CH4D Die Quality Question?

[JesterGrin_1]

What are your thoughts on the Dies that CH4D offers?



Thank You. :)

[1hole]

Good as any. ???

[32ideal]

Excellent dies, just make sure if it is for a odd ball, non standard cartridge you call and talk to the owner Dave with the data on your rifle/cartridge so you get the correct dies.
32ideal

[JesterGrin_1]

I am not sure about Oddball but I am going to have my 35 Whelen changed to a 35 Whelen AI. And was looking at Die sets and CH4D looks to have the best deal.

[Kevin Rohrer]

My father-in-law has been using their dies for decades. They cost Less than the competition, and he can get oddball ones faster.

[williamwaco]

Never used their loading dies.

Their swaging dies are rough and ugly and make beautiful bullets.


.

[Buckshot]

..............I only have two sets of CH-4D dies. The first I bought from them maybe 15 years ago was for the 577-450. A few weeks after getting them I became educated to the fact that for a MkIV Martini Enfield you do NOT want them to size the neck down to hold a .458" slug, but a .472" OD. I called and talked to Dave. SInce he'd lived here in So. California some years back we had a gabfest and both realized it's turned into a real cesspool.

Back on topic he merely said they'd take care of them if I'd send them back with 2 fired cases and a coupel boolits. The 2nd set was for a 375-'06 AI. I called, they had them in stock and 3 days later I had them in hand. DIies are as good as anyone else's, nice folks, and great prices (RCBS 577-450 dies - $350+. CH-4D = $153)

..............Buckshot

[dromia]

I have and use their sets in 310 Cadet, 8x58R, 8x57 (.319 bullet), No2 Musket, & 11mm Werder.

First class dies in every way.

[r1kk1]

Dave is a great guy to talk with. I'm not sure of the timeline in relation to 4D die company but he made a post sizer die in 223 back in 1970. He works evenings and does return calls in the evenings. I had him make me a taper crimp die in 327 Fed and he contacted me shortly to send a modified 30 Carbine die. It works like a charm. We talked about TiN coating some Dillon powder funnels and I will send a couple to see if it will work. I believe he covers a wider range of calibers than any company. He has made 20mm and 25mm dies. He built these for the man who owned Old Western Scrounger to use in his Rock Crusher press. He does make some swaging dies but once a year now. He explained that the Champion press has been redesigned since CH originally built them. A university group of engineering students redesigned the leverage part of the press. The ram is a solid 1-1/8" drilled through for primer disposal. I wish I had one of the old slotted rams to try out Pat's gas check maker dies. This is a 30 lb heavyweight press.

Dave has taken care of me for the old CH dies are in my collection plus a three station H-press that is being currently restoring.

Take care

r1kk1

[Romeo 33 Delta]

Dave's my "GO-TO-GUY" for all my odd-ball and wildcat cartridges. How good is he? Well, look at these:
#1 The Family Martini, cases made with his dies ranging from .224" up to .400" diameter. Mathmatically proportioned cases, various parent cases.

#2 A standard .577-450 M-H case next to a .402" Enfield Martini case, made with his dies.

#3 Some shots of my P-13 Troop Trials Rifle and .276 Enfield ammo made from 8 X 68S RWS Mag brass, done with his dies. He even produced the dimensional drawing of the original British .276 cartridge from one I was able to provide him.

Just a few examples of what he's done for me over the years.

[JesterGrin_1]

WOW Thank You all for the Good information on CH4D. I will give him a shout for a die set for my To Be 35 Whelen AI.

[Blammer]

I have 2 CH4D die sets, good stuff and they stand behind their work.

[Bent Ramrod]

A little less finished on the outside compared to the RCBS, Redding, etc, but good as any on the inside. Dave is very knowledgable and will absolutely stand behind his work. They are my "go-to" company for obsolete calibers.

[gwpercle]

CH4D are good people and all of the dies I have are first rate. If you have a problem they will take care of you. Allways a pleasure doing business with them. They went above and beyond the call of duty to send me a small spring clip to hold a shellholder in an obsolete press I have, not many would even bother with an order for a $0.25 part but they did and now my press is working again.

gary....more than satisfied customer

[W.R.Buchanan]

Jester: Dave is the owner but he works nights. Call after 3PM Ohio time.to talk to him. Excellent guy to deal with, and is one of "them that knows" for sure.

Randy

[JesterGrin_1]

In a few weeks I will order the Reamer to cut the chamber and at the same time try and get some specs to give to Dave at CH4D.

[Whiterabbit]

what's the average time to get your dies when you order them if they arent in stock?

[TNsailorman]

I have gone to C&H(CH4D) for my hard to find and problem reloading for years. Yes, call in the evening and talk as long as you want. He is a wealth of knowledge. I got an education is one evening about the old blackpowder rounds and some of their little quirks. I have and will continue to buy dies and reloading equipment from them. As stated, their quality is as good as anybodys. james

[engineer401]

I bought a set of 38 sp dies from ebay. The carbide sizer is larger than my others by Lee or RCBS. The CH die worked perfectly as the Lee and RCBS dies sized too small resulting in swaged bullets. I planned to have a 550 toolhead for both 357 and 38. I called CH4D to ask for another carbide die of the size I wanted. Brian told me they don't make any that size. He then looked through a box of reject dies and measured them until he found one of the size I wanted. I could not be happier with the dies or service from CH4D. Call them and buy with confidence.

[Ewald]

Silly question, are his straight wall pistol does carbide? I see nothing indicating they are.

[bob208]

if you own the reamer send it to the die company to use to make the sizing die. that way you know the die will be a match to your chamber.

[Whiterabbit]

I thought the chamber reamer was different than the die reamer.

[bob208]

i maybe out dated. but that is the way the benchrest shooters and the wildcatters did it. cut the chamber then cut the die with the same reamer.

[Bent Ramrod]

The chamber reamer can be used for the bullet seater die. This is frequently done when the shell is merely decapped, neck sized in a Sinclair type pound/press in and out die, primed with a separate tool and reloaded with hand pressure on a plunger to seat the bullet. For full length resizing, the reamer has to be a few thousandths smaller than the chamber, as the brass always springs back a little.

[Blammer]

Ihave two CH4D sizing dies they work just dandy. I'd recommend them.

[floyd]

Recently I bought 7,62x38R Nagant Revolver die set. It is the only 4 die set they produce (the 4th die closes the case over the bullet). The quality is very good and foolproof, 59 Rocwells hard, the functional surfaces are mirror polished and ergonomy is well worked out. The price was reasonable if I take in consideration, that the same set from RCBS was twice as much... The owner of the company Mr. Dave Davidson is the mine of information and he is very willing to help. If I had known before, I would have bought 7,62 Tokarev and .357 Sig dies from CH4D, too. If I ever find in Slovakia Walther PP Super in 9x18 Super (9x18 Ultra) I will buy CH4 dies again.

[W.R.Buchanan]

All I can add here is my .02 that Dave is a great guy to work with. He is definitely one of "them that knows."

Their products are as good or better than everyone elses, and the odds of finding oddball dies that are in stock or can be quickly made is higher there than virtually any other place.

I love my C&H 444 Press and it will be with me until I don't do this anymore. Like when I croak.

Randy

[pworley1]

Not much to add to what has been said. I have several sets of their dies and one of their presses. I have no doubt that they will not only out last me but that they will still be going strong when their next owner passes. Dave will get it right for you.

[FLINTNFIRE]

It is where I got my 375-06 dies , talked about 5 pacific time with an older gentleman , very informational and great service , got dies in about a month and love them .

[gwpercle]

It is where I got my 375-06 dies , talked about 5 pacific time with an older gentleman , very informational and great service , got dies in about a month and love them .
You spoke with Dave! I was shocked the first time I called and a real, live knowledgeable, person answered the phone. And then quickly solved an insurmountable problem I was having with a press. Love their products and appreciate their customer service. Rating = 5 stars
Gary

[EDG]

I have several sets of CH dies.

Those made by the old regime were pretty identical inside dimensionally to RCBS.
The current CH dies size the neck down about .002 to .003 more than most brands.
I would prefer less sizing of the neck because most brands already size it down .005 to .007 too much.

One of my pet peeves are the sloppy external threads on Redding dies.
CH dies do have very good cut threads on the outside.

[danyboy]

Excellent dies, just make sure if it is for a odd ball, non standard cartridge you call and talk to the owner Dave with the data on your rifle/cartridge so you get the correct dies.
32ideal
Wrong. Talked to Dave to make sure of die neck diameter which sounded perfect. Ordered it, tried it and neck was .006" smaller than he said.
Hard to get a hold of, lousy service. Never again.

[ascast]

I too have used and recommend them. One caution - back when C&H and 4D ere separate - during the merge there were some reports old bad dies. I am talking 1980's stuff. Maybe true., I don't know. I met him once at a gun show and discussed this issue. I got the impression I could send them back for correction or replacement. I have no complaints and will buy more stuff.

[TNsailorman]

danyboy, did you contact Dave and give him a chance to get the problem corrected? Was the problem of neck being too small by .006" inside diameter or outside diameter. I have dealt with him several times on a foreign caliber and he has always had the right info and equipment. james

[pworley1]

Dave makes great dies.

[j4570]

I’ve had some CH4D dies and they are fine.

Just FYI that Grafs has Redding 35 Whelen Ackley Improved in stock for $109.