What is the difference with Lee crimp dies? I have RCBS 45-70 dies and I am wondering why I am seeing alot of posts saying that Lee crimp dies are the ones to use. What makes them different and are my RCBS crimp dies inferior?

Thanks for your imput,

Jay

The Lee Factory Crimp provides a much better crimp than the standard die can provide very professional crimp, and more accurate too!

They work really well. They are the only Lee products that I own.

Ok, I'm the designated contrarian.
I've been leery Lee products from the begining of my reloading efforts, 30 - 35 years ago.
I have and use the Lee case Chamfering tool ( the one like a thimble), the Lee primer pocket cleaner (the yankee screw driver type) and the best thing Richard Lee ever came up with the universal decapping die!
Everything else I've used, made by Lee products was trash, landfill! Richard Lee is a very creative, talented individual that designs his products to be the cheapest to manufacture and sell, with all of the quality that the cheapest manufacturer can produce. Mr. Lee usually achieves his goal, the quality that goes with being the cheapest producer.
I use the Redding Procrimp for my 45-70, along with my Redding 45-70 dies. I have 45-70 dies made by Lyman and RCBS. Yes, those dies are older dies, 1970s, they don't come any where close to the quality of the Redding dies.
Jim

I am really ambivalent about Lee products. On the one hand many of the Lee designs are truly innovative and worthwhile like the collet crimping and collet sizing dies. The powder thro expander die is also very clever. On the other hand the materials used in production as well as the actual construction is made as cheaply as possible. Lee is the only die set that I've actually had pieces of metal break off. Lee collet dies in particular will need some polishing and other attention to get working right before use. Lee is also the only die set that not infrequently comes with bits of machining shavings still attached.
So what do I do. In rifle calibres I buy RCBS/Redding as well as the Lee Collet sizing die for neck sizing and the collet crimp for all large calibre and hunting rifles. The Lee crimp really is superior. In pistols I used to buy 2 sets, one a premium brand for single stage press and a Lee set for practice loads on a progressive. After a while I realised that I couldn't tell the difference in the loads and now only use Lee. However Lee quality does not engender brand loyalty. The day one of the other companies makes similar dies (I guess the patent has to expire sooner or later)is the day I get rid of my Lees.

The RCBS seating/crimp die IMO is a pain to set up and adjust.I first bought the Redding profile crimp die but didn't like having to smear lube on every 3rd (previously clean)case or so.Trim length was also critical as with the RCBS S/C die.Tried the Lee and have been using them since, in all my straight wall pistol and rifle cases.Its the only Lee product I use.
Jeff

The Lee crimp die is about $10. It's worth the time and money to see if it works with your loads/gun.

The lee die uses a tapered crimp as opposed to a roll crimp. Basically, the mouth of the case rests parallel to the bullet as opposed to the mouth edge pointing towards or jutting into the bullet.

All companies have certain products that are very good. Other things, less so. Most serious reloaders have equipment from a number of different companies on their benches. The reason is very easy to understand. Certain tools just work better than others.

Now, this doesn't have to do with the original question, but people would be best served by looking at the product itself, not the maker.

It's just stupid to turn a simple question into a "let's bash a company" thread.

Safe Shooting!
Steve Redgwell
303british.com

The Lee Factory Crimp Die does not require a cannelure to crimp into and it does not require uniform case trim length.

I am going to go along with the Redding Pro Crimp evaluation. It is the best crimping die made and, as long as your case mouths are dead square, produces the tightest most uniform crimp. I do have some Lee Factory Crimp dies and they are good and will do the job, and, as mentioned before, will crimp into a non-cannelured bullet. Geo.

Several years ago, I loaded for 45-70. To crimp, I had an OLD OLD set of RCBS 45-70 dies. I removed the decapping stem and crimped with it. Yes I made a TAPER CRIMP DIE out of a sizing die.
The die has to be backed almost all the way out and screwed down on the loaded round, until it crimps.