Melonite sizing die

[244]

Has anyone had a sizing die treated with the Melonite/Isonite treatment? If so, how did it turn out? Any information would be helpful. The most I've gleaned from internet searches was the suggestion to polish the die and expander before sending it in. I was unable to find any results of it being done.

Forgive me if this has been asked and answered before, but I was unable to find it if it had.

Thanks.

 

[Clark]

Re: Melonite sizing die

To avoid using case lube?

 

[244]

Re: Melonite sizing die


Yes and no regarding the case lube.

My primary reason would be to reduce the chance of the die becoming scratched and then transferring this onto each piece of brass run through it. Same for the expander.

I recently had my first stuck case (nickel plated with PLENTY of Imperial). Not only was the brass stuck in the body of the die, but once I got that loose the expander was stuck inside the case. After I cut the case I discovered the expander had many rather deep scratches. I don't think this is what caused the case to stick as it works well with unplated brass.

I figure the extra hardness and increased lubricity would only improve the function and reduce the chance of a stuck case. Unfortunately, I have been proved, or proved myself, wrong many times.

I was hoping someone had already tried it and would be able to give their impressions and experience with it.

Now, if having it done would eliminate the need to use case lube, that would be FANTASTIC! That would eliminate two steps in the reloading process on a progressive press.

 

[Adam B]

Re: Melonite sizing die

funny, I thought about doing the same thing the other day. I dont think it would totally eliminate case lube but it sure would make things go smoother, similar to a carbide die

 

[former naval person]

Re: Melonite sizing die

You are eventually going to ruin that die with nickel plated cases. The nickel will crack and scratch up your dies. Seen it, done it. If you want to load the nickel, do a thorough examination after cleaning...inside the neck as well as the exterior. Might want to polish the insides of the case necks. (That is probably what scratched the expander.) Polish the expander ball by rotating it in a drill motor with 1000 and 2000 grit finishing paper. I only use nickel cases in pistol (and in rifle for hunting...easy to find on the forest floor). JMHO

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Melonite sizing die

Nickle looks cool but it's NOT a reloaders friend.

 

[244]

Re: Melonite sizing die


I'm not the biggest fan of the nickle rifle cases, but I have some of the Speer Gold Dot .308 cases and thought I'd use them to load subs. I figure the bright shiny cases would give me another visual clue that these were sub-sonic rounds; a self-imposed double check.

I'm hoping that when using the nickled brass for subs that I won't have to size them near as often as full power loads, again, I've proved myself wrong before. If I did end up having to size them after each firing, the potential flaking of the nickle seems like another reason to have the sizer die treated with Melonite. If the flaking nickle is going to gank up even the Melonited sizer die, then I'll just circular file the Speer brass.

The <span style="font-style: italic">possibility</span> of not having to lube the cases intrigues me. I don't feel like removing the sizing lube manually when using a progressive press and I get the heebie-jeebies tumbling assembled cartridges to do so.

Has anyone had a sizer die treated or known someone that has?

 

[Glen Seekins]

Re: Melonite sizing die

You wont get a coating that works any better than a carbide die. Sometimes they stick too. I run them in a progressive loader and still lube rifle cases. You wont need to worry about scratching

 

[244]

Re: Melonite sizing die

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: heatseekins</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You wont get a coating that works any better than a carbide die. Sometimes they stick too. I run them in a progressive loader and still lube rifle cases. You wont need to worry about scratching </div></div>

Thanks Mr. Seekins. It appears Dillon makes .223 and .308 carbide sizer dies for $116 and a set for $150. Doing a little more research on <span style="font-style: italic">carbide</span> dies suggests the cases must still be lubed, but a much reduced amount, just like you said.

I'd guess than carbide is at worst the equal to a Melonite/Isonite die and would also need lube.

I might try having one treated just to see what happens.

Thanks!

 

[msalm]

Re: Melonite sizing die

I know a few benchresters that have their dies melonited after making them specifically for their rifle. From what I've heard they hold up extremely well. Melonite works.

 

[RWSGunsmithing]

Re: Melonite sizing die

I've had some cheytac dies done. Currently out in customers hands and I've not heard back from them on it and I bet if there was a problem I'm sure I've woulda heard about it by now.

 

[melonite]

Re: Melonite sizing die

maybe this will help


will
www.meloniteqpq.com

 

[244]

Re: Melonite sizing die

Most of my dies are Hornady, so I emailed their tech department. A set of Lee dies were used when the case was stuck, FYI. Here's Hornady's response:

<span style="font-style: italic">The Hornady "New Dimension" dies are all ready heat treated to at least 60 Rockwell or harder. .... If you try to do anything to alter the heat treating process of our dies that it would void the warranty of them.

and then:

Hornady Mfg. Co. has not had a problem with nickel cases sticking our full length size dies. The Hornady elliptical expanders are heat treated steel to at least 60 Rockwell hardness. Hornady Mfg. Co. has resized thousands of nickel plated cases without having any cases stick in a die unless the expansion ring area on the case was not lubed properly. </span>

With a Rockwell hardness of 60 (C scale I assume) with Hornady dies, I'm not sure there would be a real benefit to have them treated to a RHC of 70 or so. It sounds like they would replace anything that became scratched under their warranty.

Maybe I'll treat an old RCBS .357 Mag sizer I got at a garage sale......the experimentation bug has bit me.

 

[244]

Re: Melonite sizing die

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: msalm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know a few benchresters that have their dies melonited after making them specifically for their rifle. From what I've heard they hold up extremely well. Melonite works. </div></div>

This makes me encouraged to try it. Thanks!