9mm dies

[Jim E]

Need a little advise on which die set(s) for reloading 9mm. I use a Hornady LNL and up until now have not considered reloading this caliber.
The intended ammo use is for non-competition 115 gr range fire and possibly some 124 gr SD. Jacketed bullets only. I may also consider reloading 45 ACP.
I have looked at all the reloading stickies and really have no preference except having a separate crimping die.
I currently load 44 rem mag and 50 AE mostly due to the cost of the ammo.

Thanks in advance 

[George16]

I used Dillon, Lee and Redding competition die for my Dillon reloading machines. All three work well as designed.

I have used all three brands in reloading 9mm ammo for both match and practice ammo. However, I used the Redding completion die set for my match Major ammo because the micrometer seating die is more consistent and easier to adjust. The Lee is used for minor PF Competition ammo for my shadow 2, TSO, X5 amp MPX while the Dillon set is mainly used for loading practice minor PF ammo.

You won’t go wrong with any of the brands. Just make sure the dies are setup properly.

[Earl Keese]

If you buy Hornady 9x19 dies, be sure to get the set that will taper crimp. I crimp with a separate die, so its not an issue for me, just something to be aware of.

[bobjd]

I have used Lee and Dillon and am happy with both. I used the Lee dies on both Lee and Dillon presses and they worked without issue.

[NMShooter]

Currently I’m using Redding for 9MM and am happy with them. I use Hornady for my 10MM, which I bought because they were on the shelf but don’t really like them, especially the sizing die. Thinking about going to Redding for 10 as well.

[Wobbly]

Need a little advise on which die set(s) for reloading 9mm. I have looked at all the reloading stickies and really have no preference except having a separate crimping die.

We try not to get into "brand wars" on this board. All the reloading equipment made today is really first rate. Thus, the quality of all the ammo made is also "first rate". The only real difference these days is how fast you made the ammo. Did you spend 3 hours or 30 minutes ? And there are very personal reasons for that time expenditure.

The main difference between die brands is going to be 1) how the powdering is done, and 2) case mouth expansion. For instance, if you have a Lee press and Lee powder measure, then the only way to attach the powder measure without getting overly complicated is with Lee dies. Same for the Hornady press.

Obviously the Hornady press was designed to lead you toward buying Hornady dies. These are "feature rich" dies with the added benefit of exchangeable bullet anvils. If you intend to play around with a number of bullet shapes, then this can be a great feature to have. Maybe not on "day one", but down the road for sure.

Thus, in a serious shopper mode, Horandy is the minimum die brand to look at. Yes, you could also work with Dillon or Redding, but both those choices are exactly twice the price (new) of the Hornady. And honestly, I don't think you get twice the value, so unless you have a buddy that's going to sell you a Dillon die set for $35, I don't think you want to go that way. And you could go the opposite direction with Lee or RCBS, but you'd be loosing features with the sole advantage being lower entry price.

So in the end the only firm decision I can lead you to is to do your Taper Crimp in a separate station. This is done by setting up your Seating Die 1/2 turn higher than the die instructions show, and then adding an optional 9mm (or 45ACP) Taper Crimp Die in the last station. Since this die has no moving parts and is little more than a hollow tube, the Lee Taper Crimp Die represents a tremendous value at $13.

Hope this helps.

[Jim E]

Thank you Wobbly. As said, I have no particular favorite manufacturer and certainly appreciate the "brand wars" statement. I do intend to use the powder thru expander on the LNL.
If I may ask, on the Lee taper crimp dies what is your view of the standard vs factory crimp? I've read good things on both dies.

[George16]

Both taper and FCD work well.

However, the  FCD swages the bullet also to .355” so I don’t like using it when loading bullets measuring .356”. The taper crimp just remove the flare of the case and doesn’t swage the bullet to a smaller diameter.

[Wobbly]

George about nailed it.

I think the FCD can create problems that weren't there. The primary issue as far as I understand might be caused by the taper on 9mm Luger case.

If you wanted to use it on the straight-walled 38Special you might be OK... ironing out case wall bumps that might keep the round from chambering. OK I get it. But the 9mm is strangely unique with that tapered case. We've had several instances here over the years where the FCD was taking specially ordered 0.358" Lead bullets and sizing them down to 0.355". It totally defeated the special order bullets.

And trying to correct all previous steps in the final step is just weird. If you're creating ammo that's not to spec, it makes far more sense to fix a problem at the source. I mean it's sort of like checking your kid after he's already on the school bus for consumed breakfast, clean undies, and completed homework.

 

[Grendel]

I started off with a 3 piece set of HDY 9mm dies on my Lee Turret and could not get a consistent crimp. I now use the Lee 4 die set and it's a different world.

[SoCal]

I also have a LnL and have used Hornady, Lee, Redding and Lyman dies, I just love to experiment.  My favorite setup (for 9MM) is the Lee U-die, Lyman M expander die next Hornady powder measure (With glass hopper) then Redding micrometer seating die (but NOT for plated bullets) and any taper crimp die.  The Redding is easy to adjust BUT I have had problems with coated bullets.  YMMV.

For range brass I think the Lee U-die and the Lyman M die are the way to go, if you are only using new or professionally processed brass it's not as important.

The big advantage to the Redding die is ease of adjustment, I think the Hornady with their micrometer seating stem would work very well, that is my next experiment.

Is all this necessary NO but it makes accurate consistent bullets for me.

Please remember those who served and are serving.

[Jim E]

Thank all of you for your input. I will probably go with the Lee 4 die set and both of the Lee taper crimp dies. I suspect either die will function fine for my application. Again, I'm only interested in loading jacketed projectiles.

[bang bang]

Need a little advise on which die set(s) for reloading 9mm. I use a Hornady LNL and up until now have not considered reloading this caliber.
The intended ammo use is for non-competition 115 gr range fire and possibly some 124 gr SD. Jacketed bullets only. I may also consider reloading 45 ACP.
I have looked at all the reloading stickies and really have no preference except having a separate crimping die.
I currently load 44 rem mag and 50 AE mostly due to the cost of the ammo.

Thanks in advance 

for what its worth, if you are brand loyal, go for it.  you will get what you want.

you may find that every die has it own +/-.   what i like about LEEs is that the decapper is a stuck case remover also.  Dont know if you've had any stuck cases, but when you do, you may find that the decapper can push the stuck case out, as long as the base is still intact.

If you want the TC dies, look at the set with it included.  I forget the name they call it, but you can get the set with it  if you want.

[CzechnoWizard]

I use the lee 4 die carbide set in my LNL ap to great success.
- no lubing cases, thanks to carbide sizer

- I use the supplied Lee expander die in station 2, not the Hornady Powder-thru Expander that goes in the powder drop.

-I use the hornady powder drop in station 3.  It mounts in the hornady quick change powder die, not affected by choice of brand for your die set

- bullet seating die in station 4, adjusted to only seat, no crimp

- FCD in station 5

Ammo has always been highly accurate, consistent, reliable.

I only wish the LNL had a couple more stations. I'd like to run a powder cop without having to resort to using the PTX to free up a station.  Also would like room for a bullet feeder while running my current 4 dies.


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[Jim E]

Thanks guys. I have had good results with the Hornady PTX. The setup does take some patience. What problems have you encountered with the PTX?