Lee Dies

[SAFireman]

Anyone know how to tell the difference between the steel dies and the carbide ones?

Thanks

 

[OKFC05]

Have you looked for the black carbide ring inside the mouth of the sizing die?
Only the sizing and factory crimp dies have the carbide ring.

 

[SAFireman]

Black ring...

Not a black ring...just a grey ring inside the mouth (before the threads start)...this is in the sizing/de-capping die...the body of the die looks more like high chrome tool steel, and the ring looks more gray, like graphite...is that carbide?

 

[DJINCO]

The major difference is that the steel dies require lube and carbide dies do not (at least for pistol calibers).

 

[Zilmo]

Oh my God! I thought Lee died!

 

[Alk8944]

Not a black ring...just a grey ring inside the mouth (before the threads start)...this is in the sizing/de-capping die...the body of the die looks more like high chrome tool steel, and the ring looks more gray, like graphite...is that carbide?

If the sizer has an obvious inserted ring in the mouth of the die it is carbide. Standard dies are one piece. As mentioned before, only the sizer and factory crimp die have the carbide insert.