Which set of dies to buy

[Edwardteach72]

Ok so as the title suggest I need to figure out what set of dies to purchase...

So here is what I have, what I'm loading for and then I need help with the dies.

Going to start with .450 bushmaster (cause I do want to shoot my thumper as a fun gun sometimes but not at 35 a box of ammo)

I have a Lee Classic Turret Press (the one where you put one piece of brace on and then the top part rotates until the one round is finished)

So that press I guess also has the powder thrower?? If that's the right term..

But I see some dies come in sets of 3 and others in 4? And not trying to sound cheap but not looking to spend hella money right away (would like to eventually when my dad and I get more into this upgrade to a better progressive press obviously but this is what we have)

 

[togmaster]

Have you ever taken a reloading class or have a friend that reloads? I would recommend getting some instruction before you buy too much.

 

[Airborneguy]

I use three die sets for all of my calibers.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Have you ever taken a reloading class or have a friend that reloads? I would recommend getting some instruction before you buy too much.

I have some friends who reload but I already bought the Lee press kit oh god back in Jan 2012. And my dad and I decided fuck it might as well put it to use

 

[kev74]

The 3 die rifle set will give you a separate crimping die. Same for the 4 die pistol set.

The crimping die isn't necessary, but its nice to have. And you won't find it cheaper than in a set. For $10 more, just do it.

 

[Jaywmustang]

I have some friends who reload but I already bought the Lee press kit oh god back in Jan 2012. And my dad and I decided fuck it might as well put it to use

Sounds like me lol. I bought my press 8-9 years ago, it’s collecting dust. Who knew having kids take so much time. But I have been itching to reload this year.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Sounds like me lol. I bought my press 8-9 years ago, it’s collecting dust. Who knew having kids take so much time. But I have been itching to reload this year.

Yea I got the set tried to set it up in their basement got confused because I only gave myself like an hour to try and do it gave up and its sat ever since hahaha.

 

[Jaywmustang]

Yea I got the set tried to set it up in their basement got confused because I only gave myself like an hour to try and do it gave up and its sat ever since hahaha.

I have been looking at expensive cartridges.....price shock for me lol

 

[kev74]

Sounds like me lol. I bought my press 8-9 years ago, it’s collecting dust. Who knew having kids take so much time. But I have been itching to reload this year.

Do it.

I usually head to the basement for an hour or two after everyone else goes to sleep to work on my stuff.

 

[Edwardteach72]

So these are the ones I'm debating on for now

Lee Pacesetter 50 Beowulf Full Length Sizing, Powder Through

Each Lee Precision has been manufacturing high quality, affordable reloading equipment since 1958. Each Pacesetter 4-Die Set includes the exclusive Lee...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[Airborneguy]

I try to load a few times a week this time of the year because its in my attic and now and the fall are the best times temp wise.

Before you know it you’ll upgrade. My best purchase was a Hornady automatic powder measure. Changed the game. I still use a single stage press and don’t see that changing (although I may need a new one soon).

 

[Tinman]

I use the Lee Carbide 3 die set. I also use the Lee Loadmaster progressive reloaded.

 

[kev74]

So these are the ones I'm debating on for now

Lee Pacesetter 50 Beowulf Full Length Sizing, Powder Through

Each Lee Precision has been manufacturing high quality, affordable reloading equipment since 1958. Each Pacesetter 4-Die Set includes the exclusive Lee...

www.midwayusa.com

Good pick!

You don't need carbide for rifle rounds.

Shop around. Sometimes Amazon or ebay will have a better price.

 

[Acer-m14]

ok .. #1 .. midwayusa wont ship to NY .. even a black powder rifle to a FFL

next .. the last 2 4 die sets i got for my friends had a neck sizing die . ( used only for your gun ) to reload .. the rest of it is fireformed ..
and the price was still in the 40 to 50 bucks area ..

next my friends wife is OCD and does the powder measuring LOL .. but true .. so the press never need the powder thrower and that die
its a separate process ..

Ultimate Rifle Die Set - Lee Precision

Includes a full length sizer, collet necksizer, Easy Adjust Dead Length Bullet Seating Die & Factory Crimp Die.

leeprecision.com

crap .. nothing in 450 bush .. i got them the 243win and the 6.5 creed ..

 

[Edwardteach72]

ok .. #1 .. midwayusa wont ship to NY .. even a black powder rifle to a FFL

Yeah I found them at brownells as well

 

[MilesTeg]

For dies almost all manufactures dies are interchangeable to most presses. The one exception seems to be one model of dillon. With that said I use RCBS dies and I like them. Is there better out there.... yes..... maybe. All of the main manufactures dies or of good quality, so stick with Lee,RCBS,Hornday, ect.

For 2 vs 3 die sets.
2- die sets are traditionally rifle die sets. There are 3 die rifle sets, they aren't the norm. The first dies sizes, deprimes and expand the case mouth. The second dies seats and crimps the round. If you have a 3 die set then you will get a separate crimp die. Please note most people don't crimp rifle rounds and I don't recommend it.

3-die sets are traditionally pistol die sets. The first die will size and deprime the round. the second die will flare the case mouth. The third die will seat and remove the case flare/slight crimp. If you get a 4 die pistol set you will be able to seat and crimp in 2 different operations common for progressive reloaders.

 

[penrod72]

Although you do not want to spend the $, I prefer Redding dies - made in NY and high quality. Other than those in descending order, I have RCBS, Lee, and Lyman. They are usually all fine.

Jay (or anyone else) I would be happy to help people get startedv- I live in Oswego County - but sometimes travel around .

 

[Jaywmustang]

Although you do not want to spend the $, I prefer Redding dies - made in NY and high quality. Other than those in descending order, I have RCBS, Lee, and Lyman. They are usually all fine.

Jay (or anyone else) I would be happy to help people get startedv- I live in Oswego County - but sometimes travel around .

I’m in Oswego county also

 

[penrod72]

we kind of met at the glock shoot

 

[Jaywmustang]

we kind of met at the glock shoot

I remember now when I looked at your Fulton gssf post

 

[mgunner]

So these are the ones I'm debating on for now

Lee Pacesetter 50 Beowulf Full Length Sizing, Powder Through

Each Lee Precision has been manufacturing high quality, affordable reloading equipment since 1958. Each Pacesetter 4-Die Set includes the exclusive Lee...

www.midwayusa.com

I also own a Lee Classic Turret Press and I wanted to give you a heads up if you plan on reloading and charging other rifle cases on the press. You'll need to order a Short Charging Die or a Long Charging Die depending on the length of the rifle brass for any bottleneck cases you want to charge on the press.

Since the 450 Bushmaster isn't a bottleneck case it can be charged and flared using the same die which is station 2 on the turret press. But bottleneck cartridges are sized and deprimed at the first station of the press. After sizing and depriming, the next station charges the case with powder. A Charging Die is needed so it will activate the powder measure to drop the powder without performing any other operation.

 

[Edwardteach72]

I also own a Lee Classic Turret Press and I wanted to give you a heads up if you plan on reloading and charging other rifle cases on the press. You'll need to order a Short Charging Die or a Long Charging Die depending on the length of the rifle brass for any bottleneck cases you want to charge on the press.

Since the 450 Bushmaster isn't a bottleneck case it can be charged and flared using the same die which is station 2 on the turret press. But bottleneck cartridges are sized and deprimed at the first station of the press. After sizing and depriming, the next station charges the case with powder. A Charging Die is needed so it will activate the powder measure to drop the powder without performing any other operation.

Thank you

 

[thegatman]

Good pick!

You don't need carbide for rifle rounds.

Shop around. Sometimes Amazon or ebay will have a better price.

You will need lube without carbide dies.