So, I just figured out my 30 year old press is an RCBS and still in good condition!  Looking at ordering these dies from Amazon "RCBS 22115 Carbide Die Set, .40 S&W/10MM auto".  Kind of wondering if they are a good die set?  Also, when I used to reload 44 Mags and rifle cartridges I used to measure every load with a beam/balance type scale, what are most using for scales these days?  Might look at a powder drop (as I am sure my old one is not worth using anymore, plastic components are probably in bad shape), any recommendations there would be appreciated.  I have a tumbler, but any other recommendations to getting back into it would be appreciated!

The Dies are good dies, however I have dealt with many range brass as shot from various chambers and guns, some of these have case expansion that is very low and some regular sizing dies don't reach the affected area.  Therefore I use a Pass-Through method of reconditioning my 10mm, 40S&W, 357Sig and 9x25Dillon brass.  This pushes a brass casing up and through a sizing die and out the top.  I use a LEE FCD with the guts removed to do this process.

There is two methods of doing the Pass-Through method, also a video is linked in the 4th page of post.
http://10mm-firearms.com/reloading-10mm-ammo/pass-thru-sizing-using-lee-fcd/

I also use the RCBS Uniflow powder dispenser to drop my charges, have a trickler dispenser to kernel powder a speck at a time in the scale pan when using the RCBS 5-10 beam scale to weigh all of my loading charges.  (If you still have your older beam scale you will want to clean it well especially in the "V" blocks and the "V" bar on the balance bar.) 
I have a cheap digital scale which I use to find unknown weights, while it will yield accurate weights, it can and does drift so it needs to be re zeroed often and on the grain scale it only reads even numbers in the tenths of a grain 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 but I understand its limitations and can deal with them.

Quote from: The_Shadow on February 02 2015 09:41:49 PM MST
The Dies are good dies, however I have dealt with many range brass as shot from various chambers and guns, some of these have case expansion that is very low and some regular sizing dies don't reach the affected area.  Therefore I use a Pass-Through method of reconditioning my 10mm, 40S&W, 357Sig and 9x25Dillon brass.  This pushes a brass casing up and through a sizing die and out the top.  I use a LEE FCD with the guts removed to do this process.

There is two methods of doing the Pass-Through method, also a video is linked in the 4th page of post.
http://10mm-firearms.com/reloading-10mm-ammo/pass-thru-sizing-using-lee-fcd/

I also use the RCBS Uniflow powder dispenser to drop my charges, have a trickler dispenser to kernel powder a speck at a time in the scale pan when using the RCBS 5-10 beam scale to weigh all of my loading charges.  (If you still have your older beam scale you will want to clean it well especially in the "V" blocks and the "V" bar on the balance bar.) 
I have a cheap digital scale which I use to find unknown weights, while it will yield accurate weights, it can and does drift so it needs to be re zeroed often and on the grain scale it only reads even numbers in the tenths of a grain 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 but I understand its limitations and can deal with them.

Thanks, I was just reading that thread.  I was looking at the Redding G-RX for full length sizing, but I need to go back and look at the Lee.  I also was just on Amazon looking at the RCBS Chargemaster scale, but I am pretty sure my old one is a RCBS beam scale.  Heck, if folks are still using them I can!

Just looking on Amazon there are 5 different uniflow powder dispensers!

What Shadow says - and The uniflow (RCBS) powder drop should be at the top of your list..

Doug

Welcome back to reloading.

Go out and get a new Lee Classic Turret ...( or a kit if you need the extras).  It will include a fairly good power drop ( +/- .1 - .2 gr ) for most of yr reloading ( depends on powder ). This will handle most range ammo...save the individual measuring for the special loads.

Turn the older press into a pass-thru with the LEE FCD and/or use it for other jobs such as priming, rifle rounds, etc  Always good to have more than one press.

I have lots of Lee gear.  I am not a detractor of cheap stuff if it works well.  Over half my dies are Lee dies, I have three Lee presses on my bench.  I use Lee case trimmers, Lee hand prime, lots of Lee bullet molds and two Lee lead furnaces.

I have used both the Lee powder drop and the RCBS uniflow.  There is no comparison.  The RCBS product is light years ahead of the Lee in build quality and usability.  The Lee product works, but at my bench it never gets used.

I also have that exact RCBS die set, and it is a quality set.  However, it is not worth $30 more than the Lee 10mm dies set.  I also have that one.

I suggest this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Carbide-4-Die-Grey/dp/B000O7D7TU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422976273&sr=8-2&keywords=10mm+dies

Includes the shell holder ($11 for RCBS #27 after you buy the dies) and the factory crimp die Shadow mentioned that can be used for pass thru sizing.  And it is $10 cheaper than just the RCBS three die set that doesn't include a shell holder.

The LEE dies are OK if you don't take them in and out of the press all the time, the reason is the "O" ring lock ring is not a positive lock setting like those on the RCBS die set.  You might want a more positive lock ring setup.  You can set the set screw and the RCBS dies can be removed and reinstalled without losing their settings.  Yes RCBS should include a shell holder at the price they are charging.  Progressive presses use a shell plate and to change or buy one can cost a fair amount of $$$.

Yes, I have some LEE dies, 45ACP carbide (they work well) also a 357Sig non carbide they have started to gaul the casings being a steel set, even with prior pass through sizing and still using lube the cases were showing marks.  I quickly replaced the 357Sig LEE set with Dillon because the results I was getting with the 9x25Dillon die set which has dual carbide sizing sections.  These are only the sizer die, seater die (no crimp) and the crimp die, while these are expensive, I got them used for a good price as compared to the Dillon prices. (OUCH)  But their performance is well worth the price.

Seeing he already has a RCBS press, Dies and shell holder whether they are RCBS or the LEE 4 die set up, he should be good to go.  He could even make a casing push pin from a piece of 3/8" steel rod in a 357Sig casing for pass through use.

I will say Dillon, RCBS and Lyman's lifetime warranty out shines LEE's two year.

Decisions, Decisions it all comes down to $$$ and needs! 

I have never had an issue with my lee dies moving.  If it concerns you, for the price of the RCBS dies and shell holder, you can get the lee four die set and a set of five RCBS lock rings:

http://www.amazon.com/RCBS-8-14-Die-Lock-Ring-Pack/dp/B001OPLIRO/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1422990617&sr=1-2&keywords=die+lock+rings&pebp=1422990622349&peasin=B001OPLIRO

The other thing that happens to me is I move dies often between presses with different deck heights.  Means I have to adjust them each time anyway.

Yes, I have done that to several die sets especially the Dillon dies which only have a nut to lock.  Those LEE dies it seems I move them with a gorilla grip at times...
Yes, different presses do have different deck heights even by the same manufacture.  So those will need to be adjusted.
I think it is why I do so much on my RCBS Jr. the feel appeal gives a added dimension when working with the seating and taper finish work.

Here lately with all the pull downs and re assembly of all the ammo, has me with depriming pins removed, so I can resize and case neck expand, before putting things back together and with the vastly different of seating depths, my seater and crimp dies have the seater stems being adjusted, as I match them back up.   

The good thing is those spacer rings I use for those with different expansion, crimp settings.  The 1/8" ring makes up the difference between the die being set for 40S&W and placing the 1/8" spacer under the locking ring makes the dies correct for the 10mm.  The spacers can be used with several different dies for cartridges of different lengths...38/357 & 44 spl & 44Mag.

These rings also make the neck expansion for 9mm (no spacers) the 357Sig (one spacer) and the 9x25Dillon (two spacers) possible with no adjustments to the locking ring...So I have learned many ways of making the best of my dies!

I've been loading for 10mm since the late 80s
I use the same Lee (original) Turret Press I've used for over thirty years
The RCBS Carbide Dies are the only Die Sets I use, but I do use the Lee Carbide Pass Thru/Bulge Buster on Cases that don't pass the Wilson Cartridge Gauge Test
And throw Powder using the RCBS Little Dandy
I have a set of thirty Rotors, 00 thru 28 (27 and 28 are custom Rotors)

Thanks guys, but I think I'll stick with the old press.  I ordered the RCBS dies and case holder, but the Lee set does look nice.  The scale and powder drop I have are RCBS, so until I head up to my father's ranch I won't know if they need replacing or not...  I did look at the RCBS ChargeMaster digital scale, looks nice, but is it worth the $170 cost?  I believe in my old equipment I have a deprimer and all the trays and other accessories.

I am going to try and get it all this weekend, funny thing is when I started talking to my father about it today, he also got interested in reloading some rifle cartridges for hunting!  It was fun when we worked up 270 and 243 loads for best grouping type work, then would go deer hunting together...

If I find that I have the time and enjoy reloading the 10mm (probably 40 S&W and 44 mag), I'll probably look seriously at a progressive setup, but don't want to go overboard before reacquainting myself with the tools.  Also, I have a feeling I'll pay a lot more attention going one at a time versus a progressive setup!!!

One more question, on the Glock 20, is it best to get a KKM or other barrel to help the brass out a little?  I have read all the post on the forum about the looseness of the standard stock barrel...  If so, is the KKM a good choice?  The rounds will be shot in a S&W 1006, Glock 20, and Glock 29 (maybe a S&W 610 if I can find one for the right price).

Many have sworn by KKM, I have two Storm Lake but they were like early on 2007.  Some had issues with the freebore/truing cone area in later years.   I have several LWD conversion barrels in 357Sig and 9x25 and they are very good tolerances in these cartridges...

I am giving some serious thought to a 9" LWD for the G-20 just because! 

The other thing that happens to me is I move dies often between presses with different deck heights.  Means I have to adjust them each time anyway.
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check out the Hornady quick change lock and load system. If your press has a removable bushing you can install theirs and set it at the same height as your other press you're switching dies back and forth to.  Now they load to the same length when you pull the handle.

Quote from: cwall64 on February 03 2015 08:23:36 PM MST
One more question, on the Glock 20, is it best to get a KKM or other barrel to help the brass out a little?  I have read all the post on the forum about the looseness of the standard stock barrel..snip...

Yes , the Glock stock barrel is a bit loose ( done for reliability factor ).  Getting a after market barrel will help if you think it's needed.

I use the stock barrel and reload.  Most of my target rounds are warm ( 180gr & 10.4 Bdot).  Can say that I really can't remember a target reload that didn't pass the Min-Max gauge after running thru a stock Lee die set. If it fits the gauge, it will fit any gun.

I have had some very hot loads fail to re work the same way ( basic Lee die set ) and required running thru the full case forming... these were like Buffalo Bore ( and other proven Hot rounds ). So, these I set aside right from the start.
After a full case re-forming, they passed the Min-Max gauge and get thrown into the target load brass pile ( no other problems after with those cases ).