9MM Sizing Dies.

[LubeckTech]

Since 9MM is a tapered cartridge are the carbide sizing dies also generally tapered? The reason I ask in I reload 9MM, 40 S&W, 10MM, .38Spl, .357Mag, 44Spl, 44Mag, 45ACP and 45-70. Of all these the 9MM is much more difficult to resize (with Lee carbide dies) than anything else. Are there any brands or types of resizing die that are easier than others?

 

[Tilos]

The answer is actually in your name...LUBE

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I want to tell you how I lube 100+ cases in 2 minutes or less.

In a container (cool-whip, plastic mayo jar, whatever) put in the cases and add a 30 caliber patch SLIGHTLY moistened with your lube of choice.

Roll the container around for a couple of minutes and remove the lubed cases.
That's it, load away.

A clear container works best as you can see the patch move through the cases.
The patch must be almost dry, not dripping.
The lube on the case should be such that you cannot see and barely feel it.

Note: This is done to cases with spent primers in place.

Tilos

 

[rcmodel]

Yep!

A little dab I'll do ya!

rc

 

[LiveLife]

Try an extension pipe over the lever.

Seriously, if you are using carbide dies, no lube is needed. 9mm is harder to size, but not that hard. Just pretend you are cracking some nuts.

 

[Walkalong]

The carbide inserts in 9MM sizers are much longer than the inserts in straight walled calibers, and yes, they're tapered. I have a Lee and a Redding sizer, and the Redding is slightly easier to size with, but not worth the extra bucks IMHO. Neither is what I would consider hard to size with when not using lube, but with a tad of lube, it's like stuff through a goose.

 

[atblis]

Lee carbide pistol sizing dies work just fine and in some situations are actually better. They often do a better job of resizing the bottom part of the case.

Use this stuff for pistol brass even with carbide. Not the best case lube, but is perfectly adequate for pistols stuff and the convenience is unmatched. Not such a big deal for a single stage, but it makes a progressive run better.

 

[rcmodel]

if you are using carbide dies, no lube is needed.

I always use a spritz of spray lube on any caliber handgun brass when using carbide dies.

It makes the easy ones like .38 Spl & .45 ACP almost fall in the die from the weight of the press handle.

The harder ones like .44 Mag are SO Much easier it makes me giddy!! TeeHeeHee!

rc

 

[Walkalong]

The 25ish year old Lee 9MM sizer I have has almost no lead in taper to the carbide insert. Works just fine in my LNL, as it did in my old Projector. My 4 or 5 year old Redding 9MM sizer die has a pretty good taper leading into it. It looks like the Lee would size down a lot more, but in reality it makes less than .001 difference. (That is with my sizers. Due to manufacturing tolerances, other Redding and Lee dies may be different)

With cases that would not fit the Wilson case gauge after sizing with the Redding, sizing them with the Lee did not make them fit the gauge. Both sizers work just fine.

You can see the taper on the Redding die, as well as how long the carbide inserts are compared to straight walled sizers.

Lee

Redding

Lee & Redding

 

[Maj Dad]

Hornady TiN Dies

About 10-12 years ago I switched to Hornady Titanium Nitride (TiN) sizers for all of my pistol calibers. The 9x19 die is tapered and doesn't leave an indention right above the web because of the carbide ring, and is slicker than snake snot. I had some Lyman, Lee and RCBS carbide sizers (had: sold them) but didn't like the results. In my opinion, the Hornady TiNs are much slicker than carbide and die effort is noticeably less, but that is my perception and not an definative test. The resized brass looks almost factory new after polishing & processing, and I am sold on them.

 

[lgbloader]

I always use a spritz of spray lube on any caliber handgun brass when using carbide dies.

Yup, same here. Butter...

LGB

 

[Tilos]

Nice Pics Walkalong, nm

xxxx

 

[Walkalong]

I have a Lee 9MM sizer because my Hornady 9MM TIN sizer wore the coating off in under 1K rounds. I bought the Lee to replace it 25ish years ago, and it still works.

I either got a bad die, or Hornady has worked out the process since then.

 

[Maj Dad]

TiN Wear

Walkalong, I wasn't aware that the TiN dies had been around that long - thought they showed up in the early 90's, but I am not sure about that at all (I am sure that the passage of time has been increasing geometrically & asymptotically). I have loaded literally thousands of rounds with all of them and have noted no noticeable (visual or force-wise) changes. My M14 TiN gas piston has likewise fired well over a thousand rounds with no apparent wear. I am very happy with the performance, but maybe it's an anomaly...

Given that I prefer the TiN for among other things, finished appearance of the brass including "ringing" above the web, does anyone have any data/experience regarding TiN/carbide sizers' comparative wear characteristics?

 

[lwknight]

9mm,s are tougher than even 357 magnums. I give a couple sprays of dillon case lube to lighten up the work load. You don't have to lube them but, it sure helps especially in hot weather if you don't have A/C in the shop.