I have been using Lee dies for my 6.5x55 with undesirable results (I was short on cash when I needed dies for this cartridge). The plastic nosecones for my Horandy 140 gr target bullets have been coming off during the bullet seating process. This is particularly upsetting since this has proven to be an accurate bullet for my rifle. My question is, "Which dies work well with this cartridge? Will anything, with the exception of Lee, work well?" I don't want or need $100+ dies, but rather which dies offer good results with the long and sometimes delicate bullets that are used with this cartridge?
Thanks,
Shawn

I like Reddings. RCBS are also quite good. Never have used the Hornadys. Wouldn't use the LEEs for anything but a fishin' wieght.

I use RCBS in the 6.5X55. They work well, and I use the ammo in the Mauser and the Lungdman semi-auto.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

Thanks for the input. The part of the die that seats the bullet in a Lee die is made out of aluminum and is not polished. This is what keeps grabbing the nose-tips of the bullets. I will either go with the Redding or RCBS. I use Lyman for my 300 Wby and have had good luck. The rest of my dies are RCBS. Hopefully my new die won't cause the same problem.
Thanks again,
Shawn

I use Redding for my 6.5x55. I haven`t tried the Hornady Amax in them but I haven`t had a bit of trouble with Nosler BTs or any other bullets I`ve used.

Forster. If you want accuracy.

-- Mats

I also use the Lee die (6.5x55 only)but have never tried the A-max bullets in them. Is your problem relative only to that bullet or are you getting inferior results across the board with accuracy in general? The main reason I got a Lee die was for the factory crimp die which I experimented with. Was this a mistake? I can shoot sub-MOA groups from my 1922 Carl Gustaf.

I liked the Lee dies so much in 6.5x55 (with Nosler Ballistic Tips never had a tip so much as marked) I ordered a custom set for my 9.3x62. The Redding dies had the worst off centred sizing button I have ever seen. I was told 'they're all like that, makes no difference'

I can get just under 0.5MOA with my 'rubbish' Lee dies.

The Lee dies tend to make very minor marks on the large bullets (ie. 140gr). The marks do not seem to effect accuracy but it does make me wonder... The real reason for changing dies is that I am able to get sub-MOA out of these bullets (this is using Soderin target sights) so long as the plastic tip does not get removed by the die. When this happens I have to waste about 10 min and about $0.40 (wasted bullet) to remove the tip from the die. The smaller bullets that I have used have not had any problems. People seem to be split on Redding- you either love them or hate them. Forster dies are rather expensive when compared with RCBS. I would be willing to go up to that price if someone had actually tried these bullets with this cartridge without any problems. I am not an exceptionly good shot, so I cannot see spending a fortune for dies where I will not see a difference in accuracy. But I would like to shoot at my max. ability.
Shawn

For Full length sizing I use RCBS , but I mostly use the Lee Collet dies and thus only size the neck . I honestly think that it is better for accuracy . The Collet die set comes with a seating die ( deadlength seating die ) that works good for me . I have used it on the A-max with no problems and cannot understand why you would have any problems .
Is it possible that the seating die in the regular FL set is different from the one in the Collet set ?

I haven't used the A max for some time as I found the Sierra matchking 140 to be more accurate in my gun .

Ben

There are new RCBS dies on both Gunbroker.com and E-bay for $16.99 for the 6.5X55. The work great. Lifetime guarantee.