Rcbs X-die experience?

[mac86951]

Looking to do some volume reloading/shooting and I'm wondering if anyone is using an X-die to eliminate trimming?

Specifically, plinking out to 200y with 223 is my plan.

Thank you,
-Mac

 

[0reo]

I have one and just found out that with the die screwed down to firm contact with the shell plate on my LNL-AP it doesn't bump the shoulder back to SAAMI spec. The case head sticks out of a wilson case gauge a bit. Now, these cases work fine in my AR but if you've got a match chamber it could be a problem.

 

[bdale]

What ever you do don't use lube with this die, out of habit I lubed a case with mine and it's the only case that I have ever stuck

 

[asauer]

Why wouldn't you use lube with it?? It's a full length sizing die.......

I have one. It seems to work fairly well at doing what it says. I'm glad I have an extra sizing die so I can resize other brass that hasn't been trimmed yet. That way I don't have to mess with adjusting the x die... Or buckling shoulders if I put a long piece of brass in and resized it.

 

[mac86951]

Thanks guys, my match dies are for match chamber. Sounds like the X-die will be fine for 3-gun

-Mac

 

[bdale]

Why wouldn't you use lube with it?? It's a full length sizing die.......

I have one. It seems to work fairly well at doing what it says. I'm glad I have an extra sizing die so I can resize other brass that hasn't been trimmed yet. That way I don't have to mess with adjusting the x die... Or buckling shoulders if I put a long piece of brass in and resized it.

I'm WRONG looked at my die and it does require lube. I used Hornady one shot with mine and stuck my first case and was told it was because I used lube. What I get for listening to some one and not checking myself, I use the RCBS lube and have no problem :

 

[kraky]

How do these dies do at run out? I'm under the impression they sort of squeeze the case neck against an internal mandrel and you don't have an expander ball going through the neck. If this is how they work I'd think it would do a really nice job?

 

[0reo]

There is an expander ball on the decapping mandrel. You can even order different size expanders. The one that comes with the die is a good size to use with the Hornady neck turning lathe pilot, which is convenient.

 

[Matt Pitchon]

I have used an X-die for years and probably over 50,000 rounds. Works as advertised. I use a wilde chamber. Runout is typically less than 0.0015" after the die, measuring the neck. Additional runout can happen after seating. I shoot ATC, and some long range (sling). Easily holds the x-ring with irons and sling. If you need BR accuracy, this might not be the right choice.

 

[NevadaZielmeister]

My experience was slightly different. I used them for .308 Winchester and found that it induced quite a bit of runout, well over .003 inches. Also, I found that it worked the brass more, which work hardened the brass quicker. Even annealing it was difficult to control. A lot of the problems were overcome with the Lee Factory Crimp die, creating more consistent neck tension, but this in essence is a fix for a problem that should not be there in the first place.

Since switching calibers, I have started using Redding Competition dies and everything is so much smoother.

 

[Milo 2.0]

I bought into the x-die principle, and still use one for 223 shells, but after trimming .020" from max length, the brass hasn't grown enough to use the feature. The more I think about it, if it was over trim length and a die stops it from growing, the brass has to go somewhere? Where is the question.
It's a damn good die and will continue to size with it, I'll trim when needed though.