Do expensive reloading dies add to accuracy?

[Howa]

I've always used basic Lee dies in three of the four calibres I reload for, the other I use a RCBS basic die.

I see adverts for very expensive die's and I would be interested what other members think on the issue of whether expensive dies aid accuracy or not?

 

[big ears]

Had issues with Lee dies, bought Redding never had an issue.

Same accuracy just less agro in that the reloading process was easier

 

[old keeper]

Like Big Ears, I had the odd issue with Lee dies and switched to Forster for my 204 and Hornady for everything else and never had a problem with them.

I suspect the target/competition shooters among us would go for top-quality dies, but I doubt it makes much difference for normal fieldwork.

 

[nun_hunter]

Lee dies are fine once set up but if you are changing them between loading sessions then they are a bit of a pain to set up each time. I generally use RCBS and some Forster does with a turret press. This means once the dies are set up they stay set up and don't need adjusting or re setting up each time.

I also found with my basing Lee single stage press that depending how much pressure I applied to the arm would alter the seating depth of a bullet so it was very difficult to achieve consistency. With the Lyman press I have there are no such issues.

 

[NullMac]

Simple answer is yes.

 

[RifleTuner]

The answer is not simple. Good dies can help accuracy. BUT rifle accuracy is a game of very small incremental improvements, however a lot of people act like one small change will make a massive improvement like taking a 1 MOA rifle to a .1 MOA rifle. But that just doesnt happen. And many rifles are not capable of great accuracy to begin with. If you have a custom built rifle with a hand lapped barrel, its probably worth spending money on a top self set of dies. If you are struggling to get good groups out of a rifle and you are looking for improvement, a set of "expensive dies" wont do it any harm, and they may be easier to work with. But they wont suddenly turn it into a tack driver.

 

[Klenchblaize]

If they afford you pleasure in terms of both aesthetics and ease of use, go for it.

As has been stated, they won’t necessarily improve rifle accuracy as the variables in reloading and a given rifle are many. I would also add that many home loaders are less than analytical in their process and record keeping. This just adds to the difficulty of assessing any single change.

K

 

[C h r i s]

......whether expensive dies aid accuracy or not?

No.

 

[Bowland blades]

Yes most certainly they do but the proviso is if the person doing the loading knows how to get the best out the kit - Just like buying a super rifle and scope , premium ammo and give it a half blind guy who has the tremors ! Frankly speaking folks recognise true accuracy differently shooter 1 might be very experienced as a shooter worthy of a place on the national team shooter disappointed if his bullet holes from a 5 shot group are not well inside 2 - 3 inch at 400 yards , shooter 2 might be glad to get all his shots onto an A4 sized paper at said 400 yds ? If they swapped guns would shooter 2 put in a 2-3" group?
Its not all about kit but also knowing about how to get the best out of said kit !

 

[Selous]

My more expensive dies (Redding, Forster) have micrometer seating stems and sliding sleeves to hold the case in better alignment. Essentially I do think they help accuracy and also are much much easier to control seating depth changes

 

[deeangeo]

Expensive/good dies… improved accuracy is dependent very much on how you set them up & use them.
Using bog standard set up of the resizing die won’t improve your results much (If at all) but will probably give you less hassle.

 

[jthyttin]

Lee dies are fine once set up but if you are changing them between loading sessions then they are a bit of a pain to set up each time.

Just buy locking collars, if you use single press then the dies are always set up correctly.

To the OP, all makes of dies might have manufacturing defects, in more expensive ones this is usually rare. Some of them have "design defects". A basic die that's in spec will work just fine, resizer will work the necks too much and you should adjust the die so that it works the body only the amount needed. Seater stem might require reprofiling or replacing in some cases like modern pointy bullets with high BC. I'd rather put the money towards good press, since it enables you to e.g. adjust the resizing die properly (and make the whole reloading process more pleasant).

I also found with my basing Lee single stage press that depending how much pressure I applied to the arm would alter the seating depth of a bullet so it was very difficult to achieve consistency. With the Lyman press I have there are no such issues.

I find the exact opposite... I have Lee Classic Cast and there' some similar size Lyman press at the club (that I never use). Lyman is supposedly "cam over" design but it has so much play / compression that it doesn't give repeatable results. Classic Cast is on par or better with just about any US press (Präzipress etc. are in a league of their own).

So it's down to individual model not manufacturer. I find the current Lee basic press (Breechlock) is adequate for most use and way better than the older non-Breechlock model (that many members might associate with "Lee press"). Classic Cast has come hugely up in cost, it's no longer the steal it once was.

 

[Bowland blades]

Expensive/good dies… improved accuracy is dependent very much on how you set them up & use them.
Using bog standard set up of the resizing die won’t improve your results much (If at all) but will probably give you less hassle.

I find the opposite. I never worry about trying different bullets and jump lengths when using high quality dies along with a micrometre just keep dummy rounds of what works, wind down onto your dummy and start putting the next batch together . Want to try nearer the rifling turn 2 tho' longer and try a few
Totally agree that the finished product should in theory be no different , until we talk brass prep and such . Its a bad die or poor raw materials ( ie cheap nasty brass from mixed boxes / brands even and not paying attention that doesn't centre the bullet perfectly )
A DTI and a run out Jig is a good idea if you want the very best ammo , ditch any that run out more than 2 tho' ( only truly needed for shooting targets that score though )