Selecting the Right Dies: RCBS Pistol Dies End-to-End

With so many dies on the market, choosing a set can be overwhelming. In this video, we break down the different pistol dies and sets available from RCBS and explain how to choose what is best for you!

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About RCBS Pistol Dies

We previously published a guide to all RCBS rifle dies, and are now doing the same for pistol.

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 from proprietary U.S. steel in California.

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

There are two types of pistol sizing dies: those with carbide sizing rings and those without. RCBS offers individual carbide sizing dies whereas steel pistol sizing dies are only available as part of a set. (Individual carbide sizing dies come in a full-size die box to stack with all other RCBS dies.)

All RCBS sizing dies size and deprime with the same basic anatomy and optimized interior surface finish.

Removing the die lock nut allows you to remove the decapping rod, pin holder, and decapping pin.

Height is easily adjustable by screwing it up into the die. Carbide sizing dies have a dark grey carbide ring at the entrance to the die that eliminates the need for lubrication.

You must lube cases when using a steel sizing die – it is not optional! I personally like using carbide dies as it eliminates the need to both lube the cases and the extra step of removing that lube via tumbling, etc. When I toured RCBS I got to see the carbide rings being made with an impressive mirror finish! Steel dies are a bit more economical.

Expander Dies

Loading pistol ammunition requires flaring or expanding the case mouth. This flare benefits bullet seating and helps the bullet “stick” in place while moving stations in a progressive press.

This flare also prevents lead from being shaved off while seating cast bullets. RCBS expander dies have an adjustable height expander plug with a lock ring to preserve the setting. (The adjustable expander plug also allows use of this expander die as a hold-down die on a progressive press.)

These are available as part of both RCBS carbide and steel 3-die sets.

Seating Dies

RCBS pistol seating dies are available in two varieties: roll crimp and taper crimp.

Roll crimp is preferred for revolver ammunition while taper crimps are traditionally for auto-loaders. A roll crimp is easy to consistently apply to jacketed bullets with a cannelure and cast bullets with a crimp groove.

Bullets like this 158 grain Berry’s for the .357 Magnum have a nice crimp groove built in, perfect for using a roll crimp.

This roll crimp is critical to keeping bullets in place and ensuring they do not back out and lock up a revolver cylinder.

Taper crimps hold bullets in place less aggressively, reversing the earlier applied flare for smooth feeding. Most bullets for auto-loaders won’t have a crimp groove.

Berry’s 220 Grain FP-TP Next to Loaded 10mm Round

Roll crimp and taper crimp seating dies are both available individually (with a full-size die box) and as a part of RCBS 3-die sets.

Each seating die has an adjustable seating plug independent from crimp with flat point and round nose seating plugs to accommodate different shaped bullets.

RCBS 3-Die Carbide Taper Crimp Set 45 ACP

The flat-point seating plug is ideal for hollow-point bullets and wadcutters whereas the concave seating plug is best for round nose bullets.

To set up the seating die, select the appropriate plug and position the locking ring so that the stem can be screwed down into the die body.

Next, take an expanded case and single bullet—or a round of factory ammunition, depending on how you want to set up your die — and screw the die down into the press with the seating plug elevated. Screw the die down until it contacts the crimping area and turn it just a little further to get the proper compression. Once the crimp is set, screw the seating stem in just past bullet contact and lock the setting in place.

If you are not using factory ammunition, make very small adjustments until you reach the desired crimp with the seating plug elevated, then screw the seating plug down just past bullet contact. There are many nuances to setting up pistol seating dies and it can be one of the most tedious parts of reloading. Many pistol reloaders actually prefer to use two seating/crimping dies — one for each operation. This allows you to fine-tune each step.

Using Seater Die as Crimp Die, with Plug Removed

Sets

RCBS has 3-die pistol sets available across a variety of calibers that allow you to choose what fits your needs.

Steel 3-die sets come with a steel sizing die, expander die, and taper crimp or roll crimp seating die. Carbide 3-die sets contain a carbide sizing die, expander die, and taper crimp or roll crimp seating die.

Every set of dies comes with a reloading data card and instruction manual that details both pistol and rifle dies.

Some calibers, like .44 Mag, are part of a cartridge family with two different lengths. These die sets also include a special spacer to elevate the die to transition between calibers— like from 44 Mag to 44 Special — without needing any further adjustments.

Conclusion

RCBS’s pistol die portfolio includes a variety of American-made dies available both individually and in sets. Hopefully this walkthrough helps clarify what dies you need for your loading session!