What do you clean/lube your cases with?

deanml

deanml

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OK, I'm new to reloading and have almost everything I will need.
I got the Lee aniversary kit. On top of that I bought RCBS dies in 8mm Mauser and soon for the .45ACP. There seems to be a lot on the market, what do you use to clean and lube your cases before resizing? I don't go through a lot of ammo so I don't think I need a tumbler. Are there any peices of must-have gear that would be a good idea to get?
Which reloading manual(s) would be a good to pick up? I have the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook but need something for rifle. I would'nt mind supplementing my library with a couple more if there's good info.
Thanks in advance - DML
 
For cleaning , I use a tumbler. If I find the odd case with extra crud after tumbling, I put it in its trimmer base and using a drill and some 0000 steel wool, give her a spin. Sparkly clean, but slow.

For lube, I use Imperial Sizing Wax or Lee Lube. Both are good. For the throat, I use mica. I found oil to be messy, powder sticks to it and I was still having problems resizing. The mica solved that.

For manuals I have: Sierra, Lyman, Lee, Hornady and a couple of the powder company pamphlets. All have good info in them.

Calipers are a needed item. A chrono is a nice to have item.

(E) :cool:
 
You may get a good laugh out of this, but I use a Lee lockstud in an old vice-mounted electric drill and run fine steel wool over the case, I can shine 20 in a couple of minutes.
For case lube I use plain vaseline, just a trace goes a long way applied by fingertips! And obviously stay away from the case neck/shoulder.
This method cost me almost zero and works very well..
 
I just full-sized 700 rifle cases last night. I used Lee case lube dissolved in alcohol and sprayed on the cases. It makes for a night light, even coat of lube and the Lee stuff is about the smoothest sizing lube out there.
 
I use the Hornady lube that comes in the little tub. I just wipe it off with a rag. I like it better than the RCBS liquid. I find I tend to get too much of the liquid lube on the cases resulting in dimpled shoulders.
 
I use a cheap Frankford Arsenal tumbler, can get about 200 .308 cases in at a time. Runs for 15 mins and they come out like new.

I make my own case lube, silicone brake lube dissolved in rubbing alcohol. You can dissolve Vasoline, or Lee lube..ect. Put it in a spray bottle and fine spray the case. Leave them for 5 - 10 mins so the alcohol evaporates and all thats left is the lube. It works great, smooth resizing and never had a stuck case.

I hated having to lube the cases by hand, took way too much time. Now I can spray, resize, tumble, clean flash hole on 200 cases in under 1 hour.
 
I clean each individual case by hand with brasso. I use a collet neck size die so i never need to lube. When i full length size i use RCBS lube on the factory matt. Can lube 10 cases at once.
 
I don't reload myself yet, but I'm planning to. Here's a stupid question. If you don't use a tumbler how do you clean the inside of the case ? Or is there no need to clean the inside?
 
Casper..........if you don't use a tumbler or a chemical case cleaner then you do not clean the inside of the case. For all practical purposes it is not necessary to clean the inside of the case.

However, it is desirable to clean the outside of the case and the inside of the primer pocket as well as the inside of the case neck. Two reasons.....to keep from putting grime in your rifle chamber and while reloading to keep your dies and expander ball clean, and make the seating of primers easier and more uniform.
 
Hey 1shot !!!!!!

I use plain ole vaseline too for lubing cases and I also use a drill with the Lee lockstud and steelwool to clean stubborn cases. .:eek: The only difference is my drill is an 18 volt with a battery pack.:cool: Great minds think alike eh !!!
On the top of my 'lube' jar I have black marked ...." Not for recreational purposes ":p
I have had the same jar for 6 years now and there is lots left, I have tried the Lee lube and find that it turns really gummy after awhile.
 
deanml said:
OK, I'm new to reloading and have almost everything I will need.
I got the Lee aniversary kit. On top of that I bought RCBS dies in 8mm Mauser and soon for the .45ACP. There seems to be a lot on the market, what do you use to clean and lube your cases before resizing? I don't go through a lot of ammo so I don't think I need a tumbler. Are there any peices of must-have gear that would be a good idea to get?
Which reloading manual(s) would be a good to pick up? I have the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook but need something for rifle. I would'nt mind supplementing my library with a couple more if there's good info.
Thanks in advance - DML
Click to expand...

The best case lub I have found in 40 plus years of loading, is STP, the addative sometimes used in automotive oil. Use very little. Your Lyman pistol reloading book is very good and the velocity figures given are right on with the chronograph. All modern rifle reloading manuals exagerate velocities, badly! From H4831
 
Casper said:
I don't reload myself yet, but I'm planning to. Here's a stupid question. If you don't use a tumbler how do you clean the inside of the case ? Or is there no need to clean the inside?
Click to expand...

If it looks like craps inside the neck, a couple of swipes with a case brush and shes done. Looks like a bore brush, but nylon.

(E) :cool:
 
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