Redding Titanium Carbide Sizer Die/Dillon Carbide Sizer Die

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RobS

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I've been reloading 454 and 45 colt cases with a RCBS carbide resizer and run into the problem of the brass hitting the mouth of the die as it enters for resizing. I reload on a progressive press and it is the nature of such a press to have more play with the brass on the shell plate especially with longer brass. Since the lee carbide sizer die is so cheap, I purchased one of them to see if there was any change; it is about the same as the RCBS in regards to hang-ups.

The Redding 454 casull/45 colt pro series dies have the Titanium Carbide Sizer die (87191) in the set and from what I read it is suppose to have a larger radius mouth to assist with progressive reloading. Those of you who own the Redding titanium carbide sizing die: does it have the larger mouth or is it the other dies in the pro series that have the mouth design?

Dillon I have seen and does have the large open mouth as their dies are designed for progressive presses, but they often do not resize as far down as other dies which I have read may lead to problems, but usually only in auto pistols. Also, does the Redding die size further down the brass versus a Dillon die???

Any Ideas?
 
I only load for revolvers, and most of my dies are Lee. I've replaced all my Lee sizers with Dillon. On the LnL AP I go much faster. No more hangups on the sizer lip, or even worrying about hangups.
 
Sizing Brass to the web

Dillon, they often do not resize as far down as other dies which I have read may lead to problems,
The web area does not change diameter on firing, so it does NOT need to be resized that far down. If the web area does expand, you are way over maximum on your powder charge. The web starts at the extracter groove. View attachment 383703
 
If your press is indexing correctly, any of those dies will work just fine. I had some issues years ago with My Projector when it was new, but the newer shellplates, and a bit of removing machining burrs and polishing, fixed all that.
The web area does not change diameter on firing

243winxb is right. As long as your loads are within SAMMI pressures, sizing the web is not necessary.

I have not seen every RCBS, Redding, Lee, and Dillion sizer dies, but of the ones I have seen, The Dillion has the most radius, the Redding is next, and RCBS/Lee next.

Dies have changed over the years. An RCBS of 30 years ago may be different than one made today etc.
 
I load 8 different pistol and revolver cartridges on my two Dillon 550B presses and have switched all my sizing dies to the Dillon carbide die with the exception of my 44-40 loads since that caliber has a tapered case and carbide dies are not available for that round. The Dillon sizer dies allow me to load much faster and never have case mouths hang up on the bottom of the die like Lee and some of the others. All my rifle dies are Redding since I believe they make the finest dies around. JMHO :)
 
Thanks for the replys; how much difference is the mouth openings between the dillon and the redding sizing dies? Is there any advantage one versus the other???
 
You should contact both Dillon and Redding and get an exact mouth diameter from them. Most people don't own 2 sets of dies for the same caliber. My old Dillon RL 450 has the same problem using RCBS carbide Dies. The case and die dont always line up.The brass hitting the mouth of the die as it enters for resizing.
 
I looked at the price on the two dies and the dillon is half as expensive as the redding. Ouch............ considering dillon has great quality and I just can't see redding producing a carbide die that is twice as "good".

Having the large radius mouth, the dillon die will deliver the best performance in regards to hang-ups on the progressive press. Also brought to light in an earlier reply in regards to the web of the case with the addition that I do not hotrod loads, I have chosen to purchase the dillon die this time around.

Thanks to all for the replies.
 
Dillon was the first one to make the large radius mouth. The Titanium or Tungsten Carbide Sizer Dies can have a gap between the shell holder and die as small as .001" The normal and recomended gap is 1/16" The die should never touch the shell holder. This is not true in 30 carbine. Tungsten carbide and Titanium dies have different properties. The brass used with Titanium dies should have a little lube on the case, about ever 3th or 5th one. Tungsten Carbide no lube. You can also size the case just to below the base of the bullet, sort of like neck sizing, as long as the round will chamber.
 
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Dillon dies are designed to be used in their progressive presses(and other's) and have a much greater radius(opening) than most standard single press designed dies. Redding dies are the best dies on the market as I had said previously, but are designed primarily for single station, non progressive presses. Buy or borrow a Dillon size die and see the difference. :)
 
..... considering dillon has great quality and I just can't see redding producing a carbide die that is twice as "good".
Your assessment is correct.
I own the Redding Pro series set (45ACP) and have had to send the sizer back to Redding because the carbide ring pulled out. Save your money and get a Dillon or Hornady sizer.
*I do recommend the Redding Competition Seater die, they're nice to use.
 
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