Dies

[SHARPPOINT]

Question, How many rounds do you have on your current reloading dies? I'm still new to reloading and have 15,000+/- thru my Dillon 550. I oil the 550 every 800-1000 rds but, never have done anything to my dies. Is it time to do anything to my dies? Or just keep loading?

Thanks

[Raoul]

Are they carbide? What brand are they?

Edited April 26, 2013 by Raoul

[MarkInNashville]

Personally I inspected mine and gave them a wipe with a very light coat of CLP, as I do for my guns. For the inner part of the die that would enter a case I wiped it off with a clean rag (make sure no oil gets in there).

Edited April 26, 2013 by MarkInNashville

[SHARPPOINT]

Dillon dies, Lee crimp die

Markinnash, I took a Q-tip up into my seating die (been loading some 125gr lead) and got quite a bit of red lube out. Not enough to change OAL but some... Should I cleand and oil the inside when i'm this lead?? The Valant 125gr lead are caked with a red lube (almost like Crayon melted on them). MOST of the time I load MG 115gr FMJ and have never had this.

Thanks

Edited April 26, 2013 by SHARPPOINT

[Raoul]

I have a couple of sets of RCBS carbides with a bunch of rounds through them. I've replaces some pins and pin holders, but they are still working fine.

[Dolomite_supafly]

As long as your brass is clean before sizing your dies will probably last a lifetime. Most problems with a die is not the die but the user. I know every problem I have had was 100% my fault.

[Westwindmike]

I clean mine out with a bottle brush and alcohol ever so often. I load only lead boolits and get a bit of Alox up in my seating dies.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

I clean mine out with carb cleaner, or gun solvent, after use, and let them dry. Otherwise, Like Dolomite said,

the problems like a bent decapper or other, was my fault. You should be able to will them several generations. :D

[RED333]

All dies wear out after 100 rounds, send them to me for scrape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have more than a few 1000 in my 40 S&W Lee dies, should last for ever.

[DWARREN123]

I clean and lube when needed. I inspect before every use and when reloading lead sometimes the bullet lube gets inside the seating/crimp die.

[frankmako]

i got most of my dies in the 70 and 80.  i clean them when needed.  i use hoppies #9 and wipe dry.  oil when and where needed.   it is hard to wear a die out.  you might break a pin when de-priming, but that is not the die fault.   

[roverboy]

Most of mine were bought in the 80's and 90's and I clean ever so often and oil and they keep cranking away. My RCBS .38/.357 dies have had several thousand loaded in them.

[173rdABN]

wow, i feel like a dirt bag. you guys clean your dies?

 

pretty sure i'm on 20,000 for each caliber at the bare minimum and realllllly dont clean them that much. the .223 dies yes because i seem to accumulate crud in my dies from that caliber only... its weird... (yes i tumble prior).

 

pistol dies.... dont think i've ever cleaned them to be honest and never had a problem.

 

maybe i should stop being lazy and clean them...

 

seriously, dont worry about round count in your dies. i'm using some of my grandpas dies from the 60's he used just as much as i use them, and i load almost non-stop when im home. you wont have an issue of wearing them out to say the least.

Edited April 28, 2013 by 173rdABN

[chances R]

Redding dies, spray 'em with Hornady cleaner/dry lube and Qtip around the 'steps' inside.  Will hit it with the air compressor......good to go.

[Rickey]

I shoot IDPA and Ive been using Lees 38/357 dies with strictly lead bullets and I've loaded over 40,000 rds and all I've had to do was clean out the excess lube that builds up in the seating and crimp die.