Die question

[ConfederateHoosier]

Ok, So ive been reloading for about 2 years now, but havent yet had to buy a set of dies until today (inheirited the other die sets.) I bought an RCBS 9mm carbide 3 die set from wal-mart and inside you have the basic 3 dies, however inside a sealed plastic pouch were the seater plugs. Now why did I get 2? One of them says "9mm TMJ" and the other "38 RN." Which one of these should I use?

 

[Walkalong]

Whichever one fits your bullets profile the best. The better fit of the seater plug to the shape of the bullet the better and more consistent the seating.

 

[ConfederateHoosier]

Thanks Walkalong! I was wondering why they would send 2, and I googled it to no avail, but thanks for the answer!

 

[rfwobbly]

All your better dies come with 2 seating anvils. A flat one for FP bullets, and a concave version for RN. Use the one that best fits the nose of the bullet you're reloading.

 

[bensdad]

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) RCBS will send you a perfect-for-your-bullet insert if you send them a bullet. Don't know how much it costs.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) RCBS will send you a perfect-for-your-bullet insert if you send them a bullet. Don't know how much it costs.

The special order catalog shows $16.95 + s&h. You send 5 bullets.

 

[Sunray]

"...wondering why they would send 2..." That'd be RCBS including what you need. Good dies come with a seater plug for all bullet shapes. 9mm bullets can be RN's, HP's or assorted cast shapes. RCBS rifle die sets come with a plug for RN's and spitzer bullets.
Like Walkalong and rfwobbly say, use the one that suits the bullet you're using. It's not a big deal if you use an RN plug on an FP though. The bullet point will just have a ring/mar on it. The bullet point doesn't matter anywhere near as much as its base.
Why they're stamped '9mm TMJ' and '.38 RN' is anybody's guess. TMJ's(a brand name for plated bullets. Frontier CMJ's are the same thing.) are loaded with cast bullet data. Most have a flat point though.