Just stumbled upon Lyman reloading dies, in black cardboard boxes, for several rifle calibers I am looking for. They must be quite old. For the same money I can get from another fellow the same sets but newer Lyman and RCBS dies, in plastic boxes. They are all in great shape.

Silly question, which ones I should chose? How older dies compare in quality with later ones. Thanks.

If they are for rifle brass, consider them to be identical. Personally I'd get the ones in plastic boxes since you do put them back in the boxes, and the cardboard ones get beat up pretty quick. Otherwise not much difference.

What you should be aware of is that pistol and straight wall cases usually use carbide dies nowadays, but there were quite a few steel dies made that you need to lube the cases for, so everything else being equal I stay away from old dies in pistol calibers.

Whenever you buy used dies, make sure you inspect them carefully to make sure they have not been scratched (on the inside) and that is why they were sold to begin with.

Mark

My 44 mag and a old set I had for 45LC are Lyman in the paper boxes. They still load ammo and I `ve no question as to their quality or durability.
BTW the 44 set is carbide and I replaced the 45LC with a RCBS carbide as it was all I could find in it at the time, both were bought around `71/`72 as I remember.