Carbide Lee dies - 45 Colt - looking for answers

[mule]

I need help on the markings of Lee carbide pistol dies for 45 Colt. Can anyone tell me if ALL the dies have the word "carbide" printed on them or is it just the sizer die? Thanks to anyone who can answer this question.

 

[Ganderite]

I would expect to see it only on the sizer die.

 

[hk33ka1]

Only the sizer die is carbide in most if not all die sets. The exception is the Lee Pistol Factory Crimp Die (FCD) has a carbide sizer ring at the base to resize loaded cases to meet specs for the given calibre. This is so if you made a mistake in loading the rounds it will resize the cartridge with this ring (also in the top of the FCD is the normal taper crimp for crimping the bullet) as well as crimping so it performs two actions at once.

I own the Lee 4 dies .45 Colt set, Carbide sizer, expander, seater, FCD and none of the dies have the word "Carbide" stamped anywhere on them.
There is however clearly a carbide ring inside the base of the sizing die and the FCD.

Although there are still steel pistol sizer dies, most sizer dies for straight wall pistol cartridges are carbide in the last 25-30 years.

 

[mmattockx]

None of my Lee pistol dies are marked with "carbide", but all of the sizing dies certainly use carbide inserts. My .38/.357 and .44/.44 Mag die sets also list the factory crimp die as "carbide" on the packaging.


Mark

 

[ykkid]

My .10mm/.40 and .45 Colt Lee carbide sizing dies are stamped C6, while my .44 Lee carbide sizing die is stamped - 82. All bought new in packaging that stated Carbide Sizing Die, and all definitely with carbide sizing ring, as I have never stuck a case!

 

[mule]

Thanks to all for the responses - they are consistent with my previous thoughts on the issue..... Much appreciated. I just sold a set and the buy made the inquiry. Thanks again...