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Split Dies

Hoop stress failure is not uncommon in high production form dies. Infant failure could be a manufacturing defect. If older might just be fatigue.
 
I had an RCBS .308 form die split on me, when I was resizing mil surp, to then squeeze down to .260. I sent them pictures and they sent me a new die.
 
Started reloading in 1955, have used a whole number of various make of dies, beginning with C&H and Herter's back then. Now have Lee, RCBS, Redding, Whidden and still use the old original one's on some calibers, have never split a die body.
 
I thought I've seen and heard everything after reloading close to 50 years but this is a new one! Very interesting and puzzling.

I have to cam over on my full length sizing dies to achieve a .001 to .002" shoulder set back but I've never had a die split like those illustrated in this post. Most of my dies are at least 25 years old. Now that I said it one will probably "split" on me tomorrow.:(

PS: Over the years I've loaded for 222, 223, 243, 270, 308 and 30 06. Dies used: Lyman and RCBS. Some of the dies have seen literally thousands of reloads with "cam over" settings.
 
Any chance you can share what that is?

Hope I'm not the only one that does not know.
A round die, as it squeezes down on a case, is being stressed in a circle like a hoop. Just like bending a wire causes the wire to eventually fail, constantly stressing a circular die can eventually make it fail. The failure occurs perpendicular to the stress, so a round die will split lengthwise.
 
I'm using Hornady Unique for lube. Same lube I have been using for years. Like I said I have been reloading for quite a few years and been doing it the same way. Never had die failures until now.
 
I was making custom dies 35 years ago, pre RUM days when we used the 404 Jeffery case then for an improved Lapua case. Never cracked a die. Then I had a few 243 AI dies that cracked. I called Richard BeeBe (SP) at Redding. He told me my heat treater tried to help me out by putting a thick skin on the die. I usually had to wait or pay extra for a thin skin. They were used to treating solid parts.
 
I was making custom dies 35 years ago, pre RUM days when we used the 404 Jeffery case then for an improved Lapua case. Never cracked a die. Then I had a few 243 AI dies that cracked. I called Richard BeeBe (SP) at Redding. He told me my heat treater tried to help me out by putting a thick skin on the die. I usually had to wait or pay extra for a thin skin. They were used to treating solid parts.
definitely a case where more is not better--I learned something today!!
 

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