About to Start Reloading...Dies?

[LRRPF52]

Cross Lee off the list for starters.

If you’re reloading for a gas gun/AR-15, you will need:

1. A full-length sizing die (many companies include the de-capping die in their sizing die, like Hornady and RCBS)
2. Bullet seating die

For full-length sizing, the bushing dies from Redding allow you to control your neck diameter and neck tension without over-working the brass. I also polish my expanders so that there aren’t any imperfections on the expander that will dig grooves inside the neck. This is one contributor to why I have only seen one split neck since 2009, which was really caused by excessive use of Imperial Sizing Wax. I switched to Hornady One-Shot spray lube and haven’t looked back.



For bullet-seating, if you’re going to be using a lot of secant/VLD/ or Nosler Accubond Long Range bullets, you will want a VLD seating die. I personally like micrometer seating dies from either Forster or Redding if you want the best of the best. These allow you to have a clear picture of how much you’re setting your COL or Base-to-Ogive measurements.



The difference between going with a basic 2-die set from Hornady with a full-length sizer/de-capper and bullet-seater vs a high-end 3-die set from Redding or Forster ranges from $47 to $340.

You will also have to account for your die full-length travel relative to the shell holder.

In some cases, the shell holder is too tall, and will not allow you to fully re-size your cases and set the shoulders back far enough, so the shell holder might need to be shaved on top to allow proper headspace setting.

I used the Hornady dies for years until the Lee press ram deviated from center and broke my de-capping pins, then got a Forster Co-Ax and Redding dies.

If I could start over again, I would have gone straight to the Forster Co-Ax and Redding dies.

For someone on a tighter budget, the Hornady dies are the lowest I would go, then move up from there. Polish the expander with a drill and fine abrasive cloth or super fine sandpaper with wet polishing compound. That’s the first thing I did with my Hornady dies.