Do you have X-dies and what are your opinions of them? Are they the way to go or not? All opinions are welcome. Thanks!
RCBS X-Die Opinions
- Thread starter Sudden Impact
- Start date
Re: RCBS X-Die Opinions
I use them on my 1050 for mass loading of plinking ammo with range pick up brass, this die work really well for that, I have some cases with many reloadings and i still don't trim and they all pass the case guage afterwards.
I use them on my 1050 for mass loading of plinking ammo with range pick up brass, this die work really well for that, I have some cases with many reloadings and i still don't trim and they all pass the case guage afterwards.
M
milo 2.0
Guest
Re: RCBS X-Die Opinions
I have x-dies for all calibers I load for,except 6.5x47.
Really don't use the x mandrel on bolt guns. If you trim ."020" past max length like it says to, will your case ever grow far enough to be trimmed again? I never wanted to mess with my neck tension that much, but still use the x-die because I like RCBS sizer's.
This way I can have one without the expander rod sticking out of the die.
I use the x mandrel on .223 Ar loads though, not sure after the initial trim if any cases have grown enough to contact where I set it yet. ".020" is alot of trim. I know I have 5 firings on most of the brass that I have and it isn't there yet.
I didn't worry about the neck tension on the AR brass because I taper crimp my loads.
To be honest, I don't think it is necsesary. And if your brass grew enough to contact the mandrel, the brass would have to give somewhere, I would think.
So I liken it to buying lures to fill your tackle box, it will never catch a fish, but it caught you!!
I have x-dies for all calibers I load for,except 6.5x47.
Really don't use the x mandrel on bolt guns. If you trim ."020" past max length like it says to, will your case ever grow far enough to be trimmed again? I never wanted to mess with my neck tension that much, but still use the x-die because I like RCBS sizer's.
This way I can have one without the expander rod sticking out of the die.
I use the x mandrel on .223 Ar loads though, not sure after the initial trim if any cases have grown enough to contact where I set it yet. ".020" is alot of trim. I know I have 5 firings on most of the brass that I have and it isn't there yet.
I didn't worry about the neck tension on the AR brass because I taper crimp my loads.
To be honest, I don't think it is necsesary. And if your brass grew enough to contact the mandrel, the brass would have to give somewhere, I would think.
So I liken it to buying lures to fill your tackle box, it will never catch a fish, but it caught you!!
Re: RCBS X-Die Opinions
Thanks guys...Really gives me something to think about!
I'm thinking "why not" on .223 AR loads but "why would I" on most anything else. Besides I need to fill my tackle box!
Seriously, Thanks!
Thanks guys...Really gives me something to think about!
I'm thinking "why not" on .223 AR loads but "why would I" on most anything else. Besides I need to fill my tackle box!
Seriously, Thanks!
Re: RCBS X-Die Opinions
for accurate match load I use either redding or forster dies, the RCBS is for the mass quantities stuff.
for accurate match load I use either redding or forster dies, the RCBS is for the mass quantities stuff.
Re: RCBS X-Die Opinions
I use one for my 300 SAUM when shooting in my AR10. It seems to do exactly what it's designed to...BUT. I've had my decaping rod break twice now. Once on a downward stroke, not sure how...and the other on a stuck case.
The downside to this, is the X-die's decapping rod is unique and not usually available at your local gun shop. I didn't even find it listed on the RCBS site. I had to call CS, and thankfully, I had it replaced both times at no charge...but I would have actually preferred to just run to the local shop and pick one up, simply for the delay it caused me.
I use one for my 300 SAUM when shooting in my AR10. It seems to do exactly what it's designed to...BUT. I've had my decaping rod break twice now. Once on a downward stroke, not sure how...and the other on a stuck case.
The downside to this, is the X-die's decapping rod is unique and not usually available at your local gun shop. I didn't even find it listed on the RCBS site. I had to call CS, and thankfully, I had it replaced both times at no charge...but I would have actually preferred to just run to the local shop and pick one up, simply for the delay it caused me.
Re: RCBS X-Die Opinions
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: c_bass16</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use one for my 300 SAUM when shooting in my AR10. It seems to do exactly what it's designed to...BUT. I've had my decaping rod break twice now. Once on a downward stroke, not sure how...and the other on a stuck case.
The downside to this, is the X-die's decapping rod is unique and not usually available at your local gun shop. I didn't even find it listed on the RCBS site. I had to call CS, and thankfully, I had it replaced both times at no charge...but I would have actually preferred to just run to the local shop and pick one up, simply for the delay it caused me.
</div></div>
My intentions were to use for volume cases but the rod breakeage leads me to think at some point after stretching to the point of contact with the pin's "shoulder" the brass may simply thicken in the neck area since it has nowhere else to go causing the pin problem. Makes sense to me especially in a large caliber loading. I would think you'd experience more brass "flow" than a milder caliber. Thanks for the input!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: c_bass16</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use one for my 300 SAUM when shooting in my AR10. It seems to do exactly what it's designed to...BUT. I've had my decaping rod break twice now. Once on a downward stroke, not sure how...and the other on a stuck case.
The downside to this, is the X-die's decapping rod is unique and not usually available at your local gun shop. I didn't even find it listed on the RCBS site. I had to call CS, and thankfully, I had it replaced both times at no charge...but I would have actually preferred to just run to the local shop and pick one up, simply for the delay it caused me.
</div></div>
My intentions were to use for volume cases but the rod breakeage leads me to think at some point after stretching to the point of contact with the pin's "shoulder" the brass may simply thicken in the neck area since it has nowhere else to go causing the pin problem. Makes sense to me especially in a large caliber loading. I would think you'd experience more brass "flow" than a milder caliber. Thanks for the input!
Re: RCBS X-Die Opinions
I don't believe that was the problem as even after trimming the first time, I've not seen any of my brass reach the end of the die AND I use a VLD chamfer and can tell if something was growing beyond normal...but alas, it happened.
It doesn't make me regret the dies, but it makes me careful when I resize. Make sure everything is tight and square.
I don't believe that was the problem as even after trimming the first time, I've not seen any of my brass reach the end of the die AND I use a VLD chamfer and can tell if something was growing beyond normal...but alas, it happened.
It doesn't make me regret the dies, but it makes me careful when I resize. Make sure everything is tight and square.
On the de-capping rod breaking issue, I found that with everything set up properly, that the rod was litterally 3/4 " outside the die, instead of the usual 3/8" inch or so. RCBS said that was fine, but if you are breaking rods because of this situation, I see no problem with cutting the excess off to bring the rod into more reasonable length. It might help with the breaking issue.
Thanks, Hobo. Every site has cranky guys like our "FLIGHTY" friend above. 
