And Yet Another Handloading Die Question?

[Ala Dan]

After taking any major brand of handloading dies
apart, how do you folk's go about cleaning them; in
particular the inside of the bullet seating die where
bullet lube can and will build up? Thanks in advance
for the excellent help.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[swifter]

I soften the lube with solvent, blast out with spray brake cleaner. Don't look in the end of the die when spraying!
Tom

 

[Poodleshooter]

WD40 to break up oil based grit, then brake cleaner to rinse and dry it. I use pipe cleaners if there are any bits of grit buried deep in the die.
Since I have mostly Lee dies, I don't take them apart, as it's a PITA to get the collet to stay tight on the decapper rod.

 

[Snorkel Bob]

do you have to oil them at all so the brake cleaner doesnt strip all the oil and cause it to rust?

 

[JoeHatley]

I normally give them a shot of WD-40 and then wipe them out with a Q-tip.

Joe

 

[Black Snowman]

Yes, most of them you have to keep oiled to keep from rusting. Don't know any off-hand that are stainless or protected but I'm sure there's a few. I usually just shoot mine with Rem-Oil from Wal-mart.

I clean with spray gun cleaner, Hoppes, and cotton swabs.

 

[Ala Dan]

Thanks guys, that is what I was thinking. I will probably
treat them with a squirt of spray "Break Free CLP", as
it will not only clean; but protect them as well.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Thirties]

Two passes with an oversize bore snake works for me.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Dishwasher or boil w/dishwasher soap

I like to feel they are really clean so I normally take them apart and boil with dishwasher soap which is less toxic than many sprays and also formulated to rinse clean.

I also boil my .22 mags (no plastic followers). The really hot water dries quickly with little or no rust - then wipe with one of the silicone gun wipes.

Also been known to use electric toothbrush and WaterPik especially for cleaning guns with corrosive primer exposure

 

[Khornet]

Most mfgrs

say to clean with Hoppe's before starting. Oil in the wrong place in a die can cause dents in the cases, so I don't lube 'em. I store all my dies in 50 cal. ammo cans, so I avoid rust that way.

 

[kimbernut]

Cleaning Dies

Like JoeHatley I use a Q-tip but with Break-free CLR instead of WD-40. I like Thirties idea of using a boresnake though. One pass and your brushed, cleaned, oiled , and dry swabbed.What size seems to work best for you, Thirties?

 

[Ala Dan]

Good point there, Khornet. I certainly would not want
dents in my cases!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[tc300mag1]

I use brake clean to clean them then either fp-10 or other clp to lube them up

 

[Waitone]

I use a piece of coathanger wire to pull the bulk out followed by a generous squirt of Goop. Let the Goop sit for a while and clean out the balance with a q-tip. Follow up with a blast of brake cleaner. Let dry and you're good to go.