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spfd1903
01-21-2015, 08:31 AM
Hoping someone can shed some light on a .44 Special/.44 magnum Pacific Durachrome three die set I bought at a LGS for $20. The set number is 040643. One die body, "carbide x", has no threads on the inner diameter so I am confused about it's function. Another die, " No. 2 x", has a decapper pin threaded in, but does not size the brass, only puts a flare in. Last die, " 3x", seats boolits but does not appear to be able to add a crimp. Does anyone have any experience with these?
nitro-express
01-21-2015, 08:50 AM
http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/manuals-discontinued/metalic-reloading/tools/Pacific-Deluxe-Reloading-Dies.pdf
spfd1903
01-21-2015, 11:26 AM
Perfect. Makes sense now. Thanks nitro-express!!
bhn22
01-21-2015, 12:03 PM
Thats how it was done in the olden days, before progressive presses defiled the land. Hornady Durachromes were great dies.
spfd1903
01-21-2015, 01:51 PM
What time frame were these dies marketed?
Pressman
01-23-2015, 07:09 AM
They are from the late 1960's, early 1970's. They were current when Hornady took them over.

Ken
1bluehorse
01-23-2015, 01:53 PM
I have a set of RCBS 357mag dies (I'm sure there are other brands as well) with this configuration...good dies....
W.R.Buchanan
01-25-2015, 04:20 PM
I have had that same set of dies since 1978. With three die pistol sets that is the way everybody did it back then.

Carbide Sizing Die, Flaring /Decapping die and Seating/Crimping die. I have an RCBS Set of .357 dies which are set up the same way.

This is because you can't size the OD and ID of a Strait Walled Case in the same die. Also the Seating Die will Roll Crimp. I now use my Seating Die as a dedicated Roll Crimping Die with the seating mandrel removed.

Now most 4 die sets contain a Sizing/Decapping Die, and Expander Die with a hole in the center so powder can flow thru it and a way to attach a powder measure directly on top of the die, a And a Seating Die and a Crimp Die.

The vast majority of us now seat and crimp in separate steps as it is easier to get a perfect crimp with a separate die. However both functions can be accomplished with one die as well, the setup is just a little more finicky.

Randy