What die set to buy for LNL

[NuffSaid]

Thinking about getting the hornady lock n load press and I understand I need to buy a shell plate for the 40SW and a die set. The question is which to buy. Lee has a 4 die set of course Hornady offers a 3 die set and then there is the competition series from Reeding that I have been looking at.

[soundwave]

My Hornady Series II die set has been great for me. I did buy a LEE FCD though to fill station 5.

Also, if you plan on using a PTX and powder cop die, you may be better off buying the sizing/de-primer and bullet seating dies separately. Guess you would have to do the math to see how you could save money.

[Oreo]

I just purchased this stuff for myself. Here's what I learned:

The whole point to the Lee set is to get the FCD which does the best job of resizing. However, you'll most likely want to order the Hornady PTX ($11) direct from Hornady because it's the only option that's compatible with the case activated powder drop function.

I plan on modifying the LEE PTX into a powder check die (seems simple enough) but it's probably worth just buying one. My own virgin eyes also tell me that the hornady pistol powder measure is also a very good idea.

Lastly, the Lee FCD will not normally be compatible with the ejector wire on the LNL AP. So, you'll have to look into some of the work-arounds for that if you plan on using a powder check die, or putting the FCD in station 5 for some other reason.

[thorn]

I use a Hornady 3-die set, and their taper crimp die. I only use the seat/crimp die for seating in station 4, then use the separate crimp die in station 5. Quite happy with the results so far.

thorn

[MakeMineaP99]

I run Lee dies for handgun, no problems. I might switch to Reddings or RCBSs in the future for variety.

[soundwave]

I run Lee dies for handgun, no problems. I might switch to Reddings or RCBSs in the future for variety.

Do you run the crimp die in station 5? If so, how does it work with the ejection wire?

[MakeMineaP99]

Yes I do. I've modified my ejection wire, I'll snap a pic tomorrow.

[KpaxFAQ]

I will be ordering a set of RCBC 9mm pistol dies soon so I'll add some variety to the group :patriot:

[zdogk9]

Buy Hornady, They are good dies and you get 100 XTPs the .40 offering is 180gr. I have RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, and Lee dies. This is my order of preference, and MY perception of quality among these manufactures. They all will get the job done. RCBS has a pretty bomb proof warranty. Hornady has an amusing answering machine, Lyman has a hot sounding woman in tech support, Lee has good tech support as is only right since you'll be talking to them lots with anything but their casting equipment and dies.

[PsychoKnight]

Also, if you plan on using a PTX and powder cop die, you may be better off buying the sizing/de-primer and bullet seating dies separately. Guess you would have to do the math to see how you could save money.

Redding competition dies sets for pistol assumes you will use the set in a progressive and therefore does not include an expander dies (per die-set instructions), you so you won't have duplication of function in this case. It comes w/ decap/resize, seater, and separate taper crimp die.

I used a belt sander to grind down the Redding taper crimp die to function w/ the LnL AP 5th station. Removed about 3/16" of material.

You cannot do this to a Lee FCD, as the post-sizing ring is at the very mouth of the die body. Some people feel that if the FCD actually corrects a problem through its intended purpose, you have a serious problem which the use of the FCD could is masking and it's better to not use the FCD and figure which rounds are needing to be inspected. Plus, the FCD has limited use for many auto-loading pistol rounds (pistol cartridges, are by def., auto-loading, as opposed to revolver cartridges), particularly those w/ heavily tapered bodies, because you can't possibly create a tapered cylinder shape with just a carbide ring: it requires an internally full-length tapered die w/ full contact surface. Ironically, the FCD is marketed to ensure pistol chambering functionality. Visual an orange street cone, which is mangled out of shape. Willing running it through a metal ring reshape it into a symmetrical cone? Oh, nevermind.