removing case lube

338 Imperial

338 Imperial

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Chetwynd BC
I have been reloading for 25+ years , always rifle cartridges.
After sizing I have always hand wiped each case clean of lube, this also provided 1 more opportunity to inspect each case.
I am now reloading for my M1-30 carbine...lots of fun...but way to many cases to deal with this way !
So...what do you hand gun reloaders do ?
I considered a mesh bag & the dishwasher...while the wife is out ...

thanks Ed
 
a 30m1 carbine cartridge is straight walled,therefore,you can use carbide dies and not worry about lube...
 
Lee does make a carbide die, but if they recommend lube, its likely a good idea.
You can wash or tumble. Or both. Lee sizing lube is water based, easier to wash off than some other lubes.
 
I reload a large volume of rifle cases and just throw them in the tumbler for a few hours to clean off lube. I don't have enough time to clean cases by hand. I inspect the cases after cleaning when I remove them from the tumbler.
 
Size and deprime, toss them in some hot water with Simple Green or other good cleaner, roll them around for a couple of minutes, drain and rinse with hot water. Rack them in used cartridge trays and put them over a furnace vent for an hour. Check for length and reload!!
 
I have a Lortone rotary rock tumbler with a rubber barrel that allows for either wet or dry tumbling. I just throw the sized brass in with some soapy water and it cleans the lube off in a few minutes.

For cleaning fired brass, I use dry plastic beads. I don't use the media for removing lube from sized, deprimed cases because the beads are just the right size to lodge themselves into primer pockets.
 
I wipe each one with a rag soaked with rubbing alcohol, that way I get a good look at each case to find any flawed ones and the alcohol evaporates fast.

Bearcat
 
You can spray them down with Ether(outside only). Cuts grease and oil and lube. I use it for cleaning gunk and crap from trigger mechanisms and actions on hard to get at pumps and auto loaders. I am sure some one will have to poo-poo this method but if you use your head for what it was intended there are no problems.
 
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...

I just finished using my single-stage press & a Lee factory crimp die to get rid of the Glock Bulge on the .40 range pickup brass. I used Ballistol: a couple of drops inside a ziplock bag, then tossed some brass in - it came out slick - not slimy like resizing grease, just slick enough to resize comfortably. I'm still going to use the regular Hornady sizing die in my L&L, so I was hoping to keep the brass lubed... Does it NEED to be cleaned? TIA.
 
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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