.44 magnum dies which ones?

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Lee dies work very well. I use Hornady dies for some rounds but prefer Lee. Any dies used on my Coax get Hornady rings.

 

[drband]

When I buy pistol caliber dies for a single stage press I try to buy two sets. A new sent and shop for a used set. The new set I use for resizing, flaring and bullet seating. I use the bullet seating and crimping die out of the used set to crimp in a separate stage. I've always have crimped in a separate step. Have never liked crimping when seating a bullet.

A Lee 4 die set will do that just fine and probably for less money... and if you don't like the carbide sizing ring in the FCD, it can be knocked out, leaving you with a crimp-only die!

 

[ATLDave]

I believe Lee's auto pistol FCDs use a taper crimp, and their rimmed cartridge (revolver) FCDs us a roll crimp.

Yep, that is correct. You can roll-crimp the bejeesus out of revolver rounds with a FCD.

For people who are trying to use oversized bare lead bullets, the post-sizing ring on the FCD may be a source of trouble. For people using plated or jacketed or coated bullets, it's a plus, IMO.

I like Hornady sizing dies about 1% more than Lee, but not nearly enough to drive me to fool with seating and crimping in one step. If I happen to have both brands of dies for a given cartridge, I'll mix and match.

And, obviously, a Redding comp seating die is a pricey-but-sweet upgrade over basically any other brand of seating dies.

But, in my mind, the 4-die Lee sets are the default. I need some reason to do something different.

 

[sequins]

I have the Redding dies for my 44 mag loading needs. I've been very pleased.

 

[Toprudder]

For people who are trying to use oversized bare lead bullets, the post-sizing ring on the FCD may be a source of trouble. For people using plated or jacketed or coated bullets, it's a plus, IMO.

I started out using Hornady XTP Mag bullets, and all of the Hornady bullets are 0.430 instead of 0.429 for some reason. The FCD resizing ring tries to squeeze those bullets down. Maybe the ring in mine is just a tad undersized, or the brass I was using was thick-walled, but I could not use the FCD for crimping. I prefer the collet style crimper anyway, but as I mentioned earlier I do use the FCD (with the crimp insert removed) to full-length resize my cases.

 

[cowboy77]

I shoot mostly cast out of mine and had issues with the Lee dies. I bought the RCBS cowboy dies and oversized cast bullets are no issue. Also purchased it in 45-70 since my bullets are a few thousands thicker. No issues feeding at all.

 

[quaid]

My first preference is the RCBS revolver dies- I really like that the seater die comes with two plugs for flat profile and rounded nose projectiles.

What I have is the RCBS set AND the Lee 3 die set. I bought the Lee set too because I needed a shell holder, and I needed the Lee powder through expander for my Lee classic turret press, and they’re so cheap as a set.

So what I run in a 4 hole turret:
1. Lee sizer (I like the decapping pin design), the rcbs is good too, but just not what I grab because I like it more andwould rather risk the Lee. Silly logic maybe here.
2. Lee powder rough expander with a Lee powder dispenser mounted, or Lee funnel mounted for small batch,
3. rcbs seater die with preferred profile for bullet (consistent seating, doesn’t close up hollow points) sometimes I crimp in this step too to keep an open station for a powder check die for large batches. (I like the RCBS lockout die for that)
4. Lee crimp die here for small batches

For 357 I have Redding/Lee dies. For 44 mag it’s RCBS/Lee.

I have never seen use for the LEE factory crimp die in a revolver. On rare occasions it has been useful in autoloaders, but only as a curative bandaid because something went wrong in the loading process (ie bulging brass from cheap bullets or seated crooked)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Most of my handgun did sets are from Lee. I have modified my sets somewhat.

The Titanium Nitride ring on the Hornady sizing dies make them feel smooth as glass when sizing cases, it's very easy to do with that die. I bought a few including the 45 ACP, 45 Colt, .357 Magnum and the like

I also bought a Lyman M die for expanding the 45 ACP.

Like akread y said, most any Carbide did set will work just fine.

 

[cfullgraf]

My first choice of dies are Redding with RCBS a close second if Redding are not available. Both are good dies and both have good customer service if problems happen.

I have a set or two of Lyman dies and they have worked fine. I have purchased a Lyman M die or two where I feel the need for better case mouth expansion for cast bullets.

I've had mixed results with Hornady dies. I've had issues with a sizing die or two as well as a mouth expanding die or two. But, I do like their seating die for bottle neck cases where you can add a micrometer adjust for a small additional cost. EAxcept for a seating die or two, I've sworn off Hornady dies.

I have not bought any Lee dies in a couple decades or so. While the dies are basically OK, by the time I buy a storage box I like and replace the ratty-as**ed o-ring lock rings, I've about paid for an RCBS set of dies. I've seen no need for a Lee FCD die.

I have dies for loading 30 some different handgun cartridges as well as 8-10 different rifle cartridges.

 

[Livin_Cincy]

I think that Lee's website is a bit confusing... Here's their description for a .44special/magnum/Russion Factory Crimp Die:
Lee 44 Special, 44 Magnum and 44 Russian Carbide Factory Crimp Die sizes the cartridge while being crimped so every round will positively chamber freely with factory like dependability. This die applies a roll crimp. The adjusting screw quickly and easily sets the desired amount of crimp. Trim Length is not critical so this extra operation takes less time than it would if cases were trimmed and chamfered. A firm crimp is essential for dependable and accurate ammunition, as it eliminates the problems of poor ignition of slow burning magnum powders.

In my limited experience, the Lee FCD in my 4-die set does indeed apply a roll crimp, and the more crimp (within reason) you use, the more that crimp is turned into the groove while leaving the rest of the bullet unmodified.

I believe Lee's auto pistol FCDs use a taper crimp, and their rimmed cartridge (revolver) FCDs us a roll crimp.

I think their "Modified Taper Crimp" lets you get a taper with a mild amount of roll to a full roll crimp. It works great for FMJ's with a groove or canalure. This is part of the fun of Revolver Bullets. So many options in bullets to tinker with. Maybe it is a mental disorder...

 

[slowr1der]

I have a set of RCBS Carbine dies and added a Lee crimp die after running into problems trying to crimp plated bullets with the RCBS seating die.

If I was to do it again, I'd just buy a Lee die set from the start and not have to buy the crimp die and shell holder separately. I have several other pistol die sets from Lee and they all work great.

 

[il.bill]

It is Lee for me.
Carbide die set with the FCD (factory crimp die).

 

[Dudedog]

I am happy with my Lee .357 dies, Lee dies in .380, 9mm, 9mak, .45, 223.
Lee and Pacific in 7mm Rem Mag, RCBS ser in ,45 I picked up cheap, and a 9mm set of Horndays.

9mm Decap resize Lee, the Hornday is smoother but the Lee sizes tighter. Lyman M die for expansion, then clean and hand prime,
Lee or hornady measure with the PTX, RCBS locklout,, Hornady Bullet feed tube type, Hornady seater , Lee FCD.


FFffffiiixxx typos was having a can't type day

 

[Gtscotty]

I've been happy with my Lee carbide dies in 9mm, 10mm and .44. I'd be sure to get carbide dies of whatever brand you prefer, not having to lube is awesome.