Set screw on dies

[ApacheHunter]

Okay, I got some RCBS FL dies for my boom stick. Anyway, I'm adjusting them as the directions indicate and my set screw seems to be stripped out and it won't hold for anything. I got it out but am looking for something that will hold my adjustment and will not strip out. Thanks in advance.

[Skinny Shooter]

Hi ApacheHunter, welcome to HuntChat. :)
Try out this Forster Crossbolt Lock Ring. http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=FCBLR&type=store
I use them on my rcbs dies and they work well.

[Dom]

Ja, I'll have to agree those set screws are flaky on the RCBS Dies. I had RCBS send me a few because that's happened to me also. Like Skinny says tho, the Forster Lock rings are much nicer!!

Recommend you get a few spare set screws from RCBS, they'll probably send them for free, or get the Forster Lock Rings, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[Dan Morris]

Originally posted by Dom
Ja, I'll have to agree those set screws are flaky on the RCBS Dies. I had RCBS send me a few because that's happened to me also. Like Skinny says tho, the Forster Lock rings are much nicer!!

Recommend you get a few spare set screws from RCBS, they'll probably send them for free, or get the Forster Lock Rings, Waidmannsheil, Dom.


Roger that......that's what the loading books don't tell.....the loaders rattle box of goodies!..........
Spare decap pins and primer plugs are also good...RCBS seldom
charges for em...good folks.
Dan
:cool:

[skb2706]

With new RCBS dies under the setscrew is a small brass plug. The first couple of times you tighten the screw you will mash the brass into the threads of the dies body. That doesn't hurt the die but it forms the setscrew to the threads so that in the future they hold best. RCBS will send you all the screws you want but they will also tell you what I just wrote.

[Jack]

Yes, under that little setscrew is a brass plug, or on some older dies, a lead plug. If the plug gets lost, the setscrew doesn't grab enough to hold.
A very easy substitute is a piece of lead shot- put that in to replace the lost brass or lead plug, adjust dies, screw down the setscrew, and the lead shot mashes into the die threads- problem solved.

[Skinny Shooter]

I tried the lead shot under the set screw too but it never worked quite right.
Then someone gave me the Forster ring which worked fantastically. If only RCBS would offer it up front, there would be a lot less hassle for reloaders.

[Gil Martin]

I have to say in nearly 40 years of reloading, I have never used the set screws on RCBS or any other dies. I screw the die in place, tighten the lock ring and it does not move. All the best...
Gil

[BILLY D.]

I use the set screws all the time. Mainly because I use a LNL press. Really handy to only have to set the screws only once. Take the dies out at will and place them in a storage box and go to another caliber if I want.

The only time it's a hassle is with the seater die and you change bullets or use a generic seating die.

I have used the rings without the lead plug, didn't seem to hurt anything. And so what if it does, I have a thread die to true up the threads if need be.

Bill

[shooterjon]

Skinner Shooter is a guy after my own hart EXCEPT those same rings under the HORNADY brand name are cheaper.Try Midway,Midsouth or Natchez and you should get a better price than $3.90 ea.Watch for them to go on sale from time to time.

[Dom]

But, not matter what trick you use, you're lucky if you never strip an RCBS set screw out ;)

[ApacheHunter]

I found the Forester's online at Midsouth for a dollar a piece cheaper. I'm going to grab some. thanks for the help.

[ApacheHunter]

I got the Forester locking rings and it seems that they are going to work just fine. Thanks.

[PJgunner]

I take those lousy brass screws that RCBS uses and throw them in my scrap brass bucket. Then, I place a #7 lead shot in the hole and screw in a proper steel Allen screw. End of problem.
Paul B.