Lee Carbide Die Scratching Cases?

[G. Freeman]

Hi Guys,

All of my carbide dies are RCBS and recently decided to try Lee carbide 45 ACP die.

I noticed that the die scratches the case badly. Internal inspection of the die shows brass shavings even after just a few cases after the die is thoroughly cleaned on the inside.

The brass has all been cleaned.

Is this normal with LEE? I have RCBS dies that are 25 yrs old (never cleaned) and they never scratch my cases.

I'd appreciate your input.

[sethrus]

That looks like a raised or out of round area.
I've been told to not lube brass going into carbide. Dragging stuff.
BUT I have RCBS and LEE carbide, lube brass, and nary a problem.
Any chance you have a mop you can put some 200, 300, or 500 grit compound on and do a polish.
Follow with and good cleaning with solvent... Brake cleaner or something.

Sent from my STH100-1 using Tapatalk

[Lost In The Pits]

Contact lee and they'll probably replace it.

[tmorse]

I cracked a carbide die insert on a Lee die and it scratched the brass. It was a long time ago and I cant remember what it looked like though. Lee replaced the die.

[jimmythebrain]

I received a lee 9 MM die with a crack in the carbide ring- Lee gave me the run around then eventually replaced it.
It would scratch my brass but nothing like what is in the pictures.
Die needs to go back to LEE

on a side note, I have run Nickle plated brass through my dies and little pieces of nickle would get left in the die and scratch the next pieces of brass.

[16in50calNavalRifle]

That's pretty severe galling/scratching of the case.

In my experience, you can just email Lee, include that photo and description of what you are doing, and they will make it right. I've had them send new dies, or accept and polish dies that are causing scratches.

I would recommend emailing their customer service.

[TexasJackKin]

I have several sets of Lee carbide dies, and had one (I think it was .45 ACP, but not sure) scratch brass and leave brass shavings on the shell plate, but nothing as bad as what your picture shows.

I found that the upper edge of the carbide insert was quite sharp. I was able to break the edge with a felt bob, and diamond laping compound in a die grinder while spinning the die in a lathe. If I had it to do over, I'd just send it back to Lee.

[Dark Hunt]

It looks like they got the carbide ring in crooked and it's shaving the side of the case.

[G. Freeman]

Hi Guys, thanks for chiming in. Called Lee today and they are sending me a replacement asap. The brass gets scraped on its way out of the die and leaves brass shavings. I think the carbide ring is in slightly crooked.

I usually buy RCBS dies and have never had anything like this happen. But currently money is a bit tight after Christmas. Oh well...

[Jason_2111]

I've run quite a few Lee pistol dies for a while, never a problem. When I started using them to form 300 BLK, I went through 3 dies before punting and switching to an RCBS. That one has probably 5k through it so far, with zero issues.

Maybe it was just a lemon... in any case, Lee is pretty good with just sending out replacements like that.

[kcstott]

looks to me more like it scraped off a lacquer coating you don't typically see a low spot in the scarf mark with a square shape. but there again anything is possible.

[JagerDog]

Brass looks pretty dirty. I like clean brass going through my dies.

[divingin]

A bit off topic here, apologies to OP.

I've been told to not lube brass going into carbide. Dragging stuff.

Any reference on this? I've never heard that. "No need to lube with carbide dies", certainly (that's the point of them), but I've never heard "do not lube". And not sure what the "dragging stuff" comment means.

I have heard, however, that you should not set a carbide sizing die up for cam-over operation. Apparently, the die can deform enough to crack the carbide ring. I have never experienced this, but have never set a carbide die for a hard cam-over, either (minor cam-over, at times.)