Nitride, what is it?

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Blakenzy

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I am shopping around for 9mmluger dies and came across Hornady Nitride dies. I know about carbide dies, but what is nitride?
 
Thank you.
So....they don't require a lubricant. I got that much out of wikipedia. But what are the advantages over a carbide die, if there are any? Can any one help me here?
 
Titanium Nitride is an industrial coating for tools that resists wear better than plain tool steel. It's used on drill bits, taps, dies, etc.

Hornady has been using it for their pistol dies for quite a number of years. I've got one for 9mm, but I don't use it. The die is undersized and shaves brass from the case. I sent it back once and they sent me one someone else had sent in and used pliers on. I don't scar up my tools with pliers, period. I just let it drop and now use several different carbide dies from Redding and RCBS.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
The nitride coating on my Hornady 9MM sizer that came with my Projector many years ago wore off in less than 2000 rounds. I then bought a Lee sizer which I used for years until I bought a Redding not long ago. The Lee die is still fine.
 
And, that explains why REDDING dies will cost you more than Hornady's. Hornady nitrides the sizing ring. REDDING machines theirs from Titanium carbide. So, if your familiar with machining, or manufacturing cost, you know that means more $.

I see debates on dies and references to REDDING being the Cadillac of dies, and some people saying they're overpriced, and unnecessary. I guess that would depend on your point of view and what you know about machining. If you buy dies that work great, but because they were manufactured from softer steel and may have a shorter lifespan of maintaining tolerance. Well, that changes the economy equation a bit. Titanium carbide is the hardest in use for resizing dies and further reduces friction compared to tungsten carbide found in other brands.

I've used Lee, Lyman and RCBS dies, any Handgun dies I buy in the future will be REDDING titanium carbide. I use them currently for 9mm and .45 ACP. I don't like spending money for dies any more than the rest of you. That's why I only want to buy them once. REDDING dies are typically the most expensive of the common brands, but quality of materials and machining tolerances indicate that they should be.;)
 
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I have the Hornady 454 die set with titanium nitride sizing ring. It works great. The coating has to be applied correctly, but once done, it will not wear out from any amount of brass cartridge resizing. I've heard they had some problems with it when they first started using it, but not with recent (last few years anyway) production.

I really like their seating dies best. They combine the sliding alignment sleeve of redding and forster competition types, with optional micrometer adjustment for any seater die they make. And they disassemble while on the press for cleaning without affecting the settings. That is a real plus when using lead bullets, since the lube tends to gunk up the works after a while. I simply pull the clip at the bottom of the die, and the sleeve and seating punch (everything that comes in contact with the brass or bullet) drops out the bottom.

Andy
 
They appear to be very good dies. I started to try a set years ago before I made the switch to REDDING, but at that time Hornady didn't feel that taper crimping autoloading cartridges was necessary in the reloading process, so I passed. They changed their opinion shortly thereafter and I have to agree that the seating die appears to be very well thought out!;)
 
The Hornady seaters are real nice. I use one in 9MM and .40. I have the Redding seater in .45 and it is real nice to be able to dial in to whatever bullet I am loading this time.
 
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