I am going to be loading for a 45 ruger vaquero, and I will be ordering the lee dies. What I need to know is this; do I need to order the 4 die set with the factory crimp, or will the three die carbide set be sufficient? I won't be loading this up for any plus p loads.

I've been using mine for a lot of years. Only have the three die sets. Load for the 45 long colt, 44 mag, 357 mag and 40 S&W. They sure seem to work for me. I only use a single station press.

good luck on your reloading

I recently got the four-die set for .357; I had been using the Lee Loaders. The Classic Cast press is a big improvement. As to your question, I'm glad I went with the four-die set. Lee has the bullet seating and crimping in separate operations; I like it that way. The crimp is good; you can set it light or heavy by how much you turn in the top adjustor, and it's very even. From what I've read, most seem very happy with the factory crimp dies. I'm guessing the .45 will be pretty much the same process as what I'm using; one to size/deprime, one to flare the case mouth & load powder, next to seat the bullet, and lastly to crimp. For the price of Lee carbide dies, I'd say go for it.

I also have the classic press, and it is indeed a great piece of equipment. From what I see, the factory crimp is not critical, so I will be getting the three die set. Cabelas currently has the berry's 200 grain hp plated bullets for 14.99 for 250 bullets,and this will be ideal for target shooting and carrying in the woods. does anyone have a good load for this weight bullet?

I have used the 3 die Lee carbides in 44 mag, 32ACP amd 38 S&W. All work great. I now use the Lyman M die for cast bullet flairing in the 44Mag. I have Lee factory crimp dies in .308 and 30.06 but no data yet. My .308 is a single shot and shots best with no crimp.

Either set will work just fine. The factory crimp die is nice to have but the three die carbide set will give you a nice crimp as well, just not a separate operation.

I am going to be loading for a 45 ruger vaquero, and I will be ordering the lee dies. What I need to know is this; do I need to order the 4 die set with the factory crimp, or will the three die carbide set be sufficient? I won't be loading this up for any plus p loads.

The .45L responds best to an aggressive roll crimp

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that not getting the factory crimp die is a big mistake. Some of these guys have probably used the three die set for somelarge odd years with success, but consider this. The factory crimp die has the ability to regulate crimp with the turn of the knob. Also, case length doesn't matter due to the dies construction. Lastly, the carbide sizing ring ensures that if you try to overcrimp and bulge the case, it smooths the case out on the way down of the press stroke and you have a prefect round everytime. I saw a guy at the range with RCBS three die reloads in 357 mag and bulged cased, he couldn't figure out why 4-5 out of 50 of his reloads wouldn't chamber. I used an RCBS three die set for a while, and bought the crimp die from lee to go along with it. There is just too many things going on at once in the bullets seating die to ensure positively that everything is consistent. I have had SPECTACULAR results with my Lee four dies sets in 357, 41, and 45. Also, the thing is like $8.00 if you look around. What the heck else do you have better to do with eight dollars. We spent large money on premium bullets, premium guns, so go with the added convenience of the crimp die. Good news is, you can buy it separate if neccessary as an after thought. Even if you for some reason decide not to use it, you're only out $8.00, but if you decide you need it, you're out a week of shooting with shipping and handling!!!

P.S. Sierra reloading manual openly advocates the four die set...