removing case lube

I use RCBS Case Lube 2. It is completely water soluble, and is probably the only RCBS product that I swear by.

I dump sized brass/loaded ammo onto a thoroughly damp towel. Then I fold the towel around them all and roll them around for maybe 10 seconds. Dump them onto a dry surface for a couple of minutes and they are ready to be boxed/stored/fired.
 
iceman2 said:
They have to be clean so that the brass will cling to the chamber when fired. If lubed they will push back too hard on the bolt face and stress the action.The brass must seal the chamber to prevent gas blow back.
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So if I just spray the finished rounds with a bit of break cleaner & wipe them clean, I'd be OK?

I would never tumble rounds - not because I think it is unsafe, but tumbling may change the powder structure, breaking up the granules/flakes into smaller pieces , thus causing an increase in burn rate.
 
you are correct not to tumble loaded rounds. The OP was talking about sized cases. There are lots of good methods mentioned here but I use the drop them in the tumbler and clean method because it is easy and convenient for me. I try to limit my exposure to solvents as much as practical.
 
redmist25 said:
you are correct not to tumble loaded rounds. The OP was talking about sized cases. There are lots of good methods mentioned here but I use the drop them in the tumbler and clean method because it is easy and convenient for me. I try to limit my exposure to solvents as much as practical.
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Sorry, didn't mean to hijack... I was gonna start my own thread when I saw this one. It hit home, since I just loaded 500 9mm rounds on my LnL and wasn't planning on cleaning them, so I had to ask why. Using the AP press, my only option is to clean loaded rounds...
 
aridan said:
Please do tell why cleaning off lube is important? I mean, if it is NOT inside the case or primer pockets, only on the outside...

If you don't get the lube off, the loaded rounds will pick up any grit or grime they come in contact with. Then when they are chambered, the grit and lube can be left behind in the chamber causing problems with extraction.
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aridan said:
I would never tumble rounds - not because I think it is unsafe, but tumbling may change the powder structure, breaking up the granules/flakes into smaller pieces , thus causing an increase in burn rate.
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What a strange thing to say. You don't think randomly changing the burn rate of the powder would be unsafe? What other drawback would it have?

Mind you the point is moot. You could tumble loaded rounds for days and it wouldn't affect the powder in any way, this has been demonstrated many times, by many people.
 
if you do not clean the lube off of rifle cartridges, upon firing the lubed case will increase bolt thrust enough to stretch the action or chamber or both. My brother ruined a nice Savage 110 rifle like that once. I individually wipe and inspect, but tumbling is a good method too.
 
BattleRife said:
What a strange thing to say. You don't think randomly changing the burn rate of the powder would be unsafe? What other drawback would it have?

Mind you the point is moot. You could tumble loaded rounds for days and it wouldn't affect the powder in any way, this has been demonstrated many times, by many people.
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I meant that the rounds won't go off when tumbling. I wouldn't tumble precisely NOT to change the burn rate - thus making it unsafe. As for the evidence that proves otherwise, I believe the opinions are split 50-50. Having said that... I wasn't planning to start a discussion - I simply asked a question why the rounds need to be cleaned.:rolleyes:
 
BattleRife said:
What a strange thing to say. You don't think randomly changing the burn rate of the powder would be unsafe? What other drawback would it have?

Mind you the point is moot. You could tumble loaded rounds for days and it wouldn't affect the powder in any way, this has been demonstrated many times, by many people.
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Your joking right? Don't tell me you tumble live ammo?
It wont go off but it WILL change the burn rate of the powder.
 
On the single stage i just run the brass through the tumbler after sizing. Problem is you have to inspect primer pockets after that. On the progressive I have been hand wiping the rounds, but I intend to start just tumbling the live rounds for a few minutes.
 
I use Imperial Sizing Wax...
i just put strait into the tumbler..leave a few hrs iI let er tumble tell the brass looks nickle plated...but im anal

go on you tube and search. case cleaning or something along those lines..
 
Obtunded said:
Use Ballistol as the lubricant!!!
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+1. I came across this tip 3 days ago: a couple of drops of Ballistol in a ziplock bag, smear it onto bag walls, then dump the brass in and toss it around. I then did a full resize of my .40S&W using the Lee FCD die, and the effort was minimal.
 
I use Dillon spray lube for batch resizing (800 cases on a tray - just a few minutes to lube), Imperial Wax for fewer than 100 pcs batches and big cases. Either way, tumbler takes care of removing the lube.

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