223 Carbide Die

Slip Shooter · December 27, 2006, 05:38 PM

Here's my 223 Carbide die. It's stamped "Dillon 223 F.L. Carbide Sizing" die and has a full length carbide sleeve, not a ring of carbide. I purchased it from Dillon about 1983 or 84.

It sizes cases properly and I do not lube them. I do make sure the brass is inspected, tumbled and cleaned before loading.

It's an excellent die in all respects and cost me $100.00 when purchased.

sanson · December 27, 2006, 05:41 PM

I thought only straight-walled cases can have carbide dies. learn something every day

sanson · December 27, 2006, 05:43 PM

what I mean is: cases without shoulders, example: .357, .380

amamnn · December 27, 2006, 05:57 PM

What Dillon has to say about that:

http://dillonprecision.com/template/...7&min=0&dyn=1&

sanson · December 27, 2006, 06:08 PM

I once got a case stuck in the (steel)sizer die because I thought the case had lube on it. had to make a puller to get it out. (I'll probably do it again)

Slip Shooter · December 27, 2006, 06:53 PM

To amamnn,

Your reference to the Dillon URL is interesting.

I wonder if Dillon has made "improvements" in the die since I purchased mine over 20 years ago?

At any rate, the new 308 and 223 dies from Dillon seem to need some lube as instructed. Perhaps newer manufacturing techniques eliminates proper laping of the carbide insert.

I prefer to not use lube with any carbide die.

30Cal · December 27, 2006, 07:25 PM

I've got one in .308Win. You will find out rather quickly that lube is essential.

Ty

Bullet94 · December 28, 2006, 01:51 AM

If you still have to lube. What's the point?

30Cal · December 28, 2006, 01:25 PM

It takes about 1/4 the effort to size with the carbide sizer. Plus, the carbide expander ball more or less eliminates the need to lube the insides of the case necks.

If the die squeals when you are pulling the case back out, you are actually pulling the shoulder of the case forward--thus the need to lube there.

Ty

amamnn · December 28, 2006, 02:08 PM

I'm guessing that at $100.00 a die, they found a very small market for them. Also carbide is pretty brittle and they may have had problems with dies that were dropped, etc......

WSM MAGNUM · December 28, 2006, 07:10 PM

$100 is for the 3 die set, not just one die.

sanson · December 28, 2006, 07:18 PM

I suddenly don't want a carbide rifle die anymore, (I use carbide pistol dies but don't remember why)

Bullet94 · December 29, 2006, 03:24 AM

I’d like the idea of a carbide-sizing die if you didn’t have to lube. The dies I have now already have a carbide expander ball, so I think I’ll just stay with them (since I already have to lube).

December 27, 2006, 05:38 PM	#1
Slip Shooter Member Join Date: February 4, 2005 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 85	223 Carbide Die Here's my 223 Carbide die. It's stamped "Dillon 223 F.L. Carbide Sizing" die and has a full length carbide sleeve, not a ring of carbide. I purchased it from Dillon about 1983 or 84. It sizes cases properly and I do not lube them. I do make sure the brass is inspected, tumbled and cleaned before loading. It's an excellent die in all respects and cost me $100.00 when purchased.

December 27, 2006, 06:53 PM	#6
Slip Shooter Member Join Date: February 4, 2005 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 85	To amamnn, Your reference to the Dillon URL is interesting. I wonder if Dillon has made "improvements" in the die since I purchased mine over 20 years ago? At any rate, the new 308 and 223 dies from Dillon seem to need some lube as instructed. Perhaps newer manufacturing techniques eliminates proper laping of the carbide insert. I prefer to not use lube with any carbide die. Last edited by Slip Shooter; December 27, 2006 at 07:23 PM.

December 28, 2006, 07:10 PM	#11
WSM MAGNUM Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 750	$100 is for the 3 die set, not just one die. __________________ Henry - Life NRA Member, USCCA Shield Member If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?

December 27, 2006, 05:41 PM	#2
sanson Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2006 Location: FL panhandle Posts: 547	I thought only straight-walled cases can have carbide dies. learn something every day

December 27, 2006, 05:43 PM	#3
sanson Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2006 Location: FL panhandle Posts: 547	what I mean is: cases without shoulders, example: .357, .380

December 27, 2006, 05:57 PM	#4
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	What Dillon has to say about that: http://dillonprecision.com/template/...7&min=0&dyn=1&

December 27, 2006, 06:08 PM	#5
sanson Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2006 Location: FL panhandle Posts: 547	I once got a case stuck in the (steel)sizer die because I thought the case had lube on it. had to make a puller to get it out. (I'll probably do it again)

December 27, 2006, 07:25 PM	#7
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	I've got one in .308Win. You will find out rather quickly that lube is essential. Ty

December 28, 2006, 01:51 AM	#8
Bullet94 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 723	If you still have to lube. What's the point?

December 28, 2006, 01:25 PM	#9
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	It takes about 1/4 the effort to size with the carbide sizer. Plus, the carbide expander ball more or less eliminates the need to lube the insides of the case necks. If the die squeals when you are pulling the case back out, you are actually pulling the shoulder of the case forward--thus the need to lube there. Ty

December 28, 2006, 02:08 PM	#10
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	I'm guessing that at $100.00 a die, they found a very small market for them. Also carbide is pretty brittle and they may have had problems with dies that were dropped, etc......

December 28, 2006, 07:18 PM	#12
sanson Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2006 Location: FL panhandle Posts: 547	I suddenly don't want a carbide rifle die anymore, (I use carbide pistol dies but don't remember why)

December 29, 2006, 03:24 AM	#13
Bullet94 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 723	I’d like the idea of a carbide-sizing die if you didn’t have to lube. The dies I have now already have a carbide expander ball, so I think I’ll just stay with them (since I already have to lube).