Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Carbide expander balls

I just installed a carbide expander ball in a Redding 30-06 die and can't believe how slick it works. I checked RCBS and can't find anything of the same for them. Does anyone make carbide expanders for RCBS? I did email them and have not had a response.

Hornady makes carbide expander balls for RCBS Dies in several diameters. Look for RCBS Expander Assemblies on Hornady�s site.

I have them for several calibers (.223, 6mm, .257, .264, .284 and .308) and they work very well.

Now that I�ve had my first cup of coffee, I can give you a more complete answer.

You didn�t indicate which cartridges you would like carbide expanders for, so I thought that I would list them by Hornady Part Numbers.

.222Rem thru .220 Swift - Part Number 044691
.243Win thru 6mm/284 - Part Number 044692
.250Sav thru 257Wby. - Part Number 044693
6.5mmTCU thru .264Win Mag - Part Number 044694
.270Win thru 270 Wby. - Part Number 044695
7x57mm thru 7mm Wby. - Part Number 044696
.30/30Win thru .300Wby. - Part Number 044697

I just wish that they made them for the 8mm, .338, and .375.

Hope that this gives you all the information that you need.

Jim

JMD; You are a virtual online directory. Thanks for taking the time to help me out!

And if you use Redding Type-S bushing dies, like I do, Redding makes a "free floating carbide size button kit" for each caliber. The carbide sizing buttons literally self-center and do not pull the case necks off of true.

These kits are a really cool addition to the ultimate bench press die.

Steve

Does one still need to use inside neck lube when utilizing a carbide expander button?

YES

Sure, just use the Imperial Dry Neck Lube. Item #07700, $6.00 retail

Even slicker, Redding now offers an Imperial Application Media with Dry Neck Lube. The kit is a plastic tube containing high-density ceramic spheres that are pre-charged with Imperial Dry Neck Lube. Simply dip the case neck into the tube and the ceramic spheres put just the right amount of lube on the neck. Item # 07900, $9.60 retail.

Richard sent me one of the Application Media kits about a year ago and it's GREAT.

Steve

Have you tried chucking up your RCBS expander balls in a lathe, or even a hand drill, and polishing 'em with 600 grit wet-or-dry? You'll be amazed....

And, yes, the above comments about lube apply.

I spin a copper bore brush on a drill in the necks - in, out, in, out - slowly to clean the fouling before sizing.

Is the Hornady expander for the RCBS dies a floating button like the Redding product?

Luke,

The Hornady RCBS Style Expander Spindle Assembly has a free floating carbide ring / button. I've not seen the Redding unit, but would assume that it somewhat similar.

Jim

I like to take about .0015 or so off of my expander balls before I use them. I can't do this with the carbide ones. I have several and have removed them all. I also get less run out when I use real lube on the inside of the necks as opposed to dry.

I thread a bore brush into an electrical wire nut and twist it in every case before resizing. I apply Imperial sizing die WAX with a nylon bore brush. I wipe it out with a q-tip wetted with 1,1,1 trichloroethane. Works good for me.

This is a little bit change of topic, but I have always wondered why someone didn't make a carbide full length sizing die for bottle neck cartridges.

Does anyone know why this has never been done?

I've often wondered the same........

I expect that the only reason a carbide FL die would be desired would be so that we wouldn't have to lube them, ala, straight walled brass (.44 Mag, etc.). But being bottle necked dies, whether carbide or not, I still think that there would be a need to lube the cases, therefore eliminating the time and effort savings idea, plus costing more than standard dies.

Just my thought................

Go to a bushing die and turn your necks and quit using an expander. I've never used one in my 308 and it's doing cloverleafs with know loads. However don't stop brushing your necks and go back to dry powder. If you do be sure and check the thickness of you necks not all cases are created equal. Bushing I use on the Nosler brass won't even make the Black Hills Match brass a loose fit on a bullet.

JMD; The Redding carbide expander floats on the stem, and doesn't pull the neck out of line.

It has.
http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/co...Rifle_Dies__Individual___Three_Die_Sets_

Good link..........but as I thought, you still gotta lube 'em. Less scratch resistant for sure, but you gotta put out alot more "scratch" to buy them as well.........

I'd buy every die in carbide IF I didn't have to lube 'em........especially .223's !!!!!

Hornady, I have several.