Tungsten Carbide Sizer Die Question?

[Ala Dan]

Does anyone know for sure when the TC dies were
first sold to the consumer? After reading fellow THR
member NavajoN Pale Face's reply in the RCBS
thread; I began to wonder. He said, that he had a
set of older .38 special RCBS dies that did not have
a TC sizing die. Made me wonder about my older .38
special Redding dies.

The gentleman that sold me those from an e-bay
auction was nice enough to throw in a TC RCBS
FL sizing die; so if the need ever arose I could
always use the RCBS TC (single die), or use my
Lyman TC FL die, or even the other RCBS TC FL
resizing die from my new set. Really was just a
bit curious about my old Redding dies; if they
had a TC die or not?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Jim Watson]

Lifetyme introduced carbide sizing dies in the 1950s, they are mentioned in the oldest Gun Digest I have, 1957, but are not in the 1951 reprint.

Other companies picked them up as time went on and when I started reloading in a bench press in 1971 they were readily available, but not standard. It only took lubing a few hundred .38 and .357 cases for a steel RCBS to teach me the value of the carbide sizing die. When I went to buy one, all that was immediately available was Lyman.

Redding was a little late and a little different. They did not, do not make a tungsten carbide sizing die. They use titanium carbide to give a smoother surface, even though at higher cost. The first mention I have of the Redding titanium carbide sizer is in the 1978 Handloader's Digest, not shown in the 1974 edition.

 

[Ala Dan]

Many thanks for that information Jim. I know what
you mean about lubing cases; as thats what I use
to have too do with my R.C.B.S. .41 magnum steel
dies. Life has been a whole lot smoother, since I
invested in the TC doe sets! Now, I use them for
not only .38/.357; but for 9m/m, .44 magnum, and
.45 ACP.

Lifetyme dies? Did they come before or after
Hollywood dies? I've heard talk of the latter;
but have never seen either set in person, as I did
not get into handloading until the latter part of '73.
Again, many thanks for the information and very
detailed post.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Mike Irwin]

I think they really became common in the 1970s.

 

[saands]

The carbide sizers aren't made of solid WC or TiC, they should just have a WC ring at the mouth of a steel resizing die, so if you look REALLY carefully, you should be able see if the one you have is WC or steel.

Saands

 

[Ala Dan]

Many thanks for the reply's!

I will look at the Redding, and see if it has the ring.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Star-Lifetyme Dealer

In the 70's all the Star progressive reloaders I sold had Lifetyme carbide dies and in reconditioning older Stars as a Lifetyme dealer I added a Lifetyme carbide sizer. Gunsmith Shockey sold Perfection Dies for Stars but I don't know how that came about but have a copy of a page of a write up about them. I would like to know any Star history for my Star Reloaders Group web site.

I also stocked Lifetyme carbide dies in 7/8ths size dies for the C-H, early Auto Champ and "H" presses and other progressives I reconditioned and still have several dozen 45acp T/C dies left to sell off.

Paul Jones

 

[g56]

As Saands said, the TC dies have a insert ring pressed into the base, you can see it quite clearly, the regular dies didn't have an insert at all.

I started reloading in the late 60's, TC dies were common for handgun cartridges at that time.

 

[Ala Dan]

Folks I just checked my (new to me) .38 SPL. Redding
die set that I purchased off of e-bay; and sad to say,
I don't see the ring insert! But, that is OK as I have
explained, it still was a steal of a deal; and I would do
it again, without ever looking back.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[BigG]

ALA DAN old bud, I just checked and my REDDING 38 Super sizing die has TIC stamped on it. The box says TITANIUM CARBIDE. HTH

PS Bud, if your die is steel, make sure to lube up.

 

[Ala Dan]

Got you covered Big G, ole pal. Many thanks for looking.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member