High Quality Dies

[JoeSoap]

I have hear a number of folks mention that more important than the press is getting good quality dies. What brands or models of die are considered good or what are the ones to avoid for large calibers? Are all the big names fine, RCBS, Hornsby, Redding?

 

[DaddyFlip]

I reload on a Forster Coax press expressly because I believe the die is more important than the press (the Coax lets the die be the star of the show). I evaluate dies based on the cartridge being loaded; some dies are better than others for specific cartridges for various reasons. In some cases, it takes more than one brand of die to optimize loading of a specific caliber. I think I use three brands of dies to load 458 SOCOM and 45 Cowboy, for example. Unless I find need for a specific die or die set for a caliber, I will purchase the best 2- or 3-die set for a caliber AND the corresponding Lee set containing the Factory Crimp Die. It also depends on your rifle and how a die forms the shoulder.

I find "the best" set by extensively researching the experiences and recommendation of others. Example: I just acquired a 375H&H. My study on this site suggested that a Redding 2-die set would be best, so I ordered the 3-die set (includes neck die) AND the Lee set that includes the FCD and micrometer seating plug. Therefore, I will full length or neck size with Redding and seat and crimp with Lee. Why the 3-die set? For practice shooting, I don't mind neck sizing. For hunting, full-length is best. For my 416Rem, I elected to duplicate the Redding/Lee combination.

On 458 SOCOM I full length size with Redding, expand with Lyman M-die, seat with Redding competition micrometer, and crimp with Lee FCD! How did I figure out that combination? The inventor of the cartridge said that's what he uses! (That's the value of extensive research)

I have a soft spot for Lyman dies but they don't have many African calibers. Hornady does and I am impressed with the quality of their dies, though their sliding seater sleeve is more gimmick than beneficial in my opinion. Redding is good, but not at everything. Note I am using Redding for long and wide cartridges, so that's going to be my recommendation to you for African. I use RCBS Cowboy dies for several of my BP cartridges and 45 Cowboy. Hornady and RCBS are probably tied for second behind Redding for African cartridges.

I have dies from CH4D, Hornady, Lee, Lyman, RCBS, Redding. I don't mind collecting die sets from all the manufacturers for a specific cartridge and experimenting. That's part of the fun of reloading.

 

[JoeSoap]

I reload on a Forster Coax press expressly because I believe the die is more important than the press (the Coax lets the die be the star of the show). I evaluate dies based on the cartridge being loaded; some dies are better than others for specific cartridges for various reasons. In some cases, it takes more than one brand of die to optimize loading of a specific caliber. I think I use three brands of dies to load 458 SOCOM and 45 Cowboy, for example. Unless I find need for a specific die or die set for a caliber, I will purchase the best 2- or 3-die set for a caliber AND the corresponding Lee set containing the Factory Crimp Die. It also depends on your rifle and how a die forms the shoulder.

I find "the best" set by extensively researching the experiences and recommendation of others. Example: I just acquired a 375H&H. My study on this site suggested that a Redding 2-die set would be best, so I ordered the 3-die set (includes neck die) AND the Lee set that includes the FCD and micrometer seating plug. Therefore, I will full length or neck size with Redding and seat and crimp with Lee. Why the 3-die set? For practice shooting, I don't mind neck sizing. For hunting, full-length is best. For my 416Rem, I elected to duplicate the Redding/Lee combination.

On 458 SOCOM I full length size with Redding, expand with Lyman M-die, seat with Redding competition micrometer, and crimp with Lee FCD! How did I figure out that combination? The inventor of the cartridge said that's what he uses! (That's the value of extensive research)

I have a soft spot for Lyman dies but they don't have many African calibers. Hornady does and I am impressed with the quality of their dies, though their sliding seater sleeve is more gimmick than beneficial in my opinion. Redding is good, but not at everything. Note I am using Redding for long and wide cartridges, so that's going to be my recommendation to you for African. I use RCBS Cowboy dies for several of my BP cartridges and 45 Cowboy. Hornady and RCBS are probably tied for second behind Redding for African cartridges.

I have dies from CH4D, Hornady, Lee, Lyman, RCBS, Redding. I don't mind collecting die sets from all the manufacturers for a specific cartridge and experimenting. That's part of the fun of reloading.

Thanks @DaddyFlip that was very informative!

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Different people like different dies, I like Redding, Lyman, rcbs, ch4d, simplex, NDFS etc, can’t stand Lee dies for reloading (had issues with them) but use Lee factory crimp dies. The hornady dies are ok, the sliding seater die is great for small calibres like 17fireball but annoying for larger like 404. I have around 100 different die sets, but not all are for calibres I shoot, some are for intermediate stage reloading of oddball cartridges like my 32-35, I use4 different dies from 4 different sets to form and load for that one.
Gumpy