Lock ring on RCBS dies

[Morrey]

On RCBS dies there is a small brass set screw that locks the lockdown ring in place once it is adjusted. The small brass setscrew bites into the threads of the die holding the lockdown ring in place.

I continue to strip the hexhead out of these brass screws before it snugs down tight enough to do its job properly. Does anyone have a solution to help prevent this?

I was thinking of taking a small lead shot pellet like a #8 and putting it between the brass screw and the die body. I don't see how soft lead could hurt, but looking for solutions that others may have found work.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Many of us use one or two lead shot to protect the threads and insure positive lockdown.

 

[Morrey]

Many of us use one or two lead shot to protect the threads and insure positive lockdown.

Now that I have boogered up multiple brass screws on my dies, do you know what size the brass set screw is and where to get them? Would a place like Home Depot have them in the specialty screw area? I know RCBS will sell me some of course shipping will be more than the screws.

What about a steel setscrew with a lead shot under it?

 

[rcmodel]

That's what I do.

Any hardware store with have an Allen-head steel set screw assortment.

Just take one of your brass screws with you and match it up.

I think they are 10-32 if I remember correctly.

rc

 

[abijohn]

Might try giving RCBS a call on their 800 number, had a few problems in the past and they have always made it right with the parts and have never been charged anything.

 

[klausman]

If you contact RCBS, they will doubtless replace the setscrews at no charge. I think they are now including some little discs to use instead of lead shot.

OK, abijohn beat me to it as I was typing.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, contact RCBS. They usually go above and beyond.

 

[Steve in PA]

I've heard about putting a lead shot between the brass screw and die body.

I've been lucky I guess because I've never stripped a screw. I have replaced several of the RCBS locking rings with the Hornady Sure-Loc die rings.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/236200/hornady-sure-loc-die-locking-ring-7-8-14-thread

 

[MtnCreek]

Sinclair Lock Rings.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloadi...rades/sinclair-lock-rings-3pk--prod38782.aspx

 

[Blue68f100]

I normally replace them with Hornady Split locking rings, A much better design. The real old dies I have had the lead shot to protect the threads.

 

[W.E.G.]

I agree with those who have recommended that you replace the RCBS lock ring.
There are ways to make it work.

There are also ways to make it better.

I prefer the latter.

 

[edwardware]

It's a 10-32 set screw. . . just bought one last week.

3 pieces of bird shot under a steel set screw will lock nicely. Grind the screw shorter if it bothers you sticking out.

And all this AFTER RCBS replaced the ring, because I couldn't bear to toss it.

 

[John3921]

I've replaced most of my lock rings with Hornady split rings. I prefer them to the mash on threads style rings. I like the hornady rings in the LNL against the bushings. I don't like them in my forster co-ax because of the wrenching flats. So dies I use on the co-ax have rings with no wrenching flats on them.

I've used the lead shot trick as well. It works, but they mush out eventually and will need to be replaced.

 

[BinRat]

I bought a couple of the Hornady split lock ring multi packs. So far, I've only replaced the RCBS lock rings on one set of dies because they were new and I just substituted them when setting them up. As I need to readjust any of my other die sets, I'll replace the RCBS lock rings with the Nornady. I like them because they lock up tight and don't damage the threads since the screw is parallel to the die threads and doesn't touch them.

 

[Paddy]

FYI the Forster aluminum pinch rings are quite affordable about 3$ Ea I think. Only issue I've found is they are a bit large OD for my 550B press.

 

[snuffy]

RCBS should move out of the dark ages into the 21-st century. Those obsolete set screw rings cause an off-center push when they take up the slop in the threads when tightening the set screw. Then it may cock the die off-line with the top of the press. They went with a brass screw so it wouldn't ding up the die threads. It didn't hold well, so it usually ended up stripping the allen wrench top or the threads themselves.

I replaced all my RCBS lock rings with the Hornady split rings.* They're made absolutely square with the vertical axis, and stay that way no matter how tight you make the cross screw.

*Except on dies that reside on Lee turrets for the LCT. Dies for the LCT only work with Lee rings, there's no room for bigger rings.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

another vote for Hornady rings

 

[Reloadron]

They should be a 10-32 pitch set screw. McMaster Carr Supply and pick the design you like. You only need to gently snug them.

I am also in the Hornady lock ring group. A six pack runs about twenty bucks on Amazon.

Ron

 

[Crunchy Frog]

RCBS used to have split lock rings. The dies I bought in the early 80s were so equipped.

 

[Morrey]

RCBS should move out of the dark ages into the 21-st century. Those obsolete set screw rings cause an off-center push when they take up the slop in the threads when tightening the set screw. Then it may cock the die off-line with the top of the press. They went with a brass screw so it wouldn't ding up the die threads. It didn't hold well, so it usually ended up stripping the allen wrench top or the threads themselves.

I replaced all my RCBS lock rings with the Hornady split rings.* They're made absolutely square with the vertical axis, and stay that way no matter how tight you make the cross screw.

*Except on dies that reside on Lee turrets for the LCT. Dies for the LCT only work with Lee rings, there's no room for bigger rings.

I am seeing multiple votes for the Hornady ring with the set screw parallel with the die body. Makes sense that there is no off-set canting due to pressure of a brass set screw coming from a perpendicular angle.

I noted the Hornady ring has no hex sides so a wrench or adjustable wrench can break it loose if removing the die. Would I use a channel lock style of pliers to grip the Hornady ring to break free from the press?

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

The Hornady rings do have flats for a wrench. They just don't have six of them. Two flats is all you need.

 

[Kp321]

RCBS can't decide what to do about lock rings. They used a lead shot under a steel set screw from the factory in the 60's and 70's then swapped to the split ring on the 80's and now using brass set screw.

 

[Morrey]

The Hornady rings do have flats for a wrench. They just don't have six of them. Two flats is all you need.

Yes, now I see the two flat sides pictured. I just ordered a 6 pack on Amazon for $20.72 free shipping.

I know RCBS would probably make good on this as they always do with problems. However, they'll only replace what we all know is a weak link which may (probably) fail again. This Hornady ring looks right for the job!

 

[cfullgraf]

Hornady and Sinclair Intl both sell custom aluminum wrenches that fit over the Hornady lock ring.

Works great on single stage presses. Does not fit between the dies on all progressives.

 

[Shaq]

I also prefer the split lock rings. When I'm using the RCBS dies with the set screw, I'm careful not to screw it too tight.

Interesting about the suggest of using lead shot. My Redding dies look like they use lead shot for that.