steel pistol dies

[pdpush]

Does anyone use steel dies for reloading pistol cartridges? Are they not popular because of having to lube the brass and pistol is more high volume? Just curious if anyone is happy with using steel.

 

[tjhaile]

The only reason I can see for steel pistol dies is for calibres for which you can't get carbide dies, such as .44-40 or 7.63 Mauser. These are bottleneck cases and making a carbide insert would be extremely difficult/costly.

Other than that, non-carbide dies for pistol reloading are obsolete IMO.

 

[mlehtovaara]

What are you even thinking. Thats like asking if anyone still uses dial up. Sure there are some cases where you have no choice, as mentioned above, but if you have a choice there is really no question as to what to buy.

 

[ATOM]

If you're not loading hellacious quantities, steel dies work just as well. You do have to clean the brass a bit and you do need to lube, both of which are minor PITAs, but it's not like they're going to ruin your bullets.

They are indeed less convenient, but sometimes it's the way to go.

 

[msg.drew]

I havent sold a single set of steel pistol dies ever...