2 die versus 3 die reloading?

snowy1

I am just starting reloading and having trouble understanding the difference between a 2 die and 3 die set for reloading... If you can do it with 2 dies why pay extra for 3 dies? Also, why the huge difference in prices between manufacturers for what seems to be the same product?

Tailgunner1954

Basic bottle neck set is 2 die (size/seat), basic straight wall set is 3 die (size/bell/seat).
A "delux" set has a extra die that's used for crimping in a seperate station (if you don't want to crimp with the seating die).
In some cases it's a FLS/NS/Seat set (for bottle neck cases), but somehow I don't think this is what your looking at.

jonk

Just extra bells and whistles. For most applications, 2 dies do fine.

Regarding the price difference on dies- it is because RCBS, Dillon, Hornady, Lyman, CH4D, Redding, etc. are all raping you up the backside and laughing all the way to the bank. Lee dies work just as well as any of the others, but they don't bother with useless features like crenulated surfaces or 3 piece decapper assemblies. Not that the other companies don't offer a fabulous product- they generally do- but in my opinion (sure to start a war) folks who buy the other company's dies are doing so because they THINK if they spend more they get a better product. And to be sure, for some applications, like RCBS small base dies, Redding competition dies, etc., it is worth it, but for an every day reloader, the $9.99 Lee RGB 2 die set will do just as well as any fancy overpriced monstrosity from someone else- and the Lee $35 Collet dies will do better than most of THOSE as well.

Tailgunner1954

Well Jonk, I guess you don't want to hear about my Newlon Precision sizing die than [:D] It was "only" $50 for the sizer blank (still need to get it reamed, hardened and ID hard chromed). Actualy that's not bad for a die that will end up being a match grade wildcat sizer (I'll seat with my RCBS competition die).

jonk

No, I don't see it as a waste at all. Like I said, for MOST applications, i.e. hunting, shooting hunting and military rifles at 100, 200, or 300 yards- I'd even say 600- fancy dies aren't that important. However, for exacting benchrest shooting, shooting at 1000 yards plus, etc., I wouldn't dispute there is some benefit from higher end dies. Any accuracy gained for other applications is likely minimal- outside the realm of the everyday shooter using non-weighed bullets, non-uniformed cases, etc. Better to buy the cheap dies and practice a lot.

I've got a Mauser receiver sitting around that I plan on putting a bull barrel on one of these days, and decent scope; some testing might be in order. I'll admit, I have little experience with more pricey dies and might pop for one set to see if there is a difference.

But back to the question at hand, no, it isn't needed for most applications. Even the crimp die in a lot of 3 die sets is often unnecessary- and I'd even say detrimental unless you have a way of putting a uniform pressure on each crimp.