Thread: Dies

Do all dies fit any press or if I got the lee press does it have to take lee dies.

Almost all dies (except arbour) will fit. Can't remember the thread but its an imperial one. Lee, Redding, RCBS, Lyman, Hornady all the same in what you'll find off the shelf.

Thank you, That's what I was hoping to hear.

Google is your friend : 7/8-14 (7/8" diameter, 14 threads per inch)

The breechblock press (I think this is the one in the kit you got Toby), has bushings, and those bushings accept the standard thread above...

cool, Haven't got it just yet. Went to buy it yesterday but didn't know how to work the internet banking crap so I asked mum she said she will do it later but didn't then came here and heard they don't open until the 3rd so will get her to do it tomorrow.

Toby, be aware that there are two flavours of the Lee single stage press kits.

The Anniversary kit includes the Lee safety prime, so you prime on the press.
The Breech Lock kit includes the Auto prime XR, so you prime off the press.

Comes down to personal preference, I prefer to prime on the press for both handgun and rifle cases. The levers on the Lee hand prime were too flimsy for me... Would be interesting to hear what other people's preferences are for priming on or off the press.

Make sure you know which version you are getting, ask them what priming tools is included.

The anniversary kit is $200 @ Reloaders.

Hi Toby I would look a something a little better than lee it comes down to $$$but my lee is very light compared to my RCBS. You can get a 1-1/4 threaded press that bushes down to the 7/8 handy if you decide to load bigger cartridges in the future. Lee dies can be a little weak as well if reloading a lot of ammo. You can also get quick change bushes for your dies for some presses real good,hornady do one I think

Lee Reloading - Hunting and Outdoor Supplies

The second one down was what I was looking at.

Maca49, if you (or anyone else for that matter) have an unloved Lee kit languishing in your shed, I'd quite happily pay for shipping

It would get well used...

Originally Posted by ebf

Maca49, if you (or anyone else for that matter) have an unloved Lee kit languishing in your shed, I'd quite happily pay for shipping

It would get well used...

Im just loading some 45/70 and use it to seat my 577/450 From an engineers perspective you get what you pay for and My personal thoughts are they are made for price not quality - personal view, it achieves all I need. Same with Lee dies and their alloy projectile moulds.

lee anniversary kit is what i bought from reloaders last year. I didnt no the first thing about reloading but this kit has honestly been the best thing i have bought to date. It came with all the little case prep tools, priming tools and everything needed to get started. sure its not the best quality but it does definitely do the job.

I wish i knew about this forum before i got into rifles as you learn so much here, i still think i would have bought the lie kit anyway as it just has everything you need to get some pills downrange.

In terms of dies, i have used lee, lyman and hornady. Hornady and lyman dies definitely feel nicer. The best die i have used yet is a lee collet die for neck sizing 204. Man is that thing a time saver and easy to use.

Originally Posted by Maca49

Im just loading some 45/70 and use it to seat my 577/450

Jeez, haven't heard of someone shooting Martini Henry in a looong time

Originally Posted by ebf

Jeez, haven't heard of someone shooting Martini Henry in a looong time

Yep have some awesome fun with it,once I get the loads sorted am taking it for a deer. Guy I bought it off used for deer on a regular basis. Good enough for Zulus good enough for a feed of venison?

Originally Posted by Maca49

Yep have some awesome fun with it,once I get the loads sorted am taking it for a deer. Guy I bought it off used for deer on a regular basis. Good enough for Zulus good enough for a feed of venison?

Hehe, I think my great-great grandpa may have bowled over a couple of red-jackets with one, we had a couple in the family, was a very popular rifle in the Anglo Boer wars. Big-ass projectiles huh

use good lube.....LOL

Im tossing up (oops) between the Lee kit at $200 and the rcbs at $600. To put it in perspective even 2 lee kits for $400 and still be able to afford very good dies ($100?) or even the lee stand at $150 (any good?), or for $200 a ultra sound cleaner and still have some $s left ....kind of makes you wonder on the $600.

What are ppls fav dies? Specifically I'd want 308 and probably nothing else. I would spend more if that helps accuracy & life. I like to buy things that last and my son inherit (being morbid I guess).