Vicious-Peanut
Member
So I got to wondering last night as I tried to sleep if I need to clean the sizing lube off my loads before firing them? I didn't last time, but wasn't sure what you should do.
Cleaning lube off?
- Thread starter Vicious-Peanut
- Start date
- Status
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Yes you should.
Greasy ammo not only picks up grit & dirt and transfers it to the gun, but lubed cases transfer more bolt-thrust to the gun.
And your hands won't get as slick & nasty loading magazines!
rcmodel
Greasy ammo not only picks up grit & dirt and transfers it to the gun, but lubed cases transfer more bolt-thrust to the gun.
And your hands won't get as slick & nasty loading magazines!
rcmodel
ReloaderFred
Member
It needs to be removed. General Julian Hatcher proved that many, many years ago. Rcmodel gave you the reasons for it, but General Hatcher proved it.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
K3
Member
I tumble after finishing all case prep, but prior to priming/charging/seating. I haven't had any issues with media in the flash hole. Electric duster is wonderful stuff.
Vicious-Peanut
Member
So tumbling the finished rounds would be OK?
K3
Member
I wouldn't do it because I'm very particular about any dings on SPs, particularly my hunting ammo. But that's just me.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Yes, you can safely tumble loaded ammo in a vibratory tumbler.
No, it won't harm or ding up the the bullets in the least. A rotary tumbler might.
(HP's may get media stuck in the HP cavities.)
And no, it won't grind up the powder grains and blow you up.
How do you think the factories get new commercial ammo to look so pretty!
rcmodel
No, it won't harm or ding up the the bullets in the least. A rotary tumbler might.
(HP's may get media stuck in the HP cavities.)
And no, it won't grind up the powder grains and blow you up.
How do you think the factories get new commercial ammo to look so pretty!
rcmodel
K3
Member
You're prolly right, but I can't get over myself on this one. Besides, it makes ME feel better about my ammo. Wasn't it you who said 'If it makes you think your ammo will be more accurate, then do it'? Or some thing like that.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Yep! That was me!
I like shiny spotless ammo, so I usually tumble mine.
In my mind, I just Know it shoots better!
rcmodel
I like shiny spotless ammo, so I usually tumble mine.
In my mind, I just Know it shoots better!
rcmodel
Vicious-Peanut
Member
One last question, when I shot the rounds the (Lee) lube had been dry for two weeks but do I need to clean the chamber? I just don't want it to have gummed up and become less reliable.
moooose102
Member
i learned the hard way about NOT removing the case lube. i loaded up a couple of boxes of 30-30 shells, many years ago, and did not remove the rcbs case lube. when i dug them out to use them, nearly 10 years later, they looked HORRIBLE! the cases were almost black from all the tarnish that has accumulated. i did polish it off, with a lot of work (and a lot of simichrome), but i have not shot any yet. i am going to have to do that very soon, just to see if the cases will hold the pressure. i now deprime, tumble, resize, trim and chamfer if ness. then wash in HOT soapy water and dry them before i prime them. then finish as usual. and YES, i do have a lot of time on my hands.
I just started reloading and I got the info from this forum that the lube needs to be wash/tumbled. I opted for the "cheap" solution. I washed mine Dawn, rinsed, the used the hair dryer to get them nice and cozy.
I shot my 1st 150 with 165 gr last week and the 150 gr this past weekend. every thing went fine. (BTW that very first round of the very first reload is spooky. I seriously considered full body armor, a helmet, and a very long string tied to the trigger. Didn't need any of it).
I shot my 1st 150 with 165 gr last week and the 150 gr this past weekend. every thing went fine. (BTW that very first round of the very first reload is spooky. I seriously considered full body armor, a helmet, and a very long string tied to the trigger. Didn't need any of it).
inserthumorhere
Member
Try Hornady One Shot. They claim it dries completely, but I still like to wipe down the cases after sizing. If I used any other case lube, I would be washing/tumbling the brass to clean the lube off.
Here's a procedure that I came up with about twenty years ago which might work for you. With two old towels, fold each along the (long) axis two or three times ending with a width of about 8-10 inches. Place one towel on your loading bench and add 15-20 rounds in a line at the center. Lay the second towel over the line of cases and rub the cases 1-2 inches for 2-3 seconds. Change hand position along the line as you proceed. Repeat with another 15-20 rounds until hinished. Refold the towels for a clean surface. Repeat.
I am able to do 500 rounds in no time at all. No tumbler to run unless you want to follow up and get the cases even prettier. The towel method also prevents any slight lube contamination of the media.
'Toweling' works well and is extremely fast.
I am able to do 500 rounds in no time at all. No tumbler to run unless you want to follow up and get the cases even prettier. The towel method also prevents any slight lube contamination of the media.
'Toweling' works well and is extremely fast.
stubbicatt
Member
You can use Lee case lube with complete peace of mind, shoot the rounds without cleaning if you want to. You can tumble it off in about 20 minutes in a good vibratory tumbler.
- Status