With so many dies on the market, choosing a set can be overwhelming. In this video, we break down the different rifle dies and sets available from RCBS and explain how to choose what is best for you!
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About RCBS Rifle Dies
While RCBS offers a variety of individual dies and sets, some things are the same for all of their dies.
All RCBS dies are made in America in a vast facility from proprietary steel.
They are hardened at the RCBS factory, undergoing a proprietary interior finishing process and held to exacting tolerances.
(I shone a light through a variety of dies to compare their interiors, and RCBS dies emerged the smoothest. Better surface finish also reduces sizing effort. ) All except the .50 BMG and .416 Barrett 1 ½” body dies have hex lock rings with a locking set screw and standard ⅞” – 14 threading.
If you want to see specifically how RCBS dies are made, check out our full video.
Sizing Dies
RCBS’s Standard Full-Length Sizing Die sizes brass to fit into a SAAMI minimum chamber. It has a replaceable decapping pin, easily adjustable decapping rod with neck expander ball, and optimized interior surface finish.
RCBS’s small base full-length sizing die shares the same attributes of the standard model, but is optimized for semi-automatic rifles or rifles with tight chambers.
In contrast, the standard neck sizer only sizes the neck, not the shoulder or body. Remember that if you only neck size, you may need to full-length size the brass once every five firings or so.
X-Die
The RCBS X-Die essentially eliminates the need to trim your brass after an initial trimming.
It has a case mouth shoulder on the decapping rod that pushes back on the case mouth during the sizing to prevent the case from elongating in the die.
We tested this in house, finding only 0.0045” case length growth after 20 firings. X-Dies are available in regular and small base.
MatchMaster
MatchMaster sizer dies are available in a wide variety of calibers and represent RCBS’s top line.
There are two MatchMaster sizing die configurations: full-length bushing sizer and neck-sizing only. They use a bushing to size the neck area. Bushings allow you to compensate for different case neck thicknesses, etc. This die has a removable decapper and coated expander ball for better expansion.
Seating Dies
Standard Seating Die
This straight-forward die is easy to adjust. Adjust the seating depth plug with a locking nut. It also has a built in 20° crimping feature.
Tamper Crimp Seating Die
Denoted by T/C, the Taper Crimp Seater Die is set up similarly to the standard seating die, but with a built-in 7° crimping feature (rifle). This die prevents bulges and buckled shoulders.
MatchMaster Seating Die
RCBS’s MatchMaster seating die is designed for precision. It is polished and deep-blued with an oversized micrometer adjustment knob that reads in 0.001” increments.
The centering seating plug is self-aligning and free-floating. It also has a loading window to top-load the bullets and prevent accidental damage to the bullets.
Die Sets
I created a chart compiling all RCBS dies made as of June 2025. This will need updating in the future as RCBS continue to innovate.
Group A and D dies come with a standard full-length sizing die and standard seating die. Group A neck comes with a standard neck sizer and standard seating die.
Supreme die sets include a shellholder and case gauge in addition to a seating die and full-length sizing die. Reference the rest of the chart to see what comes in each set!
Specialty Dies
In addition to their main offerings, RCBS also produces a few extras including the primer pocket swager, lock-out die, powder checker, heavy-duty decapper and lube die.
For loading big calibers like .50 BMG and .416 Barrett, RCBS makes hardened 1 ½” large body dies designed for the AmmoMaster-2. (They should also work in other presses.)
Cowboy Dies + Safari/Legacy Dies
Iconic gold and black cowboy die sets come with a full-length sizer, expander, and seater with roll crimp. Legacy dies do as well, but their availability varies. Safari die sets include a full-length sizer and standard seating die in “safari calibers.”
Conclusion
RCBS has a rifle die for nearly every occasion —hopefully this guide helps you to better find what you need!
Get the Gear
Shop RCBS dies now from RCBS and Midsouth Shooters Supply.
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Thanks,
Gavin Gear
