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Thread: Carbide die

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Carbide die

    What is the advantage of a carbide die?????
    I have both and lube every shell when resizing.
    I can not feel or see any difference.

  2. #2
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    With a carbide sizer you do not need lube.

  3. #3
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    What he said. I have heard that Lee dies do sometimes need lube but I never had that problem even with them. james

  4. #4
    Boolit Bub
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    I lightly lube 1 every 6 or 7.
    Not necessary but it makes things smoother.


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  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master tazman's Avatar
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    I use Lee carbide dies for my handgun cases and have not lubed a case in years. I have had no issues with my ammunition

  6. #6
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    I have carbide sizing dies for all my handgun cartridges and rarely use lube. The only time I use lube is when sizing .44 Magnum brass, which are a bit more "difficult" than other calibers. I really don't need the lube then, but when sizing 100 cases, it makes things go a bit easier. And I don't lube every case either, mebbe one out of four or five...
    My Anchor is holding fast!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Hi..
    I have been using carbide dies for decades without​ using any lube on the cases with zero problems.
    That includes many thousands of rounds from .45ACP up to .44Mag and .45Colt.

    I do clean the dies out when the mood strikes me.

  8. #8
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    You have to lube when using a .30 carbine carbide die. I really don't know why,
    but they will stick if you don't lube.
    Denny

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I lube everything, so I guess I really don't need carbide dies.
    From time to time, i have to take out a stuck case for friends.
    I tell them to lube the case if they don't want it to get stuck again.

  10. #10
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    Never lubed a pistol case and never had one stick
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  11. #11
    Boolit Master Josh Smith's Avatar
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    I like to keep a little lanolin on my hands in the shop. It helps keep rough calluses from snagging on things.

    When I go to size pistol cases, that little bit of lanolin on my hands transfers to the cases and makes things even smoother.

    Regards,

    Josh

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy
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    It's soooo much smoother pulling the handle when the brass is lubed....just a few aerosol sprayer blasts of Lee lube dissolved in alcohol in a plastic bag is all it takes. A LLM really benefits from not fighting the handle; something to do with the primer balancing on the primer pin while it's elevating 3" to be installed.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by leadhead View Post
    You have to lube when using a .30 carbine carbide die. I really don't know why,
    but they will stick if you don't lube.
    Denny
    The 30 Carbine has a slight taper to it. If it was truly a straight wall you would not need lube.

    RCBS claims you don't need lube with theirs. https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...bide-sizer-die

    30 Carbine is one of the few common rounds I have not loaded for.

    Same for the 223, 300 BO, 308 and 30/06 carbide dies. In these the main advantage for cases with a taper is the dies last 10 to 20 times longer.

    https://www.dillonprecision.com/dill...8_4_24502.html

    https://www.dillonprecision.com/dill...8_4_24498.html
    Last edited by M-Tecs; 03-29-2017 at 03:46 PM.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master

    leadhead's Avatar
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    For that price, it should come with some one to size them for you.
    Denny

  15. #15
    Boolit Master

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    Even though carbide dies don't "require" lube, a modest amount of Hornady One Shot makes the experience so much better. It doesnyt take much, and doesn't need to be removed afterward. Plus it can prevent the occasional galling that can occur with really clean and puffy brass.

  16. #16
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    A little Lee lube also helps with "Glocked" 9mm brass. Tim

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy ikarus1's Avatar
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    wet tumble with a wash and wax carwash and you won't need to lube pistol cases AND get the benefit of easier effort on the handle plus they don't tarnish.
    Oh yeah and no scraping the **** out of the primer pocket.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by leadhead View Post
    For that price, it should come with some one to size them for you.
    Denny
    Tapered cartridges require full length carbide inserts. Straight walled cartridges only need a ring at the mouth of the die. Carbide is very expensive and the amount required affects the price of the die. Dillon makes an all carbide die for .223 and it's spendy as well.
    Sometimes life taps you on the shoulder and reminds you it's a one way street. Jim Morris

  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master

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    If your shooting a lot of ammo wear may become an issue Since carbide is much harder than steel dies they will last longer under heavy useage. When I was shooting NRA High power I wore out 2 308 sizing dies due to the amount of ammo used for practice and matches. On pistol rounds I still lightly lube even with carbide dies since it just makes everything feel smoother. Another is some 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 acps have pretty generous chambers cut in them so more sizing may be required, the light lubing helps.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check