Thread: Lee dies ok?

I want to try reloading and have a mate with all the gear which he will kindly let me use, I just need to buy dies (and brass etc). Are the lee rgb dies ok? Or should I get rcbs or the lee deluxe set? I'm just using it for hunting; I'm wanting to load some heavier weight pills for my 223. Say 62-79gr. What powder too? Will his be ok? He shoots a 270.

I use there de-capping die, its fine.
for other dies I use hornady with good results.

Leexdies are fine, get the deluxe set, they are the same price and come with a factory crimp die which you may or may not need.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Reloading Scrub Diver

Lee dies are perfect for what you want.

I've been using them for decades with good results.

Lee RGB (Really Good Buy) dies are good value for money and come with a full length sizer and seater die but no shell holder.
Lee RGB Die Set

Pacesetter dies are good too and come with a crimp die and shell holder.
Lee Pace Setter Die Set

Lee Deluxe dies come with a full length sizer, a seater, a shell holder and a collet neck sizer die. This would be my choice if the budget can stretch this far.
Lee Deluxe Rifle Die Set

Cheers
Pete

Why do they recommend the Pacesetter dies for lever actions

Originally Posted by moonhunt

Why do they recommend the Pacesetter dies for lever actions

Moonhunt

Pacesetter dies come with a crimp die.

The crimp die crimps the projectile into the case neck.

This is essential in Lever guns (or any gun for that matter) with a tubular magazine and/or a heavy recoil so the projectile does not get forced back into the case when in the magazine due to recoil.

Some projectiles come with a cannula groove in them to facilitate the crimp.


Cheers
Pete

Cheers all. I'll grab the deluxe set. I have a feeling this will be addictive.

Originally Posted by moonhunt

Why do they recommend the Pacesetter dies for lever actions

I think it's to do with the ammo in the magazine being pushed against each other from the mag spring.

Originally Posted by Scrub Diver

Cheers all. I'll grab the deluxe set. I have a feeling this will be addictive.

First comes Fascination followed quickly by Addiction.

Good Luck.

Cheers
Pete

Ok cheers, so if you added a factory crimp die to the deluxe set you would have the bees knees then ?

Originally Posted by Scrub Diver

Cheers all. I'll grab the deluxe set. I have a feeling this will be addictive.

Instead of those "other" websites you'll start surfing reloaders, workshop innovations, gunworks and so on and needing everything you see

Originally Posted by moonhunt

Ok cheers, so if you added a factory crimp die to the deluxe set you would have the bees knees then ?

In a nutshell Yep.

Originally Posted by Toby

Instead of those "other" websites you'll start surfing reloaders, workshop innovations, gunworks and so on and needing everything you see

Have you been hacking my browser history today?!

Originally Posted by Scrub Diver

I want to try reloading and have a mate with all the gear which he will kindly let me use, I just need to buy dies (and brass etc). Are the lee rgb dies ok? Or should I get rcbs or the lee deluxe set? I'm just using it for hunting; I'm wanting to load some heavier weight pills for my 223. Say 62-79gr. What powder too? Will his be ok? He shoots a 270.

Bolt action? or semi-auto?

If you are hunting Lee are an excellent buy IMHO, dont spend any more for rcbs, or hornady or anything else. The Lee delux sets have all you need except a Lee crimper about $25.

I dont think the RGB set comes with a shell holder so by the time you add money for that I'd suggest the delux set as its only about $70

Loads, start at the safe load and work up if needed, I mean if your killing things at the safe load its cheaper in powder and less wear and tear. ADI2209 looks a good start, but I dont shoot 223. The powder load is going to depend on the bullet you select. 62 grain is way different to 79gr for a starting load.

Lee Reloading Supplies | Reloading Equipment Lee Precision | Discount Reloading Supplies by Lee | Titan Reloading if you don't mind buying from overseas

Hodgdon - The Gun Powder People for some decent load data for your .223 I use this site to compare powders and see which one gives the best maximum velocity at the lowest chamber pressures for my chosen projectile weight.