rcbs dies vs. lee dies (shoulda went with rcbs)

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getfoxy

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I was looking for some 22-250 dies on midway earlier and they have a 2 die set from rcbs for 28.99 and a 3 peice set from lee for 28.99.
Whats the difference in the 3pc and the 2pc?

I should have went with rcbs... My bullet seating die from lee was working fine this morning, but when I started seating some bullets it was putting dents in the side of the bullet. I ran a few more to make sure I didnt have the bullet sitting crooked but even with the bullet perfectly straight it dented the sides. I took the die apart and it is bent on the inside where the bullet seats. Instead of it being a perfect circle, it was oblong causing dents in the bullets. I called Lees' customer service and all he could tell me to do was chamfer some more, even after I explained to him how the die was on the inside. All he kept telling me to do was chamfer. Didnt offer to replace the die, or send me another at 1/2 or 1/3 the price, just chamfer. Im sure its something I did to cause the die to do this but nonetheless customer service wasnt very good..just a heads up to people buying lee dies in the future..I just ordered some RCBS dies btw.
 
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Lee dies are almost always less money than RCBS. I have sets of both and several other brands too. They all work just fine, my only complaint with Lee and their dies is their customer service suct. IMO
 
The Neck sizer is sold seperate from the reg set from RCBS. The neck sizer makes reloading a little faster as you rarely need to lube the case, and it only sizes the Neck. You need to shoot the Neck sized brass out of the Same rifle, because its basically fireformed to fit the chamber of that particular rifle. This can also lead to more accuracy in that rifle.
 
Thats your call. Lee dies tend to not be finished as nicely on the outside and you would notice an obvious quality difference holding one up next to the other. The finished ammo would not reveal this. The extra neck sizing die you can get seperately from RCBS if you decide its something you need later on. For a novice handloader it would not be on my list of "must haves".
 
The beauty of RCBS equip is that in the future if you ever break or lose parts (and you will typically from no fault of the equipment)they replace most anything for free no questions. Even if you buy stuff used.
 
Originally Posted By: getfoxyok then rcbs it is thanks

Good call, when in doubt you can always count on RCBS to stand behind their product. It's one of the best companies I've ever dealt with. Stuff doesn't break often but if it does you just give them a call and they send you the parts to repair it....can't beat that.
 
I wouldn't swear, but I believe the 3 piece Lee set includes a "Factory crimp die", which MAY be totally unnecessary for you, depending upon your firearm.
Mark
 
Originally Posted By: mark shubertI wouldn't swear, but I believe the 3 piece Lee set includes a "Factory crimp die", which MAY be totally unnecessary for you, depending upon your firearm.
Mark I think your right Mark that the 3 die set includes Full Length, Bullet Seater and a factory crimp die. The deluxe three die set includes FL,BS, and Neck Size die.Not sure what to recommend but will say I was looking at some 22-250 reload data and the book suggest using a neck size only or set your FL up to only resize the neck, this is in order to make the brass last longer because of the taper on the case it will stretch more (?) I don`t own a 22-250.
 
The set your looking at from Midway does not have the Factory crimp! It has the Full sizing die, Neck sizing, and the bullet seating die! Which if you think about it it really is a better deal! For one you get 3 dies you need for the same price as RCBS with only 2 dies. With RCBS you have to buy the NS die which is another $27 so now your paying almost the same price for 1 die that you just paid for 2!

You should be using the FL die when the brass HASN'T been shot out of YOUR rifle and new brass. Then once it's been shot out of YOUR rifle you just use the NS die and it will make your brass last longer and the brass is also fire formed to YOUR camber. So yeah if you wanna spend over $50 for RCBS to get the SAME results as if you only spent not even $30. I myself would rather put that extra $20 on bullets.

You will not see any difference between the LEE and RCBS inside or outside! LEE, Forster, RCBS, Hornady, Redding, Lyman, all have the same warranty! And to be honest I have heard of more people breaking RCBS decapping rods more then I have heard about all the other die manufactures combined!!! Now did RCBS replace them.... Never heard them say no!
 
I agree with dmpowder.Pay close attention to what he mentions paragraph 2. As for warranty / customer service I only had to deal with them once when I recieved a factory crimp die and the collet (crimp) portion of it was a bar end and not cleaned up more than 20% or so. I contacted them and they wanted me to send it back (I was in disbelief at that)but they let me send a e-mail picture instead.
 
You may not think you need a neck sizer now, but you will see the light sooner or later. I have both Lee and RCBS. They both make good bullets.
 
Just took delivery of a set of Lee Deluxe die for .223.
I love them!
I am waiting on a set for my .308.
Cost effective, too.
The neck sizer is good if you are using the cases in the same chamber only.
 
Let me second that opinion. I first bought Lee products when I first started reloading and got LOUSY Customer Service results. Thats when I switched to Redding and haven't looked back. I do have some RCBS products which are terrific and have nothing but goos things to say about their Customer Service. I just happen to like Redding Dies a bit more because of their ease to use when using them during reloading and changing bullet seating depths.

One last thing, there is an old adage...you get what you pay for. If your wallet is tight and you can't afford the higher priced products, Lee products will work alright. But if you have a problem, pray alot before you call them for help.
 
I DO use the Lee collet neck-sizing die partly because I'm lazy, and don't need to lube (and clean up) the cases. They also seem to do a good job on the neck-sizing.
You still need to full length size occasionally, to keep the brass small enough to chamber.
Mark
 
For me RCBS is the standard by which all others are measured . I have used them since the early 70's with very good results . That being said I have 10 sets of RCBS dies , 6 sets of Lee dies ,2 sets of Hornaday ,1 set of Reddings,1 set of Herters, and one set of Lymans . All produce quality ammo .The Lee dies work well but there are a number of Aluminum parts on them. To me this is cheap but it does work and I have not had any problems .I am a big fan of the Lee Factory crimp die and the collet neck sizer .I have these for most of my rifles .Lee dies usually come with a shell holder and this is also a nice feature and an additional savings when ordering dies. If you're on a budget I have found Lee products to be good value for the money .I have not had any problems with Lee customer service . When I have called with a problem they have helped.
 


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