Is there a full length rifle (.223) sizing die made that does not require lub? I know RCBS makes a die that adds the lube as you size the die, but I would like to have a die that requires no lube at all. I've read that carbide rifle sizing dies still require lube so that is not what I'm looking for.
I'm selling the MVP. Nothing wrong with the rifle I just don't shoot it anymore and want the cash for another AR. I have a bushing neck sizer that does not require lubed cases and use that for loading for the Remington bolt gun. The AR requires full length sized cases or it will jam.
Lubing cases is my least favorite part of reloading and it seems to me it should be possible to make a die that does not require any lube. Maybe a coating like the nickel - boron used on bolt carrier groups would work.
I'm selling the MVP. Nothing wrong with the rifle I just don't shoot it anymore and want the cash for another AR. I have a bushing neck sizer that does not require lubed cases and use that for loading for the Remington bolt gun. The AR requires full length sized cases or it will jam.
Lubing cases is my least favorite part of reloading and it seems to me it should be possible to make a die that does not require any lube. Maybe a coating like the nickel - boron used on bolt carrier groups would work.
Steve,
if there is friction between two metal surfaces, then you will need lube to prevent damage and wear.
that's something we just can't get around. Even the most finely ground and aligned machine gears have to be lubed. There is just no way around it.
I am not sure that is possible, pretty sure I would have at least heard of it.
How do you lube your cases? I just throw them in a container, spray some Dillon case lube on them, shake and size. Works like a charm for FL sizing of .308 and .223
After sizing you can either tumble it off or wipe it off with a rag and some brake cleaner. (or whatever works for you)
If I read the write up correctly that machine removes any bulge and corrects the profile but does not affect the shoulder. After going though the machine you must use a regular sizing die to return the shoulder to spec.
"Steve,
if there is friction between two metal surfaces, then you will need lube to prevent damage and wear.
that's something we just can't get around. Even the most finely ground and aligned machine gears have to be lubed. There is just no way around it."
A non-lubed rifle die might need to be a different design from a normal push/pull to re-size die. Maybe one that expands just enough to release the brass when the ram hits top dead center. Or maybe the die only closes around the case when the ram is at the top dead center position and you press down on the handle and then the die releases the brass when you let off on the handle.
I believe a good mechanical engineer could design such a die. The cost might be high but I believe it could be done.
I thought about getting a small base die but full length resizing with a standard die is working well. I tried just neck sizing on a few rounds and that didn't work at all. About every other round would not chamber so I have to full length resize all the AR brass.
AR's and neck sizing don't play well together typically as you stated. Full length is good if feeds well. Small base die as a possible fix to occasional feed issues. But due to all that side wall case friction, there needs to be some sort of lubrication. Pulling on the base for die extraction may result in breaking off of the case inside the die or stretching the base making it more prone to case failure possibilities as you are aware. You'd think an internal collet style that collapses on the case walls forming it correctly would come about by some of those inga-neers such that as the ram pulls the case base the collet springs opens and releases the case. But due to cost of the die, I would spray on my iso-heet/lanoline lube and use the regular die. That MVP looks decent, you're gonna miss it later.
I don't have any details, but I've read that Dillon was producing carbide dies for bottle necked cartridges. The only thing I remember, other than they are carbide, is that they were pretty expensive...
why not design a hydraulic die system. Something that has an external dimension pair of dies that close on the case, then fluid under high pressure is pumped in and forces the brass into shape. Im sure a few thousand dollars would get you a decent start. Me? I'll keep spraying with One Shot and shake the bag
In a straight walled case the carbide die has a carbide ring at the base of the die that slides on the case to make it of a uniform dimension top to bottom. Most shouldered cases have a taper in them to allow them to easily break free of the chamber for extraction. A carbide ring would not work. It would take an entire carbide die body or at least a sleeve. Carbide tools are expensive and a die made this way could be very expensive. It would also be very hard and may shatter if dropped. Expense might be the stumbling block to non-lube die. But what is the big deal with lubing?
You have to (in 99% of the reloading setups in the home) pickup every cartridge to put it into the press. If you use a pad with RCBS lube you drop it on the pad, give it a single roll on the pad and pick it up off the pad and put it on the press. When you are done reloading the lot you only have to wipe the cartridge off with a damp cloth, drop it on a towel and roll ten cartridges at a a time on the towel to dry the cases. RCBS lube is water soluble . The pad if just damp with lube minimizes the lube you get on the case. While wiping the lube off with the damp cloth you can check the primers for proper seating and inspect the case for any problems.
Note that the Dillon Carbide dies require lube so there is nothing to be gained with them.
The 9mm being an exception where the carbide insert is not a ring of a certain diameter but a tapered sleeve the length of the entire case. It probably comes down to cost versus benefit rather than a limitation in technology or physics.
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