|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
July 15, 2004, 10:30 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: July 15, 2004
Location: North Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 4
|
RCBS Carbide In Grey Box vs. Green.
What is the difference between RCBS dies that come in a grey box vs. dies that come in a green box? I've noticed that they look a little different but have the same part number(if they are for the same caliber). Are one type better than the other? I am assuming that the grey boxed dies are a newer series but I am not completely sure. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
RevolverMan |
July 16, 2004, 04:04 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 9, 2000
Location: Red River Valley
Posts: 127
|
From RCBS website -
RCBS Carbide Pistol Dies "Carbide Pistol Dies Our carbide dies eliminate an entire step in the reloading process: lubricating cases. The diamond-lapped tungsten-carbide inner ring is so smooth that cases simply can't stick or get scratched. These are top-of-the-line dies, built for a lifetime of flawless performance. 3-die set includes carbide sizer die with decapping unit, expander die, and seat/crimp die Tungsten carbide ring resizes case walls Available in most popular handgun calibers (not available for bottleneck cases)" Short answer - Green box dies need lube - Grey box Carbide Take it for what is worth; I have stuck cases in both with and without lube. But I do use several carbide dies without any lube. I never use regular dies without lube. |
July 16, 2004, 10:30 PM | #3 |
Junior Member
Join Date: July 15, 2004
Location: North Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 4
|
Actually, I'm referring to carbide dies in both a green or a grey box. I've found several sets of carbide dies on ebay that are in a green box. So my question is are the carbide dies that are in the green box inferior to the ones in the grey box or just an older version. Sorry for any confusion, the reason I'm asking is I've found a set of hard to find carbide dies (fairly rare caliber) in a green box on ebay but they look a little different than the same set I found a month ago in a grey box.
|
July 17, 2004, 01:39 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 3, 2004
Posts: 235
|
Call 1-800-533-5000 Monday - Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time. This is RCBS Customer Service. You will not find a more helpful bunch of people. They will be able to answer anything you got. Good luck!
|
July 18, 2004, 10:31 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 22, 2004
Location: Washougal,Wa
Posts: 126
|
Is the seller saying they are carbide,or is there a picture of the box saying carbide on it?
I've never seen carbide dies in a green box, but then I havn't looked in a while. FWIW,by the time you pay shipping I doubt that you'll save much on dies on Ebay.I"d buy local if possible.One reason being older dies aren't radiused at the mouth for easier use in progressive presses. Plus it's a good reason to got to a 'gun' store. |
July 18, 2004, 10:50 AM | #6 |
Junior Member
Join Date: July 15, 2004
Location: North Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 4
|
Here's a couple images of the dies and their box, the label says carbide so I guess they did manufacture carbides and ship them in a green box at one time. I would definitely buy them localy except no manufacturer makes dies in this caliber anymore, RCBS tells me that this caliber is obsolete that is why they quite making them.
|
July 18, 2004, 07:44 PM | #7 |
Staff
Join Date: March 20, 1999
Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia
Posts: 16,947
|
Interesting. Like Cris, I've never seen RCBS carbide dies in a green box either. Perhaps with relatively uncommon die sets like the .357 Maximum, they just use the green boxes since they have a warehouse full of them.
If the sizing die has the carbide ring like all the others, then I would have to say there is no difference except for the box itself. |
July 18, 2004, 08:35 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 6, 1999
Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas
Posts: 1,148
|
I have two sets of RCBS carbide dies that I bought new 25/30 years ago. 45 ACP and 357mag. Green boxes.
__________________
Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended. |
July 20, 2004, 10:09 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 24, 2002
Location: NH
Posts: 141
|
All the carbide die's I have purchased are in grey boxes, the regular standard type are in green boxes, and this is only a few months ago I bought some die's...Just make sure it says carbide on the box. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.
|
July 20, 2004, 10:52 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 27, 2000
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 489
|
When I started loading around 20 years ago, all RCBS dies I bought came in green plastic boxes, whether plain steel or carbide. IIRC, the carbide dies had a yellow end-label, and the plain steel had white end-labels. At some point, RCBS went to gray boxes. The only real difference I've noted is that the older dies used round, knurled lock rings, and the newer ones use hex-shaped lock rings.
__________________
MOLON LABE. - Leonidas of Sparta, 480 B.C. |
July 21, 2004, 12:54 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 27, 2000
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 489
|
Erratum
Took a look at my old green RCBS boxes last night, and the end-label color for "carbo" dies was pale blue, not yellow.
__________________
MOLON LABE. - Leonidas of Sparta, 480 B.C. |
August 20, 2004, 10:49 AM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: July 16, 2002
Location: IL
Posts: 43
|
The set of dies pictured is date coded "38". For some reason RCBS reverses the numbers, so that set is from 1983. Notice the split lock rings. They used those for a few years and then went to the hex lock rings with the chinchy brass set screw.
I've noticed recently that RCBS no longer uses that style of date coding, and I don't have any idea of what the new coding is. I just recent'y got a replacement for a 30 year old .45 Colt carbide die, it was brand new manufacture and came in a grey box. But was otherwise identicle to the old one. I think the box color is just a production change in the box, but has nothing to do with the dies. Edited to add: In the 2003 catalog both green and grey die storage boxes are for sale. So they are still (as of 03) making both colors. Joe
__________________
**Really the only time a thing has value is when it is being used. It costs money when you buy it, it is worth money when you sell it, but it only has value when you use it.** |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|