What dies do I need with this press?

[Lost Sheep]

Thanks, Chalk22. I corrected my post.

Lost Sheep, isn't the standard dies size 7/8"-14? I just don't want him going around looking for dies that wont fit anything he owns/will own.
Truncated for brevity

Thanks, Chalk22. I corrected my post.

Now I have to figure out what I was thinking of that measures 1 1/4"?

Lost Sheep

 

[danbowkley]

Big Mother%#@*ing Gun

.50BMG uses the larger 1.5x12 dies. 7/8x14 is the standard used in just about every other press on the planet, and there's one size smaller used in the Lyman tong loaders that I can't remember off the top of my head right now. I think there's also one still larger size used on some monster mongoloid press that can load 20mm Vulcan, but don't quote me on that.

As to die selection, go for a Lee 4-die deluxe carbide set. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/309802/lee-deluxe-carbide-4-die-set-38-special-357-magnum I do love the factory crimp dies, though in straight-walled cartridges it really serves more as a post sizer. Kinda wish for a collet crimp die for pistol cartridges, but then again I'm a pretty weird dude.

I've used Lee, Hornady, and RCBS dies in a variety of presses, and the Lees are every bit as accurate as the others. The nice thing about Lee pistol dies is they come with a powder-through expander die, which if you upgrade to a progressive press in the future will allow you to stick a powder measure on top of it. This lets you save a hole in the press (since you expand the mouth and drop powder at the same time) and if you're using a 5-hole press you can then put in a powder cop die, which on a progressive can really save your hindquarters. The only downside I've found to Lee dies so far is that the threaded portion is just a smidge too short to really work well with my Hornady LnL-AP press. The extra thickness of the bushings makes it pretty hard to get the dies locked up right.

 

[Seedtick]

Kinda wish for a collet crimp die for pistol cartridges, but then again I'm a pretty weird dude.

Dan, your wish has been granted.

Special order Lee Factory Crimp Dies (in stock)

Seedtick

 

[jmstevens2]

If you think you wlll be switching calibers much, loading more than one. Some even set up a .38 and a separate .357 so the don't have to keep resetting the dies. If you think you might be doing that then consider this http://www.midwayusa.com/product/622290/lee-4-hole-turret-press-with-auto-index-value-kit It is much easier to switch dies once set up you leave them that way and trade out the plate and dies all at once without messing with the set up.

Having said that, midway is out you would need to look elsewhere. I have both and both are just fine sets. I just fins the turret faster because I load several calibers.

 

[danbowkley]

Seedtick, that's almost as sexy as the cover of a Dillon catalog!