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which dies would you get

I cut my teeth on RCBS reloading dies but I'm thinking of going with Hornady dies for my next cartridge. What make would you go with?

bronko,

I've got a mix of RCBS, Lee, Hornady and Redding dies.

I don't find much difference in the RCBS, Lee, or Hornadys,
They all have worked well for years.
Only thing I may do different than others is to de-prime and clean cases BEFORE sizing.
So normally, I just buy these brands based on price and availability.

When I need something special:
I do look for a set of Lee Deluxe Dies if
I'm reloading for a bolt action rifle that I want to neck size.
I like the Redding dies for my 7.5x55 due to the difference it does to the case shoulder for K31.
Also use the Lee Crimp die for cartridges that need a real heavy firm crimp.

I've also got a mix of RCBS, Lee, pacific ,foster, Hornady and Redding dies.
the dies with carbide sizing ring inserts

and small holes drilled to allow trapped case lube to exit the die without deforming the case shoulders are preferred.

having a micrometer handy to measure case head and neck diam. certainly helps and a caliper to measure case length wont hurt either
use of case lube is mandatory, but you can get by with excellent results using vasoline on an un-inked stamp pad works
smear then use a hair drier to soak in, you want minimal but full consistent case coverage, roll the case on pad before sizing, with practice youll get the hang of not under or over lubing the cases

https://www.amazon.com/Shiny-AS-SHI0940209-Large-Inking-Plastic/dp/B01F1QJOH2/ref=asc_df_B01F1QJOH2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309777798143&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2968252962906138260&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012039&hvtargid=pla-491910837320&psc=1

https://www.sinclairintl.com/guntech....htm?lid=16243

Wow Hardcast I'm surprised you're still using that old fashion case lube! For about 20 years now (maybe) I've been using Hornady's One Shot. In the old days when I used a lube pad and that awfully sticky RCBS case lube I had my share of stuck cases. Since the switch to One Shot I've never had a stuck case and never any indents in the shoulder due to excessive lube.

you may be correct, but Ive never had any reason to change in that Ive not had a stuck case in over 20 years ,
and while I knock out well in excess of a few hundred cartridges every month, Ive had zero issues going old school.

what press are you guys using?

($150-$175)

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...-supreme-press

generally $250-$350 USED

( list $575, used generally $350-$450)
http://www.sportshootingsupply.com/s...tallic-II.aspx
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I tried some Hornady 45/70 dies and my cases were coming up short. Weird huh? A guy on another forum suggested a different brand so I tried RCBS and the brass came back to the right size. So now I normally use RCBS.

I am like you Bronco i have used RCBS all of my life (I started handloading when i was 14-15 Yrs Old) I am a DIE Hard RCBS, Or Redding Guy. That Said, I do own 2 Sets of Hornady, They get the Job done, But Funny thing is i ended up Buying RCBS in Both Cartridges as well, I Don’t like the Hornady Sizer, I MUCH Prefer the RCBS Sizer, But I REALLY like the Hornady Bullet Seater Die MUCH better than the RCBS Seater Die. So in the End i use the RCBS Resizing Dies, and Hornady Bullet Seating Dies, I upgraded my Hornady .308 Bullet Seating Die to their Micro Adjust.

I get Hornady dies at a fairly steep discount, so I do use a lot of them for my “bulk” reloading. I have Lee, Hornady, RCBS, Whidden, Redding, Forster, Lyman, Dillon, Wilson, Sinclair, and K&M, and maybe someone I’m forgetting, there’s a lot I like about some, a little I hate about some. Hate Lee o-ring lock rings. Don’t really care for RCBS seater adjustments. Hate the bullet sleeve in Hornady seaters (too prone to pinch my fingers and too apt to crash long rounds on an auto indexing turret press).

Redding Type S Match Bushing dies are my favorite sizers. With an Arbor Press, LE Wilson chamber seaters are my favorite seaters.

I've got both RCBS and Hornady. They're both excellent quality, but I prefer Hornady for minor reasons.

ive got an old RCBS jr. press that ive been using for 40 years and still using it.

I always buy RCBS because that the type of equipment I have so I stick to the same brand and color. My reloading station would look all wrong with red pieces strewn about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhasemann (Post 4359040)

I always buy RCBS because that the type of equipment I have so I stick to the same brand and color. My reloading station would look all wrong with red pieces strewn about.

There’s no color on the dies - and living only with RCBS dies is missing out on a lot of great products out there.

I started out with RCBS dies in 1976 and used them for a long time. I can't tell you when I switched over to Forester (BR Dies) but I have never looked back. I use a RCBS Jr. and a Rock Chucker for presses.

I have tried just about every brand out there but at the end of the day I always end up with Redding dies in my press. The run-out from their competition dies is negligible.

I use redding, RCBS, Hornady, Lee, Herters, and a few others, only problems I ever had was with a set of ch4d in 458 socom, neverr got a case to resize in them.