Carbide Button On Depriming Rod

[loadedround]

Guys, I've been reloading for over 40 years and am not afraid to ask questions and learn new things. In this case I would like to get opinions on replacing my steel expander button on my sizer die with a carbide one. I load many 223 and 308 cases and feel that I must put a dab of lube on the case mouth to keep the steel button from pulling hard on the upstroke of the press and also possibly galling or stretching the case mouth. Will I experience a big difference in switching to a carbide expander button. I use Redding dies in a Dillon 550B Thanks!

 

[Fatelvis]

I use them on my Redding "S" type dies (neck and FL) in the same calibers, and they are definately worth their selling price. The advantage is twofold....It eases the friction between the ball and interior of the neck because of the carbide and it's smoothness, and also the ball has a small amount of play on the rod, so it self centers in the neck. It doesnt try to pull the neck in a different direction. I believe the self centering aids in less runout. When used with TiN coated bushings, the felt friction in the die is reduced even more. Buy one, you'll like it!

 

[JimKirk]

Just about all my RCBS rifle dies have the Hornady carbide(made for RCBS dies) expander balls on them. They work much better than the steel ones, but I still lube about every 6th or 7th case. The lube makes expanding slick as snot and no screeching.

Jimmy K

 

[Walkalong]

They work great. You don't really need to lube the necks, but I would recommend brushing them still.

I brush my necks, so I go ahead and rub a little RCBS Case Lube II on the brush with my fingers or roll it over a lube pad every few cases anyway.

 

[rodregier]

I have the Redding carbide expander on all my bottleneck rifle cartridge resizing dies. It's a wonderful system, no need to clean or lube the case necks. I also have less issues with case stretching which happened with normal expanders and lubed necks.

I would highly recommend it.

 

[cheygriz]

I've been using carbide expanding buttons on all of my bottleneck cases for many years.

I'd never go back to steel.

 

[Randy1911]

Does anyone know if Hornady dies come with the carbide expander in them or do they sell them? I looked on MidwayUSA and couldn't find them. All they had was for for RCBS or Redding. I have Hornady dies.

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

My Dillon 223 die has one. My Lee and Redding have none.

The force to pull out the expanding ball/shaft part from the case is waaaaaay less with the carbide ball. On the other hand, my Redding was the hardest one, but after 300-400 cases and a little bit of polishing, it is now very smooth and it does not need any lube inside the neck of the case anymore.

The Lee die still need lube. Nothing changed the pull force.

Thank you

 

[loadedround]

Randy:Hornady does make a replacement decapper assembly with a carbide button. I did see them in an older Midway catalog. I kow RCBS and Redding make them also but I didn't check their catalog.

 

[Randy1911]

LoadedRound

I just called Hornady and asked. They do not make a carbide expander for Hornady dies. Go figure.

 

[loadedround]

Randy: I was almost positive I saw Hornady priming punchs w/carbide button in an older Midway catalog. Anyway I'm sure that both Redding and RCBS make them...I'll check Midway again as soon as I find my glasses so I can find the catalog.