RustyFN
Member
I don't think it's a pain. I just don't see a point in using it where it's not needed. For me that would be pistol ammo.
Am I missing something on case lube?
- Thread starter kutter
- Start date
- Status
I don't think it's a pain. I just don't see a point in using it where it's not needed. For me that would be pistol ammo.
Damon555
Member
Randy, I don't lube the inside of the necks. I hose the die and the expander ball down with One Shot and let it dry. I usually relube the die when it gets tough to pull the expander ball through.
Be careful not to over lube the die, plus dry it out right side up so the excess drips off. Too much spray will dent the shoulders.
kutter:
Take that plastic container put in the brass.
Put in 2 30 caliber size pieces of clothe, barely moist with ANY lube oil you have, put on the cover and roll it around for 30 seconds...done.
No expensive spray, no lube inside the case, what's not to like.
When you're done loading, you can wipe it off or tumble it in corn cob.
Take that plastic container put in the brass.
Put in 2 30 caliber size pieces of clothe, barely moist with ANY lube oil you have, put on the cover and roll it around for 30 seconds...done.
No expensive spray, no lube inside the case, what's not to like.
When you're done loading, you can wipe it off or tumble it in corn cob.
USSR
Member
The simple way is to eliminate the need to use an expander ball and lube the necks by using a bushing die.
Don
Hondo 60
Member
For rifle rounds I tumble a 2nd time because that's the way I was taught.
Is it detrimental? Most likely not, but all the reloading books I've read say don't do it.
with my luck, I'd be the one in ten bazillion where a round would go off & blow a hole in my radiator. (I tumble in the garage.)
I also use the plastic MTM ammo boxes instead of just putting 'em loose in an ammo can or something.
I just don't like the idea of loose ammo banging around.
jcwit
member
HaHa, Never been in the service, have you?
Hondo 60
Member
HaHa - yes I have.
I am currently the Commander of Andrew Miller Chapter 24 (WI) of the Disabled American Veterans.
And I still hate ammo banging around in cans! LOL
I am currently the Commander of Andrew Miller Chapter 24 (WI) of the Disabled American Veterans.
And I still hate ammo banging around in cans! LOL
Randy when I lube pistol and 223, I use a plastic food container that is about 4"x8" and about 2 inches deep. I put about 200 cases or so in there and shake it all around as I spray. Some of the case face up when I am spraying and lube gets inside the case mouths then. I have never had a stuck case using that method, not sure where but I remember seeing someone do it that way on a video I watched online I think so I can't take credit for the idea.
I don't bother cleaning the completed rounds afterwards, I just box them up and go shoot. They don't look as pretty as if I had tumbled them for hours, but my Sig does not know the difference
Rusty I reload 357 Sig and even though I know there are carbide dies made for it, I treat it like a little rifle round and I lube all my rifle rounds so I lube for that. I have carbide .40 dies, and I suppose that I could run those without lube, but after someone on here suggested trying the carbide with lube, I will never go back to dry carbide. It is so much easier i could not have imagined and I feel like I am not working the brass as much. That may not be true but there is so much less resistance I cannot imagine it is not easier on the brass.
Hondo, I hate having them loose in ammo cans too, I use the boxes from Berry's, they work just fine and seem to hold up well. I am a great believer in having a system that works for you so if that is the way that you learned then far be it from me to question it. As potentially hazardous as the hobby can be any habit that works and is safe is a good one as far as I am concerned.
I don't bother cleaning the completed rounds afterwards, I just box them up and go shoot. They don't look as pretty as if I had tumbled them for hours, but my Sig does not know the difference
Rusty I reload 357 Sig and even though I know there are carbide dies made for it, I treat it like a little rifle round and I lube all my rifle rounds so I lube for that. I have carbide .40 dies, and I suppose that I could run those without lube, but after someone on here suggested trying the carbide with lube, I will never go back to dry carbide. It is so much easier i could not have imagined and I feel like I am not working the brass as much. That may not be true but there is so much less resistance I cannot imagine it is not easier on the brass.
Hondo, I hate having them loose in ammo cans too, I use the boxes from Berry's, they work just fine and seem to hold up well. I am a great believer in having a system that works for you so if that is the way that you learned then far be it from me to question it. As potentially hazardous as the hobby can be any habit that works and is safe is a good one as far as I am concerned.
Last edited:
I'm not loading thousands of rounds at a sitting, so my method might not work for you. I put the cases in a loading block and spray the group from each side at a slight downward angle. Let it dry for one minute and you're good to go. Dry Shot is a dry lube, so it doesn't foul the powder and you don't have to remove it after loading.
I also load on a progressive press. I tumble to clean the empty cases, spray with One Shot and then load.
shu
Member
I do rifle some, but not a lot; and I do the bottleneck 357sig.
When I started reloading some 10 yrs ago, with the RCBS Master Reloading Kit, I used the pad and bottle of CaseLube 2 that came with the kit. Rolled the cases around in an old towel after resizing to wipe off some of the slick.
Tried a bottle of the spray-on stuff, but never got to like it.
Now I have a tub of Hornady Unique Case Lube. About the consistency of margerine. Reminds me of some Mink Oil boot waterproofer I had once. In fact, says on the side of the Hornady product it will work for waterproofing leather.
Pick up a dab on the index finger, transfer it around to butter up the other finger tips; pick up a shell case, and some of the lube transfers to the case as you seat it in the shell holder. Maybe wipe the index finger across the case mouth for the expander ball to pick up some lube.
Works well and lasts a loooooooooong time.
When I started reloading some 10 yrs ago, with the RCBS Master Reloading Kit, I used the pad and bottle of CaseLube 2 that came with the kit. Rolled the cases around in an old towel after resizing to wipe off some of the slick.
Tried a bottle of the spray-on stuff, but never got to like it.
Now I have a tub of Hornady Unique Case Lube. About the consistency of margerine. Reminds me of some Mink Oil boot waterproofer I had once. In fact, says on the side of the Hornady product it will work for waterproofing leather.
Pick up a dab on the index finger, transfer it around to butter up the other finger tips; pick up a shell case, and some of the lube transfers to the case as you seat it in the shell holder. Maybe wipe the index finger across the case mouth for the expander ball to pick up some lube.
Works well and lasts a loooooooooong time.
Rollis R. Karvellis
Member
I, just hold the can at a 45 deg. angle, and shoot all 4 side's of the block. This lube's all the case, including the inside.
I've been using Mobil One synthetic for a few years now, I've never had a problem. I've loaded thousands of rifle rounds, and I still haven't even put a dent in the bottle. Not to mention, I use it to wipe down the press and dies afterwards. I hate rust. Has anyone ever heard a single bad thing about using Mobil One? If not, I can't believe more people aren't using it.
lube mess
have had good luck in using sm amt lube only. Just did 100 ea of 30-30 and 308, no probs. I lube pad as normal, run about 5 cases lubed in the usual fashion, and after that, I put my fingertip into the lube on the pad and then put a "fingerprint" of lube in the next case to be resized. I still brush the inside of the neck, as customary. Has worked well for me. Otherwise, If I lube the whole body of the case, I throw them all into an amonia based liquid case cleaner and use Thumblers tumbler (lg one) to get rid of the excess lube. Works for me, and have never had a stuck case in either Lee or RCBS dies.
have had good luck in using sm amt lube only. Just did 100 ea of 30-30 and 308, no probs. I lube pad as normal, run about 5 cases lubed in the usual fashion, and after that, I put my fingertip into the lube on the pad and then put a "fingerprint" of lube in the next case to be resized. I still brush the inside of the neck, as customary. Has worked well for me. Otherwise, If I lube the whole body of the case, I throw them all into an amonia based liquid case cleaner and use Thumblers tumbler (lg one) to get rid of the excess lube. Works for me, and have never had a stuck case in either Lee or RCBS dies.
SSN Vet
Member
I give every tenth pistol brass a very light swipe with Imperial and it really makes the next ten a lot easier.
I load semi-progressive on a LCT press, and I just keep a cotton rag near the press and wipe off that first case whlie still on the press with the ram held tight in the up position. Then pull the round, inspect and put in the box.
The next one after the lubed case almost never needs wiping.
And if there's a little lube inadvertantly left on the case exterior... no harm-no foul.
- Status
