do Lee dies work for others?

[accident]

I've only used one lee die thats 30-06.I've never had any problems except for their lock rings,which i replace.My other caliber die is RCBS.it works too but the lee comes with factory crimp die & other stuff & is cheaper.I want a die now in .243 & I'm thinking of getting another Lee set. What do ya'll think or reccomend? THANKS Joe

[me2]

if you are wanting to know if it will fit in a RCBS press then yes it will work, i have several dies from different company's and they all work in my press.

[Alpo]

When I started reloading, I was snobbish as hell. Listened to everyone that said how crappy Lee was. Bought RCBS dies, unless I couldn't find them, then got Lyman or Hornady. Then, one day, I bought some Lee, 'cause I could not find any other brand. Was just gonna use them until I could replace them. Hopefully they would make shoot-able ammo.

Guess what? They make great ammo. And they are half the price of the other guys. Since that first set of Lee dies, I haven't bought any other brands. I figger half of my dies sets are Lee. Their boxes suck, but the dies are great. And I use them with my RCBS press, with no problem.

[retired grunt]

I really like the LEE carbide dies that I use

[firewalker]

I only have 2 sets of lee dies, one in 204 ruger and the other in 44 mag. both have worked great for the last year and i plan on many more years from them!

[accident]

Thanks guys.I'll place my order for the Lee set and expect it will work as well as my other one.

[jacksonco]

I have a set of Lee dies in 45 ACP and 308 Winchester. They both have been good to me. I will buy more when needed.

[RustyFN]

I use Lee dies for 9mm, 38/357, 45 auto and 223. All of them make great ammo.

[armedandsafe]

My oldest set of LEE dies is probably close to 50 years old. Does that tell you something?

Pops

[gazzmann]

.32 short, 32 long. 38 S&W, 38/357. 9mm, 40, 44 special, 44 mag, 223, 7.62x39, 30-06. 25-06, 243, 303, 45-70 they all have performed flawless over the years.

[gdmoody]

Most of my Lee die sets are more than 25 years old. That is not as long a pops set but it is a spell!! I will only buy other brands when I can't find what I want with Lee.

[gdcpony]

Other companies make dies? I've used others and went back to Lee. If you do your part they will work every time.

[LDBennett]

I have dies from just about everyone that makes dies. The ONLY die set that ever rusted on me was a set of dies from LEE. I also had a couple of LEE collet neck size only dies and the collets galled so badly that the die quit working. The Lee Progressive Press I had broke every time I used it.

About 10 years ago based on my experiences up to that time I decided the following about LEE:

1). Based on reading his reloading manual, he is an arrogant S.X.B that believes that only he knows how to make reloading equipment. WRONG!

2) He has some great ideas for reloading tools but.... he uses the wrong materials to get the prices down, which effects the useful life of the tool. My LEE collet neck size only die is a prime example: similar metals when run against each other gall.... Mechanical Engineering Strength of Materials 101.

3) His lower pricing forced the rest of the industry to lower its prices. In today's dollars others reloading tools were expensive 40 years ago. He changed that. Todays reloading tool prices are actually pretty inexpensive, comparatively speaking. We have LEE to thank for that!

But I do like the LEE FActory Crimp Dies for rifle cartridges and have several. Even LEE gets it right some of the time!

LDBennett

[old semperfi]

every thing i reload is with lee dies.i have yet to have any problems after 20-30 years.i also use other lee products and they are great. old semperfi

[Alpo]

I completely agree with conclusion #1. I also don't trust the loads he gives in his book. Probably because of said arrogance.

[zkovach]

if you want you can have your cake and eat it too! i buy rcbs dies and buy the lee crimp die seperate.

[IAhunter]

I have one set of Lee dies in .22-250, and don't like them. Seater plug doesn't lock and I don't care for the rubber O-rings. I'll stick with Lyman, and RCBS.

[howlnmad]

I have several sets in both rifle and handgun. I've not had a problem with them (except for the lock rings which I replace) and they make good quality ammo. JMHO

[JohnTheCalifornian]

Originally Posted by Alpo

I completely agree with conclusion #1. I also don't trust the loads he gives in his book. Probably because of said arrogance.

The loads in his book come straight from the powder companies! They are not loads he worked up. Only thing wrong now is the data is outdated, but still safe. If there are any questions, all someone has to do is check with the powder companies.

[Popgunner]

Originally Posted by armedandsafe

My oldest set of LEE dies is probably close to 50 years old. Does that tell you something?

Pops

That you're old?

Ducking for cover

[Popgunner]

I havn't had problems with the Lee O-rings on their dies. I've had problems with other dies that shoot set screws into the threads on dies. If you don't tighten them enough they slip & if you do tighten them to not move they mess up the threads. The best die lock rings I've found are these & I've got a couple dozen for dies I use with different bullets that I have to change the settings on: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=391359


Also, Lee dies RULE when it comes to de-capping crimped in primers & general pin survivability. With other brands you better buy pins by the dozen.

[Lost3]

Originally Posted by Popgunner

I havn't had problems with the Lee O-rings on their dies. I've had problems with other dies that shoot set screws into the threads on dies. If you you don't tighten them enough they slip & if you do tighten them to not move they mess up the threads. The best die lock rings I've found are these & I've got a couple dozen for dies I use with different bullets that I have to change the settings on: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=391359.

The value of the Hornady die lock rings is easy to see, but are they $4.00 each? That just seems awful steep.

[Taroman]

Lee dies work fine for me. I use them in any caliber in which they are available. Just purchased a Classic Turret Press. One stron SOB and handy with removable turrets, No more screwing/unscrewing dies all the time. That said, I did change the lock rings over to the 1" ones from Dillon along with the Dillon wrench.

[dsv424]

I have 14 different calibers of Lee dies and everyone of them work great. Have had no problems at all. Plus, with the Lee Classic Turret press its a snap to change from one caliber to the next. Takes about 10 seconds and your done!

[Gearheadpyro]

I have dies from Lee, Redding, Forster, and RCBS. The Lee dies are the only ones that have rusted (all kept side by side). Also, The bullet seating plugs on my Lee dies wobble when seating bullets. Aside from those two complaints I've got nothing bad to say about Lee dies.

I too love the Factory Crimp Dies, and would most likely buy more Lee dies for my pistols.