*****New to Reloading Need Help Picking Dies*****

[moy2441]

Hello fellow Calgunners,

I need your help. I just recently purchased a Dillion RL550B. I will be reloading 9mm, 10mm, 44 mag, 45 ACP, 223 & 308. Now I am looking to purchase dies.
What is the best way to go? STANDARD DIES OR CARBIDE DIES? Why?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[BigBronco]

Carbide is the way to go. Standarddies require the brass cases to be lubed. This lube then needs to be cleaned off after the completion of ammo making. So carbide dies save you two steps. Lubing then cleaning.

[moy2441]

Carbide is the way to go. Standarddies require the brass cases to be lubed. This lube then needs to be cleaned off after the completion of ammo making. So carbide dies save you two steps. Lubing then cleaning.

That is great to know. Your advice is greatly appreciated. I will order my dies from Dillion today.

Thank you BigBronco

[Longhill]

If you get carbide dies for the rifle.
The bottle necked dies DO NEED to be lubed. Straight cased handgun cartridges DON"T NEED to be, but they work much smoother if the case is lubed.

[moy2441]

If you get carbide dies for the rifle.
The bottle necked dies DO NEED to be lubed. Straight cased handgun cartridges DON"T NEED to be, but they work much smoother if the case is lubed.

Thank you for the advice Longhill. I will write these down on my RELOADING notes.

[stilly]

Sounds like you are new to reloading.
Standard rule- Carbide dies FIRST if they are available. They keep you from having to lube cases for straightwalled pistol.

Always always always carbide first...

[BigBronco]

Keep in mind carbide dies for pistol. Steel dies for bittleneck rifle. Carbide rifle dies still need to be lubed.

[moy2441]

Yes, I am new to reloading. Thank you Stilly and BigBronco.

[CK_32]

Standard work fine. But if you can find or afford the little bit extra for carbide id go that way.

Just what is lubing and cleaning to you I guess.

[jameshenry]

I use carbide for straight wall and bottle cases. I lube both and tumble both after loading for delubing (Walnut media in tumbler).

[moy2441]

Thank you all for the great feedback. This will definitely help me out a lot. Like always, I knew I can count on you guys.

[JagerDog]

Carbide for straightwall pistol.

In bottleneck rifle I can't see a reason to go carbide. Gobs more $'s, very limited availability and no real advantage (unless maybe you're mfg'ing by the 1000's for resale, etc.)

[Chief-7700]

When you order your Dillon dies also get:
Dillon Case Lube
Package of 10 spare decapping pins #K46-21528
Chief

[BLR81]

I use carbide for straight wall and bottle cases. I lube both and tumble both after loading for delubing (Walnut media in tumbler).

I hope you meant to say tumble after sizing, because you never want to tumble loaded ammo.

[JagerDog]

I hope you meant to say tumble after sizing, because you never want to tumble loaded ammo.

I've tumbled plenty of loaded ammo. So have plenty others.