AR Colleagues,

I’m trying to decide which reloading dies to purchase for my 416 Rigby. It comes down to four options with widely varying pricing and probably quality. Here are the options, all 2 die sets, current prices at Midway, might be cheaper elsewhere:

Lyman $21.99
RCBS $45.99
Hornady $57.99
Redding $154.99

I reload for nearly 30 cartridges and 95% of my dies are Redding brand which are well known to be excellent quality. However, looking at the pricing spread I’m wondering in this situation if they are +604% better (Lyman versus Redding)? I’m leaning towards either the RCBS (have a few sets) or the Hornady (no experience) as a middle ground.

I know this is a “which dies are best†discussion which has been covered here before, but I’d be interested in anyone’s thoughts or opinions especially if it is 416 Rigby specific.

Thanks
Paul

Hornady

i have rcbs for the 416 rigby,
i also have redding,hornady, and lyman in different cal .i got the rcbs because they were the first ones i came across

I use RCBS myself, but I also have Lee and Hornady in other calibers. I do not recommend Hornady dies. jorge

the lymans work fine...
I had a sent that needed polished, and I sent them back... came back EXCELLENT


then I bored them for 416 AR dies... which was cheaper than die blanks

if hornady makes them, I generally use hornady dies

jeffe

I only use Raddings. I just bought some for my Rigby this year.

I have sets of Lyman and RCBS Dies in 416 Rigby and my buddy has them in Redding.
The RCBS dies are enough nicer than the Lyman's that I bought them after I had the Lymans. The Reddings are nicer yet but not enough nicer to justify the price difference.
The last set of Hornady dies were incapable of loading a round of ammo, literally...................DJ

For price and good quality and customer service go with RCBS.

Redding..

I'm a Redding fan, but I'd try the Lyman dies for basically $22, you bet I would.

Buy it once, but it right. REDDING.

in agreement with IB404.


email mark at DnrSports.com for a price on redding, im sure he would get you a better price on the redding price you have listed.

im pretty sure the 416 rigby set would be in their custom die sets. I may be wrong.

I like the Reddings as well, in general. I have a set of Hornady dies in .416 Rigby, the sizer is a pain to use. The end of the rod the expander is on has kind of a collet arrangement that holds it from slipping and it has to be really tight or it will stickin the neck of the case and pull through the collet, leaving the expander stuck in the case neck when you lower the press handle. These are the new style custom dies sets, and if I were doing it again, I'd buy Redding, I just couldn't find them when I needed the .416 die.

I always buy RCBS and have never been dissapointed.

RCBS

Rich

I have about 75 sets of dies. I have probably sold or traded off 25 or 30 other dies sets in the past. A number of them are/were duplicate calibers in other brands. Some were bought just to check and compare the internal dimensions and workmanship.

Buy, use and measure a lot of dies and you might be surprised. Some have excellent internal dimensions but crummy decapping, expander and seater stem designs.

I have many, many sets of RCBS dies and quite a few Redding. I would not pay that premium for the Redding or any other die ever.

A far as 7/8-14 thread dies go I prefer the Forsters if price was not a concern. However my catalog does not list them in the .416 Rigby.

If you need dies soon need get the Lymans. If they work well then you got a good deal. If not keep using them until you find a set you like and sell the Lymans. One thing you might do is call Lyman and ask them what diameter they ream the sizer die neck. Then call and ask RCBS the same thing. I suspect they will be the same diameter.