What brand of dies to buy?

[matty]

I have been reloading for a centerfire rifle for several years. Would like to start reloading for a 9mm and 45acp. What dies would you recomend?
Thank you in advance, Matty

 

[Rsadams]

I may catch some $%+$ for saying this because of not recommending more expensive dies.. But I like the 4 die set made by Lee with the factory crimp die included. I have reloaded thousands of 9mm with them with zero problems. I use a quarter turn on the factory crimp die just to remove the bell on the case.. There's better and more expensive but that's up to you..They even come with the shell holder in the box..

 

[watercam]

You will not catch any $%+$ because you are right! The Lee die sets are awesome! The crimp die is the best ever for rimless handgun cartridges.

 

[waldo1979]

+1 Lee pistol dies are amazing. No need to dump a ton of cash on anything more expensive.

 

[Lightload]

Don't know if Lee has this feature but a carbide sizing die is a lot nicer with straight walled pistol cases.

 

[Spike A]

i know both of the lee die sets i have came with a carbide sizing die

 

[Boxcar77]

All my pistol dies are Lee carbide sets.

 

[Shynloco]

I tried my hand at reloading Pistol casings a few years ago and hated it. The size of those little critters was a challenge. But having said that, when it comes to dies, IMHO it's no different than rifle reloading when it comes to choosing the dies you use. I look at the specific features of each maker and go from there. Price is really secondary unless you are into serious competition and then heavy duty quality takes over. But most dies are up to the task these days and it's just a matter of deciding which meets your personal likes, dislikes and features. Just my .02 worth.

Alex

 

[Dgd6mm]

+1 for Lee carbide pistol dies....

 

[amlevin]

I load a ton of 9mm. Over the years I've used Lee Dies for all functions, including a Factory Crimp Die.

Had a lot of problems with spent primers being pulled back into the pocket, part way, as they were sticking to the depriming pin. Bought a Dillon Sizing die and Bingo, no more problems. This die has a spring loaded depriming pin that snaps down once the primer is clear of the pocket and it "snicks" the primer off the end of the pin much like someone would do with something nasty on their finger.

My Dillon 650 now has a Dillon Sizing Die, a Lee Seating Die, and a Lee Factory Crimp Die. 40,000 rounds later, no problems.

 

[dcali]

Anything carbide. Do not cheap out on the carbide.

 

[Rsadams]

The Lee dies i have are all carbide.. You definitely want to make sure you buy carbide dies no matter which brand you buy.. That way, just fyi, you don't have to lube the cases like you do on rifle dies..

 

[Jose_Luis_G]

Sorry to have a different opinion, but my green ol' RCBS are the best for me.

 

[ireload2]

The Lee dies have the worst straight expanders in the industry.
The Lyman M die has the best expander.

Probably the very expensive Redding Competition seaters are the best though Lyman and RCBS work ok

I have both Lyman and RCBS carbide sizing dies and they work ok. I suspect the Redding 2 ring die is better but it is pricey.

I prefer the Lee factory crimp collet die when it is available.

 

[Linko]

I bought a Dillon 550B and their dies to go with it. They work fine.

 

[Tommie]

I have a Lee die set in .41 magnum. No comment one way or the other on the overall quality but I don't care for them moslty because they're too short to use with the Hornady Lock-N-Load inserts.

 

[Rust]

I load pistol ammunition with a Dillon and use Dillon dies with the exception of finishing with a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die. It removes the bell and "coke bottle" curve and final sizes the loaded round a bit further down the case.