It must work, Hornady pistol sizing dies are TiN coated, and Redding has optional TiN coated neck sizing bushings (which I prefer). I also have TiN coated mandrel expanders and neck turning mandrels. I would not equate the forming of brass with the cutting of steel.
Why would it not work for fired cases? If anything, it seems the fired cases would cause less wear.
Read some of the blogs and comments on the TiN coated dies. Not an expert of the various product offerings, but generally folks that purchase Tungsten Carbide dies never worry about case prep and feed the dies anything.
RCBS does not make any TiN coated dies nor does Hornaday make TC dies. I got curious and did some FOLLOWUP reading. Generally, folks that try to use TiN coated sizing dies without any case prep report scratches and wear. NOW...that is all over the map. Seems like the process is improving. The TiCN process is recommended for longer life.
My comment about using a specially coated powder funnel for only Virgin cases was, ASSUMING it works better on virgin cases, is that it is a thin angstrom coating. So it will wear away. You don’t need it on fired cases. YES the powder residue will help lubricate. But the TiN IS a coating and will wear off. You ain’t wearing anything off, save a very minute amount of steel on the stock OEM Dillon funnel. So, as the funnel MIGHT wear, you can compensate by changing the adjustment to get the correct flaring or belling.
TC dies have become the norm....if you are willing to pay the extra $25 bucks or so. Odds are the Charley the Banger will also add case cleaning process. So, with cleaned cases, you have less friction and a better surface finish when resizing or “sizing” on TC dies. The popularity of TC dies has reduced the manufacturing cost. I got rid of my original RCBS 44 and really old Redding 357 for way more than I paid on eBay. RCBS was doing a rebate so by buying the replacements, my net in them and catching them on a good day on Amazon, it was a wash. I got new TC dies for maybe $10 out of pocket.
Yes...cutting steel and zinc and brass and aluminum and copper and zinc is not quite related to reloading, but all the stamping and crimping and forming that I was involved with IS similar to belling and flaring of a case mouth.... does give me some insight into the processes and we experimented with a plethora of coatings and materials and such to reduce wear and also setup adjustements.
Bottom line. DILLON says:
Don’t wet process for better results and more consistent loads.
Don’t over process or over clean the cases as you loose the nitride (lubricant) in the mouth
Best practice is vib cleaning with crushed walnut (or equivalent) media for <30 minutes
Don’t use case lube....even though they sell it, on once fired...except in special situations
Virgin cases will stick in the powder funnel unless you tumble. OR
Virgin cases will stick in the powder funnel unless you lubricate the case mouths(you or someone used Q-tips)
Don’t mix Virgin (unless you process as above) and Fired in the same lot...powder charge inconsistencies.
I think that sums up the 1 - 2 hour conversation with the DILLON tech.
https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/265993-cases-sticking-on-powder-funnel-new-problem/
Do some googling about TiN coated reloading components and read the reviews or the issues.
As long as you do a super clean and shine job on your cases, if I understand, then your life expectancy for your TiN coated items will be great.
My only point was to provide the information that I received from DILLON and also summarized the 15 or so hours of reading up on how to run Virgin cases, in the future, in my XL750.
I also did a controlled experiment and proved to my own satisfaction that the cotton ball method, rather than a Q-Tip, would reduce brass dusting and reduce the handle force on Virgin Starline cases.
That’s it....
BUT, if you decide to pursue a TiN coated powder funnel, I would suggest looking at this one first....sure cheaper than getting one custom coated
http://www.uniquetek.com/product/T1582
Armanov does not offer a replacement or upgraded funnel.
I guess I could add replacing the powder funnel with the UniqueTek if you encounter the issues and don’t follow the DILLON guidance....
IF I upgraded to a Mr. Bullet Feeder, I will be a big spender and get the UniqueTek funnels for 9mm & 45.
Learned something by doing more research and I thank you for challenging me. We Engineers need to stay mentally challenged....don’t get me started on doing statistical process control on cartridges using weight as the criteria....that was an interesting 24 hour project....
But for NOW....That’s what I know....or understand....
Thanks again and happy reloading.....
BTW...a wise buddy says less time evaluating and more time burning powder is the intent of reloading....