Firearm cartridge reloading devices and methods

Abstract

Firearm cartridge loading and reloading dies, such as a die having a metallic body with a cavity extending through the body and a sleeve inserted in the cavity. The sleeve is configured to receive a firearm cartridge and reconfigure the cartridge for loading or reloading. The sleeve can be metal, non-metallic ceramic, and/or.

1 . A cartridge reloading die, the die comprising: 
 a housing having a cavity, wherein the housing is composed of a first material; and    a sleeve coupled to the housing in the cavity, wherein the sleeve is composed of a second material and includes a first internal portion having a first diameter and a second internal portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter.    
     
     
         2 . The die of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve further comprises a transition portion between the first and second internal portions having a generally tapering diameter between the first and second diameters.  
     
     
         3 . The die of  claim 1  wherein the second material is non-metallic.  
     
     
         4 . The die of  claim 3  wherein the first material comprises a synthetic material.  
     
     
         5 . The die of  claim 3  wherein the non-metallic material comprises a ceramic material.  
     
     
         6 . The die of  claim 1  wherein the first material is metallic.  
     
     
         7 . The die of  claim 1  wherein the housing and the sleeve are integral components of the die.  
     
     
         8 . The die of  claim 7  wherein the first and second materials are non-metallic.  
     
     
         9 . The die of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is removable from the housing.  
     
     
         10 . The die of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve comprises a single piece.  
     
     
         11 . The die of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the cavity is threaded and at least an exterior portion of the housing is threaded.  
     
     
         12 . A die for reloading a firearm cartridge, the die comprising: 
 a body composed of a first material, the body having a cavity extending through the body; and    an insert fixedly connected to the cavity of the body, wherein the insert is composed of a second material different from the first material and includes a bore that is configured to at least partially receive a cartridge for shaping at least a portion of the cartridge, wherein the bore has a first diameter and a second diameter smaller than the first diameter.    
     
     
         13 . The die of  claim 12  wherein the first material is metallic and the second material is non-metallic.  
     
     
         14 . The die of  claim 13  wherein the second material comprises ceramic.  
     
     
         15 . The die of  claim 13  wherein the second material comprises a synthetic material.  
     
     
         16 . The die of  claim 12  wherein the bore is coated with a ceramic material.  
     
     
         17 . The die of  claim 12  wherein the bore is configured for removing the cartridge after shaping at least a portion of the cartridge.  
     
     
         18 . The die of  claim 17  wherein the bore is configured for removing the cartridge without a lubricant.  
     
     
         19 . A die for reloading a firearm cartridge, the die comprising a body having an interior bore, wherein the bore includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, wherein the second portion is coated with a ceramic material and configured to at least partially receive a cartridge.  
     
     
         20 . A cartridge reloading die, the die comprising: 
 a body composed of a first exterior metallic portion, a second interior non-metallic portion, and a third interior portion; and    a cavity in the body, wherein the second portion defines a bore portion of the cavity configured for at least partially shaping a cartridge, and the third interior portion defines an engaging portion of the cavity configured for engaging a cap member.    
     
     
         21 . The die of  claim 19  wherein the third interior portion is metallic.  
     
     
         22 . A method of manufacturing a firearm cartridge reloading die, the method comprising: 
 forming a bore in a die body; and    positioning a sleeve member in the bore, wherein the sleeve member has a first diameter and a second diameter less than the first diameter, and wherein the cavity is configured to releasably contact a cartridge at least partially inserted into the cavity for shaping at least a portion of the cartridge.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the bore is metallic and the sleeve member is non-metallic.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the sleeve member is composed of a ceramic or synthetic material.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein forming the bore comprising molding or casting the bore, the method further comprising molding or casting the sleeve member.