Reloading Die questions

[sgtredleg]

Hey all,
I'm a shooter, not a re-loader. I have received several used RCBS reloading dies and intend to sell them. I need to be educated.
What is the difference between a carbide die and a regular ( I guess tool steel)
die, and how can I tell them apart?
Why do some sets have 2 dies and others have 3?
Some are older dies and have a surface rust (no pitting) on them. If they are cleaned up are they still good?
I'm really at a loss here and any info ya'll can provide would really be a big help.

 

[Lost Sheep]

On the sides of the dies is the cartridge the dies are for. On at least one of the set. Maybe not all, so don't get them mixed up.

The 3-die sets are PROBABLY for pistol/revolver or straight-walled cartridges.

If you look at the bottom of the sizing die (the one with the decapping pin sticking out the bottom) you may be able to tell if there is a carbide ring pressed into the die. You can also tell from the writing on the side of the die, as the letter "C" will likely be somewhere in the name.

The 2-die sets are almost certainly for bottlenecked rifle cartridges unless you have a 3-die set with one missing. Bottlenecked rifle cartridge sizing dies never have a carbide ring.

Read us the writing on the sides of the dies and we can tell you more. Can you do pictures?

Lost Sheep

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Oh well, nothing left here to do...

 

[paralaska]

3 die sets for pistol (carbide=no lubing required):
1-Sizing and Primer Removal
2-Bell Case Mouth
3-Seat Bullet and Crimp

2 die sets for Rifle (lubing cases required):
1-Sizing and Primer Removal
2-Seat Bullet (for semi autos, also crimp)

 

[gamestalker]

What die sets do you have? I'm asking because I may be interested in purchasing some or all if they are among the cartridges I currently reload for, or, may be reloading for in the future. I reload for a number of individuals, several that don't care to purchase those particular dies, but would like for me to reload for them if I did own those die sets. If the price is right, we may be able to scratch out a deal that would bennefit both of us.

Here's the basic price list for most common die sets made by RCBS.
Rifle dies typically go for about $25 for standard 2 die sets. Competition rifle dies go for a bit more ($100 + new).
Pistol carbide dies are a bit more spendy and go for about $40-$50 depending on the cartridge they are for.

Because they are RCBS, they are actually pretyt much worth the current retail price simply because RCBS stands behind their dies 100%, regardless of who bought them originally. RCBS basically has a no questions asked policy reagarding warrenty, one of the finest companies I've ever known or conducted business with.
GS

 

[cfullgraf]

3 die sets for pistol (carbide=no lubing required):
1-Sizing and Primer Removal
2-Bell Case Mouth
3-Seat Bullet and Crimp

Depending on the age of the dies, the decapping pin may be in the mouth expanding die and not the resizing die.