ch carbide sizing dies

oldbear1950 · December 19, 2024, 09:56 PM

a real good friend gave me two ch carbide sizing dies. One is 38/357 and the other is 45 acp . How do I know if they are still good? He said they were and he got them from his dad, and both have quit reloading.

olduser · December 19, 2024, 10:47 PM

Do you know the brand? If you do not see any physical damage and they are the standard 7/8-14 thread they should be good to go.

bigalshootmupper · December 19, 2024, 11:44 PM

Don't know if this helps, but I bought a set of old looking CH rifle dies for 30-06 from Ebay for cheap. They work great. I would clean them up really good and try to size some. You can then inspect and measure dimensions of the brass to the specs in your reloading books.

I'm fairly new to handgun loading but I would size a couple, run through expander die and then put the brass in your barrel. It should be a little tight. You can then prime it, charge it, and then seat it with a bullet. Then check it in your barrel. The seater die should now make it a loose fit in the barrel.

Throckmorton · December 20, 2024, 03:26 AM

CH is a good brand of dies, I'd think the are fine if no obvious cracks or such on the carbide ring.

**44 AMP** · December 20, 2024, 04:23 AM

Clean any crud out of them, solvent and brush/soft cloth, check for cracks or any visible misalignment, of the carbide sizer insert.

Size a few cases and chamber them. IF they chamber normally, you're good to go.

Do look and see if the sizer makes a noticeable "step" in the brass just above the solid head. I have a Lee die that does that. Doesn't hurt anything, but I don't like the way it looks, so I size with Lyman or RCBS dies.

FrankenMauser · December 20, 2024, 04:27 AM

Clean them.
If they don't have chunks missing from the carbide sizing rings, they're good.

**Unclenick** · December 22, 2024, 02:26 PM

They should be fine if cleaned and not damaged. IIRC, the carbide rings have a little bit less radius than modern ones, causing the "step" 44 AMP mentioned, but that is just cosmetic.

Jim Watson · December 22, 2024, 02:44 PM

I first went progressive with a CH Autochamp in 1979 for the .38 wadcutters I needed for PPC. The linear advance wore out and the company would not work on it because it was no longer covered by their insurance, which considered it a commercial machine instead of home use. So I have used the dies in a Dillon. They are not as smoothly machined as other brands, but they work well enough.

I have a CH .44-40 sizing die, titanium nitride coated to size without case lube. It is not quite tight enough for good bullet pull but a Lee collet crimp die seems to hold well enough.

December 19, 2024, 09:56 PM	#1
oldbear1950 Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2022 Posts: 291	ch carbide sizing dies a real good friend gave me two ch carbide sizing dies. One is 38/357 and the other is 45 acp . How do I know if they are still good? He said they were and he got them from his dad, and both have quit reloading.

December 19, 2024, 11:44 PM	#3
bigalshootmupper Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 175	Don't know if this helps, but I bought a set of old looking CH rifle dies for 30-06 from Ebay for cheap. They work great. I would clean them up really good and try to size some. You can then inspect and measure dimensions of the brass to the specs in your reloading books. I'm fairly new to handgun loading but I would size a couple, run through expander die and then put the brass in your barrel. It should be a little tight. You can then prime it, charge it, and then seat it with a bullet. Then check it in your barrel. The seater die should now make it a loose fit in the barrel. __________________ ”If you want to find out what is wrong with your country, go look in the mirror.” Ross Perot

December 20, 2024, 04:23 AM	#5
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,479	Clean any crud out of them, solvent and brush/soft cloth, check for cracks or any visible misalignment, of the carbide sizer insert. Size a few cases and chamber them. IF they chamber normally, you're good to go. Do look and see if the sizer makes a noticeable "step" in the brass just above the solid head. I have a Lee die that does that. Doesn't hurt anything, but I don't like the way it looks, so I size with Lyman or RCBS dies. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

December 20, 2024, 04:27 AM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,775	Clean them. If they don't have chunks missing from the carbide sizing rings, they're good. __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

December 22, 2024, 02:26 PM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,742	They should be fine if cleaned and not damaged. IIRC, the carbide rings have a little bit less radius than modern ones, causing the "step" 44 AMP mentioned, but that is just cosmetic. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 19, 2024, 10:47 PM	#2
olduser Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2020 Posts: 115	Do you know the brand? If you do not see any physical damage and they are the standard 7/8-14 thread they should be good to go.

December 20, 2024, 03:26 AM	#4
Throckmorton Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2004 Location: Washougal,Wa Posts: 148	CH is a good brand of dies, I'd think the are fine if no obvious cracks or such on the carbide ring.

December 22, 2024, 02:44 PM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,180	I first went progressive with a CH Autochamp in 1979 for the .38 wadcutters I needed for PPC. The linear advance wore out and the company would not work on it because it was no longer covered by their insurance, which considered it a commercial machine instead of home use. So I have used the dies in a Dillon. They are not as smoothly machined as other brands, but they work well enough. I have a CH .44-40 sizing die, titanium nitride coated to size without case lube. It is not quite tight enough for good bullet pull but a Lee collet crimp die seems to hold well enough.