Reloading Dies for Handguns

[Daves1]

What Brand of reloading dies for handguns do you guys prefer and why?

[P.K.]

Me, the best bang for the buck are the Lee Pacesetter 3 die set. Compleat w/ shell holder dipper and data.

[skeet1]

Lee Pace Setter. The have the best features and are the least expensive.

Skeet1

[462]

Lyman.

Lee dies (three calibers) re-sized my boolits back to jacketed diameter, thereby defeating all my efforts to cast a properly sized boolit. Lyman dies do not down-size boolits, plus their expander ("M") die is the best in the business.

I use Lee collet neck-sizing dies for rifles, along with Lyman M and seater dies.

[Marlin Hunter]

I have mostly Hornady, but I also have some Lee Pistol dies.

[winelover]

RCBS Carbide dies (don't have to lube) for pistol! Iron Clad Warrenty with no questions asked!!!!!!!

Winelover

[jcwit]

Lee dies. Sizing die is carbide also, no need to lube, altho when sizing straight walled pistol cases I usually spray with Pledge furniture polish, just makes things easier for my old arms and hands.

[1hole]

I slightly prefer Lyman because of their expander (and Redding's since they copied Lyman). Other than that, I don't see any particular advantage any brand has over the others. I like Lee's for the price and included shell holder and crimper.

Don't think anyone still makes an all steel handgun cartridge sizer die now, they all seem to be carbide. Unless you think the .35 Rem is a "handgun" cartridge simply because TC Encores are made for it.

[timkelley]

Lee Dies.

[stubshaft]

I have all brands but must admit I do have more Lee dies than any other.

[mooman76]

I started with Lee because they were the cheapest. They work fin so I see no reason to change but I have tried a few others too. They seem to work about the same too me. Carbide dies because they don't need lube for the most part.

[Tom-ADC]

Dillon 1st choice but before I got the 550 it was RCBS if you can go with carbide sizers.

[mike in co]

i have most of them..they all seem to work well.
redding
lymann
rcbs
pacific
hornady
lee
(lee loaders)
dillon..

just buy carbide or equivelent.

mike in co

[rugerdude]

I have some from most all makers, but I prefer Lee.

They work as well as the more expensive dies, come with the shellholder and load data and are cheaper while still being great quality.

[AZ Pete]

I too have most and have no complaints about any, but I now do 99% of my pistol loading on a Dillon SDB, it only works with Dillon dies.

[R.C. Hatter]

Over 50 years ago, I started out with a few Herters die sets, then switched to RCBS and never looked back. They may be a little higher but with carbide, a lifetime warranty with no questions asked and quality workmanship, what more would you want for your money ? Many of the dies I have were used in custom loading many thousands of rounds and are still usable today. I sent a couple of scratched sizing dies back with a request for polishing, and RCBS simply sent back new replacements, free of charge.

[deerslayer]

Lee dies are cheap and they work very well and as mentioned above you get the shellholder and load data. Check out fandm reloading they have lee stuff cheap or cheaper than anyone I have found. Also if you are shooting a glock or brass that came from one do yourself a favor and get the 4 die set with factory crimp die.

[warf73]

For all my pistols Hornady. For rifle I have a mix bag of C&H, RCBS, Lyman, and Hornady.

[edsmith]

LEE, never had any trouble with them.

[Daddyfixit]

RCBS when I used my rockchucker. Now that I use a dillon 550B I love the New Dillon dies, Easy to cean up without having to re-adjust....nice!