Hi Shadow.
My opinion on the reason why TiNitride is not widely adopted. First of all, I own almost every die from every manufacturer for 9 MM and 223. I have the Hornady Titanium Nitride sizing die and its in rotation right now (9MM).
I don't like it. I think the problem with using an advanced process like this, is that its not as easy to make uniform. So the Hornady die leaves shiney nickel cases rough in some spots, versus the RCBS steel one does not. So I think the process is just harder to make "less imperfect" than Steel. This Hornady die leaves the cases rougher than the steel ones, and its supposed, in theory, to do the opposite.
I also have other Hornady die, that has the taper frimp and seating in 1 die, its a long die with 2 adjustments, 2 o-rings. I hate this die. I hate it.
Of the major manufacturers, I find the RCBS dies to be what I like the most, sort of like this subjective ranking
1) RCBS
2) Dillon
3) Forster
4) Redding
5) LEE
10) Hornady
You get the idea.
I just don't think it makes any sense. Why pay more money to manufacture something that is not outperforming Carbon steel, and in my experience, is performing WORSE.
It makes no sense. They use TiN in drill bits, to last longer, and cut harder materials, but in the reloading world, Carbon steel dies last "decades" because this is a very slow operation with "soft" materials. Its not comparable. You don't need it. Added expense for nothing.
All the specs and theory aside, I ran new Nickel through it, it comes out "rougher" than steel. So it loses, clearly, with me. Maybe for others, they got a more uniform die that works better.