Does anyone use RCBS X-Dies?

[briannmilewis]

I did a BC Forums search and could find no reference to these dies.

There is plenty of info in the hunting realm, but appears to be none here.

Is it possibly because these FL dies are used every reloading and that is not a BR practice?

Wanted to know what the accuracy experts had to say about them.

 

[Boyd Allen]

They are not used in Benchrest, although it IS the prevalent practice to FL size every firing. The X die was produced to limit case growth from sizing. This is not a problem with a properly fitted die adjusted for .001 shoulder bump. Most non Benchrest shooters' FL dies reduce the diameter of the body of cases a lot more than is necessary, and they typically have no way to measure shoulder bump. The combined effect of these two factors, in many cases, is excessive case growth from repeated FL sizing. The X die was designed to help combat this situation.

 

[lotech]

x-die

I don't understand exactly how the die works, but I bought one several years ago in .220 Swift. I followed the directions and it works very well.

 

[briannmilewis]

They are not used in Benchrest, although it IS the prevalent practice to FL size every firing. The X die was produced to limit case growth from sizing. This is not a problem with a properly fitted die adjusted for .001 shoulder bump. Most non Benchrest shooters' FL dies reduce the diameter of the body of cases a lot more than is necessary, and they typically have no way to measure shoulder bump. The combined effect of these two factors, in many cases, is excessive case growth from repeated FL sizing. The X die was designed to help combat this situation.

Boyd - Thanks for the very detailed reply, it adds a lot to the learning value of being on this forum. I don't do bench rest but I am plugged in here to get a different perspective on all the things we do that we think will enhance our hunting rifle accuracy. Info and opinions from both camps is always the best situation to find myself in.

lotech - Thanks for the affirmation about theX-Die successful use. It seems like a good solution to an age old problem for the average shooter and reloader, and certainly is a time saver and case life extender.