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RCBS Carbide 44amp

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John Nada View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Nada Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: RCBS Carbide 44amp
    Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 3:43am
Is it worth it?

I mean this die set is pretty expensive.
Do you think getting a carbide set to not have to lube worth $100 more?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BEEMER1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 1:42pm
It depends on how much you are going to shoot it.  I do not shoot that many rounds at a time anymore (too old I guess), so steel dies are fine for me.  If you are going to shoot it a lot, carbide is the way to go.

The 44 AMP is a tapered case, so the carbide dies take that out when sizing.  I do not know if that makes any difference or not.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Nada Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 11:08pm
Right now I only have a Hand Press, but  later I will buy a Turet press.
I was told the original RCBS die set is not very convenient with modern press.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jw4570 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 2:19am
John,
 
what do you mean the original set is not convenient?  It really doesn't matter with a single stage or manual turret, but there are some differences, but they are not insurmountable.  You can read this article I wrote some time ago:
 
 
Basically, older RCBS sets like from the 1970's, have the sizer as one die, and the expander contains the decapper.  the third die was a seater or seater/crimper, and the fourth (if included) was a crimper only. 
 
You could order an optional decapping stem for the sizer, it's basically a decap rod from any RCBS die with a threaded adapter for the sizing die. 
 
The problem with using a modern press is really when you get to a progressive.  Take a Dillon 550, it relies on sizing/decapping in the first station, and primes on the downstroke.  This creates a problem in the first station because you don't have a decapper in a 1970's RCBS die set.  You can add one with the correct parts, either borrowed form another set that has the correct parts, or bought from RCBS.  Lastly, you could always decap in a separate single stage press before reloading. 
 
Now that you got that fixed, the second station is going to charge powder.  With the Dillon 550, you will buy a 44 mag powder funnel/expander, and you will not use the RCBS expander die at all, it will stay in the box.  If your progressive needs an expander die, then you can try removing decap pin and see if that works, or use a 44 magnum expander die from a modern set.   
 
The third and fourth dies are really just fine for a progressive like a Dillon 550.
 
Obviously, reloading tools have progressed over the years, and be prudent to ensure you are performing operations in a safe manner.  I applaud you for starting with a single stage press.  You can understand each operation that way much better. 
 
What source of dies are available in France?
 
If you have any questions on dies, let me know, and I'll do my best to answer them.
 
Jason
 
 
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jw4570 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 2:28am
I have a carbide die, but have never used it yet.  I added it last year, but like Beemer don't shoot that much anymore, and I can still load 150-200 rounds an hour on a Dillon 550 in 44 AMP even lubing cases.
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John Nada View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Nada Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 10:52pm
Thanks for the explanation Jason.
that is what I heard about the old RCBS die set not being to best to get on modern press.

Here in France I can't locate any dies for 44amp.
I have a friend who can sell me an old RCBS die set.
I'm not sure it is the best one to invest.
So I'm ready to import one from the US.

The Hornady set is really cheap right now (les than $40+ shipping), that is a big difference with the expensive carbide RCBS one.

I'm a newbee at reloading. I have only reloaded 44-40 with black powder with a Hand press so far.
The lube part isn't the most fun, but that is not terrible either.

I think some die set are better than other for the crimp part.
What would you chose between old RCBS, Hornady, or the new carbide RCBS?
Thanks




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Gerry View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gerry Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Nov 2014 at 5:25am
Ditto to Jason
It works
Gerry
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jw4570 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Nov 2014 at 5:50am
John,
 
The Hornady set works fine, though some people have had issues with the spring clip that holds the floating seating assembly in.   I have not had that problem with any Hornady dies, but it was mentioned here I believe.  I use an older RCBS set to load on a Dillon 550.
 
How much is the old RCBS set?  Is it a 3 or 4 die set?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BEEMER1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Nov 2014 at 1:58pm
I have both the Hornady (I could not find RCBS when I got my first AMP) and an old set 4 die RCBS set.  I much prefer the RCBS.  I really do not think that the carbide die is worth the extra cost in 44 AMP and all my other pistol dies are carbide.

JMO
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Luc V. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Nov 2014 at 3:09pm
I'll throw in my 2cts as well...
 
I use the (old) steel RCBS dies which require caselube to resize. I even use those dies in my hornady progressive press. They work just fine in the automatic press. However, there is one trick I learned from Jason (jw4570) to make it work smooth. Don't use the sizing lube made from RCBS, as that lube makes the cases to sticky. Jason told me to try the dillon (spray-on) caselube. I did and that lube is pleasant to work with. Just lay the cases on a tray, spray them a little and shake the tray to coat the cases evenly. (done in seconds)
I sometimes drop the cases in the casefeeder of the LockNload, spray some lube on them and thats it, the press does the rest of the work and it works great!
 
As far as the carbide die, I wouldn't spend extra money on it, so I would choose the old RCBS steel dies.
Just my 2cts.
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