Lee Die Sets

[bradh1]

I have been reloading .30-30 with a Lee Whack-A-Mole and have just acquired an Enfield SMLE. I need to get .303 British dies and am going to move to a Lee Hand Press for both loads (will have to buy .30-30 dies too).

My question is which Lee Die set? Four choices and not enough experiece to make a decision

Lee Deluxe 3-Die
Lee Pacesetter 3-Die
Lee Collet 2-Die
Lee RGB 2-Die

Also, I only reload brass for the same gun that shot it the first time. I know that many don't recommend full length sizing for same gun reloading (non-auto) and that opinions vary on crimping for standard (vertical) magazines, but all agree that crimping is needed for tubular magazines.

I could also do a hybrid solution like Collet dies and a Factory Crimp die.

I should mention that my goals are 1) safety and 2) 300 yard shots. I can group 100 yard shots with factory or whack-a-mole ammo (even before I bought a scale and calipers). My plans are to use Hornady Flex Tip in the .30-30 and Hornady 150 grain Spire Points (.312) in the .303 British.

Yes, I slugged the bore in the Enfield and it is quite large, over .312 and the Hornady .312's are cheaper than the Sierra .311 JHPs.

 

[rcmodel]

I would recommend either the Pacesetter 3-die set, which includes the Factory crimp die.
Or the RGB set which does not.
It will crimp with the seating die.

But, you do not need to crimp for a box magazine until you get into heavy big game calibers with terrific recoil which can batter bullets back in the case.

I would not recommend neck sizing or collet sizing for the SMLE, as those actions are very springy and case stretch is problematic at best.

rc

 

[evan price]

The RGB ("Really Good Buy") die sets come with the same deprime/resize and seater dies that are in the other Lee sets, just in a cheaper flat box and include no shell holder or powder scoop. If you already have the shell holder and intend on not using the powder scoop, then save the money and buy the RGB set. You won't be crimping the Enfield .303 anyway, so why buy the set with the crimp die? Collet dies won't be sufficient for the Enfield in most cases so save your money there.

I use Lee RGB's for all of my rifle except precision .308 which gets a collet die set. I already have shell holders, and use the Lee powder measure with a Rifle Charging Die to drop powder.

Good luck! (Especially finding enough boxer .303 brass)

 

[pcoliver]

I would recommend buying a die set with both full length and neck sizing (Lee Collet) dies. Because of the over sized chambers that are common in Enfield's the Lee Collet die will help increase the life of your brass.