MissionaryMike Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 For those of you using these, or who have used these, what's your assessment? I can understand the benefit of re-sizing cases ever so slightly under in order to aid the round in fitting into a chamber or case gauge. I'm just wondering if there are any concerns with that though, like: how does it affect accuracy, is there more potential for cast bullets (or any kind) to bulge, will I need to order custom, undersize bullets, etc.? As always, I'm grateful for your input, MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcs Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 Same size bullets used. I use Lee-U and never case gauge. They all work if OAL and crimp is correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonman16 Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 They add NECK TENSION to help prevent possible bullet set back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfalcon00 Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 I run all lee dies for my pistol stuff and have never found a need for the u die. Which is made by Lee I believe. I have heard of out of spec sizing dies from lee but have never came across one myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Shooter Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Range pickup .40 brass sized in my U die goes into match chambers forward or backward. No accuracy degradation. It used to be that you could only get them through EGW, but I believe there are other sources now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpaw Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 I'm curious about the U dies as well. Are there any downsides such as decreased brass life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonman16 Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 The "U" dies size down approx .001 more than a standard sizing die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregJ Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I've been using them for over 2 years now for my 45ACP Major loads. Best thing since sliced bread. Previously, I had a lot of setback issues with mixed headstamp brass. I had to sort my brass to make sure certain headstamps were used just for matches. I tried Hornady, RCBS, and Dillon dies, all same results. With the EGW, no sorting by headstamps, no more setback. Life is much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissionaryMike Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 With the EGW.... Life is much better. That seals it. I'm getting a couple today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I'm curious about the U dies as well. Are there any downsides such as decreased brass life?Nah! There really are no downsides to a Udie. They are a great tool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmella Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Started with a hornady "custom grade" and had set back issues, couldn't figure out what was going on. Went to a lee U Die and never had another problem. I will say that junk brass like Tullammo still fails the case gauge almost everytime even with the U Die. The U die is the way to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDA Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I don't have any experience with the U die but I thought they can be a little more difficult to use on a progressive press (as they size the case down further than a typical die so they have a smaller opening) and you are working the brass more (not sure that matters to much as most brass is lost before it is overworked). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I don't have any experience with the U die but I thought they can be a little more difficult to use on a progressive press (as they size the case down further than a typical die so they have a smaller opening) and you are working the brass more (not sure that matters to much as most brass is lost before it is overworked).I worried at first also. However, I have loaded some of my 9MAJOR brass so many times I lost count. With good case lube there is little to no resistance while loading on a 650. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDA Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I don't have any experience with the U die but I thought they can be a little more difficult to use on a progressive press (as they size the case down further than a typical die so they have a smaller opening) and you are working the brass more (not sure that matters to much as most brass is lost before it is overworked).I worried at first also. However, I have loaded some of my 9MAJOR brass so many times I lost count. With good case lube there is little to no resistance while loading on a 650. How about the progressive press issue, alignment is a little more critical with a U-die than a standard die correct? I suppose if you set-up your press and dies properly it isn't an issue but it is worth noting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmella Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 As far as difficulty loading on a progressive, Ive never had a problem. Sarge is right, case lube is your friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmella Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I have a lock n load BTW adjust the pawls so it indexes correctly and no issues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I don't have any experience with the U die but I thought they can be a little more difficult to use on a progressive press (as they size the case down further than a typical die so they have a smaller opening) and you are working the brass more (not sure that matters to much as most brass is lost before it is overworked).I worried at first also. However, I have loaded some of my 9MAJOR brass so many times I lost count. With good case lube there is little to no resistance while loading on a 650. How about the progressive press issue, alignment is a little more critical with a U-die than a standard die correct? I suppose if you set-up your press and dies properly it isn't an issue but it is worth noting. Take care in aligning dies and the press can run full throttle with no issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpaw Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I'm curious about the U dies as well. Are there any downsides such as decreased brass life?Nah! There really are no downsides to a Udie. They are a great tool Excellent, thanks! I'll pick one up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDA Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I don't have any experience with the U die but I thought they can be a little more difficult to use on a progressive press (as they size the case down further than a typical die so they have a smaller opening) and you are working the brass more (not sure that matters to much as most brass is lost before it is overworked).I worried at first also. However, I have loaded some of my 9MAJOR brass so many times I lost count. With good case lube there is little to no resistance while loading on a 650. How about the progressive press issue, alignment is a little more critical with a U-die than a standard die correct? I suppose if you set-up your press and dies properly it isn't an issue but it is worth noting. Take care in aligning dies and the press can run full throttle with no issue. I consider buying one just to try it but haven't had any issues with my Redding Competition dies so I haven't bothered. To summarize, the U-die sizes further down the case and sizes the brass between .002" and .003" below SAAMI specifications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayohee Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I have one in 9mm and love it. Crimp is set to .378 and 99% of my ammo case gauges in the Shock Bottle Hundo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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