best dies for progressive pistol loading?

[EJSG19]

My experince with pistol dies (just assume we are talking carbide) on a progressive is narrow enough I thought id ask. What does one brand hold over the other to make it better for progressive loading than the others?

Which is best?

Which is best bang for the buck?

I have dillon dies for .45acp and I have lee for .44 mag/special. Both work, but the lee dies are much more picky on shell plate tension (on the 550 this dictates how tight the case is held and therefore how much the case mouth can wobble and possibly miss the die mouth). So between those the dillons work nicer but are almost twice the price.

So I can compare dillon and lee. Where would you rank the other popular brands for proggressive pistol loading? Also explain why, if you don't, no offense but your one sentence post is no help.

[Sigfan220]

I have used Dillon, Lee and RCBS. If you have the money Dillon dies are the bomb, especially if you load lead bullets. I like how easy they are to clean. My RCBS dies are long gone with my 44mag, as I remember they worked well. I too have found the Lee dies to be a bit finicky. It seems like they need constant adjustment and don't hold a tight OAL. My Dillon set was in a fixed position for probably a year at a time(3-5K rounds) with no adjustments.

All dies were used on a Dillon 550.

[user293]

i load for 38 super, my USPSA gun. i have lee deprime, dillon powder station, redding comp seat die, and lee factory crimp on my 550b. in my opinion, as long as you have every die setup the ways its supposed to be, and working with each other, it will work fine with whatever dies you put in. my setup i have now is like a well oiled machine.

[mmcnx2]

I run Dillion, RCBS and Hornady dies. The Dillion are very nice and close second would be the hornady and the RCBS not far behind I'm not a lee fan, had one out of spec once. The biggest difference is the ease of setup and cleaning. The dillions just run and run, the hornadys seem to be a little toucher to setup and the rcbs while never an issue just don't seem to lock into place as secure.

[45Badger]

Quaffing the blue koolaid in 45acp, 9mm, and .38/.357 very

[gyrfalcon]

Lee carbide would be the hands down winner if you're going for best bang for the buck.

Example (MidwayUSA):

$29.99 Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 9mm Luger
$38.49 Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 9mm Luger (Factory crimp included)
$46.49 RCBS Carbide 3-Die Set 9mm Luger
$68.99 Lyman Carbide 4-Die Set 9mm Luger
$85.99 Redding Carbide 3-Die Set 9mm Luger
$42.99 Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension (or standard) Nitride 3-Die Set with Taper Crimp 9mm Luger

~$63.95 3 Die Carbide Dillon 9mm

i load for 38 super, my USPSA gun. i have lee deprime, dillon powder station, redding comp seat die, and lee factory crimp on my 550b. in my opinion, as long as you have every die setup the ways its supposed to be, and working with each other, it will work fine with whatever dies you put in. my setup i have now is like a well oiled machine.

Couldn't agree more.

[user293]

yea i kinda forgot why i just didnt use all dillon dies in my dillon press ( except for my comp. seat die, that thing is the shiz) and then i remembered, those dillon dies are a pretty penny, but i think people really like them.

[cobb]

... if you load lead bullets. I like how easy they are to clean.

If loading cast with lube, the Dillon seating or crimp dies are hard to beat. Just pull the clip to pull out the insert and clean without losing any setup.

[rugersol]

I'd avoid RCBS. Not sure 'bout the dillon press, but on my Hornady, lots of my RCBS seat/crimp dies don't clear the shellplate, fer the crimp.

Hornady's always worked good ... not too expensive.

I've bought nothing but Lee fer the last few years. The size die is a bit tight at the mouth ... but with the 9 and .40 brass I get, I want that. In fact, I got the U-die for a couple calibers, and really like that! ... gonna get a couple more!

As to resetting, I use lock-rings, so my crimp stays set ... just pop a loaded cartridge into the plate, run it up, and turn down the seat/plug ... done!

[wrench]

I use all Lee dies in my 550 for pistol calibers. (Except the Dillon powder/expander) I have loaded thousands of rounds of 9mm, 45ACP, 38/357, and .380 with them. I also find them a little finicky with regard to shellplate tension, but that takes seconds to work out, and isn't a big issue for me.
I wouldn't mind trying the Dillons, I'm sure they're nice. Suppose I'll have to wait until my Lee's wear out....

[Dutch]

Dillon if they make 'm in the caliber (no 50AE )
Lee FCD when using plated projectiles.
Dillon dies are funnel shaped at the bottom to ease progressive operation.

[Rodentman]

I have mostly Redding since I like the micrometer seating die. Those sets don't come with an expander, so I usually use a universal for that. (Single stage press). I have Lee sets too. I find that dimensions differ across brands and that some brass works better in some guns with some dies. It's not just the qualilty of the dies, it's the tolerances of the dies and the chambers.

[supply4demand]

If you can afford Redding or Dillon buy them, I have only 1 set of lee dies they work. I spent $440 on 2 Dillon sets and 2 Redding if you can find them used go for it, I like Dillon dies alot they set up strong and are easy to clean & adjust If your going back and forth on flat point- hollows and ball projectiles. My lee .45 dies have only one seater stem but is easy to adjust oal that's also a plus for Redding. I load .223 with competition Redding Dies. My lee dies came with press.
I load:
9mm,40,357 sig Dillon
45,lee
10mm .223 Redding

[Pinnacle]

I always used LEE Dies - they just plain work and for the Money they are hard to beat - I was loading 10-20K rounds/month on my 650.

After a while - you have to tear them all down and clean them.

[MKearn]

All of my dies are Redding. Love them.