X Die question

bipe215 · October 27, 2009, 08:05 PM

Thinking about starting to rifle reload. I already reload handgun and am familiar with three-die loading. My question is with the RCBS X Die set, having only two dies, does the sizer/decapper die also expand the case mouth, or does one have to purchase a third die for expanding?
Thanks in advance.

Steve G

mongoose33 · October 27, 2009, 08:10 PM

You don't expand the casemouth as you do w/ handgun brass. You chamfer the mouth (there are tools for that) and the bullet slides in with some resistance.

You only need the two dies (unless you add a third dedicated crimp die).

Dr. Strangelove · October 27, 2009, 08:13 PM

The sizer/decapper die sets the case mouth back to spec, you don't bell the case mouth like in pistol loading. The second dies seats the bullet.

totalloser · October 28, 2009, 01:58 AM

The decapper does expand the case mouth on deformed cases. Not sure if that's what you were asking.

I have used the Xdies, and am REALLY not fond of them. If you get a stuck case, you can't pull the decapper out to knock it back out. And I have noticed shorter case life compared to regularly trimmed brass (split necks). I use a heavily modified Dillon size/trim die now, but I would go back to my Lee Zip trim and Conventional dies before fooling with Xdies again. Some folks like them, I do not.

When I have had problems, I was doing VOLUME of .223. but they seem to stick cases more readily than my Lee or Dillon dies. In comparison, I can simply pull the top off my other dies and knock the shell out.

However, they do do EXACTLY what they advertise to do. If you choose to use them, I advise care in case lubing (IE lube every one, not every third one) and would suggest having a drill and tap type stuck case remover on hand to save a headache if you get a stuck case.

Oh, and you might need a third die for powder charging if you use a press mounted powder measure.

Starvingboy · October 28, 2009, 07:55 AM

I use x-dies on .308, but I figured out a slick trick to make it go faster: Lube dies. First stage lubes the die, second is the x die/powder drop, 3rd stage seats the bullet. I can only do 150 or so at a shot, because my local shop only sells .308 powder in 1lb cans

BigJakeJ1s · October 28, 2009, 10:22 PM

How do you use the X die with the powder measure in the 2nd station?

Andy

F. Guffey · October 28, 2009, 11:37 PM

http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instru...structions.pdf

F. Guffey

totalloser · October 29, 2009, 01:48 AM

How to use the Xdie and drop powder in station 2 on a 3 hole machine (Starvingboy's)

1. Insert/lube/decap (RCBS lube die)
2. Xsize with no decap assembly in place, and manually drop powdercharge down top of die
3. Seat

That seems like a clever way to do it. I guess you won't have my number one gripe with the Xdie that way, since you can easily knock out a stuck case from the top if the decap assembly is missing! Unless Starvingboy has a way to adapt a powder measure to the Xdie... it seems like that would be possible. Maybe even fairly easy.

If I remember correctly, the threads on the die end of the decap rods are different, but the decap pin retainer is the same between the Xdie and the lube die, at least on .223. So you can use the expander ball on the lube die. Dunno if that's helpful, that's what I used to do.

October 27, 2009, 08:05 PM	#1
bipe215 Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2008 Posts: 122	X Die question Thinking about starting to rifle reload. I already reload handgun and am familiar with three-die loading. My question is with the RCBS X Die set, having only two dies, does the sizer/decapper die also expand the case mouth, or does one have to purchase a third die for expanding? Thanks in advance. Steve G

October 28, 2009, 01:58 AM	#4
totalloser Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Fort Bragg, CA Posts: 679	The decapper does expand the case mouth on deformed cases. Not sure if that's what you were asking. I have used the Xdies, and am REALLY not fond of them. If you get a stuck case, you can't pull the decapper out to knock it back out. And I have noticed shorter case life compared to regularly trimmed brass (split necks). I use a heavily modified Dillon size/trim die now, but I would go back to my Lee Zip trim and Conventional dies before fooling with Xdies again. Some folks like them, I do not. When I have had problems, I was doing VOLUME of .223. but they seem to stick cases more readily than my Lee or Dillon dies. In comparison, I can simply pull the top off my other dies and knock the shell out. However, they do do EXACTLY what they advertise to do. If you choose to use them, I advise care in case lubing (IE lube every one, not every third one) and would suggest having a drill and tap type stuck case remover on hand to save a headache if you get a stuck case. Oh, and you might need a third die for powder charging if you use a press mounted powder measure. __________________ You only truly believe in freedom if you believe in the freedom of those you disagree. Last edited by totalloser; October 28, 2009 at 02:05 AM.

October 29, 2009, 01:48 AM	#8
totalloser Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Fort Bragg, CA Posts: 679	How to use the Xdie and drop powder in station 2 on a 3 hole machine (Starvingboy's) 1. Insert/lube/decap (RCBS lube die) 2. Xsize with no decap assembly in place, and manually drop powdercharge down top of die 3. Seat That seems like a clever way to do it. I guess you won't have my number one gripe with the Xdie that way, since you can easily knock out a stuck case from the top if the decap assembly is missing! Unless Starvingboy has a way to adapt a powder measure to the Xdie... it seems like that would be possible. Maybe even fairly easy. If I remember correctly, the threads on the die end of the decap rods are different, but the decap pin retainer is the same between the Xdie and the lube die, at least on .223. So you can use the expander ball on the lube die. Dunno if that's helpful, that's what I used to do. __________________ You only truly believe in freedom if you believe in the freedom of those you disagree. Last edited by totalloser; October 29, 2009 at 02:04 AM.

October 27, 2009, 08:10 PM	#2
mongoose33 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 228	You don't expand the casemouth as you do w/ handgun brass. You chamfer the mouth (there are tools for that) and the bullet slides in with some resistance. You only need the two dies (unless you add a third dedicated crimp die).

October 27, 2009, 08:13 PM	#3
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	The sizer/decapper die sets the case mouth back to spec, you don't bell the case mouth like in pistol loading. The second dies seats the bullet.

October 28, 2009, 07:55 AM	#5
Starvingboy Member Join Date: September 17, 2008 Posts: 74	I use x-dies on .308, but I figured out a slick trick to make it go faster: Lube dies. First stage lubes the die, second is the x die/powder drop, 3rd stage seats the bullet. I can only do 150 or so at a shot, because my local shop only sells .308 powder in 1lb cans

October 28, 2009, 10:22 PM	#6
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	How do you use the X die with the powder measure in the 2nd station? Andy

October 28, 2009, 11:37 PM	#7
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instru...structions.pdf F. Guffey