Key Highlights

• Mighty Armory introduces the new TNT Carbide 9mm reloading dies for sizing and crimping your case cartridges

• Mighty Armory's measured system will allow you to create the perfect SAAMI spec ammo

• Loading to SAAMI spec has clear and multiple benefits

• Reloading 9mm with steel or carbide dies each have benefits, but the 9mm carbide die does not require the use of case lube

• Follow the steps below for reloading 9mm ammo

Introduction

For those who love shooting and want their guns to perform at their best, reloading ammunition has become extremely popular across the world. Reloading allows you to ladder test to create the perfect round for your gun and shooting style. Reloading and shooting with consistency and accuracy cannot be achieved with out-of-the-box ammunition or by using undersized reloading dies.

In the reloading world, reloading dies have an important function. Precision reloading dies are needed to resize, flare, seat the bullet and crimp the brass case. However, not all reloading dies are created equally. First, ensuring your dies reload to full length, SAAMI specifications is critical for achieving optimal performance of your ammunition. Second, the material used to machine the reloading die will affect the process of how you load, for example, steel reloading dies vs carbide reloading dies each have advantages, which we will discuss.

Why is reloading to SAAMI specifications important?

Reloading to SAAMI spec guarantees the loader a precision round with no extra effort. For example, utilizing reloading dies that size to SAAMI spec will allow you to set the dies on your tool head with ease and you’re good to load consistent, perfect rounds, better than factory. Mighty Armory Full Length Reloading Dies for pistol have not only met this challenge, but have improved reloaded pistol ammunition for reloaders around the world. Mighty Armory’s modular reloading die designs create finished rounds with single digit SDs, which has been proven at ranges across the world shot out of all types of pistols including Glock, Tanfoglio, and Atlas, just to name a few.

The launch of Mighty Armory TNT Gold Match pistol reloading dies, precision machined from high grade tool steel, changed the game in 2018. Our reloading dies take you back to the times when “Made in America” was wanted worldwide. American Pride lives in Mighty Armory and our reloading dies have become known for creating perfect SAAMI spec sized ammunition.

In 2024, Mighty Armory is about to change the game again. Launching the new TNT Carbide 9mm Resizing Dies & 9mm Crimp Dies, which are full length carbide like you’ve never seen before. Reloading benefit: No lube required. Reloaded ammo: Sized to SAAMI Spec Standards.

Today, we will be discussing the reloading dies needed for pistol ammo, with particular attention to the 9mm reloading dies and the brand new 9mm Carbide Sizing Die and 9mm Carbide Taper Crimp Die.

Understanding the Benefits of SAAMI Spec Sizing Dies

In 2018, Mighty Armory developed full length, steel pistol resizing dies aka the TNT Gold Match series, for multiple calibers, ranging from the most popular 9mm dies to 45 ACP reloading dies as well as die sets to create .40 S&W, 10mm, .38 Super rounds, .38 Special and .357 Magnum. Our reloading die sets achieve the lengths and diameters in spec with SAAMI recommendation based on the size of today’s once-fired brass cases. These cases are -.003 below original SAAMI spec outside diameters. For example, a 9mm brass case was originally .380 at the mouth and .391 at the base. Today, the 9mm case is .377 at the mouth and .388 at the base. However, the required angle to be within SAAMI spec guidelines remains the same. 

A benefit to loading SAAMI sized pistol ammunition is that it will meet the powder company load data as defined from minimum to maximum (see powder company load data specifications). Other benefits to loading to SAAMI spec include:

1. Cases will experience far less stress when sized and loaded and will increase the brass life.
2. Rounds feeding out of a magazine will follow the proper angle into the pistol barrel chamber.
3. Once the round is fed into the chamber, the sizing of the round allows for proper fit.
4. The ammunition will have proper case pressures, cleaner powder burn and improved accuracy.

You will see, feel and shoot the difference when reloading ammo with Mighty Armory dies.

What is the difference between Steel & Carbide Reloading Dies?

The two most important steps in creating the most accurate and consistent pistol ammunition are resizing the case and crimping the case to SAAMI specifications.

To create SAAMI spec ammo, Mighty Armory offers a measured system (size, flare, seat and crimp), in which our Resizing Dies and Taper Crimp Dies are available in either steel or carbide materials.

There are a number of variables that you should consider when choosing to purchase steel or carbide reloading dies, and making that choice is based on personal preference:

1. Material Composition
   1. Steel Dies: Mighty Armory TNT Gold Match reloading dies are precision machined from high grade tool steel.
   2. Carbide Dies: Mighty Armory TNT Carbide reloading dies are pressed, stopped and rolled for a permanent fit.
2. Lubrication
   1. Steel Dies: Mighty Armory TNT Gold Match reloading dies require case lube to prevent brass filings from sticking to the bore, which will cause case scratching. Lubricating the cases ensures smooth operation.
   2. Carbide Dies: Mighty Armory TNT Carbide reloading dies do not require case lube. The hardness of the carbide minimizes friction allowing smooth sizing without the need for case lubricant.
3. Case Preparation
   1. Carbide & Steel Dies: Dry or wet tumble cases. We do not recommend using Lemi Shine because it can affect the lubricity of the brass.
4. Consistency & Accuracy
   1. Carbide & Steel Dies: Both Mighty Armory TNT Gold Match reloading dies and the new TNT Carbide dies will run millions of cycles before showing any signs of wear.
5. Cost & Application
   1. Steel Dies: Mighty Armory TNT Gold Match steel reloading dies require case lube, which may increase prep time depending on your process, and are offered at a lower price than the TNT Carbide dies.
   2. Carbide Dies: Mighty Armory TNT Carbide reloading dies do not require lube, and will save you time in case preparation. They are offered at a higher price as the cost to machine is higher than steel.

Remember, whether you choose to load with steel dies or carbide dies, following proper reloading practices is essential. 

Step-By-Step Guide to Setting Up SAAMI Spec Dies for Reloading 9mm Ammo on Your Reloading Press

Mighty Armory pistol dies are designed to work as a measured system. Follow our instructions and start your loading. Check the first five or six dummy rounds for pushback. If adjustment is needed, simply reduce the flare -.001 to -.002 and reduce the crimp -.001 to -.002.

Reloading with Mighty Armory’s 9mm dies follow the same instructions when using either TNT Gold Match steel or TNT Carbide dies. Follow the steps below for creating the perfect 9mm SAAMI Spec rounds:

1. Size the Case
   1. Measure the inside diameter at the lip: .349 to .350 is recommended.
2. Flare & Expand the Case
   1. Set your flare to .381 to .383 outside diameter, with an inside diameter of -.003 to -.004 below the bullet diameter.
3. Seat the Bullet
   1. Set to your desired overall case length. The new steel seating barrel will not wear or scar your bullet.
4. Taper Crimp
   1. Finish the round but setting your 9mm crimp at average .377 +/- .001.

You will need to make minor adjustments based on bullet diameter and hardness, hence why we recommend loading the first five or six dummy rounds to ensure your set up is exactly what you need.

Conclusion

Wrapping things up, getting the hang of using Mighty Armory SAAMI Spec Steel or Carbide Reloading Dies can make your reloading process benefit you. The set-up is the same, whether you're using Mighty Armory's steel or carbide dies. Mighty Armory dies stand out because they're precision machined one part at a time, not mass produced, and use superior steels and finishes. The big win is the SAAMI spec ammunition that Mighty Armory dies will deliver to you. And even bigger is that our new TNT 9mm Carbide dies require no case lube!

Using Mighty Armory's measured system will certainly let you know how much better a shooter you really are and how much better your gun really is. Chronograph your rounds to see specific results after load development. You can easily reach lower single digits consistently.

We stand behind our products and continue to innovate and elevate the reloading industry. If you have any questions or need assistance be it product questions or reloading assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to us – we are happy to help you!