Lube Questions

Luckyorwhat

Luckyorwhat

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Hi all, just a couple questions about lubing. #1) Why is it bad to lube the shoulder, and how much is too much? #2)Why not have the lube right in the tumbling media?

Thanks;
Scott
 
Luckyorwhat said:
Hi all, just a couple questions about lubing. #1) Why is it bad to lube the shoulder, and how much is too much? #2)Why not have the lube right in the tumbling media?

Thanks;
Scott
Click to expand...

The lube will get between the die and shoulder and create a hydraulic lock, but then the softest part (case) will dent.

You only need enough to allow the case to squeeze into the die and come out.

You don't want or need to lube the inside of the case. A waste. Also, if the lube is oil based, it will kill the primer and powder. A dud.

I like to use Lee Lube because it's water based.
 
What he said. Getting "lube-dents" in the shoulders of cases is no big deal, and it's something I'm sure we've all done. They pop right out on firing.
 
Luckyorwhat said:
#2)Why not have the lube right in the tumbling media?
Click to expand...

If you're lookin for a quick way, use the spray lube, putting goop in your tumbler will result in a blob...something resembling rice krispie square mix :eek:
 
"...lube right in the tumbling media..." The purpose of tumbling is to clean the cases. Putting lube in will do nothing but gum up your media.
 
Got it, thanks guys. Are you sure about not lubing inside the mouth? The Lee manual says to use a Qtip, and the video says to scrape some in their with your finger.
 
I lube every 4th or 5th case mouth by rubbing it accross my lube pad or use a little motor mica with a brush. Just a little bit to keep things from sticking. I roll every case across my lube pad this way the shoulders don't get overlubed.
 
Even if you buy a brand new Lyman or RCBS pad, and spend $20, keep in mind, that my father has used the same lube pad since the very early 1960's. And it's still in fine shape. Let's say the new pad only lasts 40 years. Pretty cheap, yes?
 
I do lube inside case necks on certain cartridges, but only every fourth case or so, let the amount of force needed to draw the expander ball through the case neck be your guide. Some presses have more leverage than others, and you don't feel it as much, but with my old clunker, it's pretty gruesome if I don't let a touch of lee lube hang inside the edge now and then on for example the 308 with the small base die set.
Is it needed? probably not, but it's easier on the machinery, the brass maybe, and on me definately.
 
Luckyorwhat said:
Ok thanks for the pad tip. And so I understand, you lube inside the mouth not for the brass, but for the die?
Click to expand...

Sort of both. If the expander ball drags too much on the case, when it's coming back out, it stretches the neck and can deform the case (slightly).
Way back, one could buy carbide expander balls that slid very smoothly through the necks, no lube required.
 
Nothing wrong with lubing every one with a q-tip for the expander ball... consistent and easier. I lube every case, doesn't take much effort. Use very very little on the qtip though. (We're talkin rifle only of course.)
 
Luckyorwhat said:
Got it, thanks guys. Are you sure about not lubing inside the mouth? The Lee manual says to use a Qtip, and the video says to scrape some in their with your finger.
Click to expand...

Don't do that...I followed these directions and ended up with a ton of misfirings. There's a thread here somewhere on that. When I pulled the bullets, the powder was all caked together. Lesson learned.
 
Hmmm.....old dog, new tricks.

I lube 100% of my rifle case mouths before sizing - but I then take a DRY Q-tip to remove the lube afterwards, so the powder does not stick to the inside of the case mouths. Sounds like most of you folks are recommending against lubing case mouths, I will have to give that a whirl and see if I like it or not. For sure if I can take out two tedious case prep steps that gets my vote!

Doug
 
Anybody ever heard of RCBS Case Slick. Line up the cases on a cookie sheet and spray away. ;) Throw them into the tumbler to clean all the lube off. With 1500, .308 cases I don't have time for a Q-tip.:p
 
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