Vintage RCBS die, 38 SPECIAL expander die

[jekemi2005]

I have a set of RCBS vintage dies in 38 special. The expander die includes the decapping pin. The pin holder, which is attached to the expander body has broken off. Anyone know of where I might find a replacement. RCBS doesn't have any.

[Guesser]

Your friendly local handy-dandy tool & die maker. It's a machine shop job unless you can find another at a gun show.

[salpal48]

This is The problem I have with 2 i have . when I called RCBS years ago , That was the main reason why They were revised
. I only use them as an Expander. It's cheaper to buy another Than waste the money to fix

[Ole Joe Clarke]

If you only use them as an expander, why do you want to repair them? I must be missing something.

[salpal48]

Let me Clear up my Post. I only use them now as expander since there broken

[Char-Gar]

I have the same die, bit removed the pin years ago. I neither deprimed or prime on the press.

[Kilroy08]

As a machinist, I can tell you that you should expect to spend the equivalent of at least 4 or 5 sets of dies just to have a complete replacement made.

I would keep my eyes open and see what's for sale on ebay, forum exchanges, or local flea markets.

[gwpercle]

Just get a Lee Universal Decapping die, $ 13.00 or so , cheaper than trying to fix the RCBS die.

[dudel]

Is it just me, or does this seem like a bad idea (which may be why we don't see decappers in the expander die today).

The problem I see it that the pin would have to be extra long in order to push out the primer even if you were lightly flaring the case. If you were putting a big flare on the case, then the pin would poke through farther than it had to, and might make contact with the press. It's not the kind of die you could use on some progressive presses which insist that the decap and primer seating be in station 1 (Dillons come to mind).

It's an interesting idea; but I'm not seeing the value. Rather than try to resurrect a failed idea, I'd get on with a carbide set (I suspect you have a steel die set) of 38 Spl dies. Most current 38 Spl dies also work for 357Mag and 357Max. I wonder if this die is long enough to work in the longer cases?

Or just use it as an expander die.

[fguffey]

That die is very common around here. RCBS made that die before they made a progressive press. Reloaders I know use the old expanders to make new expanders.

F. Guffey

[Ken in Iowa]

I called RCBS about the companion carbide die. They sent me the parts to install the decapper at no charge.

[.22-10-45]

Easy fix on a lathe..determine what thread is..should be std. face off to remove remains of broken thread, drill/tap & locktight in a headless allen type set screw.