can you tumble loaded bullets to get lube off???

[mworkinger]

I'm new to reloading and some one told me that you could tumble the finished ammunition to get the lube off instead of wiping each one off. but isn't that when you check for problems ie imperfect rounds (oh 45 acp is the cal. using plated bullets) thanks for any answers

 

[snuffy]

??? do you mean loaded rounds???

Yes it's okay to tumble completed ammunition to remove sizing lube. BUT why are you using lube on handgun ammo? You must be using steel dies.!?

This comes up from time to time,(about once a month), here and on other forums. Do a search, I answered this question on other threads on here and other forums.

 

[snuffy]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=156750&highlight=tumbling+live+ammo

This one is old, but has my results on the test I did back then.

 

[mworkinger]

yes i did mean loaded ammo. i just ordered my first dillon 550 press, and someone that has been reloading for years told me that it made it easier to use the press even if you have carbide dies thanks for your reply mworkinger

 

[rcmodel]

I have always used a light spray of case lube on pistol cases with carbide dies.
It makes carbide dies work slicker then owl dodo.

Tumble away. It won't hurt a thing.
That's how the factory does it.

Just don't forget and leave them tumbling when you go on vacation or something!
rc

 

[RVenick]

I occasionally use a small amount of lube on 9mm reloads. I found that they would "gum" up my gun so, I will toss em in the tumbler for about 15 minutes.

 

[bongfoo]

i find that i have to use lube on the 30 carbine brass. even though it's pretty much just like a handgun round and i'm using carbide dies. pulling them back out of the die is difficult sometimes and i've pulled the brass right out of the holder a few times. i started using lube on those rounds needless to say.

 

[Lazuris]

I tumble after loading to get the oil from my hands off. If you handle ammo the natural oils from your body will, over time, lead to tarnishing the copper and brass. Its not much but it leads to discolor. I do all of my loading in batches. So I might not load for a calibier again for months. Hence the final polish before boxing them up for storage. I also use rubber gloves when loading the boxes. When I do this ammo that might be years old looks as brand new as the day I made it. I'm kinda anal about having my things looks shinny. Hell I just had my car serviced, its an 02 S500 with only 20k. The service tech was shocked he said the had not seen any one take care of their car like that. I told him thats the difference between owning and leasing.

 

[Shoney]

Lazuris wrote, "I tumble after loading to get the oil from my hands off."

That sounds like great exercise! Do you do cartwheels, shoulder rolls, backflips,or what?

This dicussion occurs so frequently, there should be a sticky on it.

 

[Cloudpeak]

I use Lee Liquid Alox to size my bullets. Sticky stuff. By the time they end up in the hopper of my LNL and are moved around and transferred to another box, a bit of lube is transferred to the cases. I lay out about 10 in a row on a towel, roll them to check the case mouth for cracks, inspect the primers and, well, just check them. When I'm done, I take a "micro fiber" towel, put them on the 10 rounds and press down while rolling them back and forth. It's amazing how well the micro fiber towels remove the "sticky" from the brass. I don't worry about a bit of lube left on the bullets because, after rolling, they go into cartridge boxes.

Cloudpeak

 

[ar10]

I've started running all my finished rounds, just to make them shinny when I put them away. Because I've got about a years supply now.

 

[JDGray]

Do not tumble hollow points, but everything else is good to go. I lube my 9mm cases, since there tapered, and sizing them is a PITA! Straight cases like 45s, need no lube.

 

[newmaxx11]

i just talked to a friend about this tonight and he said the only problem might be that the powder gets broken down? is that feasable or was he jacking with me.

 

[1911user]

i just talked to a friend about this tonight and he said the only problem might be that the powder gets broken down? is that feasable or was he jacking with me.

He was well meaning, but sadly mis-informed.

 

[Sport45]

i just talked to a friend about this tonight and he said the only problem might be that the powder gets broken down? is that feasable or was he jacking with me.

Read the thread that Snuffy linked above...

 

[TooTaxed]

Tumbling loaded ammo for a final cleaning is just fine. I use corncob with two or three squirts of car polish added...keeps the brass from eventually tarnishing.