“Vintage” or older dies

[Craig R McMullen]

Being that I’ll be 36 in a week, tells that I haven’t been around reloading nearly as long as most. With that being said, eBay can be a good source of picking reloading equipment, sometimes at a fair price. I’ve noticed a lot of “vintage” dies for sale there. Who made good dies through the years? Who’s were bad? What companies quality has diminished over time?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The old pacifics were good and the rcbs dies with the year stamped on the top with the caliber in the 70’s and 80’s were good

 

[hpshooter]

"The old pacifics were good"

Durachrome! Still use them.

 

[Fast14riot]

I've had some good older Redding dies, in the cardboard box, got them pretty cheap too. If you're looking for deals on dies, check the sales section here. Also, Redeye Reloading (on facebook, too) exclusively buys out estates, old gun stores, and the like, he has a lot of good deals on used and old dies and other equipment.

 

[chkunz]

Many of my dies are what you call "vintage" except I bought them new at the time. They are still in use after decades and still work well. The only concern I would have buying them as used today is that I would not know the use and abuse that others gave them. But I would want to get them at a bargain if I bought them used today.

 

[Clark]

I have a spreadsheet with my 310 dies from 17 mach IV to 56-50.

I seem to be able to get old dies from Ebay.....don't start, kid.

 

[jds holler]

I can't say with any certainty that I've ever had a bad die.

I do have two Redding sizer dies that are sposed to be the same but one is tighter than the other. I guess everything has a range of tolerances that still fall within specs.

I do know that for general reloading where bench rest quality isn't important, I've got no problem with used "any brand" dies. Also Lee die sets are a great value.

I know that it gives most of us the cold sweats around here, but if a guy wants to set his dies up the way the instructions say, he is unlikely to have problems with the ammo produced, and accuracy and function will probably be acceptable or sometimes excellent. jd

 

[std7mag]

Past couple of years i've been running accross Pacific die sets.
I own several now and use them often.

 

[Taildrag15X]

I can't say with any certainty that I've ever had a bad die.

I do have two Redding sizer dies that are sposed to be the same but one is tighter than the other. I guess everything has a range of tolerances that still fall within specs.

I do know that for general reloading where bench rest quality isn't important, I've got no problem with used "any brand" dies. Also Lee die sets are a great value.

I know that it gives most of us the cold sweats around here, but if a guy wants to set his dies up the way the instructions say, he is unlikely to have problems with the ammo produced, and accuracy and function will probably be acceptable or sometimes excellent. jd

I guess you never had any Herter's dies....I remember my father throwing the second or third replacement 30 or 32 WCF sizer die out the window, they weren't finished, only had a pilot hole thru them.

 

[243winxb]

RCBS is the best because of customer service & free replacement parts.

I would not buy USED dies, unless vintage, out of production types.
The cost of new over 50 years of use is just 6 pennys a month.

On sale now https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011278027 $33.99

 

[lightman]

I've had 2 bad sets of dies in my time. A Herter's set and a set made by a company called Minnesota Shooters Supply. Both are out of business now. Other than those two companies I would not really be afraid of any of them.

Just be aware that when you buy used older stuff that replacement parts, like depriming stems, may be hard to find.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

I've never bought a used die. My theory is, over time, major manufactures find ways to improve their products.

 

[243winxb]

over time, major manufactures find ways to improve their products.

Great point.

These RCBS 223 expander have changed.

Different decapping pin also.

 

[riflewoman]

As others have stated, some makes of dies should be avoided.

RCBS, Pacific, Hollywood, CH, Lyman, Lee, Forster, Redding all made dies that would reload quality ammunition. Pacific was purchased by Hornady in the 1970s and their dies will also load quality ammo. Herters, and the other bulk retailers of the era perhaps not. There were also some other reloading tool makers like LEWilson, “Lyfetime”, Vickerman and more that also made very high quality stuff. If in doubt ask here.

 

[centershot]

When I started reloading, I had CH and even had a set of Eagle dies in .30 carbine.

 

[alchemist]

I am still using Pacific dies purchased in the early 70s.

 

[jwink]

Being 50 to 70 years old doesn't make something or someone "vintage". It's referred to as time tested.

 

[AJC]

Pistol dies have changed by using carbide rings. Some love these dies and use no lube. Others still lube so the older steel only would or could be better. Some cases are tapered and a carbide ring does not taper a case.

 

[Craig R McMullen]

Being 50 to 70 years old doesn't make something or someone "vintage". It's referred to as time tested.

Hence why I put vintage in quotations lol

 

[Craig R McMullen]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I’ve been seeing some of these older dies and thought at the very least they’d make some cool talking pieces when friends come over to load. I know I enjoy seeing what kind of stuff guys have laying around their benches.