Dents in my 06 cases.

[PinnedAndRecessed]

I'm lubing my cases prior to resizing on a RCBS pad with RCBS lube. (I'll probably try the recommendations re other lubes/procedures later.)

Here's my pattern:
1) Roll case along pad.
2) Spread lube (which is now on case) evenly with fingers.
3) Resize.

But I've gotten a few cases with little sand sized dents. One on the shoulder. A couple just below the shoulder.

This is from too much lube, right?

Are the cases now worthless, or can I use them?

 

[Steve H]

I would say too much lube. If you are using a "pad" use just enough lube to barley get the cases wet.

 

[snuffy]

Yup, lube dents! You must have too much lube on the pad. You say "spread the lube along the case with your fingers." No need to. You ONLY want the lube on the body of the case, BELOW the shoulder/case body junction.

Now the cases that are dented are perfectly safe to load and fire. The dents will dissapear, fire form out, when fired.

 

[Bottom Gun]

Those lube dents won't hurt anything. Go ahead and shoot them. The cases will expand back to their original configuration and they will load again just fine.

Try cleaning your sizing die to remove any lube build up. That may help temporarily. Clean brass will help to keep your dies cleaner as well.

Some dies I have had in the past (RCBS X Dies) would dent the shoulders of every .30-06 case I ran through them, whether I used spray lube or a pad. RCBS customer service told me to "wipe the lube off the shoulders before sizing".
The dies had a relief hole. but it didn't function properly.

I went, instead, to a set of Dillon dies and have not had a lube dent since regardless how much lube I slop on. I normally use the Dillon spray lube and I can see the relief hole blowings tiny bubbles when I size a case.

 

[SDC]

I find the "spray-on" lube a lot easier to use; just stand the cases up on your pad or on a piece of newspaper, give them a quick spritz, wait a minute or two, and you're good to go.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

Thanx. You guys are great.

 

[The Bushmaster]

PinnedAndRecessed...As thin a film as possible. Your kit should have come with a nylon bore brush (I use an old .30 bronze bore brush) and a handle. Roll the bore brush over the pad and run it into the mouth of the case. This will help...

 

[MNgoldenbear]

I really like Imperial sizing wax. That said, just about any of the lubes applied sparingly to the right part of the case (body) will do just fine. And yes, unless you're really on the edge as far as pressure and the dents are really big, they should shoot and iron themselves out just fine.

 

[SzaboZ]

Hello!
I'm newbie at reloading. I tought that my first attempt will be successful, but when I resized my 30-06 cases I got this deformation. What can be the problem? I used Redding FL die. Thanks.

 

[SDC]

Likely the same problem as above; too much lubricant on the cases when you're re-sizing them.

 

[Steve in PA]

You only need a very thin film of lube on the cases. I've never spread any with my fingers. Just rol the case across the pad, keeping the shoulder free of the lube and resize the die. I've never had a problems with any of my rifle brass in all the years I've been reloading.

 

[SzaboZ]

3006

Maybe the key is to keep the shoulder free of lube... I"ll try again. Is it safe to fire these cases?

 

[Idano]

RCBS lube is good for lubricating the shell plates on my progressive but I hate it for lubing brass, it is just too viscous. I like the spray lubes better, I have never dented a case. I am currently using a homemade lube I have come to like the best. It is 4 ounces of liquid lanolin mixed with one pint of 99% isopropyl alcohol. It looks, feels, and smells exactly like the liquid case lube Sinclair sells. So far I haven't had a stuck or dented case and it only cost $10 for 20 ounces and I can get it locally.

 

[SzaboZ]

3006

I will try out this mix. Is it problem if I spray it to the neck and shoulder?

 

[Idano]

SzaboZ,

No there are not any issues with spraying the shoulder and neck of the casings. I recommend getting a old cookie sheet and laying your brass down on it an giving it a couple of spritz. The trick is finding a small spay bottle for the lube like the Dillon or Sinclair pump sprayers that their case lube comes in. I am using an old Sent Away pump bottle left over from the archery days.

 

[SzaboZ]

Thanks! With the lanolin mix everything work perfectly !!!

 

[schmidtbender]

Hornady spray on lube will end your problems.

 

[BAGTIC]

I lube my cases in bulk in a small plastic pail.

I warm the cases by setting them in a warm place (sun, heat register, top of water heater, etc.) then dribble a little lubes down the inside of the pail. I stir vigorously with my hands like I was washing beans. In one minute I can lube 500+ cases and they all come out the same with a thin flm all over the outside of the cases.

Loading one, or a few, cases at a time is distracting, interrupts the rhythm of loading, and is inefficient.