I'm using Lee dies to load .38 Special.
I don't clean my brass, and the last couple of batches, the decapper/sizing die has been smearing (what I assume is) powder residue over the length of the case. I've just assumed that it's residue from the cases being fired.
However, this time, I'm loading some clean brass that I bought at the store (once-fired, looks to be pretty clean).
Simple enough. So I take the die apart, and wipe out the inside using some Hoppes #9, on a cotton patch. I wipe it about, let it sit for a bit, and clean it out. Came out filthy, so I repeat until the patches/q-tips come out clean.
Great, problem solved, right?
Not quite. The die still is leaving the black film all over the cases. The hoppes isn't taking off any more residue. I tried some Gunslick nitro solvent, and that took a bit more off, but didn't seem to affect the powder residue.
So I'm basically baffled here. 2 solvents, and repeated cleanings haven't even made a dent in the problem. Do I need to try stronger solvents? Let them sit longer? Blood of a black cat killed at midnight in a cemetery under a full moon on Friday the 13th?
Anyway, thanks for any advice, and for reading this excessively long post.
I don't clean my brass, and the last couple of batches, the decapper/sizing die has been smearing (what I assume is) powder residue over the length of the case. I've just assumed that it's residue from the cases being fired.
However, this time, I'm loading some clean brass that I bought at the store (once-fired, looks to be pretty clean).
Simple enough. So I take the die apart, and wipe out the inside using some Hoppes #9, on a cotton patch. I wipe it about, let it sit for a bit, and clean it out. Came out filthy, so I repeat until the patches/q-tips come out clean.
Great, problem solved, right?
Not quite. The die still is leaving the black film all over the cases. The hoppes isn't taking off any more residue. I tried some Gunslick nitro solvent, and that took a bit more off, but didn't seem to affect the powder residue.
So I'm basically baffled here. 2 solvents, and repeated cleanings haven't even made a dent in the problem. Do I need to try stronger solvents? Let them sit longer? Blood of a black cat killed at midnight in a cemetery under a full moon on Friday the 13th?
Anyway, thanks for any advice, and for reading this excessively long post.