Which pistol die brands/features do you prefer and why?

DiRTY DOG

DiRTY DOG

Well-known member
I need a new 9mm die set for a single stage press to load a few thousand rounds per year. Redding and Hornady are at the top of my list.

Which brands or features should I consider?
 
For pistol I prefer the Hornady. I like the lock rings on them over the RCBS. I also like the coating on the dies. I don't have any Redding Pistol dies so can't speak to them. I have Hornady, RCBS, and Dillon 9's. The Dillons are good also but I put Hornady lock rings on them when I get them from the get go. The split ring is more usable for me in making minute adjustments.

Greg
 
I run RCBS dies on everything I load for. I have 2 RCBS turret presses with 8 extra heads, All dies stay in a head preset so there is no need to adjust every time I change calibers. I use the Hornady lock rings on some of my dies, but I bought 5 packs of the lock rings when the local gander mountain went out of business at a great price.
 
I only load for my magnum and I like the Lee Carbide dies, I think mainly for the crimping die. The set loads good ammo so I see no need to pay more. 9mm ammo is so inexpensive that it doesn't pay for me to load it.
 
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I did 1k 45 acp (Once fired brass) on my co-ax with Redding carbide and a Lee FCD. They turned out great. Also completed 500 38's (New Starline Brass) recently using a LEE carbide set with FCD. They turned out great as well. I really like the FCD on handgun ammo.
 
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Dillon dies have a spring-loaded decapping pin, so fired primers do not occasionally get reseated back into the case when they stick on the decap pin. The sizing die mouth is more radiused on dillon dies and cases start into sizing die easier for me.

I used to have lee dies, sold them now, and I am happier when I am loading.
 
for handguns all my die sets are Dillon. The one exception is for a caliber Dillon doesn't make dies for.
 
no, on a 550. same thread though. whatever you get for pistol make sure the sizer is carbide so you don't have to lube the cases.
 
Originally Posted By: Stu Farishno, on a 550. same thread though. whatever you get for pistol make sure the sizer is carbide so you don't have to lube the cases.

Okay, that's what I figured/guessed.

Thank you,
 
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