Hyphenated die sets ???

[MULEMAN]

What are the best die sets for these calibers ?? I think the general consenses is that the Lee 38-55 set is basically not 38-55 but actually .375. The RCBS 38-55 die set is better. So what about the others, for those who are looking at buying one. 38-40, 32-40, 32-20, 25-20.

[swany]

If I had to do it over again I would go with RCBS for my 38-55 but now that I know what to do with it to make it work I'm good to go.

The rest of the cals you have listed I see no problem with using the Lee sets (saves you money) but if you want the best quality I would go with the RCBS. Just a opinion on my part and I've never wore out a set of Lees yet.

[MULEMAN]

I doubt any of us will wear out a set of dies, not in this life anyway. I like the Lee sets that I have for some of my more modern cartridges. I guess I am more concerned with them being deminsionally correct for these older calibers. I would rather pay more and get a good set, than pay less and get some version of a modern caliber that is "close" as Lee did with the 375 / 38-55 die set. I have no problem getting a 38WCF, 32-40 etc. die set from Lee, as long as they are dimentionally correct. Hopefully some of you have used them successfully, if so I can save some money. If not I will get RCBS, which I know will be right for caliber.

[kerr]

I use Lee for the 25-20 and 218Bee . And have bought the Lee crimp dies for all cals.

[JBledsoe]

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I'm with Swany on this, the RCBS is very hard to beat. My 38-55 die set is a mix of parts that started as a Redding set that needed several alterations. For one, the bolt for the decapping pin is too small so any hang up in decapping destroyed the threaded rod. JB's law: if it can be, I can. Also, the expanded was too small.

[Aggie Desperado]

If you are shooting lead bullets, you may want to get the RCBS "Cowboy" dies. The expander plug is a little larger to accommodate the softer lead bullets. That is, expands the case a little more so you can use less force seating the bullets and won't deform those of softer alloys. I also use a Lee factory crimp die, rather than use the roll crimp built into the standard seat/crimp die.