Case lube with carbide dies?

[hotwheelz]

I was loading up some 45lc this morning on my 550 and it seemed a little bit rough so I pulled the tool head and cleaned the dies. I started back and still seemed rough so I got out my case lube pad and lubed up some cases and then it was running like greased lightining. So i would run a lubed case every 7-10 cases and works great.

Is there a problem with my dies???? It seems to be the seating die thats making all the problems but if I flare the case any less the bullet has a hard time seating Im running 250gr lead fp. Im usuing the lee 3-die set with factory crimp die.
Is this just becouse of the long case of a 45lc? Sometimes it seems my .357 get a little rough also but i dont load either of these on a regular basis so its hard to tell.

 

[Shoney]

How are you cleaning the cases before you resize?

 

[hotwheelz]

I use a vibrating case cleaner with the lyman green corn cob.

 

[Shoney]

Did you mike the bullets? Lead by necessity has to be 0.001 to 0.004 larger than jacketed. This may be the cause of the greater tension needed to seat the bullets.

 

[Mal H]

hotwheelz - That's sounds just about normal. Even though carbide dies don't require any lube on the cases, it certainly doesn't hurt. With the case being pressed through a smaller opening of the die, it is going to create a lot of drag, if you add a little lube it makes for a lot less friction.

I dump all the cleaned cases in an aluminum pan and give 'em a quick spray with Hornady's One Shot. I don't bother to get a lot on them or spray it all around the case. I figure by normal distribution, the die is going to get some lube all around it after 5 or 6 cases have been resized. It really makes for a smoother session. I clean the carbide ring after each session with a Q-Tip.

 

[hotwheelz]

Just checked the bullets the mic out ot .453 .

 

[Walkalong]

I use Frankford Arsenal case polish and it helps slick the cases up a tad as well as shine them up well.

 

[GaryL]

Everything runs better with lubrication. No surprise there.

 

[kir_kenix]

i use imperial sizing wax every 10-15 cases. this really smooths out the process and makes it run quicker.

 

[Mal H]

The bullets (and their size) really don't enter into the equation since you're talking about case sizing only.

 

[SASS#23149]

I do a lot of .485colt and always lube the 10th case just a smidge,sure helps.
Using OneShot would work even better,I'll try that.

I"d be surprised if it's the seating die causing the hard work,it's most generally the sizing operation that slows things down.

but then I"ve been surprised before,lol

 

[DBR]

I use plain untreated walnut shell from a pet store to clean cases. The cases are not as shiny but they run thru my Dillon 1050 a lot better than when I used corn cob and polish.

The polish is by nature an abrasive and the residue it left on the cases really made them drag in the carbide dies.

I don't like leaving any lube on finished rounds. The case is supposed to be dry in the chamber and the chamber is supposed to be dry so the case can grab the chamber walls as the case expands during firing. Any lube that will work for sizing if left on the case defeats this to some extent.

 

[Steve in PA]

Been reloading pistol cases (.380, 9mm. .38/.357, .44 and .45acp) for a little over 15 years, never lubed a case using RCBS carbide dies.

 

[rigmech]

have a set of rcbs carbide 9mm dies that require every 8-10th case be lubed or one will stick in the sizing die, expensive lesson. I demolished the first die trying to get the case out of it.

 

[hotwheelz]

So after adjusting my flare very minutly several times I have it running smooth.
But I still think I will lube every 10 or so cases seems to run better, I have never had a problem with the 9,40,10, 45 so I think Ill leave them dry thanks for all the help and input Happy New Year guys.