Reloading dies

[Goochylogic]

Hello, been searching and looking at reviews on the Lee 4 die set and the Hornady dies. I’ve used both in the past on other calibers. Of these two for the 450, is one better than the other. Or is it just a matter of personal likes or dislikes. Never loaded for the 450 before. I even looked into the Lyman MSR set, but have never laid hands on them before Thanks, Chuck

[Texas Sheepdawg]

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Welcome. As far as I know, most die manufacturing companies make some pretty decent dies for this caliber nowadays. I’ve been eyeballing a couple of different manufacturers lately. Recently, I purchased a Redding 450 bushmaster resizing die. I just got the resizing die and not a full set, because all the dies in my Hornady set work just fine, I just wanted to see if there was a difference between the two sizing dies. So far I haven’t been able to tell. But it works well. I need to round up my calipers and do some detail measuring. I’m looking forward to seeing other peoples experiences so I’ll just sit back and Watergate.

[drayks+]

I bought the Redding 3 die set a while back and noticed that there was a whole LOT of reduction of the last half inch of the case barrel at the mouth to be "wasp waisted" by Mark 1 eyeball. Bought the RCBS 3 die set a week ago and the full length die has no where near the reduction of barrel size near the mouth, don't know if the Redding is out of spec but that is what my experience is. If anyone is interested I can measure for the curious. drayks+

[Goochylogic]

I’ve talked to 3 different people at 3 different local shops. Each one came up with their own reasoning for their brand they use. There was really no negative towards any of the three. Rcbs, Lee, and Hornady. But I did hear that the Lee factory crimp die was pretty well liked. Thanks guys

[Hoot]

I've been using my Hornady set for over 2000 reloads over 12 going on 13 years. They're just as good as the day I bought them. That being said, when I buy dies for quality reloading in my precision BR bottleneck calibers (5 now), Redding has proven to be the best bang for buck. Knowing what I do now and if Redding had their 450b dies back when I got my Hornady set, I would have gotten the Redding set hands down. If as reported, they make the mouth a little tighter, all the more reason to get them. This caliber craves neck tension.

Hoot

[Al in Mi]

I bought the Redding 3 die set a while back and noticed that there was a whole LOT of reduction of the last half inch of the case barrel at the mouth to be "wasp waisted" by Mark 1 eyeball. Bought the RCBS 3 die set a week ago and the full length die has no where near the reduction of barrel size near the mouth, don't know if the Redding is out of spec but that is what my experience is. If anyone is interested I can measure for the curious. drayks+

I'd like to know the mouth OD or the ID from that Redding sizer if you get a chance.

I jumped in the 450 pool in the beginning also. Hornady was the only game in town for dies, brass, bullets, and data for a few years. Took a few brave souls to step out of the box and try different bullets and loads to get things rolling.

[drayks+]

"AL in MI" the new RCBS die leaves Starline brass at .473" OD with a more gradual taper at the transition. The REDDING die leaves Starline brass at .471" OD with a more pronounced taper at the transition. By eyeball there is a marked difference in appearance. I have loaded a couple hundred with the Redding and the Barnes 250gr really get scraped even with inside chamfer and hBN lube. drayks+

[Goochylogic]

Guys, thanks for the dialog and info. Is the Lee 4 die set even a consideration with this caliber. Defiantly not trying to be cheap at all. Just trying to learn the pros and cons of each.

[Al in Mi]

I believe Lee had some sizing issues awhile back but think they resolved that fairly quick.

I'd have no issues giving them a try.

[Goochylogic]

Al in Mi, most of my dies are rcbs with a couple hornady and 1 lee for a 45acp. I havn’t had any issues to speak of from any. I just got a flyer with a set of rcbs dies in the 450. Havn’t found much reviews on that set. I’m in no hurry to by a set. I have a bad habit of over researching things.