Do dies have to be heat treated after reaming?

[JLDavid]

So, after you ream your dies with the resize and seater reamer, do they need to be sent off for heat treatment? If so, where do you send them? Do they need polished after treatment?

I have heard both yes and no so I thought I would ask here to see what the gunsmiths here have to say. Thanks to all for the info.

David Jaca
Heppner, OR

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

They will scratch the brass and be sticky if unhardened. It'll work, but not very well. Also, they'll wear out fairly soon.

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

My gunsmith has used Newlon SS dies for my sizing operation without issue. They are not heat-treated. The biggest concern is that you must have very clean cases before you ever put them into the die or you will def scratch them.

 

[DCRYDER]

Seater dies do not need hardened. The chamber part of Redding competition seaters are soft as butter.

 

[DCRYDER]

I think I heard that Redding will heat treat your custom dies.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Seater dies do not need hardened. The chamber part of Redding competition seaters are soft as butter.

Good point...I was referring to the sizing die.

 

[WayneShaw]

I have had dies heat treated by fireballheatreating.com. Can't complain and the turnaround is quick. They use a vacuum furnace so there is no scale.

You can also have them mellonite coated (did I spell that right) ?

 

[JLDavid]

Thanks guys. I will look into fireballheattreating and see if Redding will do it. Last time I called Redding about custom dies they said they are not taking any custom orders/work in the near future.

David

 

[Erik Cortina]

Thanks guys. I will look into fireballheattreating and see if Redding will do it. Last time I called Redding about custom dies they said they are not taking any custom orders/work in the near future.

David

What caliber are you looking to get done?

 

[JLDavid]

I am not sure yet. Just doing some research right now into services that we may need.