suitable steel for resizing die

[liseo]

Guys
I intend to produce my own full length custom die.
I already have the resizing reamer, but I'm not sure what type of steel to use.
A piece of krieger stainless steel barrel could be used (and does it accept nitriding?)
Or would it be better to use 4140 steel?

Tks

 

[LVLAaron]

Newlon sells their dies in 416 and 12L-14. Either should be nitrided imo

 

[Will Henry]

I would use a free-machining mild steel and case harden it. WH

 

[liseo]

Newlon sells their dies in 416 and 12L-14. Either should be nitrided imo

Seems in the expensive side. And I´m outside USA

I would use a free-machining mild steel and case harden it. WH

Will

case hardening did not cause changes in dimensions?

 

[paperpuncher]

What about 1144 stressproof? Asking for a freind

 

[Ggmac]

I’ve used old ford axles , used barrel drops , old lee die , all will work and last a good while if lubed and cleaned .

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I would use a free-machining mild steel and case harden it. WH

Do you have any experience nitriding 416 ss for dies. I don't is why I'm asking. Just curious as to your thoughts on it. My understanding is it'd be very similar to case hardening them. Doesn't have to be 416. I just mention it because I have a bucket of cutoffs. Something like 12l-14 or what do you prefer?

 

[LVLAaron]

Seems in the expensive side. And I´m outside USA

Will

case hardening did not cause changes in dimensions?

I'm just suggesting that they know what they're doing, and those are the metals they use.

I would think 4140 would be hell on a reamer.

 

[boltfluter]

416 and nitride should make a nice die and won't kill the reamer.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

1144 machines and hardens beautifully.
12L44 even more so.

 

[WSnyder]

The only way I’m aware of hardening 12L14 is to case harden it. I’ve hardened 12L14 with Kasenit in my own little heat treat oven. Did fine with no warpage.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I have cut passed the case Hardenning on several “factory” dies, and I believe they are made from 12L14 or some other leaded free machining steel.

If you think there is anything true about the various factory dies, they obviously do experience some warpage during the case hardening process. Just chuck one up and watch the needle jump around as you try to true it Up.

Does it matter. No.

As for 1144 StressProof, It is a resulphurized steel that machines beautifully. We use it a lot at my Shop. But, the heavy sulphur content makes it a poor choice for case Hardenning as cracks can occur at the molecular level. In short, it is designed to be used as is, which of course is not hard enough for a die.

There are simply better options.

 

[Will Henry]

I have never tried making a die from stainless and nitriding it. Mild steel, case hardened, stayed pretty close dimensionally. The depth of the case depended on how long you carburized the piece. I used stainless for bushing dies and collet dies.
Regarding nitriding. I first had a bolt nitrided in the late nineties and felt that it did smooth up the action (a Model 70 , as I recall).This was one of those actions which was sticky. This happens when the bolt and receiver are the same material and neither one very hard.
About this time, I was making air cylinders and having the barrel hard chromed, for wear resistance and corrosion prevention. I tried having some nitrided instead, and it worked out pretty well.
I case hardened a lot of bushings for heavy equipment. I got the Idea of coating the inside with moly before packing it in the charcoal for carburizing. It worked surprisingly well and gave me a hard, slick surface. I have always intended to try it on a die but never have. WH

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Nitrided 416 works very well. And less likely to crack than hardened dies. So I prefer it for some of this really tough brass we use.

 

[Fuj]

My personal choice is A2 after a proof die is made of 12L14. I have
made quite a few from 416 barrel stubs and used them as is, during
wildcatting process's. Once I settle on a die, it gets 2/10th's of a thou
flashed with hard chrome.

 

[liseo]

Nitrided 416 works very well. And less likely to crack than hardened dies. So I prefer it for some of this really tough brass we use.

Alex
The barrel steel (416R) will work the same as 416?
If so, this is good, as I have a way to do the nitride thing


Thank you to everyone who contributed with their suggestions and experiences

 

[DaveTooley]

I've made a lot of FL dies out of 12L14 and had them case hardened. All made to very tight tolerances with no problems. That was prior to nitridng coming into the picture. If I was to do it again I would use 416 and have them nitrided. Be careful about finish reamer dimensions in relation to the resize reamer.

 

[mike mccormick]

What about S7 ?? I know they make a lot of punch press dies from it.

 

[DRK]

I think any tool steel would work if you have it laying around. 01, D2, A2, S7. A2 is probably cheapest per lb if you have to buy it.

S7 does well for punches to handle the shock of breaking through a sheet, plate, coil, etc. For a draw die I don't think it matters much.

 

[liseo]

I've made a lot of FL dies out of 12L14 and had them case hardened. All made to very tight tolerances with no problems. That was prior to nitridng coming into the picture. If I was to do it again I would use 416 and have them nitrided. Be careful about finish reamer dimensions in relation to the resize reamer.

Dave
If you don't mind, what measurements would you take on this resizer if you want to work the case as little as possible and leave the neck diameter at .3350"/.3355"(before expander).
Consider annealing cases after every reload