Cleaning dies

[KDX]

I was full length resizing/decapping some .223 today and was wondering about lube build up in the die and/or on the sizing pin. I was using Lee lube and would assume that after a while the die could be soaked in hot water and would come clean? I can't remember reading a thread on cleaning dies.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

I've always disassembled mine, and washed them in hot water.
Just rinsing them doesn't do it. The build up gets thick and dried out.
It's the one draw back to Lee lube.

 

[sniper58]

When mine get built up with lube, I take them outside and give them a good blast of brake cleaner. Let them dry out and back to work.

 

[M77]

I use Lee case lube as well. After every reloading session my FL or Neck dies get taken apart and wiped clean. Thin strips of a rag pushed through and a light coating of oil afterwards works for me. I found it easier to clean after every use than having the lube to build up.

 

[sunray]

Always used regular firearm cleaning solvents and tools myself. Regular cleaning of your dies isn't a bad idea.

 

[tjhaile]

Lacquer thinner works nicely for cleaning bullet lube from seating and crimp dies. I'm sure it would work just as well for removing excess lube from sizing dies.

 

[kevguy]

If you are firing the cases in the same gun, you only have to neck size. If you are neck sizing with quality dies (i.e. Redding), then you don't need to use any lube at all.

 

[KDX]

Semi auto should be full length sized each time from what I read somewhere.

 

[kevguy]

Semi auto should be full length sized each time from what I read somewhere.

Never heard of it.

 

[444shooter]

Full length sizing is a must for reliable feeding in semis and levers. Brake cleaner is cheap, and works good.

 

[Shootshellz]

Mineral spirits from the hardware store is a cheap and effective cleaner for not only reloading dies but your firearms.

 

[NorthernCX]

If you are firing the cases in the same gun, you only have to neck size. If you are neck sizing with quality dies (i.e. Redding), then you don't need to use any lube at all.

Originally Posted by KDX View Post
"Semi auto should be full length sized each time from what I read somewhere."
Never heard of it.

You don't use lube with Lee Neck-size dies either. The quality of the die has nothing to do with it. Expensive doesn't mean better than the other guy. As far as full-length sizing, you should always full-length size for semis and levers, or any time that ammo might be used in a different rifle- whether it's yours or your buddy's. Semis are built to handle ammo at factory (SAAMI) specs; neck-sized ammo might not fit the bill every time. IF you can neck-size in your semi-auto rifle and get away with it, good on you. But by and large, you should full-length size for anything but a specific bolt or single-shot rifle, and make sure you don't use that ammo in any other rifle than the one the brass was first shot in.

 

[ceriksson]

I've tried mine in my ultrasonic cleaner. Works great but warning to those that want to try it. Only put them in for a few minutes or less. Any more and the cleaner will start to overclean and will start removing plating.

Otherwise its just clean gun swabs as if I were cleaning my barrel.

 

[KDX]

I just tried some Imperial resizing die wax (an old reloader recommended it to me) on a bunch of .223 and is that stuff ever slick. I didn't neck lube one and as long as I put a little wax on my fingers every 4th or 5th round the feel of the press arm was pretty smooth. I kind of rolled them between my fingers on the way to the press. I use a Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press and Lee dies. I'm going to tumble the brass (corn cob media) for a 1/2 hour or so to see how the wax comes off before I clean the primer pockets. So far, two big thumbs up.

Edit to add...it cleaned up very nicely in the corn cob media.

 

[dan belisle]

When mine get built up with lube, I take them outside and give them a good blast of brake cleaner. Let them dry out and back to work.

+1. Easiest way to clean them. - dan