Lee vs Redding

[SteveBurton]

I use Lee dies in my Lee progressive press for pistol, 223 and 300 BO. Their collet and crimp dies are good for high volume and the breech lock bushings are slick. I had a set for the 308 Win but sold it. Most of my centerfire dies are now Redding but I have some Forster dies in there as well. I don't like dies that use o-rings as I feel that introduces too much play. I avoid Hornady. They give me stuck case PTSD.
Bottom line, use whatever works for you and makes you happy.

 

[Sergeant Stadanko]

Let's not forget Dillon carbide dies! I am not a precision BR shooter, so I use Dillon, Lee, Redding and Forster dies. Depends on caliber that I load for. I really like Lee dies. They have always made quality ammo for me. Just my .02.

 

[FireFlyFishing]

Let's not forget Dillon carbide dies! I am not a precision BR shooter, so I use Dillon, Lee, Redding and Forster dies. Depends on caliber that I load for. I really like Lee dies. They have always made quality ammo for me. Just my .02.

I use them on my 650 and they do work great!

 

[Ardon]

You can't go wrong with either one, I have both but most of my dies are LEE, folks get confused between the difference in cheap and inexpensive
Bean

I agree with you, particularly about cheap vs inexpensive. I have used a Lee Turret press (with the ram shell holder clip removed and replaced with an O ring - helps the shell holder free float) for 35 years along with both the Lee collett neck dies and Redding body dies. I generally use the Reading seater dies. The sequence that I use is: first the Redding body die, then the Lee collett neck die, then the lee hand primer, then the Redding seater die. Sometimes, depending on the usage, I will use the Lee Crimp die. After all is loaded, I check for concentricity (which is usually less than .003") with the Hornady concentricity tool. This has produced some extremely small groups ( < .125") While I don't compete, I do chase accuracy, so for me it's a combination of both companies products. Reloading doesn't have to expensive, it can be "cheap", but it definitely has to be repeatable. and this combination works for me.

 

[Starbuck]

I use Lee dies in my Lee progressive press for pistol, 223 and 300 BO. Their collet and crimp dies are good for high volume and the breech lock bushings are slick. I had a set for the 308 Win but sold it. Most of my centerfire dies are now Redding but I have some Forster dies in there as well. I don't like dies that use o-rings as I feel that introduces too much play. I avoid Hornady. They give me stuck case PTSD.
Bottom line, use whatever works for you and makes you happy.

I use Redding competition shell holders tight to the die base. Eliminates inconsistancies from slack or play in the press or with die fitment in the press.

 

[lachoneus]

I have been using Lee dies for over three decades. While I have also used RCBS, Redding and Hornady dies, they have not altered group sizes for me. Admittedly, I only chase loads that consistently deliver MOA groups. I do not obsess on getting tiny groups because I used to shoot service rifle competition and nowadays never hunt beyond 600 yards, so MOA is adequate for my purposes. For rapid fire and offhand positions, I used Lee dies to load both .308 and 5.56 cartridges on my old Dillon 550 progressive press using the progressive powder measure and ball powders and got very reliable ammunition that never hurt my scores. If I am using stick powders or loading for long range or hunting, I just remove the powder measure and measure each powder charge individually.

 

[highfinblue]

Both.

My preferred set up is a Lee collet die, a Redding body die and Redding competition shell holders.

About every seater die with an alignment collar I've tried has yielded accurate ammo. Forester Bench Rest seater would be my first choice.

The Lee quick trim dies with Redding competion shelll holders have also worked well for me.

I have from Lee to Whidden Gunworks, and they have all served their purpose. I've used to the Lee with .223, 22 hornet, 30-30, and my favorite is the collet die for 22-250. Seems like I get much more mileage out of my brass, especially if I just neck size the 250. They all work, but I use the Whidden on my main long range rifle, and they do put together some fine ammunition. I use plenty of Redding and RCBS, and they both have served well for decades, as crazy as life is it is a good time to be alive if you like to shoot guns.

 

[DLJ6]

It's all about the variables … control as many as you can and don't worry too much about the others. I have shot some good groups with my Lee loaded products and some bad groups with my Whidden. Not sure I can blame it on either.

 

[roc_my_tims]

I buy Lee dies for pistols, single shot rifles, and lever actions.
Redding and Forster for precision rifles.
I like Lee dies, but the Redding and Forster give me the warm fuzzys.

Great answer

 

[Russ661]

I agree that Lee products are not "cheap" but they are inexpensive. I have had a Lee classic cast press for 20+ years and it is still going strong. I bought a Pro 1000 progressive in 1982 that still makes acceptable handgun ammo. I have more Lee die sets than any other brand and I have confidence in the ammo they produce.