Am I doing this wrong? -sizing pistol brass

My RCBS pistol dies have size and de-cap in 1 die, then mouth expander, and seat and crimp. total of 3 dies.

Older RCBS dies had the decapping rod in the expander die rather than the resizer, if that is what you are using. Still should be three dies, with the resizer used first. I tumble clean before doing anything with the dies

As for your steps with the Lee dies; I don't think you seat with the FCD die - that is a fourth extra die in sets that include it. For that set you seat with the seating die and then crimp with the FCD. All of my Lee pistol dies are 3-die sets without the FCD so they operate pretty much the same as the newer RCBS dies. I haven't found the FCD die necessary myself but I do like the powder through expander feature.

Sure sounds like you have a very old set of dies. All modern pistol 3 die sets have the resize and decap in the same die. Not sure how long it has been this way just a long time.

With non-carbide sizing die, you need to add "lubing case" step prior to resizing:

1. Lube case
2. Resize
3. Deprime / Flare (prime separately)
4. Powder charge
5. Seat / Taper crimp


FCD for auto pistol calibers is different than revolvers and Lee pistol sizing dies have carbide sizer ring which does not require lubing case:

1. Resize / Deprime (prime separately)
2. Flare / Powder charge
3. Seat or Seat / Taper crimp without FCD
4. Or Taper crimp with FCD

FCD for auto pistol calibers with jacketed bullet diameter (.451") works fine but if you are using .452"+ sized lead bullets that may get post sized with FCD carbide ring (bullet diameter/neck tension reduced which leads to bullet setback), you may want to seat/taper crimp without FCD.

I'm an "Old Tool Nut", but I think I'd upgrade to a carbide die set. No big deal, but for a new reloader, or a new cartridge it's good to start out with good equipment...

Your antique (collector) dies, not being carbide, you will spend more time and effort lubricating and cleaning the lube off than the $40 that a new set of Lee dies will cost. I personally use and like the factory crimp die.

You guys make me feel old when you describe dies that I bought new as antique and very old.

Yep, the green box RCBS dies were non-carbide. Carbide came in grey boxes (if your dies are in their original box). You should be able to see if there is a carbide ring in the sizer or not

I'm not home to look, but.....
IIRR (and I may be wrong) older RCBS dies all came in green boxes. Carbide die sets had a yellow label and non-carbide sets had a white label.

All of my RCBS carbide dies are in green boxes. The label (white) on the end states they are carbide.

I got my old Green box second hand at a gun show for $20. Must be antique dies Seemed like a deal at the time...

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Funny but I got an ancient set of Herters 45acp dies the same way, and they are the same goofy configuration as yours. I don't shoot 45 acp, but load some for a friend of mine once in a blue moon, so they work for me, but I'd upgrade to a carbide or titanium die for anything I shoot regularly.

Green box is probably right - you made me go look. My mistake. My grey boxes are for the carbide sizer only - not the die set - marked 87 for 1987. That must be when I upgraded from a steel sizer to carbide.

Yep, the green box RCBS dies were non-carbide. Carbide came in grey boxes (if your dies are in their original box). You should be able to see if there is a carbide ring in the sizer or not

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I'm not home to look, but.....
IIRR (and I may be wrong) older RCBS dies all came in green boxes. Carbide die sets had a yellow label and non-carbide sets had a white label.

Click to expand...

All of my RCBS carbide dies are in green boxes. The label (white) on the end states they are carbide.

Click to expand...

You can’t tell for sure by any of this. They put carbide in gray boxes for a while and in green boxes for a while. They used yellow labels for steal handgun dies and white labels for rifle dies. They changed things so no telling what color box or label what type of dies came in. The only way to tell for sure is look for the carbide ring.

I have 38/357 and 45acp RCBS die sets that I bought new in the 70s. They are both carbide sets and both have the decapper as part of the expander die. They came in the green plastic boxes that have somewhat rounded off edges and corners and have the "RCBS" and "Omark" in white ink/paint on the lid. Both boxes have blue front labels.

I've always been used to that setup. When I bought RCBS .40S&W dies a couple of years ago, it actually threw me that the decapper was part of the sizer die, and setting up the dies seemed odd because of it. I had to do some reading of the directions.

If your RCBS sizer is carbide, "CARB" should also be stamped on the top edge.

I have an old set of Herters 45 LC dies They are set up as yours are. I ended up getting a Lee Carbide sizing die to add to it just so I could avoid having to lube the brass. I would think that you could get a new Lee carbide set for what you would buy the Lee Carbide sizer and belling die. Lots less money than you would pay for a RCBS set or even a partial set.

X-Ring said:

You guys make me feel old when you describe dies that I bought new as antique and very old.

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LOL

Hey the "Vintage" reloading tools still work but invest in some more up to date dies & life will be good.

Hey the "Vintage" reloading tools still work but invest in some more up to date dies & life will be good.

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I have new carbide dies also, a couple of sets for most calibers. But I still have the “Vintage” ones too. The word “Vintage” doesn’t make me feel any younger either.

Happy with my Lee Dies in .45 ACP.
I got the set with the FCD and do use it.

Midway USA has a set of Hornady American Nitride 45 Auto dies on sale for $31.99, they are great. The Lee Carbide dies are only a dollar more. Either would be a great choice although I'm realigning the nitride insert in the Hornady dies. I have mostly Lee handgun dies but when I found Hirnady Nitride sizing dies on sale I bought them for the pistol cartridges I load.

I have a RCBS set like that. I noticed the threads on the top hole of the sizer die. Contacted RCBS and they sent me an adapter and decapper stem that converted the sizer die to decap also, at no charge. You can remove the pin on the expander plug so it just an expander.
Between gun shows and eBay I got a carbide sizer and Lee powder thru expander later.

I have an old set of pacific dies like this... No, you dont need to lube, it just makes it go smoother. I've done a bit of 357 (yes, straight wall vs. taper, I know. slightly different.. ) with my pacific dies and its not been an issue (steel, no carbide in them.

Pretty sure my lee "Modern Reloading" also says lubing isnt necessary for non bottle necked pistol carts.