and Eagle dies.

Now that is a name that you don't hear anymore.

[44-40 Willy]

I got a set of Eagle 303 Brit dies at a yard sale some years back for $5. I've got the gun and dies just rarely use them.

[Model 52]

I've noted that the Lee 3 die sets use an expander die with a funnel that allows you to charge the case through the die. As a bonus, the Dillion powder measure adapter will press fit on the top of a Lee die and allow you to use Lee dies on your Dillon press with your regular powder measure.

[Maximumbob54]

If the Lee Universal Neck Expanding die fits here as well then I want to say I love that die. I recently found a new use for it. Seeing some flat base bullets into a .223 was driving me nuts. The case mouth was chamfered and deburred and they still didn't want to seat without trouble. Just a hint of opening the case mouth and the super flat bottomed bullets went right in nice and easy. Then the Lee FCD closed up that little bit of bell and everything was wonderful again. I doubt I'm the first one to do that and that die also works great for cast bullets.