Why carbidee dies for pistol?

[crystalvue]

I've been reloading for about 2 years with no problems so far. I use a Dillon 650 for most and and RCBS Ammomaster for some. I noticed on another thread a lot of recommendations for carbide dies for .45. I have been using standard Dillon dies for .45 and it is my understanding they should last a couple hundred thousand rounds and have a lifetime warranty so they will replace them. Why would I want to use carbide? Cheers, Will

 

[21Bravo]

Re: Why carbidee dies for pistol?

The benefit is not longevity. Carbide dies do not require the cases to be lubed. It saves the mess, time and the concern of stuck cases in the sizing die. With that being said, I still use a little "One Shot" spray lube on the brass as it allows the cases to be sized more easily.

HTH,

Craig P. in MO
aka 21Bravo

 

[TDH]

Re: Why carbidee dies for pistol?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CrystalVue</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been reloading for about 2 years with no problems so far. I use a Dillon 650 for most and and RCBS Ammomaster for some. I noticed on another thread a lot of recommendations for carbide dies for .45. I have been using standard Dillon dies for .45 and it is my understanding they should last a couple hundred thousand rounds and have a lifetime warranty so they will replace them. Why would I want to use carbide? Cheers, Will </div></div>

I load all my handgun ammo on a Dillion 650 with Dillion carbide dies. I use Redding rifle dies.

I've heard if you use a Dillion progressive you have to at least use the Dillion powder die, powder funnel, and etc. if you use the Dillion powder measure.

I see no reason not to use the Dillion. They do the job and aren't priced outrageously. I think I've hard others mention Redding Titanium carbide dies, but in my opinion that seems a little unnecessary.

I use standard Dillion dies on everything except 45 ACP and I use a Redding micrometer seating die for my match rounds. That is from my experience unnecessary but it makes my adjustments from a 200gr SWC to a 230Gr JHP or 230gr ball load much easier.

 

[918v]

Re: Why carbidee dies for pistol?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CrystalVue</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been reloading for about 2 years with no problems so far. I use a Dillon 650 for most and and RCBS Ammomaster for some. I noticed on another thread a lot of recommendations for carbide dies for .45. I have been using standard Dillon dies for .45 and it is my understanding they should last a couple hundred thousand rounds and have a lifetime warranty so they will replace them. Why would I want to use carbide? Cheers, Will </div></div>

Your dies are carbide.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Why carbidee dies for pistol?

Carbide pistol or straight wall case dies have a small Tungsten Carbide "button" set into the bottom or "mouth" of the die. The carbide needs no lube to size the cases as long as they are reasonably clean. Muddy or dirty cases will damage the button on the die and cause it to leave scratches on the brass. (Don't ask me how I know this.)

The Dillon "carbide" bottleneck rifle dies are made a different way and for a different reason. All bottleneck rifle dies have to be lubed. They have a continious carbide coating inside the die. In this case the carbide is to help ensure a longer operational life of the die. The Dillon XL650 and 1050 were originally made to handle large volumes of ammo with minimal effort. They didn't want the dies wearing too soon. So they went with the carbide coating.

 

[jdgray]

Re: Why carbidee dies for pistol?

Alway thought it was to eliminate lube. I used to lube my 9mm cases since they are tapered, but I replaced the handel on my Lee single stage with a longer one off their turret press, and the cases size much eaiser, without lube.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Why carbidee dies for pistol?

I don't think Dillon has ever made all steel pistol dies.

Nor has anyone else I know of for quite a few years now. ??

 

[EddieNFL]

Re: Why carbidee dies for pistol?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think I've hard others mention Redding <span style="text-decoration: underline">Titanium carbide </span>dies, but in my opinion that seems a little unnecessary.</div></div>

Titanium nitride. It's an alternative to tungsten carbide

 

[former naval person]

Re: Why carbidee dies for pistol?

And, it is just a surface coating. You need to clean and lube the brass anyway...it does reduce resizing effort. And, for pistol, I really like the Lee Factory Crimp die...not only does it facilitate placing just the right amount of crimp for anything from .45 ACP that headspaces on the mouth, up to the .454 Casull that needs severe crimping to keep the heavy bullet from "jumping" the crimp and binding up the cylinder. (Not in the same die, in case someone should nit-pick) But it has a ring of tungsten carbide at the mouth to ensure that the overall case diameter will not be oversize and cause chambering difficulties...read, failure to feed. Sometimes with the stubby pistol bullets one will bind on seating and bulge the case. Although the die in that case won't help accuracy, it will feed and fire when the Lee die irons out the bulge. JMHO

 

[boomfab]

Re: Why carbidee dies for pistol?

I used Redding carbide dies and load thousands of 9mm rounds a year with no lube.

 

[ED_RN]

Re: Why carbidee dies for pistol?

Redding Pro Series in 550.