RCBS X-Dies

[Swamp Yankee]

Anyone using them?
Do they really eliminate case trimming or just increase the number of reloads before trimming is required?
Looking at purchasing a .308 Win. and .223 Rem.
As always, Thanks in Advance for the responses.
Take Care

 

[KP95DAO]

X-dies

Do a search on TFL.

 

[Bottom Gun]

My opinion is the X Dies are junk.
I tried some in 30-06 to replace an older set and got serious lube dents on every single cartridge no matter how carefully or sparingly I lubed. I repeatedly checked the vent hole to make sure it was clear but I never saw any lube coming out of it. I use Dillon's spray lube these days.
I called RCBS and was told by their rep that I had to carefully wipe the lube off the shoulder of each cartridge before running it through the sizing die.
I thanked the nice gentleman for his advice and ended the call. I immediately called Dillon and ordered a set of their dies.
There is a world of difference between the Dillon and the RCBS dies. The decapping pins are much more rugged and I have yet to see a single lube dent no matter how much lube I slop on.

I really don't know if they eliminate trimming or not since I stopped using them and have no plans to start again.

 

[uglymofo]

X-die seems to do what they claim. I'm on my 8th reload of a 50-round lot of brass that I use exclusively in an M1A. In case you don't know, common practice is to throw the brass out after the 3rd or 4th firing because the case stretches too much and can separate at the web when fired in the M1A (or any semi for that matter). I check each/every case's interior with a bent paper clip to confirm the case is still good, and so far, that test and overall case length (at ~2.008" and holding for the last 3 reloads) confirm the X-die is performing as advertised.

Never had any problem with denting cases except when I slopped on way too much lube (the old liquid RCBS lube out of the squeeze bottle). Imperial die wax works better anyway, and is more convenient to use. Even beats Hornady One Shot and all the other sprays because there's no wait time.