Used dies - Where did the box go?

[YRUpunting?]

I occasionally see a classified ad for used dies without the box or instructions.  I understand why people ditch the instructions, there not really helpful even to the novice.  I don't get how the dies get separated from the box, but yet stay together.  I've only been reloading for about a year so maybe I'm too green to understand this phenomenon.  Where do the boxes go?

[Luckyducker]

I've still got all my die boxes and the dies go back into the box when I am finished loading with them.  So I will say "I dunno"

[LaDano]

I've bought 3 sets of dies from eBay, didn't know they didn't have boxes till arrival. I asked the same question and got dumb answers.

[Ranger99]

s.w.a.g. here


they probably get dropped off the
bench with the dies inside, and
the brittle plastic box goes kablooey,
and the folks sell them thinking the
broken box might harm the sale if
they sold 'em that way.    (maybe?)

[necchi]

It ain't rocket science,
Boxes break. 
People don't want to tell you the dies and the box fell off a 5' high shelf and hit the concrete,,
 
For sale;
"Used Dies, only minor cosmetic scratches, good working condition"

[mechanic]

I have a metal cabinet with small drawers....lots of them.  My dies go into the first box in a row, then various weights of bullets follow in that row.  The box's with the dies don't fit, but I usually save them, but not always.
 
Ben

[Ranger99]

don't have anything like that.
sounds like a good system though.
i keep all mine cuz i have some
desiccants in each box with the dies.


most folks don't realize that replacement
dies boxes can be had separately.

[Old Syko]

Seems I remember someone saying dies would fit in a small flat rate box but the plastic box wouldn't and that is the preferred (cheapest) method of shipment for most folks.  Don't know since I never tried. Just something I seem to remember.  Could all be BS.

[JustaShooter]

I've still got all my die boxes and the dies go back into the box when I am finished loading with them.  So I will say "I dunno"

Likewise.

Seems I remember someone saying dies would fit in a small flat rate box but the plastic box wouldn't and that is the preferred (cheapest) method of shipment for most folks. 

RCBS boxes fit the small flat rate box, as do Lee square/rectangular boxes, but the Lee round/cylindrical die "boxes" don't fit a flat rate box so I suppose that might be how some Lee dies get separated from their original "box".

Just a Shooter

[Lloyd Smale]

like was said boxes break and also back in the day many came in carboard boxes that didnt last forever.

[davem270win]

I've been reloading since 1972, and every die set I ever bought was in plastic. You can buy empty plastic replacement die boxes pretty cheap. I've had one or two where either the hinge or the closer broke, but I've never dropped one and had the box split. I'm using mostly RCBS, but I do have Redding and Lee as well.

[stimpylu32]

I occasionally see a classified ad for used dies without the box or instructions.  I understand why people ditch the instructions, there not really helpful even to the novice.  I don't get how the dies get separated from the box, but yet stay together.  I've only been reloading for about a year so maybe I'm too green to understand this phenomenon. Where do the boxes go?

The same place that other sock went after you put it in the dryer , or that one shotgun shell from the box of 25 that now only has 24 and none shot ? 
 
stimpy

[petemi]

If a guy loads for only one or possibly two calibers, I guess they really don't need a box.  If you load for ten, a dozen or more, it's a different story.  My problem is I keep leaving the shell holder in the press and then have to think back to try and remember the last caliber I loaded for and get the shell holder back in the box where it belongs....another example of latent CRS

Pete

[Dee]

My 3030 dies are in their 42 year old box

[tobster]

I think all those die boxes look kinda neat on the shelf- sort of a sign of prosperity, just like the Indian brave that had the most ponies. The last set of dies I bought were Hornady and I broke the box. They sent me a new one for free and suggested I be a little more gentle when I open it. After looking on E-Bay last night, I think I am going to put my .223 dies in the lockbox at the bank. They must be worth their weight in gold!

[DANNY-L]

I have bought full length die sets,then later bought a neck sizer so I just put all 3 together in 1 box. When someone out here is looking for just a box I have just passed them on for the shipping.

[SHOOTALL]

I occasionally see a classified ad for used dies without the box or instructions.  I understand why people ditch the instructions, there not really helpful even to the novice.  I don't get how the dies get separated from the box, but yet stay together.  I've only been reloading for about a year so maybe I'm too green to understand this phenomenon.  Where do the boxes go?

In moving a couple of my boxes got dropped and shattered as it was about 30 degrees . Over the years others got dropped and old plastic will break. I have orderd replacement boxes before though . And when I started reloading dies came in cardboard boxes which werar out . I have a container with dies that no longer have boxes most were given to me by guys who quit reloading .
 Hope this helps you understand how dies come to be with out boxes.