Rifle dies...

retroxler58

Anyone have some good advice on rifle dies?

I've done a pretty good bit of pistol reloading and use a LEE 4-die Carbide set for everything...

Has LEE got similar sets for rifles and how well do they work?

Thanks in advance for any info... [;)]

dcs shooters

The Lee rifle dies work fine.
Get the set with a factory crimp die.

retroxler58

quote:Originally posted by dcs shooters
The Lee rifle dies work fine.
Get the set with a factory crimp die.

Is the setup and operation the same as the pistol sets?

Does the Factory crimp die resize like the straight wall pistol ones do?

Also, does the LEE dies use carbide or are they straight steel?


Thanks....... [;)]

cnsay

Rifle dies are all steel. Only strait wall calibers are available with carbide. So the cases will need a light coating of lube to prevent problems.

bentley47

"Does the Factory crimp die resize like the straight wall pistol ones do?"
No. And, in my experience, most rifle calibers do not need a crimp. Large calibers, heavy bullets may need a crimp and there are some that feel a crimp may aid uniform results, but your cases would need to be trimmed every time to have perfectly uniform crimping.
I get excellent results without crimping up to 300WM calibers. YMMV
About the only drawback on Lee rifle dies is the lock ring design - it uses an o-ring and you can't lock it to your setting. The lock rings can be replaced, or you can just set up the dies every time.

B17-P51

If you unscrew the lee dies and only touch the lock ring the setting will not be affected.

Ambrose

I just use a magic marker to put index marks on the Lee lock ring and the die body. Line them up and snug up with a wrench and I'm good to go! Of course you can always drill and tap the side of the lock ring for a set screw.

I like the delux set that includes the collet neck sizer.

leeblackman

I'm a big fan of the Lee Collet Neck die. It puts a consistent tension all the way around the neck, and by adjusting the depth a quarter turn deaper of the die, it will literally keep it tight enough that I've never needed a crimp die, even in my AR.

Bang for the buck, you really can't beat a Lee die set. But if I were buying a set of dies, I would get a set of RCBS compeition dies, a seperate Lee Collet Neck die. That way you can full length size for range pickup brass or if your loading for semi-auto's, but then you can also collect size the neck after your full size or if your using fire formed brass. I really like the ease of use that RCBS competition seating die has when both physically seating bullets or adjusting and tuning the seating depth.

oneoldsap

Get yourself some quality dies . I recommend Redding , they have the best inside finish of any standard die and no stupid rubber ring to fuss with . In other words , when you reinstall them in your press they return to their previous adjustment every time !

skyfish

If your that tight get some Hornady dies and 100 free bullets.