Is there any thing better than carbide dies

danthomas77

Is there anything better than carbide dies I noticed that there are some titanium dies are the any better than carbide dies?

Tailgunner1954

Those dies have a sizing ring in them, consisting of carbide or Ti x.
The Ti takes 1 several forms, TiN TiC or TiCN coating (Titanium Nitride, Titanium Carbide or Titanium Carbo Nitride).
All the carbide or TIcoatings do is reduce the lubrication requirement for streight wall cases (with tapered dies, regardless of material, you must lube).

RustyNail

Carbide dies are tough as nails. They don't wear as quickly as the high carbon steel, however, as tough as they are, they are brittle and can crack. This is more of an issue with suaging dies where pressures involved are much higher. In short, I like the carbide.[:D]

On re-reading this, I realize you were referring to the Titanium--(I have never tried any)

Cubslover

No

mbsams

Dear Tailgunner - with all due respect, Carbide dies require no lubrication - says so right in my carbide die directions. Won't hurt.

Tailgunner1954

MB Sams
No lube would qualify as reduced (by my defination). However if you think a carbide die runs smooth without lube, try it with just a small amount of lube on the case, you'll think you forgot to put a case in the shellholder [:D]
Even lubing just 1 case in 5 will greatly reduce the effort, due to carry over of the lube in the die. I use Hornady "Unique" lube, and by wiping the fingertips of my left hand across it (just enough to put a shine on my fingertips) I have all the lube I need to do a couple hundred pistol cases (just handling the brass will transfer all you need).

mbsams

Tailgunner - my 44 mags run pretty smooth dry. All I have is some Hornady One Shot that I use for my rifle reloading. Gave the 44's a real quick squirt. It is smoother all right but now I have that extra step of wiping the lube off the case again that the carbide die is supposed to eliminate.

viet68

Best thing on the market by far is Imperial Sizing Die Wax.
It comes in a small tin and lasts a very long time.

Noah Mercy

I actually like the titanium nitride dies (Hornady New Dimensions) a little better than the regular carbide, but it doesn't have anything to do with the smoothness of operation. The TiN seems to be fairly impervious to getting any debris imbedded in it and scratching cases. I tumble and sift my cases carefully, but regardless of how meticulous my prep, there has occasionally been detritus in the primer pocket that got loose and scratched cases with carbide dies and scratches will result in split or ruptured cases if you're firing a high-pressure load in a firearm with a generous chamber. Never had that prob with the Hornady dies. And they work plenty slick, although as others have mentioned, adding a miniscule amount of lube to every fourth or fifth case will make it run almost effortlessly.

[:D]

buddyb

I agree that a little lube on a case takes away that slight rough feeling on the press handle you get wuth carbide dies.

mbsams

Well if everyone is lubing anyway, why pay more for the exotic metals? Regular dies give you a nicer looking reload without that ring at the base that carbide leaves/

B17-P51

Even Dillon recommends lubing with their carbide dies. At least 1 in 5 or so.