Lee Precision Dies for large-cartridge rifles
For those looking for dies for large-cartridge rifles, at very affordable prices, consider Lee Precision. [Their dies are made inhouse, in the US (WI).]
.338 LM (7/8-14 thread) - https://leeprecision.com/search?q=.338+lapua+dies - $47 (actually $46.98) for a SET (sizer, seater, and shell holder)
.416 Barrett (1 ¼-14 thread) - https://leeprecision.com/search?q=416+barrett and .50 BMG (1 ¼-14 thread) - https://leeprecision.com/50-bmg-dies - $140 for a SETs (sizer and seater w/o shell holder - the shell holder is $20, https://leeprecision.com/50-bmg-shell-holder)
While they do not offer dies for .375 CT or .408 CT, they do offer custom dies…which could be to CT specs – see further down. [Note that there is a requirement that they have a shell holder – in the CT case, that’s their #17 for the .505 Gibbs (“parent” of the CT).]
They also offer a 1 ½-12 to 1 ¼-14 adapter bushing for use with a press that has a 1 ½-12 top thread (Lee’s large cartridge dies are 1 ¼-14) https://leeprecision.com/1-1-2-12-to-1-1-4-12-die-adapter-bushing - $12.
And, for those that want micrometer-adjustable bullet seating, they now offer a “micrometer adjuster screw” for $20 – yes, twenty USD! Versions for all their dies, same price.
They also offer custom dies at the SAME prices as their non-custom dies – https://leeprecision.com/custom-services-custom-rifle-and-handgun-reloading-die-sets ...BUT there is a set-up fee of $250-$350 and lead time of 12-16 weeks (https://leeprecision.com/search?q=custom+die+set-up+fee). You provide a few dimensions, 5 fired casing, and 3 desired bullets. Chicken or the egg for CT, and for XC? No. Peterson has the “base” (un-fire-formed) brass. Seating a bullet w/o a seater die would seem to be the issue…so you don’t seat a BULLET. You use a wad-of-tissue-paper plug, enough powder to get the case properly formed, and a Cream-o-Wheat filler between the powder and the tight-fitting plug (tap down the CoW until its up in the neck before adding the wad – needs to be compressed). It works well. I’ve done it to save the cost of expensive large caliber bullets. Do it 3x for each case to guarantee exact fit to YOUR chamber. [Envision a range day with primed brass, a de-priming rod, small hammer, a hand priming tool, primers (for the 2nd and 3rd round of forming), a funnel, a quantity of tissue paper, individual pre-weighted bags of powder, individual “pre-weighted” bags of CoW, and a quantity of extra CoW for just in case. CAUTION – make sure the plug is in really well. Last thing you want to do is dump a load of powder and CoW into your action. Consider elevating your rifle as you load and fire rounds – one after another, single-shot style, NO mag feed. AND be very careful where the muzzle is pointed – what comes out the muzzle will still be seriously dangerous.
Lastly, they also have a very reasonably priced single-station press - https://leeprecision.com/classic-cast for $260 – or, that press, their .50 BMG die set, ++ for $425… if you are doing .50 BMG (their only with-dies option).
NOTE: Going forward, they recommend that you use their sizing lube, $6/tube. Worth it.
NO, I’m not a Lee shill. Just thinking that some would-be large-cartridge reloaders would find that Lee has viable solutions for intro-to reloading thru long-term reloading. Their online catalog is at https://leeprecision.com/product-catalog-request (just hit the “full screen” button to view online).
For those looking for dies for large-cartridge rifles, at very affordable prices, consider Lee Precision. [Their dies are made inhouse, in the US (WI).]
.338 LM (7/8-14 thread) - https://leeprecision.com/search?q=.338+lapua+dies - $47 (actually $46.98) for a SET (sizer, seater, and shell holder)
.416 Barrett (1 ¼-14 thread) - https://leeprecision.com/search?q=416+barrett and .50 BMG (1 ¼-14 thread) - https://leeprecision.com/50-bmg-dies - $140 for a SETs (sizer and seater w/o shell holder - the shell holder is $20, https://leeprecision.com/50-bmg-shell-holder)
While they do not offer dies for .375 CT or .408 CT, they do offer custom dies…which could be to CT specs – see further down. [Note that there is a requirement that they have a shell holder – in the CT case, that’s their #17 for the .505 Gibbs (“parent” of the CT).]
They also offer a 1 ½-12 to 1 ¼-14 adapter bushing for use with a press that has a 1 ½-12 top thread (Lee’s large cartridge dies are 1 ¼-14) https://leeprecision.com/1-1-2-12-to-1-1-4-12-die-adapter-bushing - $12.
And, for those that want micrometer-adjustable bullet seating, they now offer a “micrometer adjuster screw” for $20 – yes, twenty USD! Versions for all their dies, same price.
They also offer custom dies at the SAME prices as their non-custom dies – https://leeprecision.com/custom-services-custom-rifle-and-handgun-reloading-die-sets ...BUT there is a set-up fee of $250-$350 and lead time of 12-16 weeks (https://leeprecision.com/search?q=custom+die+set-up+fee). You provide a few dimensions, 5 fired casing, and 3 desired bullets. Chicken or the egg for CT, and for XC? No. Peterson has the “base” (un-fire-formed) brass. Seating a bullet w/o a seater die would seem to be the issue…so you don’t seat a BULLET. You use a wad-of-tissue-paper plug, enough powder to get the case properly formed, and a Cream-o-Wheat filler between the powder and the tight-fitting plug (tap down the CoW until its up in the neck before adding the wad – needs to be compressed). It works well. I’ve done it to save the cost of expensive large caliber bullets. Do it 3x for each case to guarantee exact fit to YOUR chamber. [Envision a range day with primed brass, a de-priming rod, small hammer, a hand priming tool, primers (for the 2nd and 3rd round of forming), a funnel, a quantity of tissue paper, individual pre-weighted bags of powder, individual “pre-weighted” bags of CoW, and a quantity of extra CoW for just in case. CAUTION – make sure the plug is in really well. Last thing you want to do is dump a load of powder and CoW into your action. Consider elevating your rifle as you load and fire rounds – one after another, single-shot style, NO mag feed. AND be very careful where the muzzle is pointed – what comes out the muzzle will still be seriously dangerous.
Lastly, they also have a very reasonably priced single-station press - https://leeprecision.com/classic-cast for $260 – or, that press, their .50 BMG die set, ++ for $425… if you are doing .50 BMG (their only with-dies option).
NOTE: Going forward, they recommend that you use their sizing lube, $6/tube. Worth it.
NO, I’m not a Lee shill. Just thinking that some would-be large-cartridge reloaders would find that Lee has viable solutions for intro-to reloading thru long-term reloading. Their online catalog is at https://leeprecision.com/product-catalog-request (just hit the “full screen” button to view online).
