Any lube needed with lee deluxe handgun dies

[TennJed]

Getting ready to load my first rounds with my new lee classic turret. I just wanted to verify that I don not need lube with the carbide resizing dies. I will be loading for 357mag, 38 sp, 9 mm, and 45 colt.

Is lube needed at any stage of loading with any of the lee dies on a turret press?

Thanks for helping a newbie out

 

[Walkalong]

I do not know what "lube nEssex" is, but no, you do not need to lube pistol cases using carbide dies.

Some people like to anyway, as it makes sizing absolutely effortless.

 

[TennJed]

sorry ment needed and carbide....typing on a cell and i am not used to it....thanks

 

[jerkface11]

I know that when i used lee carbide .500 S&W dies the carbide broke out of them on the second or third piece of brass. After they refused to replace them without me paying shipping i switched to RCBS their dies said that due to the large diameter you should use lube. So you might want lube on the larger cases.

 

[Walkalong]

It is a simple matter of surface area. More surface area, more friction/strain.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Like they said, you don't have to use a lube. However, I find that a light spray of Hornady One Shot really makes 'em glide thru easier....When I say light, I mean very light. If you don't go overboard, you won't have a mess to wipe off the cases.

 

[Sam1911]

I load pretty much the same asortment, all on Lee dies, and have never used lube. If you want to, it will be more effortless yet, but you shouldn't have any trouble.

 

[Iron Sight]

I have Carbide but use lube on 357 & 44 mag to reduce effort.

 

[jcwit]

Regarding handgun cases even spray furniture polish ie; Pledge will work.

 

[armoredman]

I'll lube maybe every 10th case in 9mm, but not at all with 38 special, probably because my 9mm dies get used so heavily.

 

[Romeo 33 Delta]

I use just a "touch" of Imperial on my larger cases (44-45-500) just to reduce strain and stress. Since I'm going to run 'em trough the tumbler anyway ... the lube being there isn't an issue in the end.

 

[RandyP]

You can get a spray bottle of a number of different make case lubes for under $10 at most all gun shoppes and of course online most everywhere.

Taking my own advice I bought one and will try it at my next reloading session. I expect it will make the process go even smoother with my carbide dies. If not? I'm only only out $10 and I have peed away a lot more than that on a lot less - LOL

 

[GLOOB]

If the cases are too clean, they can get galled up on the flaring die, which is steel, not carbide. A lot of my Lee flaring dies were very rough out of the box and were greatly improved with some polishing. And when I purchase brass that's been cleaned in SS media, I tumble it for an hour with some wax before using it.

 

[1SOW]

I used to use the Lee water soluble wax case lube diluted with alcohol and 'very lightly' sprayed (one spray) over the cases with a plant mister. This actually makes the press pull very smooth and noticeably lighter than dry cases.

I use nu-finish in my tumbler and that works almost/partially as well as the water soluble wax.

 

[WyrTwister]

Only carbide die I use lube with is the .30 Carbine .

God bless
Wyr

 

[capreppy]

I've gotten to the point that I use Imperial Sizing Wax on all my brass (rifle & pistol) when doing sizing. Just makes it easier on me and the press. If doing pistol, I'll load 1k at a time and the Imperial just makes it easier on me physically.

 

[dickttx]

I noticed awhile back that the Lee handbook recommends using a small amount of lube on the 9mm cases.
That was interesting, because to me they take more effort to size than any of the others I reload (.357, .41, 45ACP, 45 Colt).
The next time i loaded 9mm I puffed a little pile of graphite on the bench and would dip my finger in it before I picked up a case. It would go about 5 rounds with very little effort.

 

[capreppy]

I noticed awhile back that the Lee handbook recommends using a small amount of lube on the 9mm cases.
That was interesting, because to me they take more effort to size than any of the others I reload (.357, .41, 45ACP, 45 Colt).
The next time i loaded 9mm I puffed a little pile of graphite on the bench and would dip my finger in it before I picked up a case. It would go about 5 rounds with very little effort.

I've recently started loading 9mm Luger and discovered the same thing when comparing sizing effort against 45 ACP.

 

[Capt. Ct.]

A little lube will make things go smoother. I use lube on the sizing stage.