Which dies?

[TMB]

I'm ready to purchase my first set of dies. They will be .45 colt for my BBB and NM Blackhawk. Which manufacturer should I use. Lee, RCBS, Hornady?

[clovishound]

Do you have a die mounted powder measure? Are you planning on getting one if you don't? Stick with the brand that your measure that you have, or plan to get is. You can often mount a different brand measure to your dies, but it can be tricky. Same brand mounting is effortless.

Everybody makes decent dies. I like Lee. I have had nothing but good service from them. I have a few individual Hornady dies (powder cop), and one set of RCBS. The only dies I've had any trouble with were the RCBS. Their customer service was useless. Nicely made dies, but couldn't get enough neck tension to properly hold bullets even with max crimp. Probably a fluke, as most folks have had good luck with RCBS.

[TMB]

I have a Lyman 55 powder measure that is stand or bench mounted.
I agree with your assessment of RCBS customer service.

[BruniX]

Hello,
I currently use LEE die to recharge 45-70, the set of 3 and the factory crimp.
no major concerns ...

Lee tools are inexpensive and seem to work well.
apart from the lead bullet sizer + alox, which I don't like at all.(using lub-a-matic instead)

(problem also with ALox during resizing case, i prefer lube pad...)

I do not know what it will do in the long term, because it is only a year old.

As my press is an RCBS, I mounted the DIEs on the Hornady Lock n Load die bushing, which allow you to change quickly without resuming the settings for each caliber.
This involves purchasing locknuts, which are not supplied with the Lee Dies.

from RCBS I also use the universal decaper tool, excellent tool very well finished, and the bullet puller.
both are delivered with the locking nut. which is practical.

To test, I ordered the die RCBS for the 38 special / 357, but I have not yet received them.

That said, if their quality is in proportion to that of other tools, it should be excellent. (Their rockchucker 4 press is a pleasure)

We often hear that the best are the Reddings Die , but I do not know and am not confirmed enough to judge.
they are in any case very expensive!

friendly,

BruniX

[Rifletom]

TMB, I use both RCBS and Lee. For my .45 Colt[Henry BB steel], I use the Lee 4 Die Set. Super easy to use, goes well on my RCBS Rockchukar press. You'll like the Carbide Factory Crimp Die; makes crimping a cinch. What press do you have or plan on getting? My RC is single stage and works perfectly for my needs. Hope this helps.

[BigAl52]

I also use Lee RCBS and Redding. My favorite are the Redding. But they are also one of the more expensive dies. Lee has a factory crimp die that works really well and many reloaders use it vs the seat crimp die that comes with many die sets.

[Ojaileveraction]

For Staight walled and pistol caliber I like RCBS
For Bottle Neck cases I like the Honady Coustom Grade Dies because they have a sleeve that comes done on the seating die that really helps seat the bullets.
Like to use a Lee Factory Crimp Die for crimping lever rifle ammo.

[Mistered]

One thing I would like to add is regardless of the brand of dies you get make sure is has a CARBIDE sizer die so you do not need to use lube when sizing your cases.

Because .45 Colt is straight wall no lube is needed with a carbide sizer and this facilitates reloading.

Also it has been mentioned before the advantage of the Lee Factory Crimp DIe to which I agree and use.

Rifletom referred to it as a CARBIDE factory Crimp DIe but I think he meant to say 'COLLET' factory crimp die which refers to the design of it having a 'collet' with four separate 'sleeves' that compress around the case mouth to in effect 'squeeze' the case to create the crimp on the bullet as opposed to standard dies (such as RCBS) which perform a Roll Crimp' around the mouth of the case.

Ojaileveraction mentioned the Hornady Custom dies and the seating die having a sleeve to facilitate bullet seating. While I have no experience with Hornady I do have a coupe sets of 'older' Bonanza dies which are similar in design. The sleeve aligns the bullet perfectly vertically with the case mouth for perfect seating every time. While NOT entirely necessary they are nice in that you will never have to manually ensure the bullet is relatively vertical in the mouth of the case with your fingers when seating. Typically however these dies are only offered in bottle neck styles so not really a consideration when loading straight wall ammo but maybe something to keep in mind if you expand into rifle ammo reloading.

You might want to take some time and study up on carbide sizer dies and crimping procedures to familiarize yourself with of these processes so you have a better understanding of exactly how they function in the scheme of reloading.

[Rifletom]

Mistered, I had to think about that. My Lee crimper for .45 Colt is indeed a roll crimp. I have the "collet" type for my 30-30. Different process, both work as advertised.

[TMB]

Thanks all I was leaning towards the Lee dies. This confirms what I was thinking.