Are reloading dies and presses interchangeable?

[Ken]

Hi all,

I've had a bit of a bash at reloading on a friends setup so hardly the expert, but am looking to start reloading my own ammo more seriously now.

Been reading reviews and opinions on the various reloading brands, obviously there's lots of different opinions on what's best. People like Lyman, Hornady, RCBS, Redding, Lee and so on...

The next problem is availability...

I've stopped in a few times to have a poke around in a local gun store or two, and stock is usually all over the place. They have a press, but not dies, or have dies but no kit or whatever...

Question is, are the presses and reloading dies interchangeable? i.e. if I see the RCBS rock chucker supreme kit today, but my LGS didn't have the RCBS dies in stock... I forgot to ask at the time but if I go for another brand of dies will they work with the press?

Cheers.

[Blackened]

For the most part, yes.

Standard Hornady reloading dies will fit in the RCBS press and so on.

There are a few exceptions, a couple of systems with proprietary die designs to maintain seating depth after changing dies in the press and so on, but for the most part, yes.

Double check with GS staff before buying anything obviously, but you shouldn't have any problems.

[Vati]

Redding, Hornady and Lee dies will all work with the RCBS press.

Couldn't say 100% for Lyman dies as I haven't used them myself, but I'd be pretty confident they're the same....

[Redwood]

Couldn't say 100% for Lyman dies as I haven't used them myself, but I'd be pretty confident they're the same....

I've used Lyman, they will work as above, same as RCBS, Hornady dies...

[RealNick]

Yeah, in 9/10 cases they are the same unless you buy something specialised.