At a Glance: Best 9mm Reloading Dies
- OUR TOP PICK: Lee Precision 4 Die Deluxe Pistol Die Set
- RRUNNER UP: Lee Precision Pistol Carbide 3-Die Set
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Redding Premium Handgun Die Sets
Comparison Of The Best 9mm Reloading Die
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick
|
Lee Precision 4 Die Deluxe Pistol Die Set |
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View Latest Price |
Our Top Pick
|
Lee Precision Pistol Carbide 3-Die Set |
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View Latest Price |
Our Top Pick
|
Redding Premium Handgun Die Sets |
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View Latest Price |
What Is A Reloading Die?
Reloading dies are the most important component of your reloading toolkit.
The main purposes of reloading dies are to resize/deprime and trim the case, seat the bullet, and crimp the case mouth. You fix your reloading dies onto your reloading press and use them to complete the production of each round. There are five main types of 9mm reloading dies, although not all of them are essential. In general, the more reloading dies you’re using during the reloading process, the better the end result of your rounds will be. Any shooter worth their salt will eventually invest in their own reloading tools. I say ‘invest’ because buying a 9mm reloading die set and a reloading press can save you a lot of money compared to buying pre-made ammo. You’ll also produce ammo higher quality than the factory made stuff. You want to shoot the best ammo, so you’ll naturally want to buy the best 9mm reloading dies.
The Best Reloading Die for 9mm
There are 9mm reloading dies to suit beginner reloaders all the way through to professional competition shooters. The set that you choose to buy will depend on your specific needs and your budget. Here are the best 9mm reloading dies on the market today.
Lee Precision 4 Die Deluxe Pistol Die Set
Lee Precision has been serving the reloading community for decades and their Deluxe Pistol 4-Die Set is a high-quality collection of 9mm reloading dies that comes in at an affordable price. The company has some of the most popular reloading presses and die sets in the industry thanks to their precise engineering and fair prices.
This 4-die set comes with a carbide full-length resizing/depriming die, a bullet seating die, a powder-through expanding die, and a carbide factory crimp die to secure the bulletin the case. It also includes a powder dipper, a shell holder, and Lee’s highly regarded load data.
This is a 9mm reloading die set to suit the everyday shooter who is looking for something that gets the job done without having to pay for any unnecessary bells and whistles. The set is built to last and the carbide dies will do a better job than standard steel dies. It should see you through a lifetime of reloading, assuming you take proper care of them.
The Deluxe Pistol Die Set will give you maximum precision for your rounds, and it’ll help you to ensure they’re safe to fire, assuming you take the proper care while reloading. The set comes in the eight most popular pistol calibers. You’ll need an individual set for each caliber.
Pros
- 4-die set has everything you need to reload reliable 9mm ammo
- Affordable price
- Includes shell plate, powder feeder, and Lee load data
- Carbide construction is built to last
- No need to lubricate carbide dies
- Easy to set up on your press and use
- Packaging includes a handy box for neat storage
- Good warranty
Cons
- Might not be enough for competition shooters
Lee Precision Pistol Carbide 3-Die Set
Designed for the 9mm reloader who doesn’t need a factory crimp die, the Lee Precision Pistol Carbide 3-Die Set is the ideal setup to ensure reliable and accurate 9mm ammo without having to break the bank. The set is the same as Lee’s Deluxe 4-Die set, just without the factory crimp die.
The Pistol Carbide 3-Die Set includes a carbide full-length resizing/depriming die, a powder-through expanding die, and a bullet seating die. In short, it has all the essentials necessary for reloading 9mm rounds. That being said, some users might miss the carbide factory crimp die.
The set also includes a useful shell holder, a powder dipper, and Lee Precision’s instructions and load data, which will help you to deliver accurate charges to each round.
The carbide resizing/depriming die doesn’t require lubrication, which will save you effort and money in the long run. It’s also built to last for a lifetime or reloading, assuming you take proper care of it.
For the shooter looking to get a basic reloading setup, you can’t really go wrong with Lee Precision. Their 9mm reloading die set is just another example of their fine manufacturing and attention to detail, resulting in an everyman’s reloading kit that is easy to use and reliable.
Pros
- Carbide resizing/depriming die is exceptional quality
- Built to last
- Shell plate, powder dipper, and load data included
- Packaging has a handy storage box
- Carbide die doesn’t need lubrication
- Easy to install on your press
- Good warranty
Cons
- No factory crimp die
- Likely won’t be enough for competition shooters
Redding Premium Handgun Die Sets
Redding is a company renowned for making some of the most premium competition-grade reloading die sets. Their Premium Handgun Die Set offers everything you’d expect and more. The price tag is relatively high compared to other entries on this list, but the quality and precision of the reloading dies speaks volumes. If you’re a high-volume reloader looking to upgrade to some of the best kits on the market, then this should certainly be on your radar.
The Premium Handgun Die Set includes a titanium carbide resizing/depriming die to handle the first step of the 9mm reloading process. It also features an expander die that has been coated in Titanium Nitrate for extra hardness and to reduce the build-up of brass on the die. The expander die has been designed to perfectly align with the center of the case to ensure that your rounds have factory-precision.
Finally, the set includes a bullet seating die with a micrometer that allows you to make fine-tuned adjustments to get the perfect bullet seating depth. This die also features a factory crimp, which finishes off the reloading process and leaves you with premium-quality 9mm ammo that you can rely on for accuracy.
Such high-quality construction and features don’t come cheap, but if you’re a serious shooter looking for an edge, then this set is recommended.
Pros
- Carbide dies will last for decades
- Dies don’t require lubrication
- Premium features in each die give you an edge
- Micrometer adjustments to bullet seating depth
- Includes crimp feature
- Ideal for competitive shooters
- Good warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- No case trimming die
Lee Precision Pistol Carbide Factory Crimp Die
If you’ve already got a basic 9mm reloading die set, then adding a factory crimp die will take your reloading to the next level. The Lee Precision Pistol Carbide Factory Crimp Die is an affordable and reliable way to secure your bullets in their casings and subsequently improve accuracy and reliability.
The Pistol Carbide Factory Crimp Die has a steel outer construction with a carbide internal ring. The ring connects to your case neck and crimps it to ensure that it is securely seated into the case. This is essential to ensure that there aren’t any issues when you fire the round.
This die also sizes the cartridge while crimping it, further adding to the reliability and accuracy of your completed 9mm ammo. What’s more, you can adjust the depth of the crimp with a simple screw. Like all Lee Precision products, it’s easy to use and built to last.
The Lee Precision Pistol Carbide Factory Crimp Die comes on its own in a handy storage box. No load data or instructions are included.
Pros
- Carbide dies don’t require case lubrication
- Affordable
- Crimped ammo is more reliable and accurate
- Easy to set up and use
- Can adjust the amount of crimp
- Sizes cartridge while crimping
- Good warranty
Cons
- Only one die included
- Different caliber dies sold separately
Hornady Custom Grade Handgun 3-Die Set with Taper Crimp
Hornady is a big name in the firearms industry and they’ve been providing excellent reloading solutions for decades. The Hornady Custom Grade Handgun 3-Die Set w/ Taper Crimp is an ideal kit for the everyday reloader looking for an affordable 9mm reloading kit that will stand the test of time.
The set includes a resizing/depriming die that has a Titanium Nitrate coated ring inside to perfectly resize cases without wearing down the brass too much. This allows your brass to last longer.
The set also includes an expander die and a bullet seater die with a built-in taper crimp to ensure the bullet is firmly secured in the case. The seating die perfectly aligns the case before seating the bullet to ensure a factory-standard finished round.
If you’re looking for something affordable that will produce reliable 9mm ammo for years to come, then Hornady’s Custom Grade Handgun 3-Die Set with Taper Crimp is certainly worth considering.
Pros
- 3-Die set with taper crimp has everything you need to reload reliable 9mm ammo
- Built to last
- Affordable
- Crimped ammo is more accurate
- Good warranty
Cons
- Shell plate and load data not included
- Might not suit competitive shooters
How To Choose Reloading Die
Choosing the best set of reloading dies can be a difficult process and there are many brands to choose from. You should always look to go with a reputable brand with a long history of serving the reloading community.
A good die set will have the following features:
- Made of stainless steel or carbide
- 9mm reloading die sets should include at least three dies
- A resizing/depriming die, a bullet seating die, and a factory crimp die are all essential
- Bonus points if you can easily change caliber when reloading
- Your die set MUST be compatible with your reloading press
- Saving money is always good, but don’t go too cheap with your reloading dies or your completed rounds will suffer the consequences
Carbide vs Steel Die
Carbide reloading dies perform better and last longer than steel reloading dies. They’re also more expensive but carbide dies are honestly the best way to resize straight handgun cartridges… This isn’t to say that steel reloading dies aren’t effective, it’s just that carbide reloading dies are more premium.
Steel dies are better for beginner reloaders considering the more affordable price tag. On average, they’ll last for around 40,000 cycles, while their carbide counterparts will generally go for around 750,000 cycles. As you can see, the carbide die sets are generally a better investment in the long run.
Types Of Reloading Dies
There are several types of 9mm reloading dies. Not all of them are essential, but if you want to shoot the best rounds, then having one of each will go a long way towards making this happen.
- Resizing/Depriming Die: This is the first reloading die you’ll need to use. When you fire a round, the explosion from the powder tends to manipulate the size of the case. This die puts it back to the SAMMI-specified shape and simultaneously extracts the spent primer.
- Case Trimming Die: The case trimming die isn’t essential, although you will notice a difference if you use it. When you fire a round, the case often elongates slightly. The case trimming die simply cuts off the excess length from the neck.
- Powder-through Expanding Die: This is another non-essential reloading die, but using it will give you a smoother reloading process and a better final result. This die expands the mouth of your case a little and charges it with powder.
- Bullet Seating Die: No reloading die set is complete without a bullet seating die. This die does exactly what it says on the tin: it seats the bullet in the case. After this is done, you can fire the round.
- Factory Crimp Die: The last die you’ll encounter in the reloading process is the factory crimp die. This isn’t essential for rifle ammo, but it is highly recommended when reloading pistol ammo. It crimps the case mouth around the bullet to ensure that it’s held on tight.
3-die sets vs 4-die sets
Three-die 9mm reloading die sets will always come with a resizing/depriming die, a bullet seating die, and usually, a factory crimp die. These are the three most important dies for reloading 9mm ammo, so you’ll want to get a 3-die set at least.
A 4-die set will also include a power-through expanding die, which will give you a smoother reloading process and help you to get a more precise result.
How To Use Your Reloading Dies
To use your reloading dies, you’ll need to have a single-stage or progressive reloading press at hand. Simply screw your reloading dies into the press and then place the case into the case holder on the press. Now you can pull the lever on your press to bring the case up into the reloading die. For most dies, it’s as simple as that. For the bullet seating die, you’ll need to place the bullet in the top of the case to allow the die to seat it.
Best 9mm Reloading Die
Overall, the Lee Precision 4 Die Deluxe Pistol Die Set is the best 9mm reloading die set on the market today. The incredible construction of the Lee Precision 4 dies will ensure that you have reliable and accurate 9mm ammo to shoot for years to come. While the price tag is high on this reloading die set, what you’re getting for your money is the best of the best.
Beginners may feel more comfortable with a Lee or a Hornady reloading die set, especially given that these sets are much more affordable.
