RCBS X-Dies

[wolfe28]

Greetings all:

I have been reading up on the RCBS X-dies, and according to RCBS, you only have to trim the cases once, and then the dies will do the rest. Does anyone have experience with these dies? Is this statement correct? I'm not doubting RCBS, but that does seem a little far fetched.

I have standard dies in 308, 30-06 and 9mm, but I'm looking to get a set of 22 hornet dies; my father-in-law wants to try coyote hunting and I figure my hornet will work well for that (TC Contender, 21" with 3-9 scope). We go out and shoot fairly often, so I will probably be doing a lot of reloading, and I just don't want to spend all my time triming cases.

D

p.s. I know, reloading 22 hornet is a little masochistic.

 

[db_tanker]

Its not masochisitc at all. ESPECIALLY when your using a Contender.


Not sure 'bout the X-dies. I have heard the same with the Lee Collet Necksizing dies. I use the Hornady new dimension dies. The ones with the floating bullet seater. Neck sizing with standard dies on a hornet case is very effective. I have been able to get 4 reloadings so far with just necking the case and not having to trim them since the intitial firing in that chamber. The bullet seater actually helps to keep from crushing the case walls. Also remember to put a chamfer on the case mouth...that helps alot too. Lastly I use Imperial sizing wax...just get a little film of it on your fingers and you can hit about 5 cases with that dose. The lube actually helps ALOT in keeping your brass from stretching, too.

Just remember that this isn't a hyper velocity cartridge...keep feeding it mild to mid loads of Lil'gun and 1680 and you won't have any worries I think.

What bullets you plan on using for the 'yotes?

D

 

[wolfe28]

DB

The current plan is to work up some loads with 40 grain Hornady V-max projectiles on top of Lil-Gun powder. I basically want a round that moves out in the 2200 - 2700 fps range. Fast enough to get proper expansion and penetration on the projectile, but not so much that it gets out of hand. I have read a lot about people overloading the hornet, trying to make it into something it isn't (222, 223, 221 fireball, etc), and I don't want to fall into that trap. Something good on varmets up to coyote size and out to 150 - 200 yards. Anything bigger or farther, I'll switch to something else (my 308 comes to mind, since a 223 is on the wish list right now).

Thanks for the tips on the case prep and the Hornady dies. Like I said, I'm still very new at this, and I'm always looking for advice.

Thanks again,
D

 

[Steve in PA]

Yes, the X-dies work as advertised.

I use them for .30/06 loads in my M1 Garand and after the initial trim, I have not had to trim again. I have several firings through the same brass, something like 5-6 if not more.

 

[Rockstar]

The X dies work; they aren't in any way similar to Lee's excellent collet (neck sizing dies).

 

[Kamicosmos]

Add another 'The really do what they say' vote. I use mine for .223. Actually looking forward to more reloading this year because I don't have to do the Trimming step.

(Now, if I could just figure out a way around that lube step...)

 

[wolfe28]

Thanks one and all for your help with this. I'll be getting my set for 22 hornet soon, and I'll let you all know how they work.

D

 

[rbernie]

The X dies work; they aren't in any way similar to Lee's excellent collet (neck sizing dies).

Does any one know HOW they maintain the trim length?

 

[Khornet]

There is a shoulder

which meets the case mouth. You have to adjust the position of this shoulder when you set up the die. You also have to trim the brass .020" under max before running them through the first time. Working great so far for me in M1.

 

[Rockstar]

Probably just semantics, but there's a "stop" on the decapping pin shaft.