Carbide reloading dies

[wayward]

You just don't have to lube them?

Is that right?

[Triang]

I'm no expert on this but 99% sure that applies to straight cases only. Pistol cases etc.

You can't replace your necked rifle dies with carbine ones so you don't need to lube them while sizing.

[Jack V]

It's true you don't have to lube a straight case in a carbide die but that is only because the die will not get damaged . The brass on the other hand will wear out quicker . Keep you brass very clean before sizing . Pistol shooters don't seem to worry too much about case life anyway .

[Warrigul]

It's true you don't have to lube a straight case in a carbide die but that is only because the die will not get damaged . The brass on the other hand will wear out quicker . Keep you brass very clean before sizing . Pistol shooters don't seem to worry too much about case life anyway .

The sheer volume you need to load makes lubing pistol cases impractical, I size in batches of 500 or 1000. Nickel plated cases seem to last better than plain brass in carbide dies.

[Jack V]

It's true you don't have to lube a straight case in a carbide die but that is only because the die will not get damaged . The brass on the other hand will wear out quicker . Keep you brass very clean before sizing . Pistol shooters don't seem to worry too much about case life anyway .

The sheer volume you need to load makes lubing pistol cases impractical, I size in batches of 500 or 1000. Nickel plated cases seem to last better than plain brass in carbide dies.

I agree volume is the factor . Nickel is a kind of lube by its self .

[greenonion]

Nickel is a kind of lube by its self .

That's the whole point of the brass isn't it?

It's a bit slippery so you're less likely to have a jam, good for dangerous game hunting to make sure all goes right?

[wayward]

It's true you don't have to lube a straight case in a carbide die but that is only because the die will not get damaged.

I see.

So they're just a stronger die really?

[Tiiger]

The material is actually "tungsten carbide" if I recall correctly.

And it's 2 or 3 times harder than steel. Somewhere around that.

[Jack V]

That's the whole point of the brass isn't it?

It's a bit slippery so you're less likely to have a jam, good for dangerous game hunting to make sure all goes right?

Well I'm not sure that was the original reason to nickel plate cases. Maybe a side benefit. I think the original reason was to reduce corrosion as compared to normal bare brass which can get manky in wet hot conditions . You would have to study up on the history of nickel plated cases if it's at all possibly .

[Jack V]

So they're just a stronger die really?

Not stronger really as the die is more brittle but much harder and smoother than tool steel dies so the surface can resist scoring and gauling better.

[Aster]

Well I'm not sure that was the original reason to nickel plate cases. Maybe a side benefit. I think the original reason was to reduce corrosion as compared to normal bare brass which can get manky in wet hot conditions . You would have to study up on the history of nickel plated cases if it's at all possibly .

I believe you're correct, corrosion was the primary motivation behind developing nickel plated brass.

The "slippery" factor is the more attractive feature for some shooters though. Typical process of invention, invent something you weren't trying to.

Depends on what you want and which marketing spiel you read as to why you buy it