Getting into re-loading for rifles - Lee dies?

[manithree]

I've loaded (and shot) several hundred rounds of .38 special. I want to start using those .40 S&W dies, but haven't gotten around to it. But today my son fired his new 12th birthday varmint rifle in .22-250, and I think I'm going to have to start loading for rifles after reading all the gushing praise for reloading the .22-250. I also want to make my own for my .243.

So I have a Lee classic turret press. I realize rifle re-loading is slower and lower volume, but I'm thinking of getting the Lee Deluxe Rifle 3-Die Sets for .243 and .22-250 when I order case lube, trimmer and other rifle-specific things. Any opinions on those Lee dies? I'm perfectly happy with my Lee carbide pistol dies, so I'm guessing I'll like the rifle dies, but I figured I would ask anyway.

[FrankenHollow]

I'm not a fan of Lee rifle dies. I have had very bad luck with them. (That, or I'm not as willing as some people, to accept low quality.)

Without getting into "competition grade" stuff, my ideal rifle die set would consist of:
RCBS or Redding sizing die.
Lyman or RCBS expander die (if lead bullets are in the mix).
Hornady or Forster seating die.
-I don't crimp.

I hate Hornady sizing dies.
I don't really like RCBS seating dies (though, I own many).
Forster and Lyman are a bit pricey, for some one just getting into reloading.

That leaves Redding. Fantastic dies ...if you can find them at a price you're willing to pay.

I know that's not as helpful as you might want, but it's the only way I can keep from going into a 6 -page diatribe about my opinion on dies. ...which, likely, wouldn't matter much in this instance, anyway.

[m&p40]

I use Lee dies and press for my .308. I weigh every charge and measure every case as the reloading is more of a hobby than a way to make cheaper ammo. That being said, my cases come out the same every time I load. I have a digital caliper that I use to measure down to the thousandth of an inch. They are great dies for rifles.

[My Trigger Guard]

I use lee dies np at all. Dunno what he is saying about inconsistancy, it all comes down to the reloader and his process imho. Everyone does something slightly different. I have a standard single stage press and a progressive press. I only use the single stage for rifles now to get that extra precision consistancy. As far as tournament grade I would have no comments becuase I do not compete in any to know.

But it works fine for me.

[James]

I have a couple of sets of Lee dies for pistol. I do not like the lock rings. I am going to see if I can get some real lock rings to replace them. I would prefer to go with another brand of rifle dies. I have used Herters, C&H, and RCBS dies. The Lee dies I have for pistol work fine. Its just the annoyance of the lock rings that bugs me.

[m&p40]

Its just the annoyance of the lock rings that bugs me.

That is interesting. Why don't you like the lock rings? I love the fact I can swap out my dies so easily with very minimal re adjustment. Why do you find them annoying out of curiosity?

[Gyrase]

I have little experience in this area but I bought a set of forester 300 WSM dies for my hunting rifle and they have worked great so far. They are a bit more expensive than Lees but I really like the bullet seating die design, it keeps the bullet in proper alignment while seating with no extra effort on my part.

[ian husford]

I have a couple of sets of Lee dies for pistol. I do not like the lock rings. I am going to see if I can get some real lock rings to replace them. I would prefer to go with another brand of rifle dies. I have used Herters, C&H, and RCBS dies. The Lee dies I have for pistol work fine. Its just the annoyance of the lock rings that bugs me.

I agree with those lock rings. All it is is a rubber "O" ring that is just larger than the die threads. They don't hold in place. When MidwayUSA had split lock rings on sale, I bought a dozen of them.

I only have one Lee sizing die and that is for my .32 ACP and I have no problems with it but I do like the Lee rifle crimping dies. Their pistol crimping dies aren't worth it since they do the same thing as what the die itself can do if it is adjusted properly. All my other dies are RCBS.

ian

[manithree]

Never having used anything but Lee dies, I've wondered what the big deal is with locking rings. Aren't those to help you remove and replace dies without re-adjusting them? Don't the Lee turrets ($12 ea.) make those unnecessary since you only screw them in and adjust them once and then pop whole turrets in and out when you switch calibers?

[MarshallDodge]

I have used Lee, Dillon, Hornady, and RCBS dies for reloading rifle and out of all of them I think the Hornady New Dimension dies are the best bang for the buck.

[FrankenHollow]

Its just the annoyance of the lock rings that bugs me.

That is interesting. Why don't you like the lock rings? I love the fact I can swap out my dies so easily with very minimal re adjustment. Why do you find them annoying out of curiosity?

That stupid O-ring likes to let the die "walk", during extended sessions. Real lock rings don't suffer from the same problem.

I use lee dies np at all. Dunno what he is saying about inconsistancy, it all comes down to the reloader and his process imho. Everyone does something slightly different. I have a standard single stage press and a progressive press. I only use the single stage for rifles now to get that extra precision consistancy. As far as tournament grade I would have no comments becuase I do not compete in any to know.

But it works fine for me.

I wasn't referring to inconsistency of ammunition. (Though that is a big gripe of mine, when it comes to Lee pistol seating dies and pistol FCDs.) I was referring to non-existent quality control. The last set of Lee rifle dies I bought had a sizing die with a bore that looked like corrugated tubing, with sharp gouges in a few places. I sent it back to Lee for replacement, suggesting that the reamer had broken. They returned the die to me, claimed there was nothing wrong with it, and refused to reimburse me for shipping. I had to talk Gallenson's into taking the set back for store credit. That sizing die was so bad, Ron threw it right in the trash; and pulled the other dies out of the set, to be sold on the bargain table.

That was the third die set that I found to be of completely unacceptable quality, will minimal (or, zero) support from Lee. For me, buying Lee dies is like buying Taurus pistols. ...you're playing Russian Roulette.

Now, I'd much rather buy a good tool with a good warranty, the first time; even if I have to pay a bit more for it.

[My Trigger Guard]

hmm thats funny, I have roughly 8 sets of dies from lee and havent had any issues. When I didnt get all the parts that I was supposed to recieve with my press quick contact and they sent it out to me, they also sent me some free rubber o-rings for my troubles when I mentioned I shredded a few on my lee zip trimmer.

LoL I also own 3 taurus pistols of varius calibers and I have yet to have any issues with them. If anything I have had to send back 2 bigger name pistols back to the manufacturer. One of them I even just had to send back for the second time.

So I guess your just having some bad luck amigo.

[manithree]

I have used Lee, Dillon, Hornady, and RCBS dies for reloading rifle and out of all of them I think the Hornady New Dimension dies are the best bang for the buck.

According to my quick look at google shopping, the Hornady dies would be about twice the price of the Lee dies after I add the full-length sizer. The Hornady has a lifetime warranty, Lee only 2 years. Are there other reasons they're worth nearly twice as much?

I've read several places that even though I only have 1 rifle in each caliber, I'll eventually need to do a full-length size after a few uses. If that's not true and I don't need a FL, then the price is pretty similar between the Hornady and Lee.

Will the Hornady dies just fit and work in my Lee turret?

Thanks for all the responses so far!

[FrankenHollow]

So I guess your just having some bad luck amigo.

Yep. There are plenty of people that are happy with Lee dies; so I generally to pin it on luck, until some one wants a more detailed explanation.

[My Trigger Guard]

yes almost all dies are interchangable, they are all the 1/10ths or 1/4 twist rate or something like that. Do a look up on there threads and you will see they match up. I am sure there a few that might not but in general they do.