Carbide Dies vs. Standard(?) Dies - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

New2Arms · 05-02-2008, 10:14 AM

Hello,

I am contemplating getting in to the reloading aspect of shooting (like everyone else lately it seems), and I'm looking at the Lee Turret Press Deluxe Kit. It references Carbide dies, but I can't seem to find out what the difference is between carbide dies, and just dies.

Can someone help me out here? Thanks!

EricCartmann · 05-02-2008, 10:18 AM

Carbide dies supposedly does not need case lube, but I have found that they still do.

fredj338 · 05-02-2008, 11:32 AM

The only thing carbide in a die set is a ring of carbide in the sizing die. This allows you to not NEED case lube but some guys still lube the cases. It is well worth the slight extra cost. I don't lube service pistol cases, they are short enough & friction isn't that high. I do lube the longer magnum cases for easier sizing but it isn't required.

nasnickerz · 05-02-2008, 11:34 AM

i dont know how the reloading press works, but in machining carbide is a lot more durable than steel,

M1A Shooter · 05-02-2008, 11:42 AM

Carbide only way to fly

**jonny4523** · 05-02-2008, 11:46 AM

We used carbide dies in our Dillons at school for 9, 40, 45, and 44. We never lube our cases. I'll always make sure that I have carbide dies not, simply because I've never had to lube cases before, and I'll probably think it is a pain by comparison.

fredj338 · 05-02-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nasnickerz

i dont know how the reloading press works, but in machining carbide is a lot more durable than steel,

Same in reloading. The carbide sizer will not wear or embed anything that will eventually scratch your cases. I just wish they made them for rifles but the carbide insert would be really long & very expensive.

WyoXD · 05-02-2008, 01:04 PM

Carbide dies for straight walled cases (standard pistol cartridges) do not require case lube. Steel dies do. A little lube, such as the spray lubes like Hornady One-Shot, will smooth up the whole process even more but it is not necessary. For bottleneck cases (rifle cartridges) carbide dies still require lube. Carbide dies have a carbide insert that performs the resizing action. Carbide is harder than steel so one word of caution is to NOT adjust your sizer die to where it compresses on the shell holder/plate or you take the chance of breaking the carbide ring.

If you are loading pistol rounds all steel dies make no sense at all. Carbide (or similar) is the only way to go. Good luck!

Doc Holiday13 · 05-02-2008, 01:24 PM

I use spray lube so it only takes me 10 seconds to lube an entire tray of shells, so I figure what they hey. It can't hurt

highscore · 05-02-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WyoXD

Carbide dies for straight walled cases (standard pistol cartridges) do not require case lube. Steel dies do. A little lube, such as the spray lubes like Hornady One-Shot, will smooth up the whole process even more but it is not necessary. For bottleneck cases (rifle cartridges) carbide dies still require lube. Carbide dies have a carbide insert that performs the resizing action. Carbide is harder than steel so one word of caution is to NOT adjust your sizer die to where it compresses on the shell holder/plate or you take the chance of breaking the carbide ring.

If you are loading pistol rounds all steel dies make no sense at all. Carbide (or similar) is the only way to go. Good luck!

WyoXD is correct in his assessment of carbide vrs. non carbide dies. Spend a bit more for the carbide if they are available in the caliber you need. I never lube straight walled pistol brass that I reload through my Dillon dies, never! I use Dillon carbide 9mm, 45 ACP, and .223. I did have a self inflicted problem with the .223 and Dillon cheerfully supplied repair parts free of charge, Truly a no BS warranty!

05-02-2008, 10:14 AM	#1
New2Arms XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 184	Carbide Dies vs. Standard(?) Dies Hello, I am contemplating getting in to the reloading aspect of shooting (like everyone else lately it seems), and I'm looking at the Lee Turret Press Deluxe Kit. It references Carbide dies, but I can't seem to find out what the difference is between carbide dies, and just dies. Can someone help me out here? Thanks! __________________ Never confuse paranoia with preparedness "You have a pistol to defend your life and home. Now get a rifle to defend your country." - Caribou

05-02-2008, 11:32 AM	#3
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,056	The only thing carbide in a die set is a ring of carbide in the sizing die. This allows you to not NEED case lube but some guys still lube the cases. It is well worth the slight extra cost. I don't lube service pistol cases, they are short enough & friction isn't that high. I do lube the longer magnum cases for easier sizing but it isn't required. __________________ EVERY GOOD SHOOTER SHOULD BE A HANDLOADER!

05-02-2008, 11:34 AM	#4
nasnickerz XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: mannheim, germany Posts: 122	i dont know how the reloading press works, but in machining carbide is a lot more durable than steel, __________________ -what do you call a farmer with a sheep under each arm? -a pimp.

05-02-2008, 11:42 AM	#5
M1A Shooter XDTalk Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chesterfield, Va. Posts: 60	Carbide only way to fly __________________ XD45acp 4" Service Springfield M1A

05-02-2008, 11:46 AM	#6
jonny4523 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 1,875	We used carbide dies in our Dillons at school for 9, 40, 45, and 44. We never lube our cases. I'll always make sure that I have carbide dies not, simply because I've never had to lube cases before, and I'll probably think it is a pain by comparison. __________________ -XD40 Service (Feb 2002) Springer Precision Carry Trigger, USPSA Production -Sig P232, .380 ACP FOR SALE -Remington 870 Mag, 12g, my hunting companion -Thompson/Center Triumph (June 2007) -Ruger Mark II (Oct 2004) Gvt Comp Model -AR build (Sept 07 - May 08 ) Essential Arms lower, RRA LPK 2-stage NM trigger,RRA upper, Troy handguard, Troy BUIS NRA, USPSA #A60062 -If guns kill people, then spoons made Rosie O'Donnel fat! -When seconds count, the police are only minutes away

05-02-2008, 10:18 AM	#2
EricCartmann XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,070	Carbide dies supposedly does not need case lube, but I have found that they still do.

05-02-2008, 01:04 PM	#8
WyoXD XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Laramie, Wy Posts: 192	Carbide dies for straight walled cases (standard pistol cartridges) do not require case lube. Steel dies do. A little lube, such as the spray lubes like Hornady One-Shot, will smooth up the whole process even more but it is not necessary. For bottleneck cases (rifle cartridges) carbide dies still require lube. Carbide dies have a carbide insert that performs the resizing action. Carbide is harder than steel so one word of caution is to NOT adjust your sizer die to where it compresses on the shell holder/plate or you take the chance of breaking the carbide ring. If you are loading pistol rounds all steel dies make no sense at all. Carbide (or similar) is the only way to go. Good luck!

05-02-2008, 01:24 PM	#9
Doc Holiday13 XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: N. VA Posts: 47	I use spray lube so it only takes me 10 seconds to lube an entire tray of shells, so I figure what they hey. It can't hurt

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