Carbide Die Question

PALongbow · January 31, 2002, 09:03 PM

I purchased a new RCBS 44 mag carbide die set. The bullet seater die comes with two seater plugs, one labled SWC and the other RN. I currently use the Hornady HP XTP bullets. Which seater plug works better with this particular bullet? Either one looks like it would work but I'm sure one is better than the other for seating the bullet.

Ron

capbuster · January 31, 2002, 10:20 PM

Ron, the RN bullet seater should be your best choice. The easiest way to determine the one to use would be to get the seating stems free and actually hold the bullet nose up to each one and see which one is the better fit.

labgrade · February 1, 2002, 07:05 PM

capbuster's right. Pull the stems & see which fits best.

With some JHPs, you may find that the roundnose setaer tries to collapse the nose of the hollow point - not a good thing.

If so, switch to the flatnose & you should be OK.

I use the flatnose stem for everything - JHPs, etc. - & don't load a roundnose for anything = yuk.

(oh yeah, except for some 9mm rounds)

Bill Adair · February 2, 2002, 03:14 AM

Ron,

RCBS sells several alternate seater plugs, for just that problem.

I've also heard, (but not confirmed) that RCBS will custom fit seater stems, if you send one in with some of the bullets you wish to seat. I'd call them and see what they recommend.

Bill

PALongbow · February 2, 2002, 06:02 PM

Bill,

I called RCBS and they said to send the bullet that I would like to use and they will custom cut a seater plug for around $10.00 per plug. I think the flat bottomed plug that I currently have labled SWC should work with the Hornady XTP JHP bullet.

Ron

Bill Adair · February 2, 2002, 06:55 PM

Ron,

Interesting.

That is really reasonable, because the stems themselves are $5, so they are custom cutting them for practically nothing.

Midway lists alternate seater stems for $5, but the 44 caliber HP stems are for Gold Dot bullets.

I think your right, the SWC stem should work, and it's easy enough to tell if your bullets are being deformed.

Bill

January 31, 2002, 09:03 PM	#1
PALongbow Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2001 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 103	Carbide Die Question I purchased a new RCBS 44 mag carbide die set. The bullet seater die comes with two seater plugs, one labled SWC and the other RN. I currently use the Hornady HP XTP bullets. Which seater plug works better with this particular bullet? Either one looks like it would work but I'm sure one is better than the other for seating the bullet. Ron

January 31, 2002, 10:20 PM	#2
capbuster Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 1999 Location: Bessemer,Alabama Posts: 302	Ron, the RN bullet seater should be your best choice. The easiest way to determine the one to use would be to get the seating stems free and actually hold the bullet nose up to each one and see which one is the better fit. __________________ cliff

February 1, 2002, 07:05 PM	#3
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	capbuster's right. Pull the stems & see which fits best. With some JHPs, you may find that the roundnose setaer tries to collapse the nose of the hollow point - not a good thing. If so, switch to the flatnose & you should be OK. I use the flatnose stem for everything - JHPs, etc. - & don't load a roundnose for anything = yuk. (oh yeah, except for some 9mm rounds)

February 2, 2002, 03:14 AM	#4
Bill Adair Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2000 Location: Seattle/Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 345	Ron, RCBS sells several alternate seater plugs, for just that problem. I've also heard, (but not confirmed) that RCBS will custom fit seater stems, if you send one in with some of the bullets you wish to seat. I'd call them and see what they recommend. Bill

February 2, 2002, 06:02 PM	#5
PALongbow Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2001 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 103	Bill, I called RCBS and they said to send the bullet that I would like to use and they will custom cut a seater plug for around $10.00 per plug. I think the flat bottomed plug that I currently have labled SWC should work with the Hornady XTP JHP bullet. Ron

February 2, 2002, 06:55 PM	#6
Bill Adair Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2000 Location: Seattle/Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 345	Ron, Interesting. That is really reasonable, because the stems themselves are $5, so they are custom cutting them for practically nothing. Midway lists alternate seater stems for $5, but the 44 caliber HP stems are for Gold Dot bullets. I think your right, the SWC stem should work, and it's easy enough to tell if your bullets are being deformed. Bill