Broken RCBS dies

[yo-yo]

Is anyone having an issue with RCBS dies? We have broken two of the resizing does from RCBS for the .338 Lapua. After 30-40 rounds pressed into the dies, when the brass is released from the die, the die cracks. These were both purchased from local large sporting goods stores (one broke, exchanged it for another, and broke that one yesterday).

Anyone else seeing this issue?

 

[Herb Stoner]

Are you using Lapua brass?

 

[kd185]

ive never broken a die like that ever, i reload for over 12 calibers (including bmg), and ive reloaded well over 100k rounds
id have to say it sounds like an rcbs problem, i know there warranty and customer service is excellent but i think i might start looking at another manufacture for that caliber for your collection

 

[yo-yo]

Are you using Lapua brass?

No, we are using Hornady brass, and S&S brass. So weird.

 

[yo-yo]

ive never broken a die like that ever, i reload for over 12 calibers (including bmg), and ive reloaded well over 100k rounds
id have to say it sounds like an rcbs problem, i know there warranty and customer service is excellent but i think i might start looking at another manufacture for that caliber for your collection

Ok. Sounds good. Too bad. We’ll return these and try something else.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Dies are hardend steel so if they are cracking something must be way out of wack. Could your press be out of allignment/true and causing lateral forces on the die? Are you using a good lube? One cracking is crazy...2 is not a coincidence. Maybe they were from the same batch and a bad batch of steel/heat treat somehow got out? I would call RCBS and talk to someone about it.

 

[yo-yo]

Are you using Lapua brass?

No. We have Hornady brass and some other brass stamped S&S on the bottom (not sure who this is). Both are from factory loads after shooting them the first time. I did hear the Lapua may be a bit thicker.

 

[whatsupdoc]

A thin brass tube cracking a steel die, something is not right.
Is the expander ball in the die when you are resizing brass?

 

[bpd459]

Sounds like too much cam over contact with the ram / shell holder and base of the die.

 

[oldrifleman]

Sounds like too much cam over contact with the ram / shell holder and base of the die.

I agree, the expander would just get stuck, no real force transfer. Going over cam on hard contact, something had to give.

 

[Cr1775]

I agree, the expander would just get stuck, no real force transfer. Going over cam on hard contact, something had to give.

No i don't agree, you should have seen me 30 years ago sizing cases . Never cracked a die, but made a crap load of 308 short.

 

[Smokin7s]

Send them back and get some Wilson’s or Redding, I don’t think I could break one if I tried.

 

[Smokin7s]

Can we see it

 

[Flyperk]

Kinda difficult for brass to crack steel. I’ve cracked a die once but it wasn’t being used in “normal” loading. I bored it too thin working with steel not brass and it wasn’t being used slammed down hard against the ram. I can’t see one cracking under normal use, especially if it happened twice close together.
I would contact RCBS and discuss with them. I’m sure it’s an adjustment issue and not a die issue.
Good luck, please send pics and resolution when you get it resolved. I’ve interested in the findings…. Thanks

 

[Potsy]

I’d almost think that camming the ram over into the bottom of it could do it, but I used to do that before I knew better and never cracked a die. I never have been what you would call a “large volume” reloaded though.

Wonder if it came cracked from the factory and was just noticed or the crack had progressively grown?

Only two issues I’ve ever had with sizing dies were a WAY undersized neck in a Redding FL die (“it’s within spec”) and a set of Lee 7x57 dies that came with a .303 Brit sizer (talk about “WTF!?!?!?”).

 

[Flyperk]

Over camming is in most instructions provided with the die sets. It’s when you adjust too much and apply additional force. The fact that it happened to him back to back with two separate die sets almost rules out the dies unless it’s a defective lot. I used to load thousands of rounds monthly but my load only 8-10 a year now and have never experienced that kind of failure with RCBS dies. Maybe switch brands and see if you have the same results….