6 Best Reloading Dies [What to Look For & Avoid in 2024]

Congratulations! You’ve discovered the cost-effective process of reloading ammo! (Well, or you’re looking to expand equipment/knowledge/whatever). You may already know what a reloading press is and its general function — to manually produce your own ammo from used casings rather than buy ’em from the store.

Most reloading presses require a powder scale, a dial caliper, a tumbler for cleaning your brass, and a high-quality reloading die set. This article is all about the best reloading dies money can buy.

A set of 2 dies is minimum — one resizes/deprimes the ammo, and one crimps it. Anything beyond a set of 2 dies is icing on top of the cake.

Regardless of your current knowledge, Gun University ensures you have all the tools needed to make the most informed decision possible — including convenient links to buy on Amazon and other places.

List of Best Reloading Dies

Top Reloading Dies

1. Redding Type S Match Bushing Full Die Sets		Uses interchangeable sizing bushings to control neck size and tension Bushings available in hardened steel and with a titanium nitride coating	On Amazon
2. RCBS Gold Medal Match Reloading Die Set		Possibly the finest reloading dies built by RCBS Sizer die uses a self-centering changeable neck bushing, allowing for accurate tension on the casing	Check price
3. Hornady Series II Taper Crimp Die Set		Made from titanium nitride, rather than steel or carbide Does not require lube because of the carbide expander button	On Amazon
4. Lee Precision 38-55 3 Die Set		Includes built-in stuck-case remover Comes with powder dipper and universal shell holder	On Amazon
5. Lyman 223 Rem Carbide Deluxe Rifle 3 Die Set		Includes Deluxe Carbide Expander Assembly and decapping pin Does not require inside-neck lube, thanks to the neck-expanding button	On Amazon
6. Lee Precision Deluxe Pistol 4 Die Set		Includes free powder measurer and load data sheet Separates the seating and crimping operation, allowing for simpler adjustments	On Amazon

Best Reloading Die Rundown

1. Redding Type S Match Bushing Full Die Sets
2. RCBS Gold Medal Match Reloading Die Set
3. Hornady Series II Taper Crimp Die Set
4. Lee Precision 38-55 3 Die Set
5. Lyman 223 Rem Carbide Deluxe Rifle 3 Die Set
6. Lee Precision Deluxe Pistol 4 Die Set

Best Reloading Die Sets: Individual Reviews

Now that we’ve had an overview look at our list, let us take the time to review each Reloading Die Set individually. This section will look at each specific entry.

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How To Reload Ammo

Reloading your own ammo is a time-consuming yet rewarding habit that boasts numerous benefits.

For certain presses, reloading a single round of ammunition may require multiple steps, many adjustments, and numerous types of dies and other components. For other presses, one pull of the lever is all you need.

There are 3 main types of presses:

1. Single-stage press
2. Progressive press
3. Turret press

These presses each have their own pros and cons. Each ranges in difficulty of use. Let’s cover all 3 really quickly.

Single-Stage Press

Best Single Stage Reloading Press is an excellent read if you want to know more.

Progressive Press

If you’re looking for speed and high volume (not so much perfect precision), read our article on the Best Progressive Reloading Presses.

Turret Press

Unlike competitors, our Best Turret Press article covers the highest quality turret reloading presses without any other type creeping in.

What is a reloading die?

What is a reloading die? A reloading die is a critical component of a reloading press intended for the uncapping, resizing, bullet seating, and/or crimping of the casing. You need different dies for each action. Good reloading press kits usually include 3-4 dies in a set.

The quality of your reloading dies can make or break the quality of rounds you are producing. This can directly affect your safety at the gun range.

Pro tip: Don’t put too little powder in your casing when you reload ammo. Not enough powder may mean a bullet stuck in the chamber, which could lead to an exploding firearm.

Benefits of Reloading Dies

The benefits of reloading dies, a necessary part of the reloading process:

What reloading dies should I buy? 4 Questions To Ask Yourself

The type of reloading die set you should buy depends on the calibers of rounds you plan on utilizing these sets for.

Before deciding upon a type of die set, ask yourself 4 questions:

1. “What caliber of ammo do I plan on reloading?”

Each die set is only for the intended caliber. You might want to start with your most commonly used ammo and see if you want to expand to your other calibers needed. Check and make sure that your press can accommodate a larger, long range caliber before purchasing a desired die set. 

Simple 2-die sets usually contain a full length sizing die and seating die. The 3- and 4-die sets obviously contain extra components that help with powder and crimping.

2. “What are the different types of dies?”

Not all dies are universal. You need to figure out which types of dies you need. Make sure the die set you select will manufacture the proper ammunition for your specific cartridges.

Here are the different dies you may receive in a die set:

• removes the old primer and reshapes the case into its desired caliber
• trimming the casings is important for reloading rifle or high-caliber rounds, less often for pistol rounds
• accurately aligns and securely seats the bullet within its casing — also called a bullet seater die, this can make adjustments to the nearest micrometer with the addition of a seating stem
• common for handgun ammo, adds reinforced strength to the case neck of your rounds
• resizes the mouth of your casing, allowing for the seating process to occur — an expander die only necessary when using a progressive reloader with an auto-indexing feature

3. “Which reloading dies are interchangeable?”

All reloading dies generally have the same size thread. Therefore, you can use them in various brands of different reloading presses. But it is always wise to check thread dimensions. 

The exception to this is with some of the older model presses. As long as the diameter of the threads is compatible with your press, then you’re safe.

4. “Which die material is best for me?”

Die sets generally come in steel or carbide. Although steel dies are cheaper, you can get more than 18 times the amount of uses from carbide dies.

You get what you pay for.

Looking for more firearm info?

Hopefully, our list helped you make an informed, confident decision about what you’re investing in. You must do your own research before making a large purchase like this, especially one that can dictate your safety at the range.

Also, if you haven’t reloaded before, we highly recommend reading a reloading manual to fully understand the time-consuming but money-saving process.

Completely new to guns? Here is a great place to start that covers the basics.

If you are not new to guns, and simply want to know more about which firearm to purchase, you can always count on our trustworthy recommendations for firearms themselves as well! Here’s rifles and here’s how to buy a gun online.