I use a Dillon SDB for my pistol reloading. If I had to do it over again, I'd buy one of their presses that uses any dies but I have this one, it's loaded thousands of rounds and Dillon even replaced it completely when the frame broke on it, and I got it for a good prices used.
Anyway, I've noticed a problem since I stared cleaning all my brass with SS pins and water. It appears that the brass is now so damn clean that the case mouths are hanging up on the expander/powder die. Sometimes it takes quite a crank on the lever to get the case to come down off the die. I use very little case expansion, just enough to allow the bullet to sit and not twist as it goes up into the seater die.
I also use a EGW small base sizing die to size all my competition brass. I do it on a single stage press, prior to feeding it through the Dillon. Yes it is an extra step but I haven't had a single round fail to feed in years.
I'm thinking that perhaps back when I would use a vibratory tumbler and media to clean my brass, there was enough 'stuff' left on the brass that it acted a bit of lubricant and I don't recall having this problem back then. Now when I'm reloading .40 S&W, I'm never sure if any time I start to push the handle up if it is going to go easy (seldom happens) or if I have to push on it hard enough to almost lift my bench off the floor.
Anyone know of a powder safe lubricant I can use to make this go easier but not have to be cleaned off the brass because the next stage is seating the bullet? I think I'll also have to take the expander die out and polish it up with Flitz or something.
Anyway, I've noticed a problem since I stared cleaning all my brass with SS pins and water. It appears that the brass is now so damn clean that the case mouths are hanging up on the expander/powder die. Sometimes it takes quite a crank on the lever to get the case to come down off the die. I use very little case expansion, just enough to allow the bullet to sit and not twist as it goes up into the seater die.
I also use a EGW small base sizing die to size all my competition brass. I do it on a single stage press, prior to feeding it through the Dillon. Yes it is an extra step but I haven't had a single round fail to feed in years.
I'm thinking that perhaps back when I would use a vibratory tumbler and media to clean my brass, there was enough 'stuff' left on the brass that it acted a bit of lubricant and I don't recall having this problem back then. Now when I'm reloading .40 S&W, I'm never sure if any time I start to push the handle up if it is going to go easy (seldom happens) or if I have to push on it hard enough to almost lift my bench off the floor.
Anyone know of a powder safe lubricant I can use to make this go easier but not have to be cleaned off the brass because the next stage is seating the bullet? I think I'll also have to take the expander die out and polish it up with Flitz or something.
