Steel, carbide, and the X factor.

[ed dixon]

Okay, there's no X factor. The question is why are some calibers offered in both steel and carbide dies? Is there any down side to carbide that would make someone choose the steel and lube route? Also, why aren't carbide dies available for all calibers?

 

[Steve Smith]

WHAADDYA NEED THAT NEW FANGLED RAT FLING FLIP-DANG DING DONG CARBIDE FOR???!!! DON'T YOU KNOW REAL MEN USE OLD FASHIONED STUFF AND DONT TRUST ANYTHING NEWER THAN ROUND WHEELS??!!!



Carbide dies aren't often offered for bottleneck or tapered cases because it won't work. The carbide ring works on straight walled cases.

 

[jw29650]

But Steve,

Dillon offers bottle neck dies for .223 and .308 in carbide. I think this is for people who do not understand and have a lot of money as you still have to lubricate the cases.

JW

 

[Steve Smith]

Actually, no. What it is for, if you read their notes, is production use. You still have to lubricate the cases, but the carbide helps the dies last longer in a production environment.