RCBS Die grub screw fail - again!

Martiniblack577

Well-Known Member
Not for the first time, the grub screw on my RCBS .die gave up. I am interested what others are using in its place as it does get annoying. Ty
 
I'm curious what exactly is happening for the grub screw to fail?
I've got RCBS dies that I've had for so long that I can't remember when I bought them and I've never had a problem, and I'm ham fisted and always overtighten everything.:rolleyes:
 
I'm curious what exactly is happening for the grub screw to fail?
I've got RCBS dies that I've had for so long that I can't remember when I bought them and I've never had a problem, and I'm ham fisted and always overtighten everything.:rolleyes:
:doh:Embarrassing retraction I confused my dies (I've got several different makes). Yes the brass locking grub screw on the RCBS is rather poor. I much prefer locking rings that are split and have a screw that tightens the ring (Lyman I think).
Saying that once set up I nearly always use the RCBS dies with just one press so rarely need to adjust them, and although a poor design I've not personally had any problems with them.

P.S. I hate the Lee locking rings yet somehow seem to have acquired quite a few of them.
 
Well, I placed an order for a number of Derraco parts and noticed they do a ring similar to the Hornady ones so, as the postage was essentially included, I bought the Derraco ones but they look same.

In answer to 8 x 57, it’s a PITA on the RCBS dies and not uncommon amongst my peers here. I won’t lose sleep over them failing though as I intended recalibrating them having changed one or two things in my reloading worm hole I don’t think I’ll ever escape from!
 
Why are people messing about with the locking screw? Surely you set the die up in the press, screw down the locking ring & then tighten the grub screw to stop the locking ring moving - that’s what it’s there for. Then you have the die set at the correct depth ready to use next time without any messing about? Personally I also keep the shell holder I used to set a particular die set up in the box with it so that whenever I use those dies I know they’re set up perfectly & there’ll be no issues caused by using a different shell holder.
 
Hello all. Yep all correct tools used. Every time not just by me but by pals. It’s just a bit bit and miss . New Derraco rings will solve all issues I am sure.
 
Why are people messing about with the locking screw? Surely you set the die up in the press, screw down the locking ring & then tighten the grub screw to stop the locking ring moving - that’s what it’s there for. Then you have the die set at the correct depth ready to use next time without any messing about? Personally I also keep the shell holder I used to set a particular die set up in the box with it so that whenever I use those dies I know they’re set up perfectly & there’ll be no issues caused by using a different shell holder.
You should indeed only ‘mess’ around with the screw just once. When it comes loose unfortunately you have to ‘mess’ around again!
 
I've never had an issue with the grub screws on my dies, as I have nipped them on day1 and never needed to adjust them. I have had other issues and have found RCBS customer support exemplary. I'm sure if you contacted them they would send some more to you. Might I suggest, when you tighten them, you put the long section of the Allen key into the grub screw and turn the short leg with your thumb and index finger. It will vastly reduce the amount of torque you can apply.
 
As already mentioned, a lead shot pellet onder the grub screw does the trick & also protects the thread on the die
 
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