Buying used reloading dies

Gil Martin · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 3:48 pm Post subject: Buying used reloading dies

While in a local gun shop today and was looking around. I found excellent used RCBS reloading dies in 6mm Remington and .444 Marlin that were made in 1974 and 1975. They were very reasonably priced so I bought them. After getting home I had to put the dies in a padded vise to get them apart. For some reason the factory and prior owners seem to tighten reloading dies to an extreme degree. I do not get it. Anyone else notice this trait? All the best...
Gil

Vince · Last edited by Vince on Thu Jan 28, 2016 12:37 am; edited 1 time in total

Gil wrote:

... For some reason the factory and prior owners seem to tighten reloading dies to an extreme degree. I do not get it.

Can't say I've encountered this before, but then again I've never bought second hand dies...only new and if anything they weren't really tightened...just barely nipped up.

I only tighten things as much as is necessary to do the job. That way I can adjust them easily if it's needed. I also clean my dies on a regular basis so there isn't a buildup of gunk to 'push' them out of adjustment and cause them to need mega foot lbs of torque to stay put.

SingleShotLover · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:54 am Post subject: Re: Buying used reloading dies

Well, there is "tight" and then there is "farmer tight". I have seen this on dies and scope rings. Seems people don't trust things not to move unless they use a breaker bar to make them tight! Dies that use lead pellets to bind in the die body threads seem to be the worst. I usually break the ring free, remove it, clean the threads and drop a new lead pellet (piece of #6 shot) back in before replacing the die screw. I then just snug the screw when the die is adjusted.

chambered221 · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:52 am Post subject: Re: Buying used reloading dies

I prefer the Hornady style !!!
I've also used the 2 piece design.

PaulS · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: Buying used reloading dies

I generally tighten the nut on the die body (I like the split rings because they don't bugger up the threads) so they don't come loose. I never have to remove those nuts so it is good to have them tight once they are properly adjusted. The rest of the adjustments are snugged up but not tightened like the body nuts because they come apart when I clean and lubricate the dies.
When I switch between 38 Spl, 357 mag and 357 Max I use precision bushings to adjust for the different dies just like I do for my trimmers. I like never having to adjust things depending on the cartridge I am working with.

hunterjoe21 · Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 10:29 pm Post subject: Re: Buying used reloading dies

chambered221 wrote:

I prefer the Hornady style !!!
I've also used the 2 piece design.

I've tossed out all the "green" set screw die lock rings and replaced 'em with Hornady's version. They seem to hold things in place much better for me.

OldSchoolRanger · Member Joined: Feb 15, 2017 Posts: 88

Gil Martin wrote:

For some reason the factory and prior owners seem to tighten reloading dies to an extreme degree. I do not get it. Anyone else notice this trait? All the best...
Gil

I had the same experience recently. People that tighten dies to the extreme, are those, that usually set the dies for life. They never want to make any changes.