Carbide or not?

[Neted]

I'm new to reloading and still trying to figure out exactly what I need. I'm not sure why carbide resizing dies don't need lube? The shell could still get stuck, right? Is there some code on the dies that will tell me if it's carbide or not? Any advise would be appreciated. Thank you

[daboone]

First of all carbide dies are almost exclusively for pistols/straight walled cartridges. Most straight wall cartridge die today are carbide dies.
I lube all my cases both rifle and pistol soley because it's easier on my old joints. But it not necessary to lube carbide pistol dies. The one exception is 30 M1Carbine, it is a tuff one with out lube.
Rife, bottle neck, cases need lube to prevent them from getting stuck hard in the die.

[Neted]

Ok that makes sense. I'm planing on reloading .45 ACP And 9MM handgun as well as .223 and .243 rifle. I purchased the Lee Loadmaster setup for .45. Is there a way to tell if the sizing die is carbide or not?

For now I'm de-priming and sizing on a single stage press. When I eventually move to the full progressive mode, how do I deal with the lube on the finished ammo? Do I need to just wipe each bullet or is there another step I'll need to take?

[larryw]

Howdy Neted & welcome.
Yep, for straight walled handgun ammo carbide
is the way to go. Now, if you happen to have bad
hand / joint problems like some of us, a tiny dab of sizing lube
every 10th - 15th case makes sizing unbelievably slick,
but is not at all mandatory as with steel dies.

Carbide is unbelievably hard & wear resistant
compared to steel, thus no lube needed, but like I said,
a little dab every now & then sure does wonders.

You can tell a carbide die by looking in the end & see if
there is a little ring of different metal in the end.
If so, it is carbide. IMHO, Carbide is "The Way To Go"
Good luck & keep us informed & remember...
Safety, Safety, Safety...

[Maximumbob54]

I just went back to lubing all my brass including pistol brass. I will include that the heavy walled stuff like .480, .475, and larger require it. I think Dillon may be the only one right now offering carbide rifle dies but even they require lube. There is just too much friction during the case forming or reforming process to negate it. But I will also offer the single largest problem people have is using TOO MUCH. You hardly need any lube at all on the cases but people like to spray the stuff on until it's dripping. This is what makes case lube such a mess.

[larryw]

Bob is 100% right. A lot of problems can be traced back to lube.
Either to little or to much. To little & sizing effort can increase to
the point of needing the Incredible Hulk to size, & smashed cases
start to show up. To much, & dents & dings show up as well as a giant mess.
IMHO, if you can easily see it, then there's to much.