I got a set of old RCBS carbide pistol dies today. The depriming function is combined with the expander and not the the FL sizer like current dies. Does anyone know when this changed? Was it due to progressive presses? I couldn't use them with my Dillon, but they work fine on my single stage.

Jeff

I bought my RCBS .45 Colt dies 25 years ago, and they have the decap stem in the sizing die, so it'd have to be before that time I guess.

I own RCBS carbide die sets that came set up to decap like yours but their sizer dies are threaded for bushings and decaping stems which I installed. Is the top of your sizer threaded?

I don't know what dates RCBS made changes but most of their dies have a year stamped on top.

Gil

If you own them and want to use them in your Dillon, you might be able to simply install a decapping pin in the sizer. The proper bushing and stem to fit the die should be available from RCBS or Huntington. On my Dillon 650 the powder measure is the case expander so you wouldn't be using that die anyway.

As K22fan stated, RCBS dies of that vintage will have the year of manufacture stamped on them.

I don't know if the switch was made due to progressive loaders of simply out of practicality but it was a long time ago...

Ward

Gil,

The top of the sizer is threaded but it's a smaller thread than the decapping/expander spindle.
FWIW: the tops of the dies are stamped 79.

Jeff

My 1975 Model RCBS dies decap & size at the same time.

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S&WHF 366

Check the top of your die. My RCBS dies all have the year stamped on top.

My set dated 76 can be set up either way- deprime in the sizer or expander.

To get you reloading .44s you might be able to borrow an expander/decaping rod out of one of your rifle die sets that will fit that hole with a bushing. It used to be normal for stores to have a tray of RCBS die parts like those that you need. I suppose the modern way is to order online.

Gil

Thanks for all the replies. It is a .41 mag. set. I bought it to use on my single stage for "short runs". It works fine the way it is and I've already reloaded with it. I was just curious because the configuration is different from my newer dies.

Jeff

I have an older set of RCBS 41 mag dies set up the same way.. I have never used them yet. I have been reloading since the middle 70's and its the 1st dies I have seen like that and 90% of my dies have been RCBS.

Call RCBS if you need parts or engineering. Those guys are great. I have some of the older dies and shell holders and they held all the answers for me. However, their 800 number escapes me, sorry.

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