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Posted: 8/31/2014 5:57:15 PM EDT
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I picked up a used Lee Challenger turret and starter kit and getting into reloading. I've done a lot of searching for the best dies to get and I've pretty much just confused myself, so I'm looking for some advice.
Starting off I will be reloading 9mm, .223 and 300 Blackout. I plan to run lead projectiles for the 9mm and 300 subs, 55gr Hornady sp's and 125gr SMK's for 300 supers. From my understanding I should use Lyman M dies to expand the neck for the lead projectiles, is that correct? Also, I keep reading about the Lee FCD. Do you crimp the lead rounds since you expanded the mouth a little? Would the hive recommend going with the Lee die kit and just adding the Lyman M die, or Lyman kits and adding the Lee FCD... Or a different route in general? I'd appreciate if I could get the advice broken down per caliber, unless the recommendation applies to all 3. Thanks |
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Quoted: I picked up a used Lee Challenger turret and starter kit and getting into reloading. I've done a lot of searching for the best dies to get and I've pretty much just confused myself, so I'm looking for some advice. Lee dies are ok, especially if you have a tight budget. I prefer Hornady dies for the better features (floating bullet seater is just one) Starting off I will be reloading 9mm, .223 and 300 Blackout. I plan to run lead projectiles for the 9mm and 300 subs, 55gr Hornady sp's and 125gr SMK's for 300 supers. From my understanding I should use Lyman M dies to expand the neck for the lead projectiles, is that correct? Yes for rifle rounds, pistol dies will have an expander included. Also, I keep reading about the Lee FCD. Do you crimp the lead rounds since you expanded the mouth a little? Yes. Would the hive recommend going with the Lee die kit and just adding the Lyman M die, or Lyman kits and adding the Lee FCD... Or a different route in general? I'd appreciate if I could get the advice broken down per caliber, unless the recommendation applies to all 3. Thanks I use the Lee expander die for 300 blk, I have never used the M die, but a lot of folks do.
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I like my Hornady 300 blk dies + micrometer seating stem. Makes changing bullet profiles pretty easy. Got Redding 223 dies and mostly dillon pistol dies on my bench. No real complaints with any of them. I do use the M die when loading cast lead on the single stage, and have used it on the Dillon in place of the powder die. It seems to open up the neck without working the brass as much as the Dillon die. |
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I have used most every die set other than Lyman's. They all work well if kept clean and properly adjusted. I won't buy Lee dies, not because they don't "work", but because they are so cheaply made.
Forster dies are currently my favorite because they will custom hone their die necks to any specification you want for under $15.00 plus shipping. You can create custom dies that size your brass slightly more than the minimum needed to hold a bullet. Very little pressure is felt pulling the expander back through the neck. It gives you the same end result as Redding's bushing dies without having to purchase bushings and for less cost than their bushings, let alone their bushing dies. .2440" or .2445" works great for .223 necks. They will hone the neck in .0005" increments. Forster or Redding competition seating dies are the best available. All dies from RCBS, Hornady, Redding, and Forster have served me well and should provide a lifetime of service provided you keep them cleaned and lubed. |
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I started with Lee everything, breech lock kit and 9mm, 40, 223 dies (all Lee). Then recently started moving over to Hornady, LnL AP and bought some 45 ACP dies and I was amazed with the difference in quality right off the bat.
I realized that no matter how many times I try to fully clean my Lee pistol dies cases seem to always get hung up on the depriming and expanding stage. They work fine when I was loading on a single stage press but on a progressive I can never have a smooth flow due to the cases always getting a little stuck (this is with case lube). With Hornady does I don't have this problem and the whole process is completely smooth. |
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Forget the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die. This die used on Swaged, Plated, or Hard Cast lead bullets actually can and does wreck reloads. The Carbide FCD actually swages loaded rounds. The can lead to stripping the plating off of bullets and potentially undersizing the bullets and promote leading.
Lee is okay equipment, but there is better. Every one has opinions! As is their right. You want the 30 cal Short M die meant for the 7.62x39. One has always remember that no matter the brand of dies...if you are a poor carpenter no amount of fancy equipment will make up for your lack of skill. |
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