[98] Reloading Die Brands Compared: Lee, RCBS, Hornady, Redding, CH4D and Simplex

[@slotcarfan]

I actually like the new Lee locking rings. For a few dollars you buy a small Lee spanner that easily fits in the tightest spaces. I use all Lee dies, if for no other reason their powder through expander die. Also, stuck cases are easily removed from their sizing die with nothing but a hammer and two wrenches. Using Lee I've made 20k plus rounds of aaccurate and reliable ammo.

[@CoachKalu]

I like different die manufacturers for different reasons. For instance, the Lee dies are excellent starter dies because they are simple & inexpensive. Lee dies, as you mentioned, also come with handy extras which can be particularly useful for beginners who don't necessarily already own many shell holders or data manuals. Down side to Lee dies is less precise tolerances & easily damaged aluminum parts. For pistol calibers, I like Lyman dies. For necked cases, I like Hornady dies. For really precise seating, such as competition, I like Forster or Wilson dies. For use in a progressive press, I like Dillon or Redding dies. Then there are specialty dies makers. Which die maker is better all depends on the task you want your dies to perform.

[@thetexasrat]

I use a Lyman spring loaded universal decapper die, a Redding non carbide sizer die, a Redding flaring die, a Lee RAM priming die, a Redding Competition seating die with micrometer, and a Lee Factory Collect Style crimp die. My rounds [45 Colt] come out fully concentric, without any unsightly bulges what so ever, and the primers are always squarely seated as well. They look better than any factory's ammunition ever turned out to be. One can tell by the mix that I am no fan boy of any brand tools, but rather prefer what works the best for a particular process. And as far as being cheap goes, I do not like wasting money on junk. I would rather spend more up front and get quality tools that will last forever, as oppose to being cheap up front and winding up with a bunch of junk that will need replacing over and over again (whereby spending over and over to the point of spending more than if one would have just broke down and bought the good stuff from the start [What is known as tripping over a dollar to save a dime]).