Properly done, TiN is harder, and has a lower coefficient of friction than carbide. Redding uses Titanium carbide, which is better than Tungsten Carbide in other carbide dies, due to the smaller, smoother grain structure which allows better polishing for less friction. Either will outlast most non-commercial reloaders easily if kept clean.
I use Hornady dies and like them a lot. For lead bullets, their seating die is the only one that combines a sliding alignment sleeve, optional micrometer adjustment, and the ability to disassemble on-press for cleaning without affecting seat or crimp settings, not to mention it can crimp too (no other pistol sliding-sleeve seater die does that). Lubed lead bullets tend to gunk up seater dies, requiring cleaning more often than with jacketed/plated bullets.
As for the friction adjustment, the lock nut on the seater screw (standard one, not the micrometer screw) has a rubber/fiber washer underneath it that lets you adjust the friction on the seating adjustment to your preference. Works really nice.
Andy
