Lubing When Reloading

[bigedp51]

Yet all those other reference you got us show that his results should be wrong, the 1929 testing (presumably on a Lee-Enfield) showed an increase in pressure from 11 to 19 tons per sqin (+70%) for oiled ammo. And the Jim Sweet data on shooting wet (water) cartridges show that not every rifle is equally sensitive to that issue, but some can even fail catastrophically.

The difference between Varmint Al's and the 1929 base crusher testing data is Varmint Al's is theoretical computer output (computer guesstimate) and the base crusher system is the actual chamber pressure/bolt thrust being measured. The best part about Varmint Al's data is at 43,000 psi the rear of the .243 case never touched the bolt face and only the primer touched the bolt face applying very little pressure. And a lubed case at normal chamber pressure exerts twice the bolt thrust as a dry case.

Bottom line, if you want to wear out your rifle twice as fast and exceed headspace limits or even shear off bolt lugs just lube your cases.

And now some food for thought, in the U.S. under SAAMI guidlines it is "recommended" that new firearms be proofed with one dry proof cartridge. And in Europe under CIP two oiled proof cartridges must be used to pass proof testing.

 

[222Rem]

When reloading, lube is only needed when sizing a case... once done, remove and no more needed

Lube on a case when it is fired creates enormous thrust on the bolt head... very bad and can lead to all manner of damage. GET RID OF ANY AND ALL LUBE on a case once sizing is done.

Good luck and enjoy.

Jerry

This is correct

 

[Mystic Precision]

Jerry, where did you get that information? I'm not saying it's wrong, but I have been unable to find anything much other than "forum lore" to confirm this.

....

Thanks!

I think you have received plenty of info to answer this question. it is most certainly NOT lore.

If you are shooting a cartridge rated for 30 to 40,000psi using a few grains of powder (9mm for example) and you increase bolt thrust a bunch, a modern action is stressed to handle the oops. The total energy available isn't that high

Do that with a magnum running 65000psi, and you might just find out how good the action handles destruction.

Sometime, I would rather err on the side of safety....

YMMV

Jerry