RE: RCBS VS. LEE dies
 

I have a few sets of Lee dies... but most of the diesi have are RCBS. I must have 50 sets of RCBS, and that's probable because it's been so easy to get wildcat die sets from RCBS.

Anyway, i have heard of a few problems with Lee dies long ago, but nothing excesive. I wouldn't be afraid to buy a set today if needed.

I'm with James on that, i also don't check myreloads for runout unlessthere'sobvious runout or there's a problem with the ammo i'm trying to solve. I'm of the opinionit's justisn't necessary for hunting ammo...

DM

RE: RCBS VS. LEE dies
 

I have only Lee dies (mainly because I'm a cheap SOB, my Grandpa called it being a thrifty Scot, but I'm cheap).
I have loaded a couple thousand 45LC with no problems except my own failure to clean them after using certain lubes (Remington cast bullets come with a flaky black lube that is a pain in the butt).
My 30-06 dies have been no problem, nor have my 8x57 Mauser.
I use the Pace setter carbide dies and haven't seen a reason to change.

RE: RCBS VS. LEE dies
 

I once compared RCBS against Lee while loading .223 and 7mm Rem Mag.

Setup was as follows.

RCBS Rock Chucker and FL die sets as well as RCBS shell holders.

Lee Classic Press and FL dies sets and shell holders.

I took 10 pieces of fired brass of each caliber and FL sized 5 of each with each press. I then seated the same bullet for each caliber using the separate presses to the same depth. Afterwards I checked bullet runout and found that both presses were identical to eachother.

For half the bucks of the RCBS I still had RCBS quality ammo.

RE: RCBS VS. LEE dies
 

I have used, C&H, RCBS, LEE, Redding, Lyman& Hornady Dies. The only ones I have had issue with is the Hornady set the Decaping spindle always wants to slide down and not stay locked (pain in the rear). Lyman and Lee are always the cheapest, I have loaded thousands of rounds thru my RCBS and Lyman dies all of my Pistol dies are LEE Carbide really work well. Lee's are nice as they come with the shell holder really handy. For the occasional reloader they work fine. If you are going to shoot 4,000 rounds of say .308 and use Lee dies for it.... butfor the hunting reloader they will be fine.

RE: RCBS VS. LEE dies
 

Well, I have used Lyman, C&H, RCBS, Redding, Lee,Forster, and even a couple of old sets of Herters dies, and they all worked! The Redding and Forster dies seem to exhibit the finest workmanship, but I cannot say that any of the brenad I've used actually made better ammo tyhan the Lee dies. They didn't! In fact, even the Herters sets made accurate ammo, as did the Lyman 310 dies made for the old nutcracker handles.....