Cast bullet lube build-up in seating die changing OAL

hitch.bd

hitch.bd

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So, I reloaded 300 rounds of 9mm (with my afore mentioned rock chuckers in line!) Perodically checking my OAL,(starting at 1.15") Somewhere around the 200-220 round area the OAL was starting to visably decrease. I compensated by turning out the seater plug. I continued reloading and again noticed the OAL decrease. (at 1.12" ) I pulled the die appart and found a thick, heavy wad of the red lube they use gummed into the die.
I have 2 questions:
1) Is this common,do you get this issue too?
2) Other than scraping this S#!T out with a brass brush is there any creative solutions out there?
 
What kind of lube are you using?

The only lube that you can get on the bullet nose is the Lee Tumble lube stuff. That stuff is horrible for gumming up the seating die. If you do as instructed from Lee and just tumble lube the bullets, a small amount gets on the nose of the bullet and guess where it is transfered too. After about 100 rounds you will start to notice that the bullet is being seated farther into the case.

If you have to use that crap for lube then I dip every bullet into the lube and let it dry on wax paper and problem solved.

Guess you could also use mineral spirits on a rag and wipe every bullet nose off before you use it.
 
I usually get 500 rounds through before it gets too gummed up. Then I just pull it apart(wilson die) and clean it out with a spent 22 case, then just toss the case. No highly explosive stinky spray in house. If you use brake kleen, do it outside!!
 
hunter64 said:
What kind of lube are you using?

The only lube that you can get on the bullet nose is the Lee Tumble lube stuff. That stuff is horrible for gumming up the seating die. If you do as instructed from Lee and just tumble lube the bullets, a small amount gets on the nose of the bullet and guess where it is transfered too. After about 100 rounds you will start to notice that the bullet is being seated farther into the case.

If you have to use that crap for lube then I dip every bullet into the lube and let it dry on wax paper and problem solved.

Guess you could also use mineral spirits on a rag and wipe every bullet nose off before you use it.
Click to expand...

The cast bullets I used are( Lance Hardcast Bullets.)
I just went to the man-cave to look at what else I have;
-The Bullet Barn
-Bush Wacker Bullets
-Monarch Bullet co.

Thay all seem to have the same thick, red lube on them.
 
"...have the same thick, red lube on them..." Cast bullets require lube. Comes out of the die with a jeweller's screw driver or other small tool. You should be cleaning your dies periodically too. Regular gun cleaning tools.
 
I make my own lube and without a luber-sizer I'm just pan lubing. On some particularly gummy bullets for black powder applications I'm unscrewing the die to scrape it out every 10-12 bullets.

Its a royal pain. Some I size with a Lee push through sizer and that helps squeeze off the excess before loading. Unless you wanted to try something like that its one of those issues that you jsut ahve to live with.
 
Lots of buildup from the cast bullets I got from Russell Sports (Plains). The price was certainly right ($79.99 for 1000x200 grain .45ACP) but they are sticky bastards...update - I see the price is now $91.99.
 
So does everybody reload (pistol) with cast bullets? I've been looking for some bulk jacketed or FMJ etc.. in 9mm but they don't seem to be around. But I guess the targets don't care do they!
Hitch
 
hitch.bd said:
So does everybody reload (pistol) with cast bullets? I've been looking for some bulk jacketed or FMJ etc.. in 9mm but they don't seem to be around. But I guess the targets don't care do they!
Hitch
Click to expand...

For 9mm, I've switched to AIM plated 124gr. They're a bit more than cast, but cleaner to handle and no lube buildup anywhere.
 
Neck flaring(expanding) is critical for cast bullets, otherwise you get wax and lead particles changing bullet depth. I flare about .005", bullet will insert about 1/3 of bottom band. Taper crimp removes this later. good luck
 
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