RCBS Dies

[Iron Sights]

I was given a set of RCBS dies and have a question. The set of three dies is as follows. (No manual came with them) One die is I believe to deprime and size. Another is to seat the bullet. The third has no insert (no stamp on the die) and seems to crimp? They are 9mm & 45 long colt with the same setup. I'm told they are about 20 years old.

[knight0334]

The typical 3 die setup are:

1. size & deprime die
2. bell/flare the mouth and powder feed die
3. seat and crimp die

[Iron Sights]

I understand the size & deprime die
Also the seat and crimp die
What is the 3rd die that is hollow and has no insert. No markings on die. It semms to size inward. Both sets of dies are identical.

[andrewjs18]

I understand the size & deprime die
Also the seat and crimp die
What is the 3rd die that is hollow and has no insert. No markings on die. It semms to size inward. Both sets of dies are identical.

photos help if you can get some.

[knight0334]

I second the photo request.

[dodge]

On all of my RCBS 3 die sets it is as follows:
1) de-prime and re- size
2) bell mouth of case, no powder through
3) set and crimp

It sounds like to me that you maybe missing some parts. The first die should have a de-priming pin in it. The second should have a insert that will bell the mouth of the case and the third shoud have a insert to set the bullet. You can always contact RCBS and they will help you out with any problem that you have with their equipment.

[andrewjs18]

you could try contacting RCBS and talking to 1 of their guys.

When I got my lee die set for my .40 when I had it, it didn't come with a sheet that showed which dies were which. I had to call them and write down what die did what. G/f Dad's been reloading for 30+ years using RCBS dies.

[Iron Sights]

Thanks for all the help.

I've attached 2 photos. The one with the 3 dies shows the ? die(L), the seating die (M) and the de-primer/expander (R). The photo with the single die is the ? die. I did send an e-mail to RCBS and they have been great in the past, but it might take some time to get a response from them. Any help would be appreciated.

[Iron Sights]

The site will not let me attach the 2nd photo. My prevous description hopefully will be enough.

[RJH245]

I thought the old rcbs dies would resize and decap in two different steps as opposed to the single die for the more modern sets. Would that explain this set of dies?