What's the best value for the proper set of .444 dies for loading cast bullets? The Lyman die set with the M die and the additional purchase of a Lee FCD seems the way to go, but I'm not sure if I'm looking in the right direction here. The Lee die sets for these no longer include the FCD as part of the set from what I can tell. Does the FCD work properly with the .431-.432 bullets?

Thanks.

I use the Lee Dies. All the large straight wall calibers do not include the FCD. They include a Powder through Expanding Die that will flare the case just right (user adjustable) for the case to accept any cast bullet. Order the FCD, it works just fine with any diameter cast bullet.

I have Lee and Redding dies for my 444. I prefer the Lee dies. They are easier to use and cost a lot less.

Lee all the way...

Just picked up a set of Lee dies at the gun show. No choice really; all I could find! I did get the FCD separately. $36 for the set + the FCD. I'll have to take apart the Lee expander and compare it to my Lymans (and homemade expanders). Since I already have a .44 mag "M" expander, might be able to use that.

I got my new Lee .444 dies working today. Couple of observations:

1. The Lee expander is fine for cast bullets of any size. It's sort of a compromise between the Lyman "M" and a classic tapered expander. It does leave a bit of a step in the case for the bullet base to sit on (good), but the top diameter is slightly tapered instead of parallel. Not a big deal, just have to watch out that the case mouth doesn't get flared any more than you'd like.

2. The bad.... the seater/crimp die stuck a 0.432" bullet up in it. Looks like it's bored too tight for cast bullets of this size. Will have to investigate further, but the solution was to screw the seater plug down (and the die up) till the bullet cleared. Then I used the Lee FCD to crimp. Perfect! Generally I seat/crimp in two steps anyway, so not a problem.

As it turned out, I was using the Beartooth 290gr. LNFGC, and it doesn't have a crimp groove that is set up for the typical Marlin short throat. No problem..... the FCD puts a perfect crimp anywhere you want on a cast bullet!

Mike,
thanks for the review, some of the tips will be especially helpful since I think I'll be getting the same dies you have.

Ive never been a big fan of Lees rifle dies, except for their collet series.....they just dont have the smooth feel that my RCBS ones offer in my opinion. I use RCBS's 3 die set for my 444...ive loaded probably 2000 rounds using them and havent had any complaints about them. Really, either set will load ammo just as well as the other...it just comes down to personal preference and unless im doing neck sizing only, i prefer RCBS.

I typically like the dies in a green box also, but they are usually Redding. I've used lots of RCBS die sets, so I'm familiar with their product as well as Redding. I decided to try some different brands of die sets with new chamberings to see if there is that big of a difference between them. The .444 and .250 Savage will see the Lee dies and the 300 H&H is being loaded with Hornady.