What are your favorite Dies

[Holland]

So I've been having a consistency problem with my Lee bullet seating Die in 6.5 grendel. My RCBS Small Base dies in 7.62x51 seem pretty consistent. Just wondering what everybody else is using and having good results with. Lee tells me .005" runout on the seater die is normal (mine is excessive). Maybe I'm being too nitpicky, but before I buy a new set what is your experience with your dies.

 

[m1a_scoutguy]

I have many, mostly Hornady then RCBS, LEE, Forester, and Dillon mixed in. My favorite is Dillon hands down. I feel all with do what ya need them to do as long as you set them up correctly. Buy what ya can afford and keep what works for ya.

 

[kev74]

I use almost all Lee dies and I probably load for 10 or more calibers. I haven't had any issues.

 

[Deplorable Me]

RCBS dies, Lee final sizing die.

 

[Tisto]

I have dies from Redding, RCBS, Hornady, Lyman and Lee. I think the Redding dies produce the most consistant results, but are expensive. RCBS and Hornady are both fine for most reloaders. The Lyman dies I have are very old, but work well and I don't reload those calibers enough to justify replacing them. The only set of Lee dies I have are for a straight walled pistol caliber. They work just fine, but again I don't reload that cartridge a lot. I do have several Lee Factory Crimp dies, and they all work excellently.

It seems that you are relatively new to the reloading experience, and you might be a bit too critical and expecting too much. There is FAR more that goes into producing perfectly consistant ammunition than the dies alone. It starts with the brass itself, then every step of the prep work. Get yourself to the point of producing ammunition that shoots consistant groups that are at least as good as your gun's favorite factory ammo. Then you can start playing with all the tiny details that turn your 1 MOA gun into a ½ MOA tack driver.

 

[Holland]

I'm getting.009" runout with my Lee Grendel die. I am new to reloading, but I still know consistency is the best path to good results. I'm not trying to bash Lee. IMy .223 die set works well and bullet seating is within.003" and I like the factory crimp die. I just wanted to know what experience others have had with their dies. I did see RCBS has a small base die set for the grendel so i might go that route.

 

[Tisto]

I would urge you to stay away from small base dies unless you NEED them. They are really only for autoloaders, not to be used for bolt action guns. Also, your groups will be better if the cartridge more closely fits the chamber than if it fits like a hotdog in a hallway. Precision shooters rarely full length size their brass, but rather neck size only.

 

[Holland]

I know. They are for autoloaders

 

[Mosinitis]

Forster is an excellent brand for dies and reloading equipment. It's cheaper than Redding and in many instances better made. Although I use other brands as well, Forster is my favorite.

 

[FP1201]

The Redding dies I have all work perfectly, and have always been told by experienced precision shooters that they are the best; the best come at a price.
I started with Lee Dies and have ~50 sets of them in odd and difficult to find calibers: only issue I ever had was cracking the Carbide ring on a .500 S&W Sizing die, which they promptly replaced.
RCBS is an old and well established name, and other than sticking a case from insufficient lube, they work as well as any others.
Hornady: I've a few sets of them for "newer" cartridges such as 6.5 Grendel and 6.5 Creedmoore and they work extremely well with .300 RUM...I really like their seating die, and the adjustment stems.
Lyman is another old school name: their chrome plated dies made 60 years ago work as well today as the day they were made, new ones are on par with RCBS.
Dillon's are almost a class unto themselves, while still 7/8"-14tpi. they are made with an eye to their Presses, also they are expensive!
I tend to avoid old dies such as Bonanza, Pacific, CH, etc. although if I have to reload and that's what I have, well that's what I use...needed to make some .222's and the Dies were two decades older than me; worked just fine, although I did spend some time thoroughly cleaning them first.
There really isn't any brand that beats all others hands down and with care, most will make ammunition better than the shooter most of us are, and when you get to the point of "splitting hairs" by then you'll have found what you really like, what works, and what don't....don't get too hung up on ultimate precision, it's takes the fun and challenge out of ordinary Range sessions.

 

[Robin]

I have some Lee die sets but mostly Hornady because I like their bullet seating die that helps align the bullet without me fumbling around with it.
Robin

 

[fresch]

Rcbs, lyman, lee, email lee or buy new return the worst one (part) only as a complete die again.
Is it the seater, are you using the O ring nut or lock nut? Lock nut is better.

 

[Robin]

Hands down, the lock nut is better!!!! Effing O ring sucks and will be a determining factor if I buy another set of dies.
Robin

 

[Holland]

I'm using a Hornady lock ring. I don't know why they don't include lock rings. I did call Lee. They basically ran through some things with ne and kind of left it there. I'll probably get it replaced. Not sure if maybe it doesn't like the bullet. I told him what I was loading, sounded like he looked it up and didn't see any known problems. It's the Barmes Matchburner in 120gr. The seater plug seems to fit the bullet fine. Just may switch to a different set. I like my RCBS small base for 7.62 so i may go that route for the Grendel too

 

[Depick]

So far I prefer Lee dies.

 

[SomeSoldier]

So far Rothschild.

 

[JohnD13]

I don't have a problem with Lee dies but I change all the lock rings over to Forster rings. Don't have long term faith in the o-ring idea.