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| One of Us |
G'day guys, I need to find a set of 404 dies. I have always used RCBS with no issues what so ever but was wondering what everyone thinks of the Hornedy dies?? Also if anyone knows of an RCBS set I can buy at a good price please let me know cheers | ||
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I used RCBS for years. I started using Hornady when I had them cut some dies for wildcats I built. Now days I buy Hornady for everything but straight wall pistol I prefer the RCBS carbide. As usual just my $.02 Paul K | |||
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I used to not even consider anything unless it said RCBS but having tried Hornady dies I'd say that as long as they aren't the "knock off" version of Bonanza "Bench Rest" des they would be OK. Having said that I now also prefere Redding dies as it gives me a retro fit option of a carbide expander ball that makes life s much easier. In fact that alone now would cause me to choose Redding over RCBS. | |||
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RCBS has been my die supplier for years and will continue to be for ever. Until they give me a reason to go elsewhere, I'll give them the same loyalty they have shown me. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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I like RCBS, Redding and Hornady dies. All three are very well made. Having said that, I don't think that any company anywhere can match RCBS for customer service. If you need a replacement part they will often mail it to you free of charge even if you tell them that you lost the part or damaged it due to error. You can't beat RCBS for service. Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
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I have always been extremely happy with my 404J RCBS dies custom made back in '78. They have a heavier duty decapping pin than other dies and it has never broken. The bullet seating die is perfectly dimensioned and folds the case mouth flare back in after seating cast bullets, not needing the crimp feature of the die to do this. Most of my other dies just happen to be Lyman but I do have one set of Hornady for my 6.5-06 but hate the collet feature holding the decapping stem, not as simple to set the depth for decapping and has to be real tight if you strike a case mouth that missed an inside lube. Acquired a Hornady neck sizing die, decapper stem and all with a set of 7mm RM dies but the decapper pin broke and is not replaceable, seems like you have to buy a whole new stem with button and pin, dumb, dumber and dumbest. Oh BTW my 404J set are not for sale  | |||
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I would like to have tried them all extensively but for whatever reason have not.I used RCBS,Hornady,Redding,Wilson.If available for caliber I would choose Wilson.I have had incredible shooting accuracy with Wilson and Redding. I agree with customer service being exceptional with RCBS.Last week I had a 500NE case stuck in the resizing die and when I tried to remove it I broke a tap and got that stuck in the primer hole.I tried to drill the tap out but my bits were to dull and that created further issues.I called them and they offered to fix everything for free.That was great and if I where in the US I would mail them the die with the case stuck in it.In the end I managed to get the tap out and drill a very large hole for another tap and got the case out.I had run out of sizing wax and was using pure beeswax for the first time.It works very good and makes for a very shiny case after tumbling. | |||
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I have two sets of Hornady dies and I really don't care for them. As was mentioned I also don't care for the collet on the decapping stem and I really don't like that sliding bullet seating stem on my 8.15 X 46R Hornady dies. As with many other things in life it's a matter of taste. Though I don't care for the Hornady dies they do an adequate job. DRSS: E. M. Reilley 500 BPE E. Goldmann in Erfurt, 11.15 X 60R Those who fail to study history are condemned to repeat it | |||
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I use Hornady dies exclusively and have never had any issues. They are easy to setup and clean. Their prices are also hard to beat. | |||
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The 404 Jeffery is categorized as an obsolete. Hornady has them. RCBS also has them but much more expensive. They have more to choose from but it is listed as special order and the price goes up a lot more than Hornady. RCBS has to be considerably better than Hornady to ask double the price. I don't think they are. There are some used dies dealers listed on the internet. Chances are high that they will be a rip off and very paltry savings if any at all. If budget is an issue Hornady appears to be the most economical. Personally, for the price involved I would not take a chance on a used set of dies. | |||
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I use 100% Hornady dies for 3 reaons The lock ring design is as good as it gets! A tapered expander that won't slip "new design spindle The Hornady micrometer bullet seating attachment for $20 is interchangeable for all of the Hornady seating dies This allows me to record my micrometer reading with a particular bullet/cartridge combination and then record said number in my records Days or years later I can return the micrometer to the recorded number for said round and make ammo on first pull No messing around Same cartridge but multiple bullets is just as easy Record the micrometer number and it will repeat every time One micrometer head interchanges with all Hornady seater dies ________________________________________________ Maker of The Frankenstud Sling Keeper Proudly made in the USA Acepting all forms of payment | |||
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I agree that years ago the decapper would slide if you couldn't get it TIGHT. They have gone to a threaded rod. No slipping. Like everything else in reloading you need to use what you are comfortable with. With the Hornady 404 half the price and available it would be my choice.  As usual just my $.02 Paul K | |||
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I no longer buy new RCBS dies (although I have about 30 sets of older ones), because, in the unusual calibers I shoot, they are priced way higher than Hornady, so I get Hornady the most nowadays. And Hornady is better quality and has better features, as mentioned above. RCBS has not kept up with their customer needs. I know, they will send you parts, but so will Hornady. | |||
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I've enjoyed RCBS dies (23 different cartridges) and they all have been great dies except for one set of 338 WM dies. I replaced them with Redding. I've only had 3 sets of Hornady and my 300 WM sizer die is too short but the problem is easily corrected by partially FL sizing, otherwise, I'd push the shoulder back too far. I think they both make a fine product. Zeke | |||
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shootaway, taps (broken ones) are far too hard to attempt to drill out, probably nothing wrong with your drills but a tap will blunt any drill. I have broken the odd tap or two over the years when threading holes and because taps are quite brittle, a fine punch ground to a small chisel tip will quite easily break up the tap and it will fall out in small pieces. Use safety glasses when doing this though. I don't understand when you say you were using pure beeswax as a case lube for the first time and say "it works very good". If the case got stuck in your die when lubed with beeswax then it is not suitable as a lube? I presume you usually use Imperial sizing wax, I find this the best. | |||
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I know what you are saying as there was no chance of drilling through or in the tap.I was drilling around the tap using very small bits to try and loosen the tap.The bits I had on hand were already dull and it took a few new ones to do the job as they would go dull if they would come in contact with the tap. The beeswax worked fine it took a little experimenting to know how much I should put on the case but that is it.The stuck case happened when I tried a case without wax. Yes Imperial sizing wax is what I normally use. Come to think of it now, I slightly softened the beeswax after melting it and adding a very small amount of olive oil to it.The pure wax was too hard or rock-like to use. I had bought some wax for my hiking boots and I thought I would try it because I had lost my sizing die wax and needed something immediately. It works surprisingly good and I think I will keep using it even after using Imperial die wax for years.A tiny waxparticle half the size of a rice grain will lube a 500ne case.Also after you tumble to remove the wax, the cases come out REALLY shiny. | |||
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Being a fellow Aussie, I can tell you that the RCBS dies are probably too expensive, but they are good quality. I, too, shoot a 404 Jeffrey, I bought a Redding set only because they were available at the time and I didn't have to order them and wait. They are just as good as an RCBS set, but I'm not a fan of their lock rings. Check out Sinclair International for prices, it will be cheaper if you can get them shipped to you. Otherwise call Clayton Firearms, they will help you out with whatever you need. Cheers.  | |||
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Thanks shootaway you answered my questions. I have heard that Lanolin works quite well as a case lube too but have not personally tried it. I used to use RCBS lube on a pad for years (real sticky stuff and messy to handle) until I tried Imperial wax and was converted. | |||
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Thanks again all, I do like my RCBS dies that I do have but as mentioned by most I can not justify the more than double cost compared to a hornedy die set. If I can not find some at a good price I might give them a go and see how they work. | |||
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From a local gun shop there were many Hornady scrapped die spares. I did not see any for RCBS. Hornady has a few drawbacks, but if you cannot find RCBS they would be OK. | |||
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All my die boxes are green. Been using RCBS for a lifetime, never any problems..Had one set of Hornadys and the expander ball broke off plus I didn't like the feel. I'm sure they are good dies, I just got unlucky...but I'll stick with RCBS. I stuck a damn nickel 30-06 case and try as I might could not get the damn case out..I know all the tricks to removing stuck cases and have all the right tools, but the nickel case changed the ball game..so I sent it to RCBS to remove the case, a week later I received a new die, no charge. Can't beat that, unless you got a broke Leuplold, then its a tie! Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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You have a PM, I have a set of 404 dies for sale on the classified as of today 5-14-15, but sending them to Aussy land would probably be cost wise prohititive? Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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