Carbide sizing dies

[Troystat]

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

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

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.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

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

 

[Culina]

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.

 

[Rule3]

Absolutely get carbide.

 

[oberon]

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.

 

[Troystat]

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.

 

[dickttx]

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.

 

[brucev]

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

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!

 

[HAWKEYE10]

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.

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

 

[BUFF]

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.

 

[Troystat]

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

Thanks

 

[Nemo288]

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...

 

[Maximumbob54]

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

Thanks

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

 

[RainDodger]

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

 

[PERAZZI]

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


(just kidding )

 

[Troystat]

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

 

[H Richard]

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.

 

[tlen]

Does anyone still make non-carbide pistol dies ?

 

[Nemo288]

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...