Hello everybody, I have been reloading 38 special and 357 for years with a single stage RCBS press and regular steel dies. I was wondering if it would be an upgrade to switch to a Carbide sizing die. I am not planing on switching to a progressive press or any other changes. Other peoples experience, comments, help or warnings would be helpful.

Thanks

Yes, most definitely!!!!! Back in my single stage loading days I "wore out" 2 ea. 38/357 sizer dies. The ID got too big to allow chambering in different revolvers. Went to carbide.......never looked back.......Plus no messy lube to deal with.

__________________
S&W Accumulator

Not to be a smart butt but where have you been? I have been hand gun reloading since the late 70's and have always used carbide dies. You just don't know what you have been missing. They are very inexpensive. Get a Lee carbide sizing die for $21.49 from Midway and you will think you have died and gone to heaven. Don


Carbide Sizer Die 45 ACP

__________________
"Don't worry be happy"

Back in the day, my first set of dies were .357/38 Special and steel. They worked but I didn't know better. Now all my handgun cartridge dies are carbide. I still lube my brass but it requires very little effort to full length size brass compared to steel dies and they do not leave scratches on the cases. With the steel dies, I recall having to polish them every once in a while to prevent the scratching issue.

Absolutely get carbide.

__________________
Still Running Against the Wind

Yes. The cases go thru the process easy and you don't need to lebe 'em if you don't feel like it. You don't get oil dents and they don't get stuck in the die either.

Thanks everybody. I have used steel dies because that is what my old man gave me, he is as tight with money as I am so that is what started that trend. If you don't have to lube the cases do you clean them in a tumbler before you size them? FYI other people have asked if I have been living under a rock as well on other subjects

Thanks this is the best forum out there.

When I started reloading in the late 60's I bought the REVOLUTIONARY Lyman All American Carbide Dies with the GOLD top!!! Per their advertisement, and the current RCBS instructions, you don't even have to wipe off your cases!!!!
Worked so well I even bought, as a separate item, carbide neck expanders for my rifle dies.

I bought a Reloader Special from RCBS w/ a Jr. press in 1980. I also bought .38/.356 Carbide sizing dies. The press was replaced with a Rock Crusher in 2004. The dies are still going strong. Cool!

__________________
<><

Troy the first thing I do is tumble them then size and deprime them. No lube no more tumbling. Don

__________________
"Don't worry be happy"

The effort needed to work the press handle to size cases using a carbide die is probably half of that needed for a steel die and a good lube.

Over the years, the cartridges I handloaded using steel dies just don't get used much; I so much prefer the carbide and not having to deal with the sizing lube, putting it on, cleaning it off...

The price difference between a steel and a carbide die will be money very, very well spend.

Thanks for all the replies, now the hard job of prying my wallet open.

Thanks

For some final comments:

I have been using the carbide dies for my 44 reloading (Special,
Magnum, and Super Magnum) since I started out around 1980.
Have the Lee, RCBS and Redding so I don't have to set them up
when I change caliber. The Redding has the best profile at the
base.

I recently got into using Starline nickel for these rounds and discovered
that a small amount of the RCBS spray lube makes resizing the nickel
in the carbide dies WAY easier. Nickel is softer than brass and
exhibits more friction in the die. It does add more work but the results
are fabulous and the effort in the press is negligible.

Brownells sells a cool strip holder for spraying the cases. You will
need 2 for a box of 50.

...Nemo...

Once you start using it you will be trying to figure out why you waited so long.

Good grief. Enter the 21st century. You'll never look back.

I use a 310 tool. Is there newer technology out there?


(just kidding )

I have been accused by my kids of not joining the current century, of course I like my guns to have blued steel construction and wood grips and stocks

I started using Carbide dies in 1980. I have never lubed a pistol case when sized in a carbide die. What you save on lube (as well as the time, and mess) more than pays for the little bit difference in Carbide dies. Buy them and don't look back.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Does anyone still make non-carbide pistol dies ?

Oh yeah.

3-Die Set Roll Crimp 445 Super Mag

is just one of many examples. This round is one you would really
want carbide for. I just use 44 mag dies set up differently. It
works.

...Nemo...

Okay, let me say that carbide dies are one of the great inventions of the 20th century. Better than sliced bread...

Moving in a slightly different direction; Has anyone directly compared
the titanium nitride "coated" dies with the carbide ring dies?

I will say that I think Redding's titanium carbide is a little smoother than the more common tungsten carbide. They even
now have dies with 2 rings to size the base and the neck to different OD's. This is supposed to increase case life by not over
sizing the base.

...Nemo...

+1 If given a choice between slicing every loaf of bread for the rest of my days and lubing all my handgun cases - bring on the knife and cutting board.

__________________
I need ammo, not a ride.

The late gun writer Dean Grennell said about Carbide dies "that they are a luxury that borders upon the starkly sinful".

rat

I was talking to a friend who does machine work and reloads and he bought up the Titanium nitride "coated" dies and he was going to try and find out if they where Carbide dies with a Titanium nitride (TIN) coating or just steel dies with a TIN coating. He said in the machine shop they use TIN coated carbide cutters and they last a bit longer than regular carbide cutters. He was of the opinion that the carbide dies would be a better product than TIN coated steel dies. He said he would make some calls and find out what exactly the construction was. Anyway I will be getting carbide dies for my 38's

Thanks