stupid reloading question

iwannausername

Ok... the reloading tip #1 thread got me thinking...

It is about lube, and lubing, rifle cases to be reloaded.

Dumb question time - folks reloading straight wall cases (mostly pistol ammo I assume) have been using carbide dies for years, and the advantage there from what I recall is that no case lubing is required. So ... (here it comes) ... why aren't there carbide dies for rifle/bottle neck rounds? Why wouldn't they work?

Thanks!

airmung

There are carbide dies for some (.223, .308, etc.). They resist wear better, but all bottleneck cases still need lube or they will stick.

Tailgunner1954

With a straight case, the carbide is a thin (.100 ish) ring
With a tapered case, the die contacts the entire case at once.

The people that see the wear benefit to carbide bottleneck dies are those that are those that are reloading a million rounds a month

gregoryhart1

Given the potential for catastrophe with improper reloading practices, I don't there's such a thing as a stupid reloading question. Except maybe the one that isn't asked.
Of course, that's just my opinion.
GH1[:)]

dcs shooters

Airmung has it right. Besides the cost of a bottle neck carbide die, they need to be used with lubed brass.

mbsams

even carbide works much better with a little "one shot" on the case.

lksmith03

everything works better with a little lube