Somehow this statement begs the question....how is a brass case breaking a carbide ring? Don’t buy it. There are other reasons why Lee no longer recommends using the Makarov FCD with the bulge buster kit, but I don’t think cracked carbide rings is only them. I’ve forced 9mm cases up through a 9mm FCD (wasn’t easy, wasn’t pretty), with no affect on the 9mm die. They pass through the Makarov FCD smooth as you please. Someone’s smacking steel if they’ve cracked the carbide sizing ring. Brass sure won’t do it.Lee no longer recommends that. Too many dies coming back with cracked carbide rings. Lee will warranty the die once, then no more.