Reloading Dies?

[Norwest Alta]

I've got some Redding, rcbs, Lyman and Lee dies. Just wondering which makes one better then the other?

[Redneck Tommy]

I’ve got Lee,Lyman,RCBS,and Hornady I don’t reload enough to tell if one makes better ammo than the others but I’m really liking the Lyman for some reason.

[260 Rem]

I suppose the most valid comparison would be to compare measured runout on both resized brass and loaded cartridges.
I suspect that most of us recommend our “favorite” rather than providing an objective comparison. When I started reloading about 15 years ago, I bought Hornady dies which probably loaded ammo better than I could shoot. Over the years, as my “skill” improved I flirted briefly with Lee before finally settling on Redding. Why Redding...because that’s what I observed the best shooters were using. Truthfully, I can not be certain that the Redding resizer is technically better because to do that, I would need to go back and use the Hornady and make the comparison with my now improved skill level (both in Reloading and shooting technique).
When it comes to comparing (downrange) results between seater dies, I can say that the Wilson In-line seaters have given me better performance than Redding.
When asked what I think are the best, I recommend Redding (Type S) FL resizer dies and Wilson In-line seaters.

[45/70/500]

when i started reloading over 40 yrs ago R C B S and lee were about all you could get here in calgary so far they have not failed me

[32-40win]

For myself, I use dies that make things simpler, or have a feature I may like such as a tapered expander button, or a sliding sleeve in a bullet seater. I've been known to mix and match components from various mfgr's, if they fit each other's dies, such as decap stems, expanders, seating stems. I don't really care what make they are, as long as they do the job I'm asking of them. You can get a dud from anyone, and all make good stuff as well.

[lannie]

I have redding, rcbs, hornady, lee, wilson and bonanza.

In my experience the Redding dies are the nicest to work with. I have found that the dies that make the most difference in accuracy that i can test and see results are the Lee collet dies.

[Scott N]

I've pretty much always used RCBS dies - I know they are not the best, but the certainly are good enough for my needs. RCBS Customer Service is A1, so if anything goes wrong, I know I'll be looked after.

[stob]

I ran a test several years ago on identical loads from rcbs, lyman, redding and lee ... these were all standard entry level 3 die sets and the lee and redding were to close to call .... 222 rem through an annie ... I continue to use redding, but always have a lee back up for each cartridge - ... I use lee crimp dies when i get crimpy

[Norwest Alta]

I've always heard Redding were one of the best but I have to wonder what makes them $100 more then Lyman for my 26 nosler

[Norwest Alta]

Originally Posted by lannie

I have redding, rcbs, hornady, lee, wilson and bonanza.

In my experience the Redding dies are the nicest to work with. I have found that the dies that make the most difference in accuracy that i can test and see results are the Lee collet dies.

The Lee collet being better? I use a Lee collet for sizing my 338wm and rcbs for seating.

[lannie]

Originally Posted by Norwest Alta

The Lee collet being better? I use a Lee collet for sizing my 338wm and rcbs for seating.

Yes they have worked better for me.

[CanadianEh]

I also have read many glowing reviews of Lee collet dies..

[BigJon]

I like Forster FL and seater dies. The expander button rides high so that the case neck is still in the sizing portion of the die while when the expanding process begins whilst the case is being removed from the die. Keeps case necks straight.

The seater is of the sliding sleeve variety and also does a good job of keeping everything straight.

Given good brass, clean shellholders, debris free matig surfaces, etc. you can produce ammo with very low runout.