Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Has anyone used the RCBS X dies?

I am thinking on getting into Cowboy Lever Action Silhouette and the 30-30 is a most popular caliber. Well the 30-30 is a real pain to load keeping the over all length the same to crimp them for a lever gun. Would these X FL dies work once you had the cases all trimmed to one lenght versus trimming every time you loaded them? Thanks in advance for your answers. hunter

Yup, they work. But only if they're set correctly...

You don't, by the way, really need to crimp 30-30 cartridges for a lever gun.

OK you guys are leaving me "hangin here". Care to explain? hunter

They work fine if set up as described in the information provided.

One problem is handloaders don't like to trim brass below the generally accepted "trim to length". If you don't trim as described in the literature, the cases may grow past max length.

People get into trouble by trying to partial size the case or just "kiss" the shoulder like you might with regular dies. The shoulder may rivet and not fit in your chamber.

I like them so much that I have replaced all previously owned die sets with X-Dies.

I use them in one caliber (the one I reload the most). I set it according to the instructions, and haven't touched it since. I trim and chamfer all new cases to minimum length (2.025" in .260 Rem) and they grow to about 2.030" or so and just stop growing. I still check length randomly, but they never grow to where they need trimming. I set the press to cam over as the shellholder contacts the die (as one poster noted, no partial sizing here) the case.

That said, I am not going to replace all my dies. For calibers where I only load a couple hundred or less per year, I can trim when necessary. But with the .260, where I load often and occasionally on short notice (it's my go-to gun, and it seems like I always feel short of ammo) the X-die works well for me.

I've never checked run-out, but groups seem to be consistent with what the non-X die that I started with produced. I may do some experimenting this year, loading identical components with each sizer die and shooting some paper. That is what summer is for. I have always been curious if the X-die had some hidden cost, such as producing some run-out in the case. Mule Deer, what do you think?

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Yes, X dies work, but you have to follow the instructions to a T, as has been stated.

And I also always crimped my lever loads, even if I might not have too. Lee Factory crimp dies are the best $10 anyone can spend when reloading for a round. You may not have to use them, but it never hurts. And with the Lee dies you do not have to have a cannulure. Just use a firm, not crushing crimp stroke.

Bob