mixing die and press brands?

S

skidooracer_99

New member
i know this may sound like a silly question, but i just really dont know. im using a rcbs rockchucker supreme press, rcbs shell holders and rcbs dies. next set of dies i pick up may just be a redding set, not bushing dies or anything, but they have the delux sets with fl, neck size, and seater all in one. couple things i dont like about the rcbs ones and everyone talks highly of the redding die's quality. now is it advised to use a redding shell holder with their dies or does it make no difference at all?
 
Most set's sold are 7/8th-14tpi threads and will workin the majority of presses. I use a Rockchucker and I have RCBS, Redding, Lyman and Herter dies. They all work!

I forgot. I just got a couple new set's of Lee dies too
 
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One more thing, though. A RCBS #10 for .223 it's necessarily a #10 Redding. Meaning there identifiers aren't universal but the shell holders from one brand will work with the other brands presses.
 
alright guys thanks! also anyone have some hands on oppinions of the redding standard dies vs rcbs' standard dies? like which are better quality and easiest to adjust and work with and such? from what im reading i kinda wish i went with the redding dies.
 
skid....i've been using a CO-AX press for a long time &we don't use shellholders as such....this may be out there but take a set of calipers and measure the depth or thickness of diff manuf's shellholders...if diff that difference cud affect headspace measurements...redding sells shellholders with vary'n thickness's for that crush factor....dies?...i prefer redding or bonanza but i have rcbs,lyman,c&h,dillon...
 
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From what I've read, been told by some in the top of their game-reloaders and observed from using both RCBS and REDDING Shellholders, they are NOT the same. Like Chappedlips said, if you meaure the shell holders, the RCBS and REDDING Shell holders ARE NOT the same size in height. Now they will work and ARE interchangable if the slight difference doesn't bother you and adjustment can be made in setting your dies. Now the Lee shellholder is another story. But I use only RCBS shell holder in RCBS equipment and REDDING shellholder in Redding Equipment. mostly so I don't have to be concerned about any variables in settings.
 
+1 Shynloco, If you mix them make sure you make a note of any ones you
have 2 different brands of laying around. They are different and require your
die to be set again if you change.
 
+1 Shynloco, If you mix them make sure you make a note of any ones you have 2 different brands of laying around. They are different and require your die to be set again if you change.

I agree with you's on this. If you have two different brand shellholders for the same caliber then yes be sure you are aware of which one you are using with which die. I know me personally I just have one for the caliber that I reload. I'd spend the 5 bucks on something else.

As for which is better quality and easier to adjust. Well IMO they are like which brand of truck do you prefer? All the different brand of dies are of high quality, well made, and adjust easily. Jist one might do it a bit differently. I use mostly RCBS. The lock ring on them is their weakest link. My advise would be: What ever brand of die(s) you buy just make sure you get the right type for what you are doing. ie full length for auto loaders, and carbide for straight neck etc.
 
Since the OP sounds like a fairly new reloader, I'll add this. Not to derail but just for informational purposes.

If you purchase an RCBS hand primer use RCBS shellholders. Same with the Lee brand hand primers. If you mix shell holders there its been my experience that it won't work right.
 
I have a rcbs rockchucker supreme and different brand dies, one trick I have done with my shell holder is to paint three dedicated shell holder one for 223 case, 308/3006 case and one for belted mag cases and adjust my dies for those shell holder only. One example is I use one shell holder for when loading 308, 22-250 and lets say the 06. I hope this helps.

Should have noted that each rifle gets its own set of dies to avoid any case problems.

Gilbert
 
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