Carbide dies versus steel dies.

[Dave L.]

I've been wondering about the merits of carbide dies versus steel dies - what are the advantages of either? Is it simply down to the lubrication of the brass? I know I would have to lubricate the cases anyways, so what is the point of carbide dies?

Could someone fill me in on this?

Thanks,

- Dave.

 

[Sticker]

Howdy

Other then .30 Carbine, you don't lubricate cases that will be fed into a Carbide resizing die. Love my RCBS Carbide pistol dies

Sticker

 

[nognog]

I love my Lee Carbide 45 ACP pistol dies

Howdy

Other then .30 Carbine, you don't lubricate cases that will be fed into a Carbide resizing die. Love my RCBS Carbide pistol dies

Sticker

Just my 2-cents, carbide dies are stronger than steel dies

 

[Hitzy]

You don't have to lube straight wall pistol/rifle cases when using carbide dies. There are a few bottleneck cartridges that you can get carbide dies for but you still need to lube a bit or they tend to stick. Basically for pistol loading carbide dies are the bomb, steel pistol dies should be discontinued IMHO.

 

[NAA]

Carbide gets my vote...

Basically for pistol loading carbide dies are the bomb, steel pistol dies should be discontinued IMHO.

+1

Been loading pistol ammo for many years. Carbide sizers for straight walled cases are the only way to go...

 

[sargenv]

In the single stage press I use carbide dies and don't lube them, however, I find that lubing your pistol cases with Hornady One Shot and running them through your progressive make the operation as smooth as glass. I reload all my large volume stuff on a Dillon 650. It's true that with carbide you need not lube, but after cranking out several hundred 40 S&W once fired brass, I've found that a little case lube makes all the difference. The good thing about one shot is that you need not remove it. The Dillon lube on the other hand must be cleaned off, usually a short stint in the case tumbler will remove the case lube. 15 mins or so. I also only tumble ammo with jacketed or plated bullets as the moly coating turns the corn cob I use, black.

 

[Dave L.]

Interesting. So I guess I shouldn't bother with steel pistol dies, that's pretty refreshing.

Thanks.

- Dave.

 

[joe-nwt]

I can't even begin to imagine where the market for non-carbide dies is. Come to think of it, are there any stores that actually still sell non-carbide dies?

 

[The Cold Lake Kid]

I had to buy non-carbide dies to load my 45-70
It just serves to remind my how much more convenient the carbide dies are for all the others I'm loading
I went so far as to replace my old dies with carbides.
Well worth it.