RCBS 45ACP Size/decap die catching on brass

[gregj]

Loading on a LNL AP, I switched to a new RCBS sizing die as I found it would size a little tighter than my Hornady die. Now, very often a case will catch on the edge of the die near the primer tube, and will either hang things up, or cause me to crunch the case. When it hangs, I can push the case inward slightly, and it goes right into the die.

I've tried a new shell plate spring, new Hornady die spacer, ran a case up then tightened the die nut, ensured the shell plate bolt is tight. Not sure what else to try.

I'll try calling RCBS tomorrow. Any other ideas?

 

[codefour]

I had a similar propblem using the Pro 2000 and the RCBS 45 ACP carbide die set. I called RCBS and they advied my "paper clip" (case retainer spring) was warped. They sent me another one. It partially cured the problem.

I finally had to bend the retainer spring downward to hold against the case rim but not actually touching it.

Also, check your shell plate. Sometimes, the slots taht holds the case rim is loose. Call Hornady and ask them as well.

I finally purchased Dillon carbide dies. I am a huge fan of Dillon pistol dies now. They seem to work much better on progressive presses. Yes, they are expensive and you need a powder through expander (they come with no belling die) They have a larger/radiused opening on the sizer die making it easier to size.

 

[dgod]

I had the exact same problem with .223. I kept breaking the depriming rod connector. At $20 bucks a pop, i went thru 3 in 2 days, and said screw that. I bought a set of Lee dies. Their deprimer is solid steel, problem fixed...

Dan

Loading .223, 9mm, 45ACP, .243, 30-30, .357, 45LC, I think that's all.
Good Luck

 

[res7s]

I have the same problem with my Hornady dies. I finally gave up and now I align the brass with my finger tip.

My Hornady dies are very tight. I've yet to load a round with these that isn't hourglass shaped. That includes jacketed ammo. The ring sizes my brass to 0.464-.466" depending on the brand.

 

[TonyT]

What you are expereincing is the case hanging up on the carbide insert. Two solutions are available:
1) Take the time to insure the case is beng inserted into the sizing ring before pulling the handle (my preferred solution)
2) purchase a Dilllon carbide sizing die which has a tapered sizing ring and reduces the need for carefully inserting the brass case. The only minus is that the case is not sized down as far as with normal dies such as RCBS or Harnady - that should not be a significant problem for 45 ACP reloads..

 

[rbernie]

I finally purchased Dillon carbide dies. I am a huge fan of Dillon pistol dies now.

purchase a Dilllon carbide sizing die which has a tapered sizing ring and reduces the need for carefully inserting the brass case.

This.

I use Lee dies, mostly, but have switched the sizing die for each set over to a Dillon die. They simply work better in terms of case alignment and reduction in resizing force, and the reloads made with a DIllon sizing die chamber and shoot as well as the loads resized with my other dies (Lee, RCBS).

 

[Nappers]

I had same problem. I figured out that I didn't have the case all the way on the shell holder after that no problemo! I just got in the habit of pushing the shell holder and case with my thumb to make sure all were on good.....

 

[ranger335v]

"RCBS 45ACP Size/decap die catching on brass"

Any will catch if the cases aren't properly centered , there's not much a die can do about that.

 

[gregj]

I've tried two different styles of RCBS carbide sizing dies, and both tended to catch the brass enough to be problematic - even if I take my time to make sure the case is fully into the shell plate.

I've ordered an EGW-U die (to resize thinner walled brass enough to prevent set-back), and I'm hoping it will work better. I'll post back how it seems to work out.

 

[wardor]

I second the notion from early about Dillon Pistol Dies... they really are better than the rest (even with all the hype -- it's an extra $5-20 for a lifetime investment).

 

[gregj]

I've thought about the Dillon dies, but everything I read said they didnt size down quiet as much as other dies.

I just got in my EGW-U die, the dummy test rounds I made up (using mixed brass that normally wouldnt hold a bullet tight enought to pass a thumb press check), had much more neck tension than with the RCBS or Hornady sizing die. There was absolutely no movement when doing the thumb press against the ednge of the bench. With the RCBS, and especially the Hornady sizing die, I could always get several rounds to setback when doing the thumb press test.

I loaded a batch of 100 rounds using mixed headstamps, none of the cases caught on the die, they gauged fined, and I will be testing them this weekend. So far, this is looking like the fix.

 

[cfullgraf]

Loading on a LNL AP, I switched to a new RCBS sizing die as I found it would size a little tighter than my Hornady die. Now, very often a case will catch on the edge of the die near the primer tube, and will either hang things up, or cause me to crunch the case. When it hangs, I can push the case inward slightly, and it goes right into the die.

This is one of the secondary reasons that I have separated the resizing step from the reloading step on my progressives. i can concentrate on feeding the case into the resizing die without worrying about problems in the charging station.

But, lots of folks run cases through on the progressives from fired to loaded.

 

[gregj]

This is one of the secondary reasons that I have separated the resizing step from the reloading step on my progressives. i can concentrate on feeding the case into the resizing die without worrying about problems in the charging station.

My son and I shoot 2 USPSA matches a month, which these loads are for. That's at least 800 rounds a month, not including practice. No way I'm handling the brass that much.

 

[jjjitters]

I've turned a bigger radius in several of my dies. With the carbide I used our carbide inserts to cut them and then with a die grinder while the die is spinning in the lathe and reshaped the radius smoother.Went to finer grits and ended small with round hone stones to polish smooth(plus some unitized polishing wheels in the die grinder). I got the bigger radius without buying new dies.

With the L-N-L and the way it holds the brass by use of a spring, some brass brands tends to tip, depending how the extractor groove fits the shellholder.In 9mm at least, I have to use the 10mm shellplate with 1 or 2 brands of brass because they are basically hanging by the groove and tipping(thus catching),not to mention seating bullets poorly. Another thing to check for.

 

[Hondo 60]

I have one Lee 38/357 sizing die that does the same thing.
Have 3 other sets of 38/357 - no problem.

As res7s said: I finally gave up and now I align the brass with my finger tip.

Sounds like good advise.
The other option would be to call RCBS & see if they'll o0pen the bottom of the die a bit.

 

[Blue68f100]

If the brass is tilting make sure the shell plate is tight. If loose it give a larger gap between the base and shell plate and the spring will cause the brass to tilt out. The preferred clearance is 0.003" to 0.005", Hornady max spec is 0.010". I prefer the Hornady dies because they have the large radius like the Dillon does. These are preferred on progressive to make the brass align easier into the die.