During my recent tour of the RCBS factory, RCBS product manager Steve Koch explained that die production has its own dedicated area and RCBS can develop new die tooling over just a few days. In this video, we’re going behind the scenes!
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How It’s Made: Reloading Dies
All products start with a design. Steve referenced a chamber reamer print for the desired caliber (25 x 47) and input the relevant numbers into a software program.
Next comes modeling the die and producing drawings for it. While certain die features are repurposed between dies, chamber geometry is what makes it all come together. This is caliber-specific.
Once a die and relevant tooling is designed, a print package is brought to the tool room.
RCBS’s ability to produce their own die tooling has given them a strategic advantage in being able to turn around custom dies in a few weeks rather than a few months.
Raw materials, including a wide array of steel and aluminum, are stored in RCBS’s Zone 4. Steve explained that all RCBS reloading dies are machined from a custom blend of steel RCBS has been using for decades. Once the die bodies are machined, they pass through a hot wash and dryer to remove any excess debris. The finished bodies are racked for heat treatment and sent through the furnace to be hardened.
These dies are “cooked” for an hour at 1500 degrees Fahrenheit to oil quench them. All dies are also given a bead blast finish.
When complete and dusted off, they are treated with a rust preventative and put in boxes to go to assembly.
90% of RCBS small parts are made on Swiss CNC machines.
These machines are known for their quality and precision and have allowed RCBS to eliminate some costly post-processes. Decapping rods, expander balls, expanders, seat plugs, and all other small die parts with the exception of lock rings are made on Swiss machines.
The die bodies and parts are sent to Zone 3 for assembly and packaging and finally make their way to the shipping department.
Steve reiterated that everything in the RCBS plant is over-inspected to ensure they continue to produce the top-quality products they are known for. Don’t forget to check out RCBS dies!
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Thanks,
Gavin Gear
