Which dies does everybody use for45-70?

[Just Duke]

Which dies does everybody use for 45-70 with CB?
I was told by Rangerrick the Lee dies were best for 500 S&W so I am thinking Lee for 45-70.
TIA

[dubber123]

I have never had a problem with Lee dies, other than the goofy rubber O-ring locking rings that always move on me. I usually just replace them with regular rings. I have Hornady dies for 45-70, and like them alot.

[dmftoy1]

+1 on the Hornady dies. I like the seating die quite a bit and it's especially nice in that I ask for micrometer seating stems for christmas and birthdays.

Have a good one,
Dave

[Ranch Dog]

I use the Lee Pacesetter dies and Lee Factory Crimp Die.

[pdawg_shooter]

+2 on the Hornady

[BABore]

RCBS Cowboy dies because the expander is more compatible with the larger diameter bullets typically used (0.460-0.462). The Lyman M die expander is ok, but again its designed for 0.458 bullets. I've made custom plugs for mine with an extra step, more leade, and of a larger diameter. The Lee FC die is not bad and very usefull. The Redding Profile Crimp die is a step above that in quality and crimp.

[nicholst55]

I use Lyman dies, but I bought a couple of Lee expander plugs for their Universal expander die (also used for Black Powder compression), sized .458 and .459".

[Bass Ackward]

All dies load well enough for most folks. Really depends on what size diameter your gun slugs out at and what diameter you have to shoot. Different brands of dies can seat lerger bullet diameters without modifying the seater die.

If you just need normal diameters up to .460, pick what you want.

[44man]

Hornady dies. Best accuracy with revolver. For the larger boolits for BPCR, I don't size.
If you need to size, an extra expander is all that is needed.

[Char-Gar]

I have a 30 year old set of RCBS dies and they work fine for me.

[DLCTEX]

Lee, RCBS, Lyman, Pacific, Herters, CH,Hornady, and they all work well. DALE
Oops! I overlooked the 45-70 part. I don't load that one. Yet!

[lovedogs]

Shame on you, Dale. Everyone needs a .45-70. I thought I was a seasoned shooter until I got a .45-70. They're the most versatile and fun caliber going. I use RCBS dies for everything. I've had Lymans before and have nothing against any brand. They all seem to work well if we do our part. I just like the availability of parts everywhere and the iron-clad warranty.

[pumpguy]

+1 to the Lees with the FCD.

[xtimberman]

I'm going to be a contrarian and say Redding #1, then RCBS #2.

I have examples of nearly all brands - including old Herters and Pacific - and consider my Reddings to be the best.

I have several sets of Lee Dies and they're my least favorite - don't care for Lee's lock rings, bullet seater, and the FCD for some straight-walled cartridges - particularly auto pistol cals.

xtm

[Rod B]

I have had good results with Lee dies.

[MtGun44]

Hornady has a very well fitted sliding sleeve to seat the bullet
straight into the case, which is important for accuracy. Bonanza (now
Forster) benchrest dies and Redding competition seater dies do
it also but at double and quadruple the price.

Even current Hornady pistol dies have the bullet alignment sleeve,
and a flat faced bullet seater punch which doesn't screw up the
shape of a SWC or flat point lead bullet.

Lee dies are good, and some of their innovations are great, like
factory crimp dies, universal expander die and especially the
collet neck sizer.

Bill

[e15cap]

Redding